WSR 17-22-108

[Filed October 31, 2017, 10:28 a.m.]

Proposed Permit: Under the authority of chapter 90.48 RCW, the Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to issue the winery state waste discharge general permit (permit) to establish waste management practices for winemaking facilities to prevent pollution and protect waters of the state. The proposed permit conditionally authorizes discharges of winery process wastewater to land, ground water, and wastewater treatment plants.

State water quality statutes and regulations do not allow the discharge of pollutants to waters of the state without permit coverage. Winery process wastewater has characteristics that could potentially negatively impact ground water quality, and therefore require a discharge permit before being discharged. When the permitted activities are similar, ecology issues a general permit in place of a series of individual permits.

Ecology will accept comments from the public on the proposed permit and supporting documents from 9:00 a.m. on November 1, 2017, until 11:59 p.m. on February 14, 2018.

Purpose of the Permit: The purpose of the proposed permit is to control the discharge of pollutants in winery process wastewater to land, ground water, and wastewater treatment plants. No surface water discharges are allowed under the proposed permit. Coverage under the proposed permit will be available to facilities that discharge winery process wastewater to one or more of the discharge methods described in the permit.

Copies of the Draft Permit: The draft permit, fact sheet, and other supporting documents are available on the following web page www.ecology.wa.gov/winerypermit.

Additionally, you may request copies of documents from Stacey Callaway at Stacey.Callaway@ecy.wa.gov, 360-407-7118.

Workshop and Public Hearing: The purpose of the workshop is to explain the general permit and to answer questions prior to the formal public hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and comments on the proposed draft permit. Written comments will receive the same consideration as oral testimony. The public hearing will begin immediately following the public workshop and will conclude when public testimony is complete.

On Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., ecology is offering this hearing via webinar1. To join the webinar, click on the following link for more information and instructions. Register for the morning webinar.

On Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at 6:00 p.m., ecology is offering this hearing via webinar1. To join the webinar, click on the following link for more information and instructions. Register for the evening webinar.

On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., Benton County PUD, 250 Gap Road, Prosser, WA 99336.

On Friday, February 2, 2018, at 1:30 p.m., South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 S.E. Newport Way, Bellevue, WA 98006.

Submitting Written Comments: Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit, fact sheet, and supporting documentation until 11:59 p.m. on February 14, 2018. Ecology prefers comments be submitted through the comment form on the permit web page. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

Submit comments: Online via the e-Comment form http://ws.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=A5JiF; or by mail to Stacey Callaway, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696.

Issuing the Permit: The final decision on permit issuance will be made 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 2018.

Ecology Contact: Stacey Callaway, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696, 360-407-7118, Stacey.Callaway@ecy.wa.gov.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: If you need special accommodation or documents in alternative formats, please contact ecology facility coordinator Hannah Waterstrat at 360-407-7668 or 877-833-6341.