Ecology News – Identifying and managing PCB-containing building materials training


Training offers guidance for reducing PCB pollution and protecting water quality
We’re providing training to help business owners, consultants, and contractors safely maintain and abate buildings that contain polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. These manmade chemicals were widely used in building materials to add flexibility, adhesion, and durability. But they can also pose health risks and contaminate stormwater, soils, sediments, and affect indoor air quality.

Free training opportunities for private and public sectors

The good news is that we have strategies for managing building materials that contain PCBs. We are hosting two free online trainings about the guidance we developed, How to Find and Address PCBs in Building Materials. Trainings will take place on the following dates:
June 14, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for property owners, developers, and other businesses.
June 27, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for government agencies and other regulators.

The trainings will cover:
How to identify building materials that may contain PCBs.
Options for characterizing and managing these materials.
How to protect stormwater while these materials are left in place or when they are abated. How to estimate abatement project costs.

We will have time at the end of the presentation for informal discussion. It’s not too late to register for either training session.  

Why it matters

PCBs cause cancer in animals and are likely to cause cancer in people. They can harm the immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems in people and other organisms.

Even though production of PCBs was banned in 1979 by the EPA, they’re still present in many existing buildings. We’re working to manage PCBs in building materials like concrete, caulking, paint, and certain types of siding and roofing. That’s important because these materials can release PCBs into the environment through indoor air, construction debris, or runoff.

Once PCBs have traveled into the environment, they can accumulate in people and animals, becoming more concentrated in organisms at the top of the food chain, like orcas and humans. This is a particular problem for areas with a history of heavy industrial use, such as the Duwamish Waterway in Seattle and the Spokane River watershed, where sediments contaminated with PCBs make it unsafe to eat fish and shellfish from these waters.

Our grant from the EPA

The guidance and these trainings are made possible by a National Estuary Program grant from the EPA. Our goal is educational: We want to reduce pollution from PCBs in building materials by promoting best practices before demolition or renovation, when PCBs are more likely to be released into the environment.

December 1, 2022 ACE Board Meeting/Ecology and Other News

The ACE Board will be holding a meeting on December 1, 2022 from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm.  Please contact  lara@whitebluffsconsulting.com for the Teams meeting link.  Here is the agenda:

ACE Meeting Agenda 120122

Ecology News:

Washington Department of Ecology is excited to share a new resource to help property owners, public entities, developers, and others play an active role in removing PCB sources across the State.

The Department of Ecology, in partnership with the National Estuary Program, has published How to Find and Address PCBs in Building Materials and How to Estimate Abatement Project Costs for PCBs in Building Materials. These materials are intended to help property owners and consultants:

  • Identify and characterize PCBs in building materials.
  • Remove PCB sources safely when demolishing and renovating.
  • Understand the potential costs associated with these activities.
  • Protect stormwater from PCB sources prior to their safe removal.
  • Understand the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) and Washington state regulatory requirements.

For more information, please visit their webpage. They currently plan to provide training and publish other materials focused on highlighting important aspects of the guidance in early 2023.

If you have questions, please reach out to:

Myles Perkins, PE
Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction – WA State Department of Ecology
PO Box 330316
Shoreline, WA 98133-9716
myles.perkins@ecy.wa.gov │ Cell: 425.457.2514 │ Meet our Team

High concentrations of PCBs and Mercury found in Salmon article:

Oregon Public Broadcasting and Propublica purchased 50 Columbia River adult salmon and sampled them for toxins. These salmon were found to contain high concentrations of PCBs and mercury that have the potential to trigger fish consumption advisories. Please see link to the article below. 

https://www.propublica.org/article/how-the-us-broke-promise-to-protect-fish-for-tribes

Laura Klasner Shira, P.E.
Yakama Nation Fisheries
PO Box 151, Toppenish, WA 98948
509.985.3561

Department of Ecology Final Water Quality Permits/Other Announcements

Spokane County Facility

Ecology has finalized the permit for Spokane County Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WA0093317). This is the second of five permits we have finalized to ensure the wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into the Spokane River continue to meet clean water requirements. Previously, we held a public comment period on the draft permit for Spokane County from March 18 to May 3, 2022. We’ve included a response to comments we received as an appendix to the permit.

