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We issue the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management (APAM) General Permit to allow chemical treatments for the management of aquatic noxious weeds, native nuisance plants, and algae. These chemicals are limited to a specific list of aquatic-labeled herbicides, algaecides, biological water clarifiers, adjuvants, marker dyes, shading products, and phosphorus sequestration products. They can be used directly into fresh water (lakes, streams, and rivers) or along shorelines, roadsides, dikes/levees, and ditch banks.
The current permit went into effect on April 21, 2021, and expires on March 21, 2026.
Join our email list to receive email updates about this permit.
The current permit expires on March 21, 2026. The permit reissuance process includes informal listening sessions and feedback period, a formal public comment period on the draft, and public meetings and hearings. We are taking the first steps in developing the new permit and the public is invited to submit early informal feedback on the current permit through July 20, 2025.We plan to make a permit reissuance decision at the end of this process in February 2026.
Changes we are considering
Revising monitoring requirements around treatments to reduce phosphorous
Clarifying treatment timing windows and the process to modify them
Adding a few more aquatic herbicides and phosphorous control products
Updating permit language to be consistent with current state and federal laws
Anticipated timeline
July 2025: Informal feedback period and listening session September and October 2025: Formal public comment period on the draft permit Early October 2025: Formal public hearings February 2026: Decision on reissuance March 21, 2026: Current permit expires
Public involvement
Ecology has begun the process of revising the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management General Permit, and we invite your input. Ecology invites early informal feedback during the online listening session on July 16, 2025. You can also send us your thoughts in writing between July 3 and 20, 2025. Feedback should reference specific permit text in the current permit when possible.
Listening Session
The online meeting is an opportunity for Ecology staff to share ideas on potential changes to the current permit, answer your questions, and discuss options.
Listening Session on the Aquatic Plant & Algae Management General Permit
July 16, 2025 03:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Shawn Ultican
Water Quality Program
Washington State Department of Ecology
PO Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696
Permittee resources
To apply for new permit coverage
If you haven't already, you will need to sign up for a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account. SAW is the state of Washington’s secure portal to access and submit applications. Start by clicking the Sign Up! button. SAW will send you an email to activate your account (check your spam or junk folder).
Add the Water Quality Permitting Portal to your SAW account
Inside SAW, click add a new service.
Click browse by agency option and select Department of Ecology.
Then scroll to Water Quality Permitting Portal and click apply.
Complete the Notice of Intent (NOI) application
In your SAW account, look for the Water Quality Permitting Portal, and click “Access now.”
Click Continue, and under Apply for Coverage click NOI: General Permit Coverage – Renewal – Notice of Intent.
Find Aquatic Plant and Algae Management General Permit on the list and click New.
Enter information on each tab of the Notice of Intent (NOI) application.
When completed, click Save and Continue at the bottom.
Print, sign and mail the paper NOI form to Ecology at the address provided.
Include a map of the proposed treatment areas and any required plans.
Follow these detailed step-by-step instructions (pdf) on applying for the APAM permit for more information.
Set-up your electronic signature account
Please make sure to review the instructions (pdf) to create your electronic signature account. You must create an electronic signature account and mail-in your electronic signature agreement form (ESAF) to Ecology first. Once Ecology approves your ESAF, you will have access to your permit coverage information and be able to sign and submit documents online.
Please review the steps in the “Apply for permit” box above which explain how to apply for permit coverage. Once you are in the WQWebPortal applying for new coverage, you are required to provide information regarding 303d listings, rare plants, hatchery impacts, water rights, and SEPA. Reference these links below to have that information handy when applying for the permit:
Search the 303d List
Use this Water Quality Atlas search tool for 303d listed waterbodies that are impaired for phosphorus or dissolved oxygen.
Search for Rare Plants
Use this Washington Natural Heritage Program (WNHP) search tool to verify whether or not there are any rare plants associated with your project’s waterbody.
WDFW Hatchery Facilities Map
Use the “Hatcheries” tab on this Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) map to identify fish hatcheries that may withdraw water in or near your treatment area(s).
Seach Water Rights Holders
Review this guidance on searching for water rights and then use the Water Rights Search tool for researching water rights permits, certificates, or claims.
SEPA Information
The permit application requires information about compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). You must provide details such as operation date, who is the SEPA lead agency on your site, and if a final decision has been issued on your checklist. Use this link for general information about SEPA, or to contact Ecology staff for SEPA help.
For your application, you are responsible for determining whether there are any municipal or community drinking water intakes in your proposed treatment areas. If the product label has potable water use restrictions, permittees must obtain and submit written consent from the municipality or community water system prior to treatment.
