Water Quality Permit Fees - Environmental Justice Session

Ecology is hosting an online session to learn from community members about environmental justice considerations that may be connected to this rule. This is not a formal public hearing, we will not be recording testimony. We will schedule a formal public hearing later in the rule process.

Ecology will provide a brief presentation on the purpose and function of the rule and will seek feedback from participants.

We are particularly interested in hearing from:

• People who are not usually involved with Ecology’s work.
• Community members who are directly affected by this topic.
• Individuals who are especially vulnerable to pollution risks in the water.
• Those who consume fish or drink untreated water from local sources.

This rule explains how Ecology issues annual fees to recover the cost of administering the wastewater and stormwater permit programs, as required by RCW 90.48.465. The update considers Ecology’s costs to administer these permit programs, the economic impact on permittees, and provides any appropriate adjustments.