Category Archives: Ecology News

Ecology News: Subject: New Ecology poster Identifying sources of toxics using biofilms

Posted on by
The poster, Identifying sources of toxics using biofilms, is available at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1703029.html .
 
Biofilms (algae, microbial biomass, and organic detritus) growing on rocks contribute to the base of the food web in rivers and streams. In contaminated waterbodies, biofilms take up and bind contaminants from the water. Over the last few years, the Department of Ecology has been using the contaminant concentrations of biofilms to assess the spatial distribution of metals and organic contaminants. We have also been measuring the bioconcentration of toxics from the water to assess the accumulation in higher trophic levels.
 
Our results show a strong, statistically significant relationship between dissolved concentrations of PCBs and DDT in the water column and the concentrations bound in and on biofilms. We find metal concentrations in biofilms to be (1) correlated with changes in periphyton community structure and (2) a more sensitive sample media of metal contamination than water and sediment. The use of biofilms in source identification studies has proven to be highly effective under a number of hydrologic conditions and for various toxic contaminants.
 
This poster was presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 13-16, 2017.
 
If you have questions, contact Will Hobbs at 360-407-7512 or whob461@ecy.wa.gov.

Ecology News: Revised Report “Spokane River PCBs and Other Toxics at the Spokane Tribal Boundary Recommendations for Development of a Long-Term Monitoring

Posted on by

The Task Force is asked to review the EAP report on the “Spokane River PCBs and Other Toxics at the Spokane Tribal Boundary Recommendations for Development of a Long-Term Monitoring” and provide any additional feedback by c.o.b on Tuesday December 19th, 2017 to Brandee Era-Miller at BERA461@ecy.wa.gov.

Revised Report and Data
REPORT Spokane LT Monitoring 12-12-17
Table C-1_PCBs 20L and CLAM 12-12-17
Table C-2_PCBs 2L and XAD 12-12-17

Comments:
Spokane-LT-Monitoring Spo County comments 171130
Avista_Comment_Letter_Long-Term Plan_11-15-17
Bud Leber Comments – Tribal Boundary Sampling Report
Post Falls Comments – Spokane-LT-Monitoring

 

Ecology News: Ecology to launch new website

Posted on by
Here at the Department of Ecology, we are getting ready to launch a completely new website. As our valued partners, we wanted you to have an advanced notice.
 
We have rewritten, redesigned, and rebuilt our website and are planning to launch Dec. 11.
 
What you need to know before launch:
  • New web address: Our primary web address is changing to www.ecology.wa.gov. (Formerly ecy.wa.gov)
  • New links: We will have all new web links to all webpages and content. All links pointing to our old website will need to be updated.
  • Mobile friendly: You can now use our website from your phone or tablet.
  • Accessible: We are building our website to meet the highest level of accessibility requirements.
  • Continuing to add content: We’re launching with our highest priority content first. That means some content may not be available at launch. We will continue to build and add content.
We will have more information available as we get closer to the launch date. We will be sending another email in the coming week with a link to preview the new website.

Ecology News: EAP DRAFT report available for Task Force review and comment- “Spokane River PCBs and Other Toxics at the Spokane Tribal Boundary – Recommendations for Development of a Long-Term Monitoring Plan”. Please provide feedback by November 17th, 2017

Posted on by
The Draft Report on the EAP project “Spokane River PCBs and Other Toxics at the Spokane Tribal Boundary – Recommendations for Development of a Long-Term Monitoring Plan” is now available for review and comment.
Please provide comments to Brandee Era-Miller at brandee.era-miller@ecy.wa.gov no later than C.O.B on Friday November 17th, 2017.
Comments:

Ecology News: The following rulemaking proposal was filed with the Office of the Code Reviser: Chapter 173-219 WAC, Reclaimed Water

Posted on by

The following rulemaking proposal was filed with the Office of the Code Reviser: This proposal is out for public comment until October 13, 2017 and may be of some interest to SRRTTF members.