View final permit documents
Inland Empire Paper
Ecology has finalized the permit for Inland Empire Paper Company (WA0000825). This is the third of five permits we have finalized to ensure the wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into the Spokane River continue to meet clean water requirements.  Previously, we held a public comment period on the draft permit for Inland Empire Paper from March 4 to May 2, 2022. We’ve included a response to comments we received as an appendix to the permit. View final permit documents
Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District
Ecology has finalized the permit for Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District (WA0045144).   This is the fourth of five permits we have finalized to ensure the wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into the Spokane River continue to meet clean water requirements.  Previously, we held a public comment period on the draft permit for Liberty Lake from March 18 to May 3, 2022. We’ve included a response to comments we received as an appendix to the permit.   View final permit documents

Next steps
We are still reviewing the feedback we received on the City of Spokane draft permit. We will respond to comments and make decisions on the final permit by Summer 2022. Visit our website for more information.   
 
2022 Water Quality Assessment call for data
https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Water-quality/Water-improvement/Assessment-of-state-waters-303d?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
 
We are beginning our next update to the Water Quality Assessment and we need recent water quality data from Washington’s rivers, streams, lakes, and marine waters. We are seeking data collected between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2021.

To make sure your data is included in this next Water Quality Assessment, please submit before September 30, 2022. Water quality data can be submitted to Ecology’s Environmental Information Management (EIM) database. Narrative information and studies, such as published research and peer-reviewed reports, can be submitted directly to Water Quality Assessment staff at 303d@ecy.wa.gov.

All data submitted must have been collected under a quality assurance project plan, or similar guidance document. Data must be representative of ambient water quality conditions. Submitters must be able to confirm that quality assurance procedures were followed and must be prepared to provide a copy of the plan upon request. If you previously submitted data to us, you do not need to submit it again.

We’re awarding $317 million in grants and loans for 124 high-priority clean water projects across the state. Our Water Quality Combined Funding Program supports local communities by helping them upgrade wastewater treatment and sewer systems, manage polluted stormwater, and complete a variety of other projects to prevent and clean up diffuse sources of pollution, also known as nonpoint pollution.

For a useful tool to view and search some of our past and currently funded Water Quality projects, the Ecology Grants and Loans Map Viewer and Search Tool is now available. This allows search and viewing of information about not just Water Quality funded projects, but also many other Ecology funded projects throughout the state.
 
Thank you,

 Adriane P. Borgias (she/her)
Water Quality Section Manager, Eastern Regional Office
Washington State Department of Ecology
4601 North Monroe Street
Spokane, WA  99205-1295
Adriane.Borgias@ecy.wa.gov
(509) 329-3515

May 18, 2022 Tech Track work group Zoom meeting/Public Comment Period City of Spokane Draft Spokane Water Quality Permit

The next meeting of the TTWG will be held on Wednesday, May 18 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am.  Please contact lara@whitebluffsconsulting.com for the Zoom meeting link.

Meeting documents:

TTWG_agenda 5-18-2022
TTWG_05182022

Expanded Synoptic_Artesian_CatchBasin Scope_05132022draft
WaterColumnTrend_Mirabeau_Scope_05172022draft

Public comment period
Draft Spokane Water Quality Permit


We previously held a public comment period from Dec. 29, 2021 to Feb. 1 2022, on the City of Spokane proposed draft permit and fact sheet. After reviewing the comments, we made several changes to the permit and fact sheet in response to comments. As a result, we are providing an additional opportunity to review and comment on the proposed permit before we make a final decision. Please review and comment on the draft permit until 11:59 p.m. June 10, 2022.

