After the Pollution Control Hearings Board issued a decision that the Department of Ecology did not have the authority to issue a mandatory nutrients general permit in addition to requirements of individual wastewater treatment plant discharge permits, the agency announced that it is not appealing the decision and that the former general permit requirements for nutrients are now voluntary for permittees.
In a Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Forum meeting held by Ecology on March 27 to provide an update on the status of the Puget Sound Nutrient Source Reduction Project, including the regulation of nutrients at municipal wastewater treatment plants under a general permit, the agency stated that its goal is to maintain a regional solution for a regional problem. While the general permit is no longer legally valid, the agency will begin the process to shift to a voluntary general permit in April. Permitees will have the choice to pursue a voluntary general permit or have nitrogen reduction requirements as part of their individual permit.
In addition, Ecology announced that it will release a draft Nutrient Reduction Plan in June that will describe how the agency intends to reduce nutrients from point and nonpoint sources around Puget Sound. The plan will include a public comment period.
Ecology will be sending out information in early April to all general permit permittees and interested parties. To stay informed on this work, please sign up to join the agency’s listserv to receive project notifications.
In related work, Ecology also announced that it is starting its Triennial Review of Chapter 173-201A WAC, Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters. During this review, Ecology is looking for feedback on their priorities for how the agency should consider updating the water quality standards over the next three years. Learn more about the triennial review process in Ecology’s focus sheet and on their water quality standards webpage. A public hearing is scheduled for April 15 at 5:30 pm and comments are accepted through April 22.