July 4 deadline for construction stormwater-permit reapplication >>
The info below is provided by the Department of Ecology:
The current Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSWGP) was issued in November 2015 and will expire on December 31, 2020. The permit requires permittees to reapply for permit coverage at least 180 days prior to the expiration date of the current permit (General Condition G8). If you currently have an active CSWGP, you must reapply by July 4, 2020.
If you fail to reapply for the CSWGP, your current permit coverage will be terminated on December 31, 2020. If your permit is terminated and you discharge pollution to waters of the State, you will be in violation of the federal Clean Water Act and chapter 90.48 RCW.
Purpose of the permit
The permit provides NPDES coverage for construction projects located in Washington State that discharge stormwater associated with construction activities. Under federal and state water quality law (Federal Clean Water Act and State Water Pollution Control Act), a permit is required for clearing, grading, and/or excavation that results in the disturbance of one or more acres and discharges stormwater to surface waters of the State; and clearing, grading, and/or excavation on sites smaller than one acre that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale, if the common plan of development or sale will ultimately disturb one acre or more and discharge stormwater to surface waters of the State.
To reapply online
The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) uses SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to maintain security of your data. You can use your existing SAW account to reapply. If you do not have a SAW account, you can create one by clicking here. For instructions on setting up a SAW account, click here. If you have questions about setting up a SAW Account, please contact the WQWebPortal staff or call them at 800.633.6193 (option 3), or in the Olympia area, 360.407-7097.
To reapply by mail
If you have an electronic reporting waiver, you can request a paper copy of the application form from your permit administrator. Please allow enough time for Ecology to mail the application, time for you to fill it out and mail it back. Your application must be postmarked by July 4, 2020.
Changes to the acreage or permittee
Changes to the acreage may not be made in this renewal process. If you need to alter the acreage of your permit please submit a modification of coverage form available here.
Changes to the permittee affiliation may not be made in this renewal process. If you need to alter the permittee or organization responsible for permit coverage please submit a modification of coverage form (linked above) or a transfer of coverage form available here.
To terminate permit coverage
If construction on your project is complete, you must submit a Notice of Termination (NOT) to Ecology for approval. The NOT form is available here.
Permit reissuance
Ecology is in the process of updating and reissuing the CSWGP. If you have comments about the current permit, suggestions on ways to improve the permit, or concerns about the permit reissuance, please contact Noel Tamboer.
If you have questions about reapplying for the permit please contact the appropriate permit administrator for the county your project is located in. Please visit the Construction Stormwater General Permit webpage here for up-to-date contact information.