The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the Sand and Gravel National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The permit was last issued in February 2016, was modified in January 2018, and is scheduled to expire at the end of March 2021. The new draft permit and fact sheet, which explains the technical basis for the permit, are available for review and public comment from October 27, 2020, through 11:59 p.m. on December 11, 2020. Ecology will host informational workshops and public hearings on the draft permit.

Purpose of the Permit: The permit provides statewide coverage for facilities that engage in sand and gravel operations, rock quarries, similar mining operations, concrete batch operations, and hot mix asphalt operations. The sand and gravel general permit does not provide coverage to facilities that are covered under an individual permit that allows for these activities. The purpose of the permit is to control the discharge of pollutants from process water, stormwater, and mine dewatering water discharges associated with sand and gravel activities into waters of the state. 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 these wastewaters.

Applying for Coverage under the Permit: Facilities that have already applied for coverage by October 2, 2020, and are covered under the existing permit will be covered under the 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/sandandgravel.

Copies of the Draft Permit and Fact Sheet: The draft permit and fact sheet will be available online by the end of day on October 27, 2020 (https://ecology.wa.gov/sandandgravel). You may also request copies from Dena Jaskar at 360-407-6401, or by email at dena.jaskar@ecy.wa.gov.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit and fact sheet from October 27, 2020, through 11:59 p.m. on December 11, 2020. Ecology prefers comments to be submitted online via the eComment form (link provided below) on the permit webpage. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

You may submit comments: Online via the eComment form:http://wq.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=hW4pQ (preferred method). By mail: Send to Adrien Carroll-Perkins (see address information below). All comments must be postmarked or submitted online no later than December 11, 2020.

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 submit written comments on the proposed draft permit. Oral testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments. The public hearing will begin immediately following each workshop and will conclude when testimony is complete.

On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. Webinar*. Join the webinar at https://watech.webex.com/watech/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed68f0e21472f0878136ace9114c6c258.

On Friday, December 4, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Webinar*. Join the webinar at https://watech.webex.com/watech/onstage/g.php?MTID=e4d95cf4e1d475cfdcf9579b072f848e4.

*The workshops and hearings offered via webinar allow individuals to view the presentation and provide testimony via computer or mobile device. Ecology will not be offering in-person hearings due to safety concerns regarding COVID-19.

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 draft general permit in February 2020.

Ecology Contact: Adrien Carroll-Perkins, Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, email adrien.carroll-perkins@ecy.wa.gov, phone 360-407-7386.