What is the purpose of this permit?
This statewide permit applies to upland aquaculture facilities or operations that discharge fish rearing water to a surface water body or a system that drains to a surface water body.
Where can I get the application for this permit?
The application is called '
Request for Coverage under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Upland Fin-fish Hatching and Rearing Permit Application' is online and can be accessed at
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/ECY04072.html.
How long will it take to review my application?
WAC 173-226-200 and
RCW 90.48.170: Application for permits shall be made at least 60 days prior to commencement of any proposed discharge or permit expiration date, whichever is applicable.
See the Permit Timeliness Results above for average processing times.
Where do I submit my application?
Water Quality Program at the appropriate office.
- Southwest Regional Office (including Vancouver Field Office)
Counties: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum
300 Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA 98503-1274
Receptionist: 360-407-6300
- Northwest Regional Office (including Bellingham Office)
Counties: Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom
3190 - 160th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98008-5452
Receptionist: 425-649-7000
- Central Regional Office (including Methow Valley and Wenatchee)
Counties: Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima
1250 West Alder Street, Union Gap, WA 98903-0009
Receptionist: 509-575-2490
- Eastern Regional Office
Counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman
4601 N Monroe, Spokane, WA 99205-1295
How long is my permit valid?
General permits are issued for a 5 year period. During that 5 year span, your permit coverage is valid from the day your permit coverage is issued to the day the permit expires at the end of the 5 years. Coverage may be cancelled before the end of the 5 year period by submitting a Notice of Termination.
What is the appeal process for the permit?
You have a right to appeal this permit coverage to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) within 30 days of the date of receipt of your decision. This appeal is limited to the general permit's applicability or non-applicability to an individual discharger (
WAC 173-226-190(2)). The appeal process is governed by
Chapter 43.21B RCW and
Chapter 371-08 WAC. "Date of receipt" is defined in
RCW 43.21B.001(2). To appeal, you must do the following within 30 days of the date of receipt of notice of coverage:
- File your appeal and a copy of the permit cover page with the PCHB (see addresses below). Filing means actual receipt by the PCHB during regular business hours.
- Serve a copy of your appeal and the permit cover page on Ecology in paper form - by mail or in person (see addresses below). E-mail is not accepted.
You must also comply with other applicable requirements in
Chapter 43.21B RCW and
Chapter 371-08 WAC.
Mailing Addresses: Pollution Control Hearings Board
PO Box 40903
Olympia, WA 98504-0903
Department of Ecology
Attn: Appeals Processing Desk
PO Box 47608
Olympia, WA 98504-7608
Physical Addresses: Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB)
1111 Israel Road SW, Suite 301
Tumwater, WA 98501
Department of Ecology
Attn: Appeals Processing Desk
300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA 98503
Permit Timeliness Results
Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.
All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:
Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: 40Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 122Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 50Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 50(Summary results based on 4 submittals in 2023)