The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the boatyard general permit (permit), a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and state waste discharge general permit. The permit was last issued in July 2016 and is scheduled to expire at the end of July 2021. The revised draft permit and fact sheet, which explains the legal and technical basis for the permit, are available with any associated documents for review and public comment from March 3, 2021, through April 16, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Ecology will host public hearings on the draft permit.

Purpose of the Permit: The statewide permit provides coverage for boatyards that discharge stormwater runoff from areas with industrial activity directly to the ground, to a surface waterbody, or to a storm sewer system that drains to a surface waterbody. This general permit also regulates process wastewater from pressure washing in boatyards, unless the wastewater is discharged to a municipal sanitary sewer operated by a sewer authority (publicly owned treatment works) with a delegated pretreatment program. Under federal and state water quality laws (Federal Clean Water Act and State Water Pollution Control Act), a permit is required for the discharge of stormwater or wastewater from these facilities.

Applying for Coverage under the Permit: Facilities that have reapplied for coverage by February 1, 2021, and are covered under the existing permit, would be covered under a new permit. New or unpermitted facilities may obtain coverage under the permit by submitting a complete permit application to ecology and satisfying all applicable public notice and State Environmental Policy Act requirements (WAC 173-226-200). Access to the application is available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Boatyard-general-permit.

Copies of the Draft Permit and Fact Sheet: The draft permit and fact sheet will be available online at https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Boatyard-general-permit by end of day on March 3, 2021. You may also request copies from Kim Adams at 360-407-6448 or email kimberly.adams@ecy.wa.gov.

Ecology Contact: James Hovis, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, phone 564-999-3244, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, email james.hovis@ecy.wa.gov.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, call ecology at 360-407-7285 or visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility. People with impaired hearing may call Washington relay service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit and fact sheet from March 3, 2021, through April 16, 2021, by 11:59 p.m. Ecology prefers online comment submission via the eComment form (link below) on the permit webpage. Written comments by mail must be postmarked by April 16, 2021. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

Public Workshops and Hearings: The purpose of the workshop is to explain the general permit and to answer questions prior to the formal public hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and written comments on the proposed draft permit. Oral testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments.

Evening: Monday, April 12, 2021, at 5:00 p.m., Webinar, join the Webinar* https://watech.webex.com/watech/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed53ef308d59f82ad60b67d9adb2ab3db.

Morning: Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., Webinar, join the Webinar* https://watech.webex.com/watech/onstage/g.php?MTID=e462a6dcadec11f6d91f96fdf2bd53d6f.

Issuing the Permit: After ecology receives and considers all public comments, we will make a final decision on permit issuance. Ecology expects to make a decision on the general permit in June 2021.