The information below is from the Department of Ecology:
Reissuance of the Construction Stormwater General Permit
Ecology is reissuing the Construction Stormwater General Permit. The permit becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2026, and expires on Dec. 31, 2030.
The 2026 permit maintains Ecology’s compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements, provides clarification on the construction activities that require a permit, and adds new requirements to parts of the permit.
Purpose of the permit
The Construction Stormwater General Permit regulates stormwater runoff, and conditionally approved non-stormwater runoff, from more than 2,500 construction sites across Washington. By following the requirements in the permit, construction sites help protect water quality from potential pollution when rainfall contacts disturbed soil, building materials, and any preexisting contamination present at these sites.
When the permitted activities have similar stormwater characteristics and environmental impacts, Ecology issues a general permit to cover all of them, rather than issuing a series of individual permits.
Public involvement
In 2024 Ecology began the process of developing a draft permit to share with the public. We worked with interested parties, technical experts, and partner agencies – Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) – to develop the draft.
Ecology accepted public comments on the draft permit from March 19, through May 9, 2025. Two public meetings and hearings were hosted during this comment period with an in-person event on April 21 and an online webinar on April 24, 2025. Ecology reviewed and considered all written and spoken comments received during the public comment period. The comments and Ecology’s responses are published as an appendix to the fact sheet available on the permit webpage. This permit issuance marks the beginning of a 30-day appeal period.
Right to appeal
You have a right to appeal the final general permit and general permit coverage for a specific facility to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB). The appeal process is governed by chapter 43, section 21B of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and chapter 371, section 08 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
Appeals of the general permit issuance must be filed within 30 days of issuance of the general permit. See Appeal of the General Permit for more information.
Copies of the permit
The permit, fact sheet, an official Response to Comments, and other related documents are on the Construction Stormwater General Permit webpage. You can request hard copies by calling 360-407-6600 or emailing Jackie Lince at jackie.lince@ecy.wa.gov.
Translation
To request this document in another language, please contact Kendra Henderson at 360-870-6757 and ask for an interpreter, or email kendra.henderson@ecy.wa.gov.