More Industrial Stormwater General Permit Information

Public Notice Requirements | Conditional No Exposure Certificate | Transferring Ownership | Notice of Termination | Who to Contact for Assistance

Public Notice Requirements

The application for coverage and modification of application for coverage must go through a public notice process. Public notice must be published once each week for two consecutive weeks (twice), at least seven days apart, in a newspaper of general circulation within the county in which the discharge is proposed. The public has up to 30 days after the second publication to comment on the proposal. At a minimum, public notice must include the following:

A statement that the applicant is seeking coverage under the Washington Department of Ecology's NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities;
The name, address and location of the facility where the proposed discharge would occur;
The name and address of the applicant if different from facility in 2. above;
A description of the type of business, description of areas from which a stormwater discharge will occur including acreage, and when industrial activities will begin;
A brief description of stormwater management activities that provide source control and treatment;
Whether application is for a new permit coverage or modification of existing permit coverage;
Identification of the waters that will receive the stormwater discharge and if a mixing zone is included;
Whether the facility has any other wastewater discharge permit; and
The statement: “Any person desiring to present their views to the Department of Ecology concerning this application, or interested in the department's action on this application may notify the Department of Ecology in writing within 30 days of the last date of publication of this notice. Comments shall be submitted to: Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504‑7696.”

For additional information click here to contact your Permit Administrator.

Conditional No Exposure Certificate

Facilities that have no industrial activities or materials exposed to stormwater may be eligible for a "conditional no exposure certificate". Ecology has developed an electronic applications system to apply. Click here to access the electronic application form. There is a hard copy form available by contacting Ecology but you are encouraged to use the online application form.

The application status descriptions are as follows: "Processing" status means that unless the status is changed, the facility will be granted conditional no exposure after 60 days. "On Hold" status means that the facility will not be automatically granted conditional no exposure after 60 days. Ecology will grant or reject the application for no exposure after additional consideration. Additional consideration may include a site visit.

Anyone with concerns about specific facilities should contact the appropriate staff member from the contact list. Be sure to specify the facility you are concerned about, a brief explanation of your concern, and the best way to contact you.

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Transfer Ownership of the Stormwater Permits

It is possible to transfer the ownership of the permits if the current owner is in compliance with their permit. For industrial facilities, the new owner must continue with the same type of operation. An Adobe PDF image file of the Transfer Form is available (click here). Just print it out, fill in the blanks and send it to:

Washington Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program - Industrial Stormwater Unit
PO Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696

For additional information click here to contact your Permit Administrator.

Notice of Termination Request Forms

Click on Notice of Termination for Industrial Activity to download a copy of the request form and instructions. Operators of "light" industrial facilities may request termination of their permit when all exposed industrial areas have been eliminated or the facility has ceased operation. All other industrial facilities must retain permit coverage until they cease operation and the site has been cleared of materials, equipment, and debris, or they relocate to a new location.

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