Aquatic Plant & Algae Management General Permit

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

1. Inside SAW, click add a new service.
2. Click browse by agency option and select Department of Ecology.
3. Then scroll to Water Quality Permitting Portal and click apply.

Complete the Notice of Intent (NOI) application

1. In your SAW account, look for the Water Quality Permitting Portal, and click Access now.
2. Click Continue, and under Apply for Coverage click NOI: General Permit Coverage – Renewal – Notice of Intent.
3. Find Aquatic Plant and Algae Management General Permit on the list and click New.
4. Enter information on each tab of the Notice of Intent (NOI) application.
5. When completed, click Save and Continue at the bottom.
6. Print, sign, and mail the paper NOI form to Ecology at the address provided.
7. 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.

Set-up your electronic signature account

Please make sure to review these 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. 

Renew permit coverage (reapply)

Coverage renewals are required 180 days before the general permit expires. Existing permit holders must reapply for the permit by Sept. 22, 2025. Follow these detailed step-by-step instructions (pdf) on renewing your APAM general permit online.

To expedite application processing, after you apply online, please scan or take a photo of all permit forms and email them to our resource mailbox at: aquaticpesticideperm@ecy.wa.gov. Also, you must mail the original, signed documents to:

Water Quality Program
Aquatic Plant and Algae Management permit
PO Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696

We are currently emailing all coverage documents and permit related information to the permittee on record with Ecology. Please ensure that this information remains up to date.

If you have questions, contact the staff listed below

Information required to apply for new permit coverage

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. 
• Municipal or Community Drinking Water Intakes 
  See also Finding municipal or community drinking water intakes, below.

Finding municipal or community drinking water intakes

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. 

1. Use this link below and follow the instructions to complete this segment. 
2. Open the Department of Health’s Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) mapping tool. 
3. Click on the “Map Layers” icon. 
4. 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. 
5. Scroll down to the Source Name field; it will show the Water System ID and System Name. 
6. Scroll down further to the bottom and click on the link that says: “Open in Sentry Internet.” 
7. Click: “I accept” and “Submit.” The system will then display the water system name and contact information. 
8. Contact the water system to verify location of their intake and if necessary obtain written consent and submit to Ecology prior to treatment.

Make changes to my existing permit coverage

To update your contact information, change timing windows, treatment areas or waterbodies:

• Aquatic Pesticide Modification form

To transfer coverage from one permittee to another:

• Transfer of Coverage form

To cancel permit coverage and end annual fees:

• Notice of Termination form

Public notice and sign templates

• Business and residential notice template

Shoreline sign templates 

• English shoreline sign template
• Chinese shoreline sign template
• Korean shoreline sign template 
• Spanish shoreline sign template 
• Vietnamese shoreline sign template

How to submit annual reports

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.

1. Log into your SAW account and access the WQWebPortal platform; click “Access Now” and “Continue.” 
2. Navigate to the “Submit Permit Data” box on the right of your screen and click on “Submittal: Permit Reports and Submittals.” 
3. Select the tab that says: “My Permits.” 
4. 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.
    
5. 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. 
6. When you are done entering your annual report, click on “Mark as Ready to Submit,” and then click on the “Save and Done” button. 
7. Click “OK” to validate your submittal. Checkmark the box for the submittal you want to turn in and then click “Sign Selected Submittals.” 
8. 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:

• Phosphorous sequestration template
• Dissolved oxygen template

What are treatment timing windows?

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 Ecology 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):

1. 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. 
2. 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.
3. Gather the information in the instructions section below and email it to Ecology, along with a completed Aquatic Pesticide Modification form.
4. 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

To request a WDFW timing window modification, send the following information to Ecology at aquaticpesticideperm@ecy.wa.gov:

1. Name of the waterbody and county.
2. Current permit coverage number, if you already have one.
3. Treatment timing window dates you are requesting.
4. Chemical(s) to be applied.
5. Which of the chemicals proposed for use trigger an APAM Table 2, footnote 2 fish timing window? APAM general permit (see pages 16-18)
6. What is the waterbody’s treatment window in WDFW 2015?
7. Locations to be treated (provide a map).
8. Date(s), frequency and acreage of proposed treatment(s) (or best estimate if unsure).
9. List of targeted Noxious weeds and their Classification (A, B, C, Monitor).
10. Which of the targeted noxious weeds are on WSDA’s Quarantine Weed List?
11. Is this an “early infestation” per WDFW 2015?
12. Describe any timing window modification granted or denied for this waterbody since April 21, 2021, (the effective date of current APAM permit).
13. Describe justification for the requested timing window change.

Current permit documents

• Current permit (April 21, 2021 - March 21, 2026)
• Fact Sheet for the draft 2021 permit
  • Appendix C: Response to Comments
• Full Comments received during the draft comment period
• 2020 Small Business Economic Impact Assessment (SBEIA)
• 2017 Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)

Shoreline sign templates 

• English Shoreline Sign Template
• Chinese Shoreline Sign Template
• Korean Shoreline Sign Template 
• Spanish Shoreline Sign Template 
• Vietnamese Shoreline Sign Template 

Data reporting

• Phosphorous Sequestration template
• Dissolved Oxygen template

Additional information

• Rare plant survey protocol Aquatic Plant Sampling Protocols
• WSDA Adjuvant Registered for Use on Aquatic Sites in Washington

Historic documents

2020 public comment period on the 2021 permit

• Draft 2021 general permit
• Redline version of the draft 2021 permit
• 2020 Fact Sheet for the draft 2021 permit 
• Full comments received during the draft comment period
• Proposed permit applications (Notice of Intent or NOI)
  • Government Entity
  • Private Party

2016 permit (April 1, 2016 - March 31, 2021)

• Previous APAM Permit (expired March 31, 2021)
• Errata from 2016  —  WDFW timing window contact
• 2016 Fact sheet
  • Appendix C: Response to Comments (March 2, 2016)
  • Addendum: Fact Sheet on the 2019 modification
  • Appendix Z: Response to Comments on the 2019 modification
• 2015 Small Business Economic Impact Analysis