In addition to correcting technical and typographical errors, we also changed the permit and explanatory language in the fact sheet for the following topics:
• Effluent limits; Section S1
• Mixing Zone for PCBs; Section S1.A, Table 2
• Mixing Zone flows; Section S1.B, Table 5
• Effluent monitoring for PCBs and other parameters; Section S2; Table 7
• Design limits for Next Level Treatment; Section S4
• Exfiltration testing; Section S5.H
• CSO Post Construction Monitoring Plan; Section S14.C.c
• Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force; Section S17.B
• Compliance schedules for pH and PCBs: Section S18
• Reopener clause; Section G3

View draft documents on our webpage

Comment on City of Spokane

Next Steps
After reviewing the feedback we receive, we respond to comments and will make decisions on permit reissuance for the facility. We plan to complete this work by Summer 2022.

Karl Rains
Eastern Regional Planner
Karl.Rains@ecy.wa.gov

Public comment period Draft Spokane Water Quality Permits/Pollution Prevention Grant Opportunities

Ecology invites comments on the Spokane County and Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District draft permits from March 18 – May 3, 2022.  We are drafting updated water quality permits to ensure the five wastewater treatment facilities that discharge into the Spokane River continue to meet clean water requirements. These are the final two draft permits open for comment. Previously, we held comment on the Kaiser Aluminum Facility and City of Spokane Facility draft water quality permits from Dec. 29, 2021 – Feb. 11, 2022. We also have a comment period open for Inland Empire Paper from March 4 –April 18, 2022.  

View draft documents on our webpage  
Comment on Spokane County  
Comment on Liberty Lake
We are planning two identical workshops to explain the proposed changes to this permit and to answer questions prior to the formal public hearings. Hearings provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony. Oral testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments. The public hearings will begin immediately following each workshop and will conclude when testimony is complete.

Tuesday, April 19 at 2 p.m.
Join the webinar  
Tuesday, April 26 at  6 p.m.
Join the webinar  

The workshops and hearings offered via webinar allow individuals to view the presentation and provide testimony via computer, phone, or mobile device. Ecology will not be offering in-person hearings due to safety concerns from COVID-19.

Next Steps
After reviewing the feedback we receive, we respond to comments and will make decisions on permit reissuance for the facility. We plan to complete this work by Spring 2022.

Karl Rains Water Quality Planner
Karl.Rains@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3601

Pollution Prevention Grants

Watch our Webinars to Learn How to Apply for $23 Million in Pollution Prevention Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making available recordings of four webinars hosted by the agency to educate stakeholders on $23 million in pollution prevention (P2) grant funding opportunities for states and tribes. Proposals are due by April 11, 2022.

Three of the webinars reviewed general information about P2 and the grant application process to help potential applicants submit high-quality applications to EPA for consideration. The fourth webinar was targeted to the specific needs of federally recognized tribes.

The two grant opportunities provide funding for states and tribes to develop and provide businesses with information, training, and tools to help them adopt P2 practices. A new P2 grant of approximately $14 million is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For the first time, this funding is available with no grantee matching requirement, increasing access to funds for all communities. There is also a second grant opportunity for the traditional P2 grants program for approximately $9 million.

Eligible applicants include states, state entities such as universities, U.S. territories and possessions, and federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia. EPA anticipates announcing the grant recipients on a rolling basis starting in late summer.  

Learn more about P2 grants
View the webinars

Spokane River Biofilm Study Review/Other Announcements

Attached is the final draft of the Spokane River Biofilm Study for Task Force review. Ecology will evaluate and consider any comments that are made. Please provide any comments by March 11 to Brandee Era Miller @ BERA461@ECY.WA.GOV and cc lara@whitebluffsconsulting.com.

Here is the link to the report on Ecology’s ezShare site:

Spokane River PCBs in Biofilm, Sediment, and Invertebrates, 2018 and 2019 – Screening Study Results (wa.gov)

Clean Water Act Section 123 Columbia River Basin Restoration Program – Request for Applications – NEW DEADLINE March 8th

EPA is offering a one month extension to the following funding opportunities.

Applications must be submitted electronically by Tuesday, March 8, 2022 11:59 pm (Eastern) through www.grants.gov by following the instructions in the RFA. 

