Announcing a Draft Boatyard General Permit
for Review and Comment
Proposed Permit: Ecology is proposing to reissue the
boatyard general permit and is seeking comment on the draft
permit.
Purpose of the Permit: The boatyard general permit is a statewide permit that provides coverage for discharges of stormwater and pressure wash water from boatyards. The permit specifically regulates discharges of stormwater to surface water bodies. When boatyards build, repair, and paint boats they create pollutants that are carried by stormwater into surface waters. A boatyard, as defined for the purposes of this permit, is a commercial business engaged in the construction, repair, and maintenance of small vessels, eighty-five percent of which are sixty-five feet or less in length, or revenues from which constitute more than eighty-five percent of gross receipts. This definition includes mobile boatyards. There are currently eighty-eight total permitted boatyard facilities in Washington state. The permit prohibits discharge of pressure wash water to surface waters. The permit imposes benchmarks and limits on pollutants discharged in stormwater from boatyards.
Copies of the Draft Permit: You may download copies of the draft permit and fact sheet from the following web site http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/boatyard/index.html.
Or you may request a copy of the permit or fact sheet from Julie Robertson at (360) 407-6575 or by e-mail at julie.robertson@ecy.wa.gov.
Ecology Contact: Gary Bailey, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone (360) 407-6433, fax (360) 407-6426, e-mail gary.bailey@ecy.wa.gov.
Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit and fact sheet until 5 p.m., May 28, 2010. Ecology prefers comments be submitted by e-mail. E-mailed comments must contain the commenter's name and postal address. Comments should reference specific permit 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 modified permit.
Submit Comments by E-mail to: gary.bailey@ecy.wa.gov.
Submit Written Comments to: Gary Bailey, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.
You must send e-mail comments before 5 p.m., May 28, 2010. Written comments must be postmarked no later than 5 p.m., May 28, 2010.
Hearings and Workshops: There are two public workshops and hearings scheduled on the draft general permit. The purpose of the workshops is to explain the general permit, explain the changes from the current permit, and answer questions in order to facilitate meaningful testimony during the hearing. The purpose of the hearings is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and comments on the proposed permit. Written comments will receive the same consideration as oral testimony. The public workshops and hearings will begin at 1 p.m. and conclude when public testimony is completed.
May 24, 2010, at 1 p.m., Workshop and Hearing: Department of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA 98503.
May 26, 2010, at 1 p.m., Workshop and Hearing: Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201.
Issuing the Boatyard General Permit: The final permit will be issued after ecology receives and considers all public comments. If public comments cause a substantial change in the permit conditions from the original draft permit, another public notice of draft and comment period may ensue. Ecology expects to issue the general permit in the summer of 2010.