Ecology to Host Fish Consumption Workshops August 28, 2012

Subject: Department of Ecology hosts workshop Aug. 28 on revised approach for Reducing Toxics In Fish, Shellfish, Sediment, and Water

On July 16, 2012, Department of Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant announced a revised approach for updating the state’s fish consumption rates for water quality and cleaning up contaminated sediments.  View Director Sturdevant’s letter and a timeline for Ecology’s work here: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/toxics/docs/20120716_FCR_SturdevantLetter.pdf.

Ecology invites interested parties to attend a video conference workshop from 1 – 5 p.m., on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at Ecology’s regional offices in Lacey,  Bellevue, Yakima and Spokane.  The workshop will provide an in-depth explanation of Ecology’s current approach.

 Workshop topics include updates on:

  • Ecology’s toxic reduction strategy.
  • Toxic Cleanup Program’s sediment management standards rule making.
  • Ecology’s fish consumption rate technical document.
  • Water Quality Program’s water quality standards rule makings.

As part of this revised approach, Ecology’s Water Quality Program intends to move forward with adopting new human health criteria for surface water quality.   An informational session on human health criteria will be included in the workshop.

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP at swqs@ecy.wa.gov

Learn about future public involvement opportunities and read more about the process ahead at:

Reducing Toxics in Fish, Sediments and Water: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/toxics/fish.html

Workshop Information:
Date: August 28, 2012
Time: 1 -5 p.m.

Eastern Regional Office
Room: 1-NW-18
N. 4601 Monroe
Spokane, WA 99205-1295

(Directions)

Headquarters Office
Room: R0A-32/34/36
300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA 98503

(Directions)

Central Regional Office
Room: 204 A
15 W. Yakima Ave., Ste 200
Yakima, WA  98902

(Directions)                                              
Northwest Regional Office
Room: 2A&B
3190 – 160th Ave. SE
Bellevue, WA 98008-5452

(Directions)

Sandy Howard
Communications – Washington Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program – Environmental Assessment Program
360-407-6408 (desk) ~ 360-791-3177 (cell)

August 22, 2012 Spokane River Regional Task Force Meeting

August 8, 2012

Spokane River Regional Task Force Meeting Announcement

Date: August 22, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Location: Water Resource Center, Spokane County Regional Water Reclamation Facility
1004 North Freya St.
Spokane, WA 99202
Click here for a map.

Meeting Documents

SRRTTF Meeting Notes (Revised) 082212

SRRTTF Draft Agenda 8-22-12

Sensing Interviews Results PPT 8-22-12 (with notes)

ECOS Draft Resoultion on PCBs in Products

Business Entity Discussion

Background Information:
SRRTTF Business Entity Structure Concept (Accepted by Task Force on May 22, 2012)

Documents for Task Force consideration and approval:

Business Entity Draft Articles of Incorporation 8-8-2012

Business Entity Draft Bylaws 8-8-2012

Note: The Business Entity documents have been posted on the SRRTTF website and available for review by the Task Force since July 19, 2012. Comments have been received and incorporated into the attached drafts. If you have further questions or concerns about these documents, please contact Adriane Borgias by Tuesday, August 14th so they may be addressed at the upcoming SRRTTF meeting.

Spokane River Toxics Workshop Report to Task Force

Work Group Report Out 082212 01

Work Group Report Out 082212 02

Task Force Work Plan

SRRTTF Work Plan Objectives Concept R3 08-08-12

SRRTTF Technical Advisor Concept R1 08-08-12

The Task Force Work Plan documents were developed from the recommendations and findings of the Spokane River Toxics Workshop that was held June 5-6, 2012. They are foundational documents to be used in the development of a Request for Proposal for a Technical Advisor.  Please review prior to the Task Force meeting and be prepared to respond and/or provide comment.

Plan for Ecology’s Fiscal Year 2013 Toxics Sampling in the Spokane River

Handout on FY13 sampling for SRRTTF Meeting on 8-23-12

Workshop on Performance Based Criteria Analysis

 SGS Analytical Perspectives is howding a workshop in Wilmington, North Carolina entitled:

 “Performance Based Criteria Analysis: Fundamentals & Applications”

 The workshop will be hosted by Dr. Yves Tondeur and Jerry Hart, and feature other leading scientists at SGS Analytical Perspectives: Michael Flournoy, Dr. Kimberly Mace, and Dr. Bryan Vining. Participants will develop an understanding of how specifying lab performance parameters up front, especially measurement uncertainty, ensures that the data generated are more effective for decision making. Participants will be able to apply this understanding to future Quality Assurance Project Plans and other documents that specify analytical requirements such that the data generated support decision making Click on the link below for more information :

Wilmington Oct2012 Invitation

Spokane River Toxics Workshop June 5-6, 2012

The Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Invites you to attend the SPOKANE RIVER TOXICS WORKSHOP #1,  June 5th & 6th , 2012, Gonzaga University School of Law, Moot Court Auditorium

Workshop Purpose:
This workshop is intended to bring together a group of stakeholders, regulators, and technical experts to begin the effort to identify and quantify the sources of PCBs and Dioxins in the Spokane River, to build a common body of knowledge about previous study work on the Spokane River, and to begin the development of a work plan for the reduction of toxics in the Spokane River.

Who Should Attend?: All members of the SRRTTF, all interested stakeholders, regulatory staff from the Department of Ecology and the US EPA, and consultants/technical experts who may wish to compete on future work for the SRRTTF.

Registration: Advance registration is required by Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The registration cost is $55.00 and covers two days of lunches, refreshments at breaks, and administration costs. Registration after May 29th or at the door is $65.00.

Please register using your credit card at

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/243975

For registrations that must be made by check, please follow the instructions on the Brown Paper Ticket website. Registration fees are tax deductible. 

Workshop Contact: TPoitevint@LibertyLake.org

Click Here to download a brochure.

Click here to go to the workshop website, hosted by the Center for Justice.

Spokane River Technical Workshop – September 29th, 2011

The Spokane River Forum invites you to a Spokane River Technical Workshop regarding Department of Health Fish Advisories for PCBs, metals and other toxics.

Date: September 29th
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Washington Department of Ecology, 4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane

Please RSVP by e-mailing info@spokaneriver.net, or calling 509-535-7084.

Click to view agenda: Spokane River Technical Workshop 9/29 Agenda

Since the last Spokane River fish advisory was updated, new methodologies are being used to calculate human health risk for additive exposure to PCBs and other chemicals following similar biological pathways. Further, Washington State is considering changes to toxics criteria for human health based on fish consumption. These changes are of importance to stakeholder discussions regarding reduction of toxics in the Spokane River.

As shown in attached agenda, Dave McBride from Washington Department of Health will review and discuss these issues with interested stakeholders. Representatives from the Urban Waters Initiative and other local experts will help participants understand the potential impact of these policies on assessing Spokane River needs.