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

Ecology seeks feedback on preliminary plan to reduce PCBs in Spokane River

Ecology is seeking preliminary feedback on five individual discharger variances to the water quality standards that meet the requirements of WAC 173-201A-420, for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for the Spokane River. Our preliminary draft rule includes amendments to WAC 173-201A-420 (Variance), and new sections in chapter 173-201A WAC to include the proposed variances.

A “variance” is a tool available under the Clean Water Act that provides a pathway for dischargers to make progress toward meeting Washington State’s Surface Water Quality Standards using the most current available technologies and control measures. For more information, see our variance rulemaking webpage.

We are accepting informal comments on the preliminary draft rule and supporting documents from June 10 to July 25, 2020. While your feedback will help us develop rule language and supporting documents, we will not formally respond to comments received.

Learn more about the preliminary draft rule:

How can I comment?

  • You can submit comments online until 11:59 p.m. on July 25, 2020
  • By mail (must be postmarked by July 25, 2020):
    • Marla Koberstein
      WA Department of Ecology
      Preliminary Draft Variance Comments
      P.O. Box 47696
      Olympia, WA 98504-7696

More information on this rulemaking

  • Browse the variance rulemaking webpage.
  • Join our listserv to receive news and information about this rulemaking and other water quality topics.

Questions?

Marla Koberstein
Rule coordinator
email: swqs@ecy.wa.gov
Phone: 360-628-6376

April 8 Kaiser amended agreement online public meeting and comment period extension

Hi Task Force members and interested parties,

The Washington Department of Ecology is holding an April 8 online public meeting and extending the comment period for the amended legal agreement requiring Kaiser to evaluate new technologies for treating polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in groundwater and implement a full-scale groundwater treatment system. Please see the link below for more information: 

KaiserAOextMtgPostcard

Draft WA state report and webinar on priority consumer products

Hi Task Force members,

Please see the link and webinar information below provided by the Department of Ecology and the Safer Products for Washington team on priority consumer products: (https://www.ezview.wa.gov/Portals/_1962/Documents/saferproducts/January_2020_Stakeholder_Email.pdf)

Dear Interested Parties,

The Safer Products for Washington team is hosting two webinars on February 19, 2020—at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific Time. Join us to learn how we are implementing 70.365 RCW and to have your questions answered.

Register for the webinar

We encourage you to register for the 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST or the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. PST presentation. We are offering two separate webinars with the same content in an effort to ensure the material is accessible across time zones and outside business hours.

What we’ll cover in the webinar

In partnership with Department of Health, we released a draft report on priority consumer products. During the webinar, we will provide an overview of the report and our rationale for proposing these products for further evaluation. We will also outline the timeline for our next steps.

Presentation materials

We will share the presentation slides with registered participants prior to the webinar. Find the slides, the list of attendees and the questions and answers on the Safer Products for Washington implementation site soon after the webinar.

Thank you for your engagement with Safer Products for Washington, Chapter 70.365 RCW. Please feel free to reach out to us with questions or to share information.

Safer Products for Washington team

Implementation program for RCW 70.365

SaferProductsWA@ecy.wa.gov

Feb. SRRTTF meetings/biofilm news story/EPA grant

Upcoming SRRTTF meetings: (conf. call number 605-313-5141, 723394#)
PMF work group: Feb. 4 at 11 am (conf. call)
TSCA work group: Feb. 5 at 10 am (conf. call)
Education & Outreach work group: Feb. 11 at 10 am (Spokane Regional Health District)
The next SRRTTF meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm at Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District – 22510 E Mission Ave., Spokane, WA
(For additional info. contact lara@whitebluffsconsulting.com)

Crosscut has written an article “10 of the Wildest Discoveries Washington Scientists Made in 2019” which includes Siana Wong and Brandee Era-Miller’s work on the PCB biofilm project.

Take a look at number 4! https://crosscut.com/2019/12/10-wildest-discoveries-washington-scientists-made-2019

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking grant applications from states and federally-recognized tribes to promote pollution prevention (P2) in businesses across the country. Through these grants, the agency hopes states and tribes, along with colleges, universities and intertribal consortia, will develop and provide information, training and tools to businesses to help them reduce costs and the use of water, energy and other natural resources.

