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Ecology to
engage interests to update industrial stormwater permitThe Department of Ecology will initiate a collaborative effort with the regulated community and environmental interests to develop a simpler and more effective version of the next industrial stormwater general permit.
Ecology won’t finalize the draft industrial stormwater general permit that it offered for public review in November 2007. The move is based, in part, upon public comments the agency received. Also weighing in is a significant budget shortfall Ecology faces in the permit fee account that funds much of its water quality protection work, including supporting and administering this permit.
Ecology has convened a work group to help it address the permit-fee revenue shortfalls. The agency is also looking at more cost-effective methods to administer this and other permits designed to protect water quality.
While a new permit is in development, the protections under the existing permit will remain in effect.
Ecology will take near-term steps under the existing permit – for example, through training and enforcement, to help industries improve their water pollution controls.
Ecology revised this permit and issued a draft permit for pubic review in November 2007. Most recently, Ecology had been on track to issue a final permit in April 2008.
The current permit expires May 31, 2008. Existing permit holders will remain covered in the interim. New applicants should submit their applications to Ecology as usual. The current permit still applies to all facilities that are covered by the permit prior to May 31, 2008.
If you have questions, please contact Interim Water Quality Program Manager Kelly Susewind at 360-407-6872 or email ksus461@ecy.wa.gov
Frequently Asked Questions about the Draft Industrial Stormwater General Permit
Draft Industrial Stormwater General Permit
November 2007
Fact Sheet
Application for General
Permit to Discharge Stormwater
Economic Impact
Analysis
ISWGP Workshop and Hearing
Presentation
The proposed draft Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISWGP) and fact sheet were available for review and public comment from November 21, 2007 until 5 p.m. PST on January 10, 2008.
Ecology redeveloped a second draft permit for public comment using input from internal and external stakeholders. Ecology received a wide spectrum of comments addressing proposed requirements in the first draft permit, including comments on a new approach to permitting recommended in a report delivered to the legislature in December 2006.
Public Comments on the February 2007 Draft of the Industrial Stormwater General Permit
February 2007 Draft Industrial Stormwater General Permit
February 2007 Fact Sheet
To sign up for the Industrial Stormwater General Permit email list, click here.
Under federal and state water quality law (federal Clean Water Act and state Water Pollution Control Act), the discharge of wastewater, including stormwater, requires a permit. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40, Part 122.1 (b) (40 CFR 122.1 (b)) requires permits for the discharge of pollutants from any point source into waters of the United States. 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14) (i) -(xi) identifies the industries required to apply for coverage under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit. A general permit applies to a group of dischargers as a whole and implements both the federal Clean Water Act and state Water Pollution Control Act. The draft general permit addresses legal requirements and controls the discharge of pollutants to protect surface water and ground water quality in Washington State under the authority of Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 90.48.260. Facilities in the industrial sectors listed in the draft permit and on the Industrial Stormwater General Permit website will require permit coverage. Currently, 1,153 industrial facilities are covered under the permit.
The Industrial Stormwater General Permit and fact sheet and response to comments are available for downloading. Applicants for coverage under the general permit will receive a signed copy of the permit when coverage is issued.
Modified Industrial Stormwater Permit
Fact Sheet (2000 initial)
Fact Sheet (2002 rewrite)
Fact Sheet Addendum (2004 rewrite)
Announcement of Modification (State Register)
Updated Appendix 4
Updated Appendix 5
August 2004 Response to Comments (General)
August 2004 Response to Comments (Site Specific)
Questions concerning coverage under the existing permit should be directed to the permit administrator for your area. Click here for a list of Permit Administrators.
List of dischargers Ecology has identified as being subject to additional permit requirements due to discharging into a 303(d) listed water body or to a water body with a water cleanup plan (total maximum daily load or TMDL).
A Survey of Zinc Concentrations in Industrial Stormwater Runoff (Ecology Publication) - describes common sources of zinc in industrial stormwater runoff
Ecology established an external advisory committee to facilitate public participation in the permit development process. For more information about the committee members and the committee's comments click here.
Pursuant to RCW 43.21.B.310, the modified terms and conditions of the permit may be appealed within 30 days of receipt of the modified general permit. An appeal must be filed with the Pollution Control Hearings Board, PO Box 40903, Olympia, Washington, 98504-0903. In addition, a copy of this appeal must be served on the Department of Ecology, PO Box 47600, Olympia, Washington, 98504-7600. The procedures and requirements for the appeal process are contained in chapter 43.21.B RCW.
The terms and conditions of a general permit, as they apply to an individual discharger, are appealable within 30 days of the effective date of coverage of that discharger, in accordance with chapter 43.21B RCW. This appeal is limited to the general permit's applicability or nonapplicability to a specific discharger.
Permit coverage is required for industrial facilities that have specific Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes (click here for a list of industrial activities that require a stormwater permit), if they have a discharge of stormwater from their industrial areas to a receiving water of the state, or to storm drains that discharge to a receiving water. Regardless of the SIC code, some industries may be required to seek permit coverage for areas of their industrial site that have a potential or are causing an impact to receiving waters. If you discharge all the stormwater to a Combined Sewer (which goes to the wastewater treatment plant), you are not required to apply for coverage. Check out Ecology's Industrial Booklet for more details.
Last Update: May 05, 2008
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