August 23, 2017

Chapter 173-219 WAC, Reclaimed Water

For more information:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/ruledev/wac173219/0612/0612timedocs.html

To join or leave ECOLOGY-WAC-TRACK click here:
http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A0=ECOLOGY-WAC-TRACK

Ecology News: The following rulemaking adoption was filed with the Office of the Code Reviser: Chapter 173-98 WAC Uses and Limitations of the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and Chapter 173-95A WAC Uses and Limitations of the Centennial Clean Water Program

Posted on by

The following rulemaking adoption was filed with the Office of the Code Reviser:

August 8, 2017
Chapter 173-98 WAC – Uses and Limitations of the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund
Chapter 173-95A WAC – Uses and Limitations of the Centennial Clean Water Program
For more information:
To join or leave ECOLOGY-WAC-TRACK click here:

Ecology News: Update on Solid Waste Handling Standards Rule Revision

Posted on by
The purpose of this message is to update you on progress regarding revisions to the Solid Waste Handling Standards in Chapter 173-350 WAC.  You can find more information on our web pages beginning at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/rules/wac173350/1308ov.html .
Ecology has worked with stakeholders since early 2014 to develop better and clearer rules.  Following release of the second public draft of the rule late in 2016, we received comments from about thirty stakeholders (both individuals and represented groups).  We received some input on almost every section of the draft rule.  Draft new section 995 for Soil and Sediment Use Criteria, and new section 021 Determination of Solid Waste and Recycling received the most comments.
After considering feedback on the second draft of the rule, Ecology concluded that more work was needed before we could make a formal rule proposal.  Staff have been reviewing comments and revising rule language since the public comment period for the second draft closed in February 2017.  We have continued to consult with stakeholders.  The Legislature included a proviso in Ecology’s operating budget for the 2017 – 2019 biennium, requiring a report on this rulemaking.  We expect that report to be available to the Legislature in September 2017, and we will post it to our website at that time.
Our present work plan calls for Ecology to issue a formal rule proposal in November 2017, followed by formal hearings in early 2018.  If adopted, Ecology will file the revised rule with the Office of the Code Reviser sometime next spring, and it would be effective 31 days after filing.
Thank you for your interest in this rulemaking.  If you have questions about the rule process, please send them to w2rrulemaking@ecy.wa.gov.   In the meantime, you can manage your subscription to our ListServ at https://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=ECY-SW-HANDLING-STANDARDS   Please let others know that they are welcome to subscribe if you think they may be interested.

 

Thank you.

Ecology News: Public Participation Grants Application Open

Posted on by
The Washington Department of Ecology will begin accepting applications for Public Participation Grants (PPGs) at 8 a.m. July 18, 2017. 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 the 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 account before you can access EAGL. You will find more information about SAW and EAGL here: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/funding/EAGL.html.
 
The application will be open until 5 p.m. Aug. 11, 2017. Late applications will not be accepted. Ecology will evaluate and score each eligible application received. Grant funds are available for projects conducted July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.
Visit our web page for more information on PPG and the application process: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/grants/ppg.html. 

Ecology News: Ecology’s Water Quality Program Financial Assistance – Workshop scheduled for August

Posted on by

The Department of Ecology’s Water Quality Program State Fiscal Year 2019 (SFY19) Funding Cycle opens on August 14, 2017 and closes on October 16, 2017.  Ecology has scheduled a training workshop for eastern Washington applicants seeking funding for water quality-related projects on August 16 from 9:00am – 1:00pm.  The workshop will be held at the Spokane Convention Center.  For more details see the attached Workshop Flyer.

Ecology News: Coastal Protection Fund (CPF) – Terry Husseman Account (THA) Grants – closes at 5:00 pm on August 14, 2017.

Posted on by

The Terry Husseman Account (THA) Grant cycle opened on July 14, 2017 and closes at 5:00 pm on August 14, 2017.  The online funding application is open to projects that restore or enhance the natural environment. Typical projects address water quality issues and fish and wildlife habitat protection or enhancement in or adjacent to waters of the state (i.e., streams, lakes, wetlands or the ocean). To be considered, projects must provide primary benefits to public resources (land or water stewardship) and affiliated infrastructure. Grant awards can be up to a maximum of $50,000. The typical grant award ranges from $10,000 to $25,000. Please visit the: Terry Husseman Account (THA) Website for Funding Guidelines, eligibility, and application instructions.