Boatyard General Permit
This National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and State Waste Discharge general permit provides coverage for discharges of pressure-wash wastewater and stormwater runoff from boatyards to waters of the state.
The current permit went into effect on Sept. 1, 2022, and expires on Aug. 31, 2027.
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What is a boatyard?
A boatyard:
- Is a service business that builds, repairs, or maintains small vessels
- At least 85% of which are 65 feet or less in length; or
- More than 85% of the gross receipts come from working on vessels.
Boatyards include mobile and do-it-yourself facilities that may build a limited number of custom boats. For a full list of boatyard services, see S1.A. of the current permit.
Current permit and related documents
- Current permit with errata (effective Sept. 1, 2022)
- Errata sheet (March 2023)
- Fact sheet (for the draft 2022 permit)
- Small Business Economic Impact Analysis
Permit reissuance
We are in the early stages of the reissuance process for the Boatyard General Permit, and we have started a review of the current permit. The current permit expires Aug. 31, 2027.
We're consulting with state and federal agency partners, academic experts, regulatory bodies, non-governmental organizations, industry group representatives, and other members of the permitted and interested communities.
Next, we will draft a new permit that reflects updated science, technology, and regulatory requirements.
In early 2027, we plan to share a draft for public review. During this time, you can:
- Attend a public meeting to speak on the record.
- Submit written comments during the open comment period.
After the comment period closes, we will review all feedback, respond to it, and use it to improve the draft before issuing the final permit.
Anticipated timeline
- Early 2027: Formal public comment period on the draft permit
- Summer 2027: Decision on reissuance
- Aug. 31, 2027: Current permit expires
Do I need a permit?
Read the information on the two tabs to figure out if your facility needs Boatyard General Permit coverage.
Your boatyard:
- Discharges stormwater runoff to a water of the state directly or through a storm sewer system, or
- Generates wastewater from a pressure-washing process.
Your boatyard:
- Conducts boatyard activities exclusively indoors*, or
- Provides only:
- Use of tidal grids solely for emergency repairs or inspections by marine surveyors.
- Minor engine repair or maintenance within the engine space without vessel haul-out.
- Topside cleaning, detailing, and bright work.
- Electronics service and maintenance.
- Service and repair of marine sanitation devices that do not require vessel haul-out.
- Vessel rigging and minor repairs or modifications to the vessel's superstructure (extending to 25 percent or less of the vessel's surface area above the waterline).
*If so, you must submit a Conditional No Exposure Exemption form.
For facilities located in the following counties:
Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima
Help with site-specific questions, applying, forms, or drafting public notices.
Kevin Dolan
Permit Manager
kevin.dolan@ecy.wa.gov
509-575-2434
Mail forms to:
Attn: WQ Boatyard General Permit Coordinator
Washington State Department of Ecology
Central Regional Office
1250 West Alder Street
Union Gap, WA 98903-0009
For facilities located in the following counties:
Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman
Help with site-specific questions, applying, forms, or drafting public notices.
David Ennis
Permit Manager
david.ennis@ecy.wa.gov
509-220-9194
Mail forms to:
Attn: WQ Boatyard General Permit Coordinator
Department of Ecology
Eastern Regional Office
4601 North Monroe Street, Suite 202
Spokane WA 99205-1295
Help with permit requirements or site-specific questions:
Pierce County
Honor Carpenter
Permit Manager
honor.carpenter@ecy.wa.gov
360-485-2701
Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties
Adonia McKinzi
Permit Manager
adonia.mckinzi@ecy.wa.gov
360-480-1434
Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties
Yago Perniciaro
Permit Manager
yago.perniciaro@ecy.wa.gov
360-790-3343
Mail forms to:
Attn: WQ Boatyard General Permit Coordinator
Washington State Department of Ecology
Southwest Regional Office
P.O. Box 47775
Olympia WA 98504-7775
Help with permit requirements or site-specific questions:
Island, King, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties
Evan Dobrowski
Permit Manager
evan.dobrowski@ecy.wa.gov
425-213-4230
San Juan and Skagit counties
Sylvia Graham
Permit Manager
sylvia.graham@ecy.wa.gov
360-927-4900
Whatcom County
Jen Baptist
Permit Manager
jen.baptist@ecy.wa.gov
564-565-0327
Help applying for coverage, finding or completing forms, or drafting public notices:
Tricia Miller
Northwest Region Permit Coordinator
tricia.miller@ecy.wa.gov
206-594-0167
Mail forms to:
Attn: WQ Boatyard General Permit Coordinator
Washington State Department of Ecology
Northwest Regional Office
P.O. Box 330316
Shoreline, WA 98133-9716
Related links
Contact information
James Hovis
Boatyard General Permit Writer
james.hovis@ecy.wa.gov
564-999-3244