Boatyard General Permit

• Activities that Require a Boatyard Permit
• Contacts
• Current Permit Documents
• Guidance Documents (SWPPP, How To Do Sampling, Vacuum Grinders, and More)
• Monitoring Results
• More Information
• Application for Permit Coverage PDF version or Word version
• Permit Change Request Form
• Permit History
• Public Comments on Permit Drafts

  Ecology is proposing to modify the Boatyard General Permit.  The draft modified permit and fact sheet were available for review and comment from November 19, 2008 until midnight, January 30, 2009.  Ecology hosted an informational workshop and a public hearing on the draft modification. Ecology also accepted written comments on the draft permit modification and fact sheet.

        Comments Received
        Draft Permit Modification
        Fact Sheet
        Focus Sheet

Modifying the Boatyard General Permit

The current boatyard NPDES and State Waste Discharge General Permit was issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) on November 2, 2005. The permit was appealed by Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) and the PugetSoundkeeper Alliance (PSA). The permit has been under appeal and settlement discussion since that time. Ecology is now proposing to modify the permit.  The draft Boatyard General Permit modification and fact sheet under review have been approved by NMTA and PSA as a result of the appeal settlement.

Issuing the Final Boatyard General Permit Modification

The final modified permit will be issued 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 modified general permit in the summer of 2009 if there is no substantial change to the draft. It will be effective 30 days later.

Activities that Require a Boatyard Permit

A boatyard is a commercial business engaged in the construction, repair and maintenance of small vessels, 85% of which are 65 feet or less in length, or revenues from which constitute more than 85% of gross receipts.  Services typically provided include, but are not limited to: pressure washing hulls, painting and coating, engine and propulsion system repair and replacement, hull repair, joinery, bilge cleaning, fuel and lubrication system repair and replacement, welding and grinding of hull, buffing and waxing, marine sanitation device (MSD) repair and replacement, and other activities necessary to maintain a vessel.  This includes mobile facilities.

Current Permit and Fact Sheet

•  Permit (Effective 01/19/08)                        
       Fact Sheet Addendum (01/19/08)
• Permit Modification (Effective 5/20/06)
• Permit (Effective 11/2/05)
      Fact Sheet and Response to Comments (11/2/05)

Regional Boatyard Contacts