Washington State Department of Ecology

2012 Draft Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington

Public Comment Period Closed

On November 4, 2011 Ecology began a 90-day public comment period for the Draft 2012 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW). Ecology will use the comments and suggestions to improve the manual and to issue a final 2012 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington with a summarized response to comments in the summer of 2012.

Public Comments on the SWMMWW

The comment period closed on February 3, 2012.

Draft SWMMWW Documents and Workshop Presentations

Who is affected by changes to the SWMMWW?

Western Washington permittees under the following permits:

How and when will this affect me?

The Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington is a guidance document. By itself it is not a legally enforceable document. However, several of the NPDES Stormwater General Permits do require the use of the Manual. The changes to the SWMMWW apply to western Washington NPDES permittees listed in the table below. The table also shows when Ecology expects these changes take effect after Ecology issues the SWMMWW in the summer of 2012.

Western Washington permittees covered under the following permits will be affected:	When the 2012 SWMMWW takes effect for each permit:
Municipal Stormwater Permits	According to proposed implementation schedules of each permit.
Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP)	Permittees have the option to continue using the 2005 SWMMWW or the final 2012 SWMMWW.
Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSWGP)	Permittees have the option to continue using the 2005 SWMMWW or the final 2012 SWMMWW.
Sand and Gravel General Permit	Possibly on the next issuance of the Sand and Gravel General Permit.
Boatyard General Permit	Possibly on the next issuance of the Boatyard General Permit.

Western Washington municipalities not covered under a general stormwater permit often use the SWMMWW. Check with your city or county to find out if they use the SWMMWW and for possible adoption dates.

Why should I comment now if I am not affected until my permit is reissued (or until my municipality adopts the SWMWWW)?

Even if you don't have to use the 2012 SWMMWW right away, we still need you to be a part of the comment process. This is your opportunity to comment on the SWMMWW, which may become a required part of your reissued permit, or part of your city /counties codes.

After February 3, 2012, the comment period will be closed.

What are the major changes?

Key changes in the 2010 Draft SWMMWW include:

New requirements for low impact development
Revised guidelines for Wetlands
New and revised construction BMPs
Revised guidance on determining infiltration rates
Revised guidance for modeling in the Western Washington Hydrology Model
Plain talk improvements

To help reviewers understand these changes and the other proposed Manual changes, Ecology created a focus sheet and compiled a spreadsheet listing the locations, changes, and reasons for the changes in each chapter, section, or BMP.

Draft SWMMWW Documents

Redline Draft SWMMWW	SWMMWW Workshop Presentation by Volume
Executive Summary	Introduction
Volume I	Volume I
Volume II	Volume II
Volume III	Volume III
Volume IV	Volume IV
Volume V	Volume V

Additional Information

2012 Draft Municipal Stormwater General Permit Comment Period

What if I have questions?

Attend one of the SWMMWW workshops or you can submit questions to wwswmancmnts@ecy.wa.gov or you can contact Carrie Graul directly at (360) 407-7221.

SWMMWW Workshops

During the comment period, presentations were given at workshops that were held in the following locations:

Vancouver
Agenda
January 11, 2012
School for the Blind Fries Auditorium

Lacey
Agenda
January 12, 2012
Department of Ecology

Renton
Agenda
January 25, 2012
Renton Community Center

Poulsbo
Agenda
January 30, 2012
City Council Chambers

Mt. Vernon
Agenda
January 31, 2012
Skagit County Commissioners Hearing Room