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Department of Ecology News Release - June 3, 2009
09-127
OLYMPIA – One of the state’s key tools to curb polluted runoff at industrial facilities is getting updated, and the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is asking the public and all interested parties to review the changes.
The Industrial Stormwater General Permit regulates polluted runoff, or stormwater, that is associated with industrial activities. A new, proposed permit is available for public review through July 15.
The industrial stormwater general permit regulates industrial facilities that discharge stormwater (rain runoff) into surface waters and into storm sewers that lead to Puget Sound, other marine waters, and Washington’s wetlands, creeks, rivers and lakes. It covers a wide array of industry sectors, including lumber, paper, printing, chemicals, petroleum, leather, metals, landfills, transportation, mills and food products.
Approximately 70 percent of industrial stormwater general permit holders discharge stormwater in the 12 counties that border Puget Sound. Ecology regulates approximately 1,200 industrial facilities in Washington through the permit.
In writing the new permit, Ecology collaborated with representatives from industries the permit regulates and environmental groups. A major goal of the revised permit is to streamline and simplify reporting without compromising environmental safeguards.
Ecology re-issued the current permit in August 2008, which remains in effect until the revised permit is finalized. Ecology expects to have a final permit in place by October. Ecology is required under the Clean Water Act to revise this permit every five years.
The permit and fact sheet are online at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/industrial/index.html . Or you may request copies from Julie Robertson by calling 360-407-6575 or e-mailing jrob461@ecy.wa.gov .
Ecology will hold one public hearing and several workshops on the draft general permit. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and comments on the draft permit. The purpose of the workshops is to explain the proposed changes to the new permit. The times, dates and locations are:
Ecology will accept written and oral comments on the draft permit and fact sheet. Comments should reference specific text when possible. Comments may address technical issues; accuracy and completeness of information; the scope of facilities proposed for coverage; adequacy of environmental protection and permit conditions; and any other concern that would result from Ecology’s issuance of the permit.
Ecology encourages comments by e-mail. Submit them to industrialstormwatercomments@ecy.wa.gov . The public may provide oral comments by testifying at the public hearing or by submitting written, hard-copy comments to Jeff Killelea, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. Ecology must receive written, postmarked or e-mailed comments no later than 5 p.m., July 15.
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Media contact: Sandy Howard, Department of Ecology, 360-407-6408
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
