TagNPDES(128)

This document outlines a Water Quality Assessment (WQA) conducted in support of the Port of Seattle's Master Plan Update for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA), focused on evaluating the airport's ability to meet water quality requirements under its NPDES permit following construction of a proposed third runway. The assessment uses three approaches: a Water Effect Ratio (WER) study to adjust water quality standards for site-specific conditions, a mixing zone analysis to determine where standards must be met in receiving streams, and an examination of variability in stormwater quality. The goal is to reach agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology on whether aquatic life in nearby receiving streams will be adequately protected.

Letter and memorandum from EPA Assistant Administrator Robert Perciasepe transmitting the final Interim Permitting Approach for Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations in Storm Water Permits to State Water Program Directors and EPA Water Management Division Directors. The policy addresses NPDES storm water permit effluent limitations, adopting best management practices (BMPs) in lieu of numeric water quality-based

This document is a fact sheet accompanying an NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit issued to the Port of Seattle for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, governing how the airport manages and discharges treated industrial wastewater and stormwater. It covers discharge locations into Puget Sound, Des Moines Creek, Miller Creek, and the City of SeaTac storm sewer system, and establishes effluent limitations and monitoring requirements. The permit addresses water quality standards, pollution prevention plans, and compliance schedules to protect surrounding waterways from airport-related contaminants.

In this 2001 declaration filed with Washington State's Pollution Control Hearings Board, fisheries biologist Dr. John A. Strand argues that proposed modifications to the Port of Seattle's stormwater discharge permit would harm Walker and Gilliam Creeks near Sea-Tac Airport, which support salmon, trout, and other aquatic life. Dr. Strand contends that Ecology failed to identify specific locations of new construction-related stormwater outfalls, denying the public a meaningful chance to assess environmental impacts. He supports a stay of the permit modification until its compliance with the Clean Water Act can be fully reviewed.

In this 2001 legal declaration, Washington Department of Ecology official Kevin Fitzpatrick addresses water quality concerns raised by the Airport Communities Coalition regarding stormwater discharges from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport during its Third Runway expansion. Fitzpatrick explains that while stormwater discharges have shown elevated levels of copper, lead, and zinc, these instantaneous exceedances do not necessarily constitute violations of state water quality standards, since stormwater fluctuates rapidly by nature. He further outlines steps the Port of Seattle was taking to address pollution, including rerouting de-icing runoff, replacing zinc-emitting metal roofs, and conducting required studies to establish specific effluent limits under the Clean Water Act 401 Certification.

Greg Wingard, an environmental consultant and Executive Director of Waste Action Project, submitted this declaration in a 2001 Pollution Control Hearings Board appeal challenging a permit modification for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's stormwater discharges. Wingard argues that the modified NPDES permit failed to identify the specific locations of new discharge outfalls into local waterways including Miller, Des Moines, Gilliam, and Walker Creeks, preventing meaningful public participation and environmental review. He contends that without knowing where discharges will occur, it is impossible to evaluate potential cumulative impacts on downstream waterways and riparian property owners.

NPDES Permit WA-002465-1 fact sheet for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA), issued to the Port Of Seattle. Establishes basis for effluent limitations and requirements for discharge of treated industrial wastewater to Puget Sound (WA-PS-0270) and stormwater to Miller Creek (WA-09-2005), Des Moines Creek (WA-09-2000), and the City of SeaTac storm sewer, tributary to Gillian Creek

Pre-filed direct testimony of Keith Smith submitted in Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) case No. 01-160, Airport Communities Coalition (ACC) and Citizens Against Sea-Tac Expansion (CASE) v. Department of Ecology and Port Of Seattle. Testimony addresses stormwater sampling under the Port’s NPDES permit, monitoring locations, water quality criteria violations, hardness data accuracy, deicing chemicals, IWS

Table 4 Stormwater Quality Comparators comparing water quality data across multiple study sites including NURP 1983, BURP 1984, Metro 1982, Bellevue 1995, Highway Runoff 1981, Portland NPDES 1993, and STIA Landside and Airfield locations. Parameters measured include pH, TPH, fecal coliforms, BOD5, TSS, turbidity, glycols, copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in units of

Direct testimony of Kevin Fitzpatrick, Section Manager of the Northwest Regional Office Water Quality Section, Washington State Department of Ecology, submitted before the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) in case No. 01-160. Airport Communities Coalition (ACC) and Citizens Against Sea-Tac Expansion (CASE) are appellants; State of Washington Department of Ecology and Port Of Seattle are