The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is re-issuing the dairy general wastewater discharge permit, or federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, for managing dairy waste. Ecology first issued the permit in August 1994. Currently, about 80 dairy farms have coverage under this general permit.
The federal Clean Water Act and 1998 Dairy Nutrient Management act both require dairy farms discharging pollutants to obtain a dairy waste permit. Generally, a dairy farm that discharges manure or contaminated runoff to rivers, lakes, marine waters or groundwater more frequently than during extreme weather conditions is required to obtain a permit.
The permit has a two-fold purpose: it allows a dairy farm to discharge untreated manure and runoff into creeks and streams under extreme weather conditions; but more importantly, it directs farms to prevent and stop these discharges at other times.
The goal is to keep manure out of surface and groundwater.
On April 1, 1998 Governor Gary Locke signed into law the 1998 Dairy Nutrient Management Act which significantly changed how water pollution on commercial dairy farms is regulated and managed.
Under the new law Ecology is required to inspect all of our state s dairies by October 2000. The primary purpose of the inspections is to see how the farms are managing their dairy waste and help them manage in a way that protects water quality. Ecology estimates that up to 15 percent of the state s 755 dairy farms will be issued permits during the next couple of years.
Ecology proposes to issue the new permit with minimal changes from the 1994 permit.
One of the proposed changes is to ensure that the legal references in the permit match the new dairy nutrient management law.
Another area of the permit Ecology proposes to change involves an area of the new law developing dairy nutrient management plans. The current permit requires farms to develop dairy nutrient management plans with federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) technical standards. The new law requires all dairy farms with or without permits to develop and implement dairy nutrient management plans by December 2003.
The new law also requires these plans to contain minimum elements that have been approved by the Conservation Commission, which include NRCS standards. The law also requires all plans to be approved and certified by the farm s local conservation district. Ecology s proposal is to require that plans developed under the permit contain these minimum elements. Also, within two years the dairy producer obtain conservation district approval of the dairy nutrient management plan and jointly certify with the conservation district the plan is being fully implemented.
By law, Ecology is required to charge annual fees to all permit holders. The 1998 Dairy Nutrient Management Act reduced the dairy general permit fees by 50 percent.
The annual general permit fee is now 50 cents for each mature dairy cow at the farm, up to a maximum of $850 per year. On average, permitted dairy farms currently pay about $150 per year.
You may obtain a copy of the draft permit at Ecology Internet site at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/dairy/dairypmt.pdf. If you would like a copy of the permit mailed to you please contact the Ecology staff listed below on this public notice.
Ecology will conduct public workshops and hearings on the proposed revised permit in November and December. The purpose of the workshops is to explain the revised permit and answer questions. The purpose of the hearings is to provide people an opportunity to give formal oral testimony and comment on the proposed revisions to the permit. The workshops and hearings will be held at the following locations:
| Yakima | Everett |
| Yakima Area Arboretum | McCollum Park |
| 1401 Arboretum Rd. | WSU Cooperative Extension Auditorium |
| Tuesday, November 23, 1999 | 600 128 th SE |
| Public Informational Meeting: 1 2 PM | Wednesday, December 1, 1999 |
| Public Hearing: 2:30 PM | Public informational Meeting 1 2 PM |
| - | Public Hearing: 2:30 PM |
| - | - |
| Lynden | Centralia |
| Northwest Washington Fairgrounds | Centralia Community College |
| Peoples Place | Main Cafeteria |
| 1775 Front Street | 600 West Locust Street |
| Tuesday, November 30, 1999 | Friday, December 3, 1999 |
| Public Informational Meeting: 1 2 PM | Public Informational Meeting: 6:30 7:30 PM |
| Public Hearing: 2:30 PM | Public Hearing: 8:00 PM |
To comment on the draft permit, send written comments to Ecology by December 10, 1999:
Washington Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, Washington 98504-7600
Attn: Phil KauzLoric
Written Comments need to be postmarked not later than December 10, 1999.
If you have questions or need additional information please contact Phil KauzLoric, Ecology, (360) 407-6413, pkau461@ecy.wa.gov OR send online mail right now to: Phil KauzLoric.
If you have special accommodations needs or require this document in an alternative format, please call Phil KauzLoric (360) 407-6413 or (360) 407-6006 (TDD).
WA State Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
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