Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 16, 1999

99-242

Contact: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157; pager, (360) 534-8590
Phil KauzLoric, Dairy Program Coordinator, (360) 407-6413

Ecology asks for comments on dairy permit to protect water quality

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is holding four public hearings in November and December to get public comments on its wastewater discharge permit for dairy farms.

Under the federal Clean Water Act, Ecology must renew and reissue wastewater discharge permits every five years. In 1994, Ecology issued the general permit to help dairy farms keep pollution out of lakes, rivers and ground water.

"At the hearings we will be asking dairy farmers, environmental organizations, tribes and the public whether the permit will be effective in safely managing dairy waste," said Megan White, manager for Ecology's Water Quality Program. "We want to make sure the permit protects public health, water quality, shellfish and salmon."

YAKIMA	Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1-2 p.m. -- meeting, 2:30 p.m. - hearing Yakima Area Arboretum, 1401 Arboretum Rd.
LYNDEN	Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1-2 p.m. - meeting, 2:30 p.m. - hearing Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, Peoples Place, 1775 Front St.
EVERETT	Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1-2 p.m. - meeting, 2:30 p.m. - hearing Washington State University Cooperative Extension, Auditorium, 600 128^th St. S.E.
CENTRALIA	Friday, Dec. 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. - meeting, 8 p.m. - hearing Centralia Community College, Main Cafeteria, 600 W. Locust St.

Ecology has issued permit coverage to more than 80 of the state's approximately 752 dairies. The permit allows farms to discharge untreated manure into creeks and streams under extreme weather conditions, and it directs farms to develop and implement management plans to prevent and stop discharges.

Any dairy that discharges waste to a lake, river or marine water needs a permit. Animal manure and contaminated runoff can make waterways unhealthy for people and fish.

Ecology is proposing very few changes to the current permit. The primary change would ensure the permit is consistent with the federal Clean Water Act regulations and 1998 state law to manage dairy waste.

People may get a copy of the draft permit or send comments on it by contacting Phil KauzLoric, Dept. of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Lacey, Wash., 98504-7600, (360) 407-6413. Ecology will accept comments through Dec. 10. The agency will consider comments on the permit prior to re-issuing it in January 2000.