OLYMPIA — The state Department of Ecology is seeking public comments on proposed modifications to the state Department of Transportation stormwater permit.
The permit regulates polluted runoff from state highways and other transportation facilities in urbanized areas of the state.
Among other provisions, the permit requires treatment of highway runoff from new pavement and, in some cases, existing pavement.
The modification is part of a settlement agreement resulting from an appeal of the permit by Puget Soundkeeper Alliance.
Ecology will accept written and oral comments on the proposed changes to the permit until 5 p.m. Dec. 23.
A public workshop and hearing is scheduled at 9 a.m. Dec. 19 at Ecology headquarters at 300 Desmond Drive S.E. in Lacey.
Make changes
After Ecology receives and considers all public comments, it will make necessary changes and issue the permit, the department said.
Ecology expects to issue the permit in January.
The modified permit adds requirements from local water cleanup plans that address highway runoff so that operating the highway system in these areas does not worsen existing pollution problems.
Water cleanup plans, also known as Total Maximum Daily Load studies, are overseen by Ecology and required by the federal Clean Water Act.
Submit comments by email to foroozan.labib@ecy.wa.gov or in writing to Foroozan Labib, Washington Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.
A copy of the permit and a fact sheet are available at http://tinyurl.com/6uqv86l.
Copies of both can be requested from Julie Robertson at 360-407-6575 or by email at julie.robertson@ecy.wa.gov.
