Draft Review of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits to begin February 6, 2002.
Ninth Circuit Decision
In March 2001, the Ninth Circuit Court found that applications of aquatic pesticides were subject to Clean Water Act provisions. Ecology had been providing oversight for many of these applications though [through] administrative orders; they will now be covered by NPDES permits.
Permit Development
Ecology is developing several draft general permits and one individual permit to cover aquatic pesticide applications in the state. Burrowing shrimp control on oyster beds will be given coverage in an individual permit. The proposed general permits will provide coverage for:
• Irrigation system treatments
• Mosquito control
• Noxious weed control in wetlands, shorelines, lakes and rivers
General permits for nuisance plant control and a fish management are also being developed but will not be ready for draft review until this summer.
Workshops and Hearings Scheduled
Ecology staff will provide an overview of the proposed permit documents at the workshops, which will be held the first hour of the time allotted. Public hearings will immediately follow the workshops. The last scheduled hearing for each permit will mark the last day of the public review period for that permit.
| March 8 1:30 p.m. |
Oyster Growers Permit Workshop/Hearing, South Bend Commissioner's Meeting Room, 1216 West Robert Bush Drive | South Bend |
| March 11 1:30 p.m. |
Noxious Weed Control Permit Workshop/Hearing, Ecology Central Regional Office, 15 West Yakima Avenue, Suite 200, Seafoam/Waterfall Room | Yakima |
| March 12 9:00 a.m |
Mosquito Control Permit Workshop/Hearing, Hal Holmes Community Center, 201 North Ruby, West Room | Ellensburg |
| March 12 1:30 p.m. |
Irrigation System Permit Workshop/Hearing, Hal Holmes Community Center, 201 North Ruby, West Room | Ellensburg |
| March 14 1:30 p.m. |
Noxious Weed Control Permit Workshop/Hearing, Ecology Headquarters Building, ROA 34-36, 300 Desmond Drive | Lacey |
| March 25 1:30 p.m. |
Noxious Weed Control Permit Workshop/Hearing, Spokane Shadle Library, 2111 West Wellesley | Spokane |
Permit fees are required for all NPDES permits. Fees are set through rule and we are revising our fee rule. For fee rule updates see ecology webpages: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/permit_fees/index.htm.
For Copies of Permit Documents and Information
For updates on aquatic pest control and permit copies permits please visit ecology webpages: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/herbicides/index.html. For hardcopies of the permits and information about the discharge permit process for aquatic pesticides, please contact Kathleen Emmett, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone (360) 407-6478, fax (360) 407-6426, e-mail kemm461@ecy.wa.gov.