The draft industrial stormwater general permit (ISWGP), fact sheet, and application are available for review and public comment from June 3, 2009, through July 15, 2009. Ecology will host informational workshops and a public hearing on the draft permit. Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit, fact sheet, and application or oral comments can be given at the public hearing.

     Purpose of the Permit: The general permit provides coverage for industries located in Washington state that discharge stormwater associated with industrial activities. Under federal and state water quality law (Federal Clean Water Act and State Water Pollution Control Act); a permit is required for the discharge of wastewater. The federal definition of wastewater includes stormwater associated with industrial activities.

     Most facilities that discharge stormwater from industrial activity either directly or indirectly to surface water are required to obtain permit authorization for their discharge unless they apply for and receive a "no exposure" exemption. Specifically, facilities with a "stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity," as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) at 40 C.F.R. Subpart 122.26 (b)(14)(i-xi, excluding x) are subject to coverage under the draft ISWGP.

     Applying for Coverage Under the Permit: Facilities that applied for coverage and are covered under the existing industrial stormwater general permit will be automatically covered under the new permit. New or unpermitted facilities may obtain coverage under the general permit by submitting a complete permit application to ecology and satisfying all applicable public notice and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements (WAC 173-226-200). The application is available online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/ecy02084.html.

     Requesting Copies of the Permit: You may download copies of the draft permit, fact sheet, and application from the web site www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/industrial/index.html, or you may request copies from Julie Robertson at (360) 407-6575 or by e-mail at jrob461@ecy.wa.gov.

     Submitting Written and Oral Comments: Ecology will accept written and oral comments on the draft ISWGP, fact sheet, and application. Comments should reference specific text when possible. Comments may address the following:

•	Technical issues,
•	Accuracy and completeness of information,
•	The scope of facilities proposed for coverage,
•	Adequacy of environmental protection and permit conditions, or
•	Any other concern that would result from issuance of the revised permit.

     Ecology prefers comments be submitted by e-mail to industrialstormwatercomments@ecy.wa.gov. Written comments must be postmarked or received via e-mail no later than 5 p.m., July 15, 2009. Submit written, hard copy comments to Jeff Killelea, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. You may also provide oral comments by testifying at the public hearing.

     Public Hearing and Workshops: The public hearing and workshops on the draft general permit will be held at the locations below. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and comments on the draft permit. The purpose of the workshops is to explain the proposed changes to the new permit.

     WORKSHOPS:

June 19, 2009 (1 p.m.)	Vancouver	Vancouver City Council Chambers 210 East 13th Street Vancouver, WA (360) 487-8600
June 24, 2009 (1 p.m.)	Moses Lake	Moses Lake Fire Station 701 East Third Street Moses Lake, WA (509) 765-2204
June 26, 2009 (9 a.m.)	Mount Vernon	PUD No. 1 of Skagit County 1415 Freeway Drive Mount Vernon, WA (360) 424-7104

     HEARING AND WORKSHOP:

July 13, 2009 (1 p.m.)

Tacoma

Pierce County Library System Room C 3005 112th Street East Tacoma, WA (253) 536-6500

     Issuing the Final Permit: The final permit will be issued after ecology receives and considers all public comments. Ecology expects to issue the new general permit on October 21, 2009. It will be effective January 1, 2010.

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