Draft release and public review

We invite you to review the draft 2026 Upland Finfish Hatching and Rearing General Permit and share your comments with us.

The draft permit and supporting documents are available for review on the Upland Finfish Hatching and Rearing General Permit webpage.

We ask that comments reference specific text, permit condition(s), and page number(s) whenever possible. It is also helpful if you describe the nature of your concern and propose any potential solutions or changes to permit language. Please provide references or other supporting documentation in support of your comments when appropriate and available. For tips and instructions on submitting comments: How to submit comments to us.

The Upland Finfish Hatching and Rearing General Permit regulates the discharge of wastewater from fish hatcheries in Washington state. Salmon, trout, and other finfish species are grown in hatcheries for a variety of reasons, such as commercial sales, fishing opportunities, and conservation.

Fish hatcheries in Washington must obtain coverage for finfish hatching and rearing operations to authorize discharge. The permit identifies various requirements and conditions to limit the discharge of pollutants — uneaten feed, fish fecal matter, and medications and disease control chemicals — to protect water quality.

The current permit was last issued August 2021 and is scheduled to expire Sept. 30, 2026. After Ecology receives and considers all public comments, we will prepare a Response to Comments and describe any changes to the draft permit. Ecology expects to make a final decision on the general permit in late summer 2026.