WSR 12-03-096 DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY [ Filed January 17, 2012, 10:49 a.m. ]
PUBLIC NOTICE
Announcing the Public Comment Period and Hearings for the Draft Modified Industrial Stormwater General Permit
The department of ecology (ecology) proposes to modify the industrial stormwater national pollutant discharge elimination system and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The permit was last issued in October 2009 and was scheduled to expire in January 2015. The modified draft permit and fact sheet are available for review and public comment from February 1, 2012, to March 16, 2012, at 5 p.m. Ecology will host four informational workshops and one public hearing on the draft permit.
Purpose of the Permit: The 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. 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 permit.
Applying for Coverage Under the Permit: Facilities that applied for coverage and are covered under the existing permit will also be covered under the new modified 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). The application is available on-line at www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/ecy02084.html.
Copies of the Draft Permit: The draft permit and fact sheet are available on-line at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/industrial/index.html. You may request copies from Julie Robertson at (360) 407-6575 or by e-mail at Julie.Robertson@ecy.wa.gov.
Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit and fact sheet from February 1, 2012, to March 16, 2012, at 5 p.m. 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.
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 March 16, 2012, at 5 p.m.
Submit written, hard copy comments to Jeff Killelea, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.
Public Workshops: In March 2012, public workshops on the draft permit will be held in Seattle, Vancouver, Mount Vernon, and Moses Lake. The purpose of the workshops is to explain the proposed changes to the permit. Information on the Seattle workshop is listed below, under public hearing. The date, time, and location of the Vancouver, Mount Vernon, and Moses Lake public workshops are posted on ecology's industrial stormwater web site http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/industrial/index.html.
Public Hearing: On March 12, 2012, ecology will host a public hearing and workshop to explain the proposed changes to the permit and provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and comments on the draft permit.
March 12, 2012, 1 p.m.South Seattle Community College
Georgetown Campus (Room C110/C111)
6737 Corson Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98108-3450
Issuing the Permit: After ecology receives and considers all public comments, it will issue the final permit and a response to comments. Ecology expects to issue the modified permit in May 2012, with an effective date of July 1, 2012.