Columbia River Basin Restoration Funding Assistance Program – Lower Columbia River Estuary Basin

EPA-R10-OW-CRBRP-2022-01 is available at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336445.

Columbia River Basin Restoration Funding Assistance Program – Middle and Upper Columbia River Basin

EPA-R10-OW-CRBRP-2022-02 is available at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336446

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 (EPA), is issuing two Request for Applications (RFA) from eligible entities to improve water quality in the Lower Columbia River Estuary and/or the Middle and Upper Columbia River Basin through specific actions to reduce toxics, increase monitoring, and/or increase public education and outreach. The Columbia River Basin Restoration Program (CRBRP) will assist tribal, state, and local governments; nongovernmental entities, and others as they implement the Columbia River Basin Toxics Reduction Action Plan and the Lower Columbia River Estuary Plan – Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and conduct activities to support EPA national goals for the Columbia River Basin.  

Eligible projects must address at least one of the following project categories: eliminating or reducing pollution; cleaning up contaminated sites; improving water quality; monitoring to evaluate trends; reducing runoff; protecting habitat; or promoting citizen engagement or knowledge. Priority for funding will be given to projects which are consistent with federal fiscal years 2021 and 2022 (FY21/22) funding priorities as described in the RFA.   

More information about this funding opportunity can be found at: EPA’s Columbia River Basin Website .

Our work to rid schools and buildings of hazardous PCBs

Few would argue there are higher priorities than protecting children from harm. We agree with the need to provide protection for children, and want to see that protection extended to those who work with children in the places where they spend vast amounts of time: schools.

Our work to identify and eliminate toxic chemicals in schools has been ongoing for decades, but a big push in recent years has been targeting polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs. While the government banned the manufacture of PCBs in the U.S. in 1979, the chemicals remain in buildings that were constructed or renovated before or around that date.

PCBs are a group of human-made compounds found in air, water, land, and sediments. They last for decades in the environment, building up in the food chain causing toxic effects to the immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems in people and animals. PCBs also cause cancer in animals and are believed to cause cancer in people.

Read online

2021 – 2023 Ecology WRRED Grants Program/EPA CWA Section 123 Grants application

The Department of Ecology is pleased to announce the opening of the application period of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Education (WRRED) Grants Program for the 2021-23 biennium. Ecology is providing funding from January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. The application period will run from November 2nd, 2021 to November 23rd, 2021.

This competitive grant program provides up to $60,000 dollars to qualified local governments and nonprofit organizations for local or statewide education programs designed to help the public with waste reduction, recycling, composting, and litter control. The program requires a 25% match of the total eligible costs either in cash or contributed services for a total project maximum of $80,000.

Please see the updated program guidelines for more specific information and to review the application evaluation criteria that will be used to assess each application: https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/SummaryPages/2107035.html

More information is available on the program’s webpage: https://ecology.wa.gov/WRRED

EPA is Seeking Applications to Reduce Toxics in the Columbia River Basin

Applications due: February 8, 2022

Clean Water Act Section 123 Columbia River Basin Restoration Program Request for Applications: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 (EPA), is issuing two Request for Applications (RFA) from eligible entities to improve water quality in the Lower Columbia River Estuary and/or the Middle and Upper Columbia River Basin through specific actions to reduce toxics, increase monitoring, and/or increase public education and outreach. The Columbia River Basin Restoration Program (CRBRP) will assist tribal, state, and local governments; nongovernmental entities, and others as they implement the Columbia River Basin Toxics Reduction Action Plan and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and conduct activities to support EPA national goals for the Columbia River Basin.  Eligible projects must address at least one of the following project categories: eliminating or reducing pollution; cleaning up contaminated sites; improving water quality; monitoring to evaluate trends; reducing runoff; protecting habitat; or promoting citizen engagement or knowledge. Priority for funding will be given to projects which are consistent with federal fiscal years 2021 and 2022 (FY21/22) funding priorities as described in the RFA.   

