WSR 07-22-117

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY


[ Filed November 7, 2007, 10:32 a.m. ]


PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Workshops and Hearings to Accept Comments on the

Draft Industrial Stormwater General Permit



     The Industrial Stormwater General Permit: The industrial stormwater NPDES and state waste discharge general permit (ISWGP), issued by the Washington state department of ecology (ecology) on September 20, 2002, expired on September 20, 2007. Ecology reissued its ISWGP on August 15, 2007, without changes for an interim period (until May 31, 2008) while we redeveloped a new draft permit.

     Ecology has revised the permit for a second public comment period. The proposed draft ISWGP and fact sheet are available for review and public comment from November 21, 2007, until 5 p.m. PST on January 10, 2008.

     Ecology redeveloped a second draft permit for public comment using input from internal and external stakeholders. Ecology received a wide spectrum of comments addressing proposed requirements in the first draft permit, including comments on a new approach to permitting recommended in a report delivered to the legislature in December 2006. Three issues emerged from the comments that require reconsideration of decisions made for the February 2007 draft. The three issues are:

The basis of the benchmarks.
Use of the season median of sample results to trigger corrective action.
The corrective action program to remedy benchmark exceedances.
     You may review the second draft permit and fact sheet at the web site http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/industrial/index.html. The fact sheet provides information on the industries covered under the permit, including discharge characteristics, compliance with the previous permit, and the legal and technical basis for the permit conditions.

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

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

Technical issues.
Accuracy and completeness of information.
The scope of facilities proposed for coverage.
Adequacy of environmental protection and permit conditions.
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. PST, January 10, 2008.

     You may provide oral comments by testifying at the public hearings.

     Submit written, hard copy comments to Lionel Klikoff, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.

     Public Workshops/Hearings: Ecology will conduct public workshops and hearings on the second draft general permit at the four locations listed below. At the workshops, ecology will explain the general permit, identify changes from the previous permit, and answer questions to facilitate testimony during the hearing. The hearings provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and comments on the proposed permit. Public hearings begin immediately after the workshops and conclude as soon as public testimony is completed.

January 4, 2008 (2 p.m.) Centralia Timberland Regional Library

110 South Silver

Centralia

(360) 736-0183

January 7, 2008 (9 a.m.) Skagit County PUD

1415 Freeway Drive

Mount Vernon

(360) 424-7104

January 8, 2008 (1 p.m.) Spokane Shadle Library

West 2111 Wellesley Avenue

Spokane

(509) 444-5390

January 9, 2008 (9 a.m.) Yakima County Courthouse

128 North 2nd Street

Yakima

(509) 574-1502


     Issuing the Final Industrial Stormwater General Permit: Ecology will issue the final permit after receiving and considering all public comments. Ecology expects to issue the general permit in the spring of 2008. When issued, ecology will send a copy of the notice of issuance and ecology's responses to the comments to all persons who submitted written comments or gave public testimony.

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