Fresh Fruit Packing General Permit
Time to renew
Permittees currently covered by this permit are required to submit renewal applications for continued coverage by July 6, 2026.
The Fresh Fruit Packer Permit regulates the water that is used to wash and pack fruit to ensure that it does not pollute lakes, rivers and groundwater. The permit sets rules for how facilities must treat and dispose of wastewater before it's discharged. This combined State Waste Discharge Permit and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) means that facilities have options on where they discharge their wastewater.
This permit protects local water, workers, and communities while supporting the agricultural industry. It's renewed every five years and gives businesses clear, consistent rules statewide.
The current permit went into effect Jan. 1, 2022, and expires Dec. 31, 2026. It underwent a minor modification Sept. 14, 2022.
Para más información sobre la permiso general, contacte a Marcia Porter al 509-406-6624.
Current permit documents
- 2022 general permit (with minor modification Sept. 14, 2022)
- Fact sheet for the draft 2022 general permit
- Addendum to Fact Sheet: Minor Modification of the Fresh Fruit Packing General Permit (Sept. 14, 2022)
- Application for coverage (Notice of Intent / NOI)
- Small Business Economic Impact Analysis (SBEIA) for the Fresh Fruit Packing Industry (July 2021)
Permit reissuance
The draft permit is now available for review and public comment. After the public comment period closes, we will publish a Response to Comments as an appendix to the fact sheet to address the public comments submitted. A public notice of draft release was published in the Washington State Register on June 17, 2026.
Draft permit documents
- Draft 2027 general permit
- Fact Sheet for the draft 2027 general permit
- Proposed Application for Coverage: Notice of Intent (NOI)
- Small Business Economic Impact Assessment
Public involvement
We will accept comments on the draft permit from 9 a.m. June 17, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 8, 2026. When possible, comments should reference specific permit text.
Ways to comment
- Submit comments online (preferred method)
- By U.S. mail:
Marcia Porter
WA Department of Ecology
1250 West Alder Street
Union Gap, WA 98903 - At one of our hearings
Public meetings and hearings
During the comment period we will host one in-person public meeting and hearing in Union Gap, WA, and one online public meeting and hearing on Zoom. We will share the same information at each session about the permit reissuance process and our proposed changes in the draft permit. A question-and-answer session will follow, then a formal public hearing. The hearings provide opportunity for the public to give formal spoken testimony on the proposed draft permit. The public hearings begin immediately following the meetings and conclude when public testimony is complete. Spoken testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments.
In-Person Public Meeting & Hearing
July 21, 2026 – 6 p.m.
Department of Ecology, Central Region Office
1250 W. Alder Street
Union Gap, WA 98903
- Live Spanish interpretation will be available
- Free parking
- Registration is not required, although it will assist event coordination. Register by email
Online Public Meeting & Hearing
July 23, 2026 – 1 p.m.
- Live Spanish interpretation will be provided in this Zoom webinar.
- Register in advance for this webinar
Next steps
After we receive and consider all public comments, we will make a final decision on permit issuance, expected Fall 2026.
Anticipated timeline
For facilities in the following counties:
Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Yakima
Marcia Porter
Central Regional Office
1250 W. Alder St.
Union Gap, WA 98903
marcia.porter@ecy.wa.gov
509-406-6624
For facilities in the following counties:
Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman
David Ennis
Eastern Regional Office
4601 N. Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99205
david.ennis@ecy.wa.gov
509-220-9194
For facilities in the following counties:
Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum
Yago Perniciaro
300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA 98503
yago.perniciaro@ecy.wa.gov
360-790-3343
Contact information
Marcia Porter
Permit Writer and Statewide Manager
marcia.porter@ecy.wa.gov
509-406-6624