EPA is offering an informational session, via webinar, to be held on three different dates. We encourage potential applicants to attend one of the sessions to learn more about the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program and the grant application process. During the webinar, EPA will highlight any changes to the program, review eligibility criteria, funding limits and mandatory cost share requirements. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions. Pre-registration is not required.

  • Wednesday, November 17, 1-2:30pm (Pacific)
  • Wednesday, December 1, 9-10:30am (Pacific)
  • Wednesday, December 14, 9:30-11am (Pacific)

More information about this funding opportunity and the informational webinars can be found at: EPA’s Columbia River Basin Website .

Applications must be submitted electronically by Tuesday, February 8, 2022 11:59 pm (Eastern) through www.grants.gov by following the instructions in the RFA. 

 

EPA & Ecology News/Upcoming SRRTTF meetings

The US DOJ filed 2 motions in US District Court regarding the Washington Water Quality Standards Litigation. 

EPA has decided to propose protective Human Health Criteria for Washington’s surface waters that reflect the Agency’s commitment to apply sound science in administering the federal Clean Water Act.

The agency is committed to working with Washington State to protect vital water resources, ensuring that Human Health Criteria protect people who consume fish from Washington’s waters, including tribes with treaty-protected subsistence fishing rights. To that end, within nine months from the date the Court grants EPA’s request to hold the case in abeyance, EPA will formally propose protective federal criteria for Washington that would replace the less stringent criteria EPA approved in the prior administration.

EPA will be communicating early and often with tribes, elected officials, stakeholders/NGOs and the general public about progress and opportunities to comment during the rulemaking process.

Attached are copies of the filed motions:

30 PSA Motion for abeyance
84 WA Motion for abeyance

Thank you for your interest in this important issue.

Lucy Edmondson
Senior Advisor, Office of the Regional Administrator
US EPA Region 10
300 Desmond Drive
Lacey, WA 98503

Ecology is pleased to announce the publication of the State Fiscal Year 2022 Final Water Quality Funding Offer List and Intended Use Plan (SFY22 Final List). The SFY22 Final List describes how Ecology will use state and federal dollars to fund projects to improve and protect water quality.

Ecology is offering nearly $312 million in financial assistance for 108 high priority clean water projects across Washington state. The total includes approximately $22 million in Centennial Clean Water Program grants, $1.6 million in Clean Water Act Section 319 Program grants, $35 million in Stormwater Financial Assistance Program grants, and $254 million in Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans and forgivable loans.

To ensure that funds were directed to the highest priority projects, our water quality specialists evaluated and scored all eligible project proposals. Scores were compiled, and a statewide priority list was developed. Projects offered funding are based upon the priority list, the type of project, and the funding source.

More Information
For more information about the SFY22 Funding Cycle, including the interactive map of funded projects and access to a worksheet describing the projects and funding offered, please visit the Water Quality Combined Funding Program Funding Cycles webpage.

Upcoming Meetings:(contact lara@whitebluffsconsulting.com for Zoom info)

July 7 – iPCB/TSCA beginning with WA DES discussion at 9:30 am
July 13 – Education and Outreach at 10:00 am
July 28 – SRRTTF at 8:30 am

Ecology WQ Program open comment periods regarding Spokane River watershed/EPA Stormwater Grant Program

Hi Task Force,

We want to make the Task Force aware of two Water Quality Program open comment periods that include proposed updates affecting the Spokane River watershed.  Details, resources, primary Ecology contacts, and instructions for submitting comments are provided below.  

The first (see item ❶ below) is related to the proposed reissuance of the Upland Finfish Hatching and Rearing NPDES and State Waste Discharge General Permit.  This includes WDFW’s Spokane Hatchery located on the Little Spokane River. 

The second (see item ❷ below) is related to Ecology’s release of the draft Water Quality Assessment (WQA).  The draft WQA includes new listings on segments of Lake Spokane and/or the Spokane River for temperature, pH, methyl mercury and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). 

Ecology has provided substantial information on their website (see links below) and we encourage you to review the available information and resources.  Primary contacts Laurie Niewolny and Jeremy Reiman can respond to question specific to the proposals.

