The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has released formal drafts of Phase I and Phase II Municipal Stormwater general permits for public comment. Comments are due no later than November 14.
Redlined copies of the draft Phase I Permit, Western WA Phase II Permit, and Eastern WA Phase II permit are available on the agency’s website. For an easier review of the changes proposed, the agency outlines each change across all three permits in their fact sheet starting on page 33. The lengthy fact sheet also reviews the changes to the three permits’ appendices starting on page 82. Redlined versions of Appendix 1: Minimum Technical Requirements for New Development and Redevelopment for all three permits are also available on the agency’s website.
We encourage you to attend one of the remaining workshops or webinars to understand what these proposed changes will mean in your jurisdiction.
Workshop and public hearings
To register, see the links on the agendas:
Ecology will host a workshop immediately followed by a public hearing at the following dates and locations:
- Oct. 30, 2018 – DuPont, 10 am
- Nov. 1, 2018 – Eastern WA Webinar, 10 am
- Nov. 6, 2018 – Western WA Webinar, 1:30 pm
- Nov. 7, 2018 – Vancouver, 10 am
During the workshops, Ecology will explain the proposed changes to the permits and answer questions. In Western Washington, the workshops will also include information regarding the draft stormwater manual. Ecology will only accept formal oral testimony or formal comments on the draft permits or fact sheet during the public hearing – not during the workshops.
AWC will closely review the proposed changes and will submit comments on any proposed changes that are concerning for cities. Please share any feedback you have on the proposed changes with us.