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Department of Ecology News Release - November 7, 2007
07-331
OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) invites the public to comment on a proposed Aquatic Pesticide Irrigation District General Permit.
The draft permit covers 16 irrigation districts that use pesticides to control aquatic weeds and algae growth in irrigation systems. The permit is required by the Washington State Water Pollution Control Act.
The updated permit tightens the limit for the discharge of copper from irrigation systems. Copper kills aquatic weeds, however it also harms fish and other forms of aquatic life. Copper can damage the function of fish gills. It also interferes with the ability of migratory salmon and steelhead to find their spawning streams.
The permit also provides specifics to the irrigators about where they should monitor water quality.
The public may review and comment on the draft permit and fact sheet through Jan. 11, 2008. The permit, once issued, will replace and revoke the current permit that Ecology issued on April 10, 2002, and that expired on May 10, 2007. The official title of the revised permit is Irrigation System Aquatic Weed Control National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State Waste Discharge General Permit.
Ecology will host two informational workshops and public hearings on the draft permit. Each will begin at 6:30 p.m., with a public hearing immediately following each workshop. The first workshop/hearing will be Dec. 10, in Benton PUD Auditorium, 2721 West 10th Ave. (corner of Hwy 395 and 10th Ave) in Kennewick. The second will be Dec. 11, in Hal Holmes Center 209 N. Ruby St. in Ellensburg.
Ecology encourages the public to give written comments during the public comment period or voice their comments at the public hearings. Ecology will accept written and oral comments on the draft permit and fact sheet. Comments should reference specific text when possible.
To submit written comments, ask questions, or request copies of the permit, contact: Andrew Kolosseus, Washington Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. Or contact Kolosseus by phone at 360-407-7543; fax at 360-407-6426; or email at akol461@ecy.wa.gov.
Ecology must receive written, emailed, and faxed comments no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008.
The draft permit and fact sheet are available online at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pesticides/irrigation/irrigation_index.html
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Media contact: Sandy Howard, 360-407-6408; cell 360-791-3177; email srud461@ecy.wa.gov
Aquatic Pesticide Irrigation District General Permit: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pesticides/irrigation/irrigation_index.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