❶ Ecology proposes to reissue the Upland Finfish Hatching and Rearing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and State Waste Discharge General Permit (permit). The current permit was issued on April 1, 2016, and expired on March 31, 2021. The draft permit and accompanying fact sheet, which explains the technical basis for the permit, are available for review and public comment from Wednesday, April 7, 2021, through Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Ecology will host two public workshops and public hearings on the draft permit.

Purpose of the Permit
The permit provides coverage for upland finfish hatching and rearing operations and limits the discharge of pollutants from raising or spawning fish, which includes uneaten feed, fish fecal matter, and medications and disease control chemicals. Under Federal and State water quality laws (Federal Clean Water Act and State Water Pollution Control Act), a permit is required for the discharge of these wastewaters. State, county, private, and some tribal hatcheries that rear finfish such as salmon and trout and that discharge wastewater to waters of the State must obtain permit authorization for their discharge.

Submitting Written Comments
We will accept written comments on the draft permit and fact sheet from April 7, 2021, through May 26, 2021 by 11:59 pm. Comments may be submitted:

Online: Submit your comments through our online comments form (preferred method)

By mail:
Laurie Niewolny
Washington State Department of Ecology
PO Box 47775
Olympia, WA  98504-7775

In person: Comments are accepted during the following Public Workshops and Hearings. The purpose of the workshops is to explain the general permit and to answer questions prior to the formal public hearings. The purpose of the hearings is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony on the proposed draft permit. Oral testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments submitted.

The public hearings will begin immediately following the public workshops and will conclude when public testimony is complete.

Morning Webinar: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 – 10 a.m.  Join the Webinar*

Evening Webinar: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – 6 p.m.  Join the Webinar*

*Workshops and hearings offered via webinar allow individuals to view the presentation and provide testimony via computer or mobile device. Ecology is not currently offering in-person hearings due to COVID-19 safety concerns.

Issuing the Permit 
After we receive and consider all public comments, we will make a final decision on permit issuance. We expect to make a decision on the general permit in August 2021.

Copies of the Draft Permit and Fact Sheet
The draft permit and fact sheet are available on our permit webpage. You may also request copies from Water Quality Reception at (360) 407-6600.

Ecology Contact
Laurie Niewolny – General Permit Writer
Telephone: (360) 584-8852
Email: laurie.niewolny@ecy.wa.gov

To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, call Ecology at 360-407-7285 or visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.

❷ The Department of Ecology is releasing the draft Water Quality Assessment for public review and comment. The Assessment pulls together existing data for fresh and marine water, and is available for review as an interactive online tool.

Ecology is responsible for identifying and improving Washington’s polluted streams, lakes, and marine water.  As part of this work, we must regularly update Washington’s Water Quality Assessment that categorizes state waters as clean or polluted, based on data we have.  Results of the Assessment help us see where progress is being made and where to prioritize future water quality improvement plans.  The Assessment is used by tribes, federal, state, and local governments, and stakeholders to design monitoring programs and water quality improvement projects; incorporate the data into other environmental reporting; and to share successes in water quality improvement efforts.  The Assessment includes data gathered by Ecology and readily available data from several other local, state, and federal agencies, tribes, and environmental groups.  To help ensure that the data we use is accurate, all data must meet our quality assurance requirements.

Online training
We are holding a virtual training on April 20 at 1:30 p.m. to offer background information on the Assessment and tips on how to use the search and map tools to review any areas of interest. Register for the online training webinar

How can I comment?
We are inviting people to review Assessment results in watershed areas of the state that they are familiar with or have an interest in. For information on the Assessment and to access the online tool and other materials, please visit the Assessment website.

The deadline for public comments is 5 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2021.

Submit comments by:
Online comment form provided on the review tool (preferred method)
Email: 303d@ecy.wa.gov
Mail: Washington State Department of Ecology
Jeremy Reiman
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Please note, any information (e.g., personal or contact) you provide in a comment or in an attachment may be publicly disclosed and posted on the Internet.

