Current permits and actions
The biosolids general permit reissued in 2022 was appealed, and in 2024 we learned the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) ruled for the appellant. This decision voided the general permit.
After resolving issues outlined by the PCHB ruling, we are reissuing the SEPA checklist and Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS), and invite comments on the DNS.
SEPA determination of nonsignificance issued for draft statewide general permit for biosolids management
| Details |
The Pollution Control Hearings Board determined that the DNS issued for the general permit was inadequate and ordered Ecology to revisit the DNS and include information specifically relating to PFAS, PBDEs and microplastics. We have revisited the SEPA Checklist as directed by the PCHB and reissued a DNS for the Draft General Permit. We invite you to comment on the DNS. Comments can be submitted online or via mail, beginning Sept. 27, 2024, until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2024. |
| Submit comments online |
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| Submit comments by mail |
Torrie Shaul Written comments by mail must be postmarked by Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. Comments should reference specific SEPA text when possible. |
| Documents |
In June of 2022, we reissued the General Permit for Biosolids Management. It became effective July 15, 2022 and we received an appeal shortly after from Ed Kenney and the Nisqually Delta Association. The General Permit remained in effect while Ecology worked through the appeal process in the following years. On Jan. 29, 2024, we learned the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) ruled for the appellant. This decision voided the current general permit issued in 2022.
The PCHB concluded our initial Determination of Nonsignificance issued for the General Permit did not comply with SEPA. The Board requests we include “an explicit and full disclosure and review of information on the environmental impacts of PFAS, PBDEs, and microplastics in biosolids,” in the SEPA Checklist and resulting determination.
After resolving issues outlined by the PCHB ruling, we are reissuing the SEPA checklist and Determination of Nonsignificance, and invite comments on the DNS. Comments can be submitted online, beginning Sept. 27, 2024, until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2024. Following the comment period, we will prepare a response to comments. The next step in this process is for Ecology to make a determination on whether to reissue the General Permit.
If you have questions about how this impacts your facility operations, please reach out to your region biosolids coordinator.
Stay informed about a specific facility
Interested parties can comment on permit applications and proposals, but the way to comment will vary between proposals. Make one of both of the following action to ensure you are notified of permit actions and opportunities to review and provide input.
You can also write directly to a facility and request to join their interested parties list and then notify the Ecology regional biosolids coordinator who manages the facility. Be sure to keep a record of your requests.