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Regulations & Permits > Permits & certifications > Fresh fruit packing general permit

Fresh Fruit Packing General Permit

The Fresh Fruit Packer Permit regulates the water that is used to wash and pack fruit to ensure that it does not pollute lakes, rivers and groundwater. The permit sets rules for how facilities must treat and dispose of wastewater before it's discharged. This combined State Waste Discharge Permit and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) means that facilities have options on where they discharge their wastewater. 

This permit protects local water, workers, and communities while supporting the agricultural industry. It's renewed every five years and gives businesses clear, consistent rules statewide.

The current permit went into effect Jan. 1, 2022, and expires Dec. 31, 2026. It underwent a minor modification Sept. 14, 2022.

Para más información sobre la permiso general, contacte a Marcia Porter al 509-406-6624. 

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Current permit documents

Permit reissuance

The public comment period is now closed for the draft permit. We are reviewing and considering all comments received. We will develop a final draft of the permit based on comments, and publish a Response to Comments as an appendix to the Fact Sheet. A public notice of draft release was published in the Washington State Register on June 17, 2026.

Draft permit documents

Public involvement

We accepted public comments on the draft permit from 9 a.m. June 17, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 8, 2026. During the comment period we hosted one in-person public meeting and hearing in Union Gap, Washington, and one online public meeting and hearing on Zoom. The hearings provided opportunity for the public to give formal spoken testimony on the proposed draft permit.

Next steps

After we receive and consider all public comments, we will make a final decision on permit issuance, expected Fall 2026.

Anticipated timeline

  • Nov. 13 – Dec. 1, 2025: Early public feedback on the current permit and public listening session
  • Fall 2025 – Spring 2026: Draft permit development
  • Summer 2026: Formal comment period on the draft permit and public hearing(s)
  • Fall 2026: Decision on reissuance
  • Dec. 31, 2026: Current permit expires

Permit application and forms

Permit History

Contact your permit administrator for assistance

For facilities in the following counties:

Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Yakima

Marcia Porter
Central Regional Office
1250 W. Alder St. 
Union Gap, WA 98903
marcia.porter@ecy.wa.gov
509-406-6624

For facilities in the following counties:

Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman

David Ennis
Eastern Regional Office
4601 N. Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99205
david.ennis@ecy.wa.gov 
509-220-9194

For facilities in the following counties:

Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum

Yago Perniciaro
300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA 98503
yago.perniciaro@ecy.wa.gov
360-790-3343

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Contact information

Marcia Porter
Permit Writer and Statewide Manager
marcia.porter@ecy.wa.gov
509-406-6624