Use this link below and follow the instructions to complete this segment.
Click on the “Eye” next to “Surface Water Protection Areas” (screenshot below).
Zoom to your project area. If it is within a source water protection area, you will be able to click on the purple shape to open a box with more details.
Scroll down to the Source Name field; it will show the Water System ID and System Name.
Scroll down further to the bottom and click on the link that says: “Open in Sentry Internet.”
Click: “I accept” and “Submit.” The system will then display the water system name and contact information.
Contact the water system to verify location of their intake and if necessary obtain written consent and submit to Ecology prior to treatment.
Submit annual reports by December 31 of each year through Secure Access Washington by following the steps below. Note: The formulas used to calculate pounds of active ingredient for annual reports that were in the previous Excel conversion tables are now built into the new reporting process.
Log into your SAW account and access the WQWebPortal platform; click “Access Now” and “Continue.”
Navigate to the “Submit Permit Data” box on the right of your screen and click on “Submittal: Permit Reports and Submittals.”
Select the tab that says: “My Permits.”
Under the Search Results, find your permit number and click on the “Submittals” link.
IMPORTANT REMINDER! If you do not see your permit number listed, it means either:
You have not created your electronic signature account nor have you sent in the electronic signature agreement form (ESAF) that gives you authority to submit online. You will need to follow these instructions (pdf) to create your electronic signature agreement and send in your ESAF, and then wait for Ecology to approve your form before you can submit online. Once approved, you’ll have access to continue with the next step.
Or, you have not asked for permissions to view your permit. To do so, make sure you’re on the WQWebPortal platform. Click on “Submittal: Permit Reports and Submittals.” Make sure you are on the “Home” tab and then scroll to the bottom and look for the link that says: “Request Permit Access,” underneath the “Need to add/delete access to your available permits?” heading. Type in your permit number and follow the prompts and then click “Request.” You should be able to see it then.
Click “Edit.” If you need additional help or guidance on this process, either click on this guidance document (pdf) or select the link to instructions within WQWebPortal to show you step-by-step how to submit annual reports and other required documents.
When you are done entering your annual report, click on “Mark as Ready to Submit,” and then click on the “Save and Done” button.
Click “OK” to validate your submittal. Checkmark the box for the submittal you want to turn in and then click “Sign Selected Submittals.”
Click “OK,” then log into your signature account using your username, password, and security question. Then click “Ready to Sign.” Read through the “Attestation,” and click the two (2) boxes on the left and then click “Sign.”
Monitoring data templates
Please use the monitoring data templates when reporting data to Ecology:
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has established treatment timing windows for the use of aquatic pesticides. These timing windows limit when applicators can use certain chemicals. The goal is to protect sensitive species of fish, birds, other wildlife, and priority habitats.
Permittees covered by the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management permit (APAM) must comply with these WDFW treatment timing windows. The active ingredients that trigger timing windows for fish species are listed below (these are also noted in Table 2 on pp 16-18 of the APAM permit):
2, 4 – D (amine)
2, 4 – D (ester)
Carfentrazone-ethyl
Diquat
Endothall (dipotassium salt)
Endothall (mono salt)
Flumioxazin
Use of other active ingredients listed in Table 2 must still follow any timing windows or conditions for other types of wildlife. Permittees must refer to the WDFW timing window map for more information about waterbody-specific timing windows before conducting any treatments. Some treatment timing windows require consultation with WDFW prior to beginning any treatment.
How can I request a timing window change?
Permittees may request a modified treatment timing window by emailing the information listed below to Ecology at aquaticpesticideperm@ecy.wa.gov. Requests may be approved, conditionally approved, or denied by WDFW on an annual basis. New permit applicants may request a modified treatment timing window at the time of permit application. Current permittees may request a modified treatment timing window at any time.
To request changes to a WDFW Treatment Timing Window (TTW):
If this is a new permit coverage, start by indicating you are requesting this change in section VII of the Notice of Intent application form in SAW.
For information on a specific waterbody go to the WDFW Treatment Timing Window map. Instructions are located in the column to the left of the map.
Gather the information in the instructions section below and email it to Ecology, along with a completed Aquatic Pesticide Modification form.
Please allow up to 30 days for the WDFW review process. If you are applying for new permit coverage, the WDFW review can happen at the same time as the 30-day public comment period.
Instructions for requesting a Timing Window modification
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Aquatic Pesticides Map Tool (Treatment Timing Windows)
Map shows specific locations where use of aquatic herbicides is subject to different timing restrictions to protect fish and other priority species. Click image to go to WDFW's map.