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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 1997
97-160
CONTACT: Mary Getchell (360) 407-6157, Pager (360) 534-8590
MEDIA ADVISORY
Olympia, WA - This month, the Washington Department of Ecology is asking people, local governments and businesses for their ideas and opinions on several significant water related issues. Ecology will be visiting communities across the state and asking for people's input at public workshops and hearings on the following three topics.
Wastewater Discharge Permits for Boatyards
Ecology is planning to re-issue and revise its general wastewater discharge permit to control the discharge of toxic pollutants such as metals, grease and oil from boatyards into surface and ground water. Currently, 130 boatyards are covered under the general permit, which Ecology first issued in 1992. The permit pertains to all state and private boatyards involved in new construction or repair of small vessels 65 feet or less in length. For the first time, Ecology is also proposing to issue the revised permit to commercial divers who perform in-water hull cleaning and maintenance. Contact: Paul Stasch (360) 407-6446
EVERETT Oct. 7, 1997, 5:45-9:00 p.m.
Everett Comm. College, Jackson Conf. Room, 801 Wetmore Ave.
TACOMA Oct. 8, 1997, 5:45-9:00 p.m.
Tacoma Central Wastewater Treatment Facility
Transmission Room, 2201 Portland Ave.
Stormwater General Permit for Construction Activities
Ecology is proposing to change the general stormwater discharge permit to include construction activities that are owned by municipalities with a population less than 100,000. The construction activity -- clearing, grading or excavating -- would involve sites of five acres or more. In all, some 265 cities and 33 counties would now need stormwater permits for such activities. The permit would help construction sites minimize erosion and sediment runoff which can pollute surface waters. Contact: Glenn Pieritz (360) 407-6436
SPOKANE Oct. 15, 1:45-5:00 p.m.
Ecology's Eastern Regional Office, 4601 N. Monroe, Suite 100
YAKIMA Oct. 16, 1:45-5:00 p.m.
Ecology's Central Regional Office, 15 West Yakima Ave., Suite 200
LACEY Oct. 21, 1:45-5:00 p.m.
Ecology Headquarters Building, Auditorium, 300 Desmond Drive
BELLEVUE Oct. 23, 1:45-5:00 p.m.
Ecology's Northeast Regional Office, 3190 160th Ave. SE
Rules For Well Construction and Licenses
At the legislature's direction, Ecology is amending two administrative rules that establish standards for well construction and licensing of well drillers. The amendments aim to clarify definitions; reduce confusion between water wells and monitoring wells; require well drillers to do continuing education; establish a training program for new license holders; and improve consumer and water resource protection. Contact: Dick Szymarek (360) 407-6648
YAKIMA Oct. 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Yakima Arboretum, Gardenview Room, 1401 Arboretum Drive
SPOKANE Oct. 23, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Spokane Comm. College, Sasquatch Rm., 1810 North Greene St.
LACEY Oct. 28, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Ecology's Headquarters Building, Auditorium, 300 Desmond Dr.
BELLINGHAM Oct. 29, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Bellingham Public Library, Large Lecture Rm, 210 Central Ave.
Editor's Note: Public workshops and hearings will also be offered this month regarding water right permit processing. Information regarding this issue will be distributed to the media separately from this transmittal.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