Next Steps:
After reviewing public feedback and making any revisions, Ecology will submit the final Assessment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet Clean Water Act requirements.

More information:
Water Quality Assessment webpage
Water Quality Assessment Focus Sheet
April 8, 2021 Ecology News Release

Questions? Contact
Jeremy Reiman
Water Quality Assessment Scientist
email: 303d@ecy.wa.gov
phone: 360-819-0197

The Department of Ecology is committed to providing people with disabilities access to information and services by meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Washington State Policy #188.

To request an ADA accommodation, contact Ecology by phone at 360-407-6600 or email at jeremy.reiman@ecy.wa.gov. For Washington Relay Service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341.  Visit Ecology’s website for more information.

EPA Announces $67 Million Grant Program to Help Communities Manage Stormwater
04/01/2021
Contact Information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov )
WASHINGTON (April 1, 2021)— Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $67 million in grant funding through the new Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. This funding will support public health and environmental protections by helping states and cities improve stormwater management to address sewer overflows and reduce pollution that can flow into local waterways.

“While utilities do an incredible job of managing wastewater and safely returning it to the environment, increased water from heavy rains and storms can challenge and even circumvent this great work,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Under America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, this new grant program empowers EPA’s state, local, and utility partners to improve stormwater management and benefit communities.”

This grant program will provide funding for critical overflow and stormwater infrastructure projects in communities. Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect pollutants—including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment—and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows (CSO) during heavy rainstorms. Managing stormwater is a complex environmental challenge and EPA is working with its partners to meet the needs of communities. 

States, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia can apply for funding. Once awarded, these funds will be provided as sub-awards to municipal entities for projects that address infrastructure needs for CSOs, sanitary sewer overflows (SSO), and stormwater management. Through this $67 million investment in water infrastructure, EPA estimates that over a thousand direct and indirect jobs will be created.

Background
America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 amended section 221 of the Clean Water Act, which reauthorized the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants program. These amendments expanded project eligibilities to include stormwater management projects and authorized appropriations for the program. The program received a $28 million appropriation in fiscal year 2020 and a $40 million appropriation in fiscal year 2021. EPA developed an allotment formula for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to best address CSOs, SSOs, and stormwater needs for each state, as determined by the data from the latest Clean Watersheds Needs Survey, along with supplemental data on population, urban population, and precipitation. 

For more information about the program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/sewer-overflow-and-stormwater-reuse-municipal-grants-program.

Department of Ecology Public Participation Grant Applications

The Washington Department of Ecology is currently accepting applications for Public Participation Grants (PPGs).

The PPG program is a competitive grant program. Grants are available to individuals affected by a contaminated site, or to non-profit public service organizations. The purpose of these grants is to facilitate public participation in:

•             The cleanup of hazardous substance release sites, or

•             The implementation of the state’s solid and hazardous waste priorities.

Applications are available through Ecology’s Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) online grant management system.  You will need to set up a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account before you can access EAGL.

The application will be open until 5 p.m. April 29, 2021. Late applications will not be accepted. Ecology will evaluate and score each eligible application received. Grant funds are available for projects conducted July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023. Please read the program guidelines and the application instructions before you apply.

Visit the program webpage for additional information or contact Lynn Gooding at lynn.gooding@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 742-2724.

Ecología aceptará solicitudes para las Subvenciones de Participación Pública (PPGs por sus siglas) desde las 8:00 a.m. del 30 de marzo, 2021 hasta las 5:00 p.m. del 29 de abril, 2021.  Las PPGs pueden financiar hasta $120,000 para un proyecto de dos años y no se requiere fondos recíprocos.  Para más información, comuníquese con Lynn Gooding a lynn.gooding@ecy.wa.gov, o al (360) 742-2724. 

PPG Webpage (includes program guidelines and application instructions) –

https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/How-we-operate/Grants-loans/Find-a-grant-or-loan/Public-participation-grants

EAGL and SAW:

https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/How-we-operate/Grants-loans#Apply