EPA anticipates awarding approximately $9.38 million in total federal pollution prevention grant funding over a two-year funding cycle ($4.69 million in FY 2020 funds and $4.69 million in FY 2021 funds). Individual grant awards could be in the range of $40,000-$500,000 for the two-year funding period or between $20,000 – $250,000 funded per year.

Proposals are due by March 31, 2020

EPA Announces Grant Opportunity for Pollution Prevention Technical Assistance

San Francisco – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking grant applications from states and federally-recognized tribes to promote pollution prevention (P2) in businesses across the country. Through these grants, the agency hopes states and tribes, along with colleges, universities and intertribal consortia, will develop and provide information, training and tools to businesses to help them reduce costs and the use of water, energy and other natural resources.

“Pollution prevention grants are important tools that help support innovative solutions to reducing pollution,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Assistant Administrator Alexandra Dapolito Dunn. “The results of work done under these grants have created best practices that are helping to advance economic growth, increase sustainability and protect the environment.”

EPA anticipates awarding approximately $9.38 million in total federal pollution prevention grant funding over a two-year funding cycle ($4.69 million in FY 2020 funds and $4.69 million in FY 2021 funds). Individual grant awards could be in the range of $40,000-$500,000 for the two-year funding period or between $20,000 – $250,000 funded per year.

For these grants, EPA emphasizes the importance of grantees documenting and sharing P2 best practices that are identified and developed through these grants, so that others can replicate these practices and outcomes. Each grantee will be required to develop at least one case study during the grant period on P2 practices that are new or not widely known or adopted, or where detailed information on the P2 practices could benefit other businesses or P2 technical assistance providers.

Grant applications should focus on at least one of the following P2 priority areas, also referred to as National Emphasis Areas (NEAs) that support several of the Agency’s Smart Sectors:  

  1. NEA #1: Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Processing
  2. NEA #2:  Chemical Manufacturing, Processing and Formulation
  3. NEA #3:  Automotive Manufacturing and Maintenance
  4. NEA #4:  Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing and Maintenance
  5. NEA #5:  Metal Manufacturing and Fabrication

EPA’s national P2 Program will host two informational webinars for potential applicants and interested stakeholders. The first webinar will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm EDT. To register, please go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8522288642270023693.

This webinar will review information about the P2 Grant program and the application process to help potential applicants submit a high-quality application to EPA for consideration.  Time will be provided on the webinar for questions and answers. 

The second webinar will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm EDT to review and answer questions on the NEAs for this grant competition cycle. To register, please go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4696774328423521549.

The webinar registration links will work best when using the Google Chrome browser.  Please consult the solicitation for further details.

Proposals are due by March 31, 2020. Additional information is available on www.grants.gov, under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-001.

Read more about P2 and the P2 Grant Program.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.


Ecology Variance Workshop

The Department of Ecology is hosting a one day public workshop to share information on the potential use of PCB variances for five Spokane River dischargers. We are sending out this message to share the workshop agenda and to let you know we have updated the start and end time of the workshop

Meeting information:

What: Workshop on PCB Variances for Spokane River Dischargers

When: November 14, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (note time change)

Where: CenterPlace Regional Events Center, 2426 N Discovery Place, Spokane Valley

Attend in person:
CenterPlace Regional Events Center
2426 N Discovery Pl, Spokane Valley
Attend via webinar:
Register for the webinar at https://bit.ly/32EddUp

New:

Questions about this workshop? Email Susan Braley or call 360-407-6414.
Visit our rulemaking page to learn more about the proposed PCB Variances for the Spokane River.

August SRRTTF meeting date change/ Senate Bill 5135/Transitioning to Safer Chemicals training

The next meeting of the Spokane Regional Toxics Task Force will be on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm at Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District.

Washington’s Department of Ecology and Department of Health are working to implement Substitute Senate Bill 5135. Their working name for this law is “Safer Products for Washington.” This new law is designed to reduce the use of toxic chemicals in products by restricting or eliminating those toxics when safer alternatives are available. They are asking interested parties to sign up on their email list and find more information on the Safer Products for Washington website.  Register for their August 29 webinar about this work. If you have questions, contact them at SaferProductsWA@ecy.wa.gov

OSHA 7225 Transitioning to Safer Chemicals
September 5-6, Spokane, WA
December 11-12, Seattle, WA
Register HERE
Unsure if you want to commit the time? Listen to a webinar about the training to learn more about it.