Industrial Stormwater General Permit Coverage - NPDES

What is the purpose of this permit?
The Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP) implements state and federal laws and regulations that require certain industrial facilities to obtain the permit and control stormwater using Best Management Practices to prevent water pollution. Polluted stormwater is the state's largest source of urban water pollution. Uncontrolled industrial stormwater runoff discharges oil, grease, silt, and toxic substances into our waterways. Even small concentrations of polluted runoff are bad for fish and other aquatic life. Copper and zinc, which are commonly found in industrial runoff, are harmful to salmon and other aquatic life, even at relatively low concentrations. Humans are also exposed to the pollution when swimming or eating contaminated fish and shellfish. The Industrial Stormwater General Permit is one of the state's key tools to protect water quality in Puget Sound and in Washington's lakes, streams, and rivers.
Who issues this permit?
Department of Ecology
What activities require this permit?
Industrial Facilities: Public or private operation of an industrial facility with a stormwater discharge to surface waters or a storm sewer.
How much will this permit cost?
Annual fee ranges from $128 to $2,006 depending on company gross revenue reported to the Washington Department of Revenue. Contact your regional permit manager to determine costs for your facility.
Where can I get the application for this permit?
The application is called 'Notice of Intent (NOI)' is online and can be accessed at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/summarypages/ecy02084.html.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
In rare situations, facilities that meet the permit definition of "new discharger" that propose to discharge stormwater to an impaired waterbody on the state's 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies may be required to submit additional documentation to allow Ecology to make an affirmative determination that the proposed discharge will not cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards in the impaired waterbody. New dischargers and new facilities are also required to do a public notice. This means that the public may submit comments to Ecology during the 30 day public comment period to support or oppose your proposed activity.
Is the decision on my permit dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
When making the decision on your order/permit, Ecology will consider the applicable laws and rules, the contents of your application, and the background environmental conditions. In addition, see "Do I need to include anything with my application?". For new discharges and new facilities: If any comments are received during the public notice, Ecology must review and respond to the comments and take them into consideration when making the decision to issue or deny permit coverage.
How long will it take to review my application?
Final determinations on new applications for coverage under the industrial stormwater general permit are typically issued within 45 days of receiving an applicant's complete notice of intent. If the applicant does not receive notification from Ecology, permit coverage automatically commences on whichever of the following dates occurs last:
  • The 31st day following receipt by Ecology of a completed application for coverage.
  • The 31st day following the end of a 30-day public comment period.
  • The effective date of the general permit.

Ecology may need additional time to review the application:
  • If the application is incomplete.
  • If it requires additional site-specific information.
  • If the public requests a public hearing.
  • If members of the public file comments.
  • When more information is necessary to determine whether coverage under the general permit is appropriate.

When Ecology needs additional time:
  • Ecology will notify the applicant in writing within 30 days and identify the issues that the applicant must resolve before a decision can be reached.
  • Ecology will submit the final decision to the applicant in writing. If Ecology approves the application for coverage, coverage begins the 31st day following approval, or the date the approval letter is issued, whichever is later.
Where do I submit my application?
Washington Department of Ecology Water Quality Program - Industrial Stormwater PO Box 47696 Olympia, WA 98504-7696
Schematic:
View the schematic
How long is my permit valid?
Statewide general permits are reissued every five years, with the current permit set to expire on December 31, 2019. You must submit a renewal application to Ecology at least 180 days prior to the expiration date in order to continue permit coverage under the general permit planned for re-issuance in 2019. Ecology will send notice to all permittees in the spring of 2019 to explain the renewal process.
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 andChapter 371-08 WAC.
Legal Authority:
Links:
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: 43.5
Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 70

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 5.8
Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 8

(Summary results based on 49 submittals in 2023)

Where can I get permitting assistance?
Web page URL: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Stormwater-general-permits/Industrial-stormwater-permit
Subject matter expert phone: Industrial Stormwater General Permit
Statewide Contact:
Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
Headquarters
300 Desmond Drive
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Fax: (360) 407-6426
Telephone: (360) 407-6600
Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Our-Programs/Water-Quality
Triggering Questions:
  • Does your industrial facility discharge stormwater runoff to surface waters of the state or to a storm drain connected to surface waters of the state?
* Permit information last updated 8/21/2023
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