Category Archives: Ecology News

Ecology News: Notice of Meetings on Washington’s Water Quality Assessment: January 19 and February 9, 2017

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The Washington Department of Ecology continues to hold meetings to have public dialogue on key issues around how we develop Washington’s Water Quality Assessment.  These meetings are being held in-person and by webinar.  Please mark your calendar for the following meeting dates and register if you are interested in attending:

  • Register for the January 19 meeting in Renton to discuss Data Used in the Assessment and Bioassessment.
  • Register for the February 9 meeting (sites in Lacey and Spokane) to discuss human health criteria and the use of fish tissue.

For more information and details go to our website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/303d/proposed/index.html.

Questions should be addressed to: Susan Braley, Watershed Management Section, Washington Department of Ecology
Phone: (360) 407-6414
email: susan.braley@ecy.wa.gov

 

Ecology News: Ecology has filed the following: Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) for Chapter 173-321 WAC, Public Participation Grants

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Ecology has filed the following rulemaking Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) was filed with the Office of the Code Reviser:

Chapter 173-321 WAC,  Public Participation  Grants
For more information:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/rules/wac173321/1613ov.html

Ecology News: Public Notices – Permits

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Ecology has filed the following public notices with the Office of the Code Reviser:

Public Notice: Announcing the Reissuance of the Aquatic Noxious Weed Control General Permit
http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2017/01/17-01-118.htm
For more information:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pesticides/final_pesticide_permits/noxious/noxious_index.html

Public Notice: Announcing the Public Comment Period and Hearing for the Draft Modification of the Construction Stormwater General Permit
http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2017/01/17-01-123.htm
For more information:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/construction/index.html

CSPA Reporting Rule Update

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Please see the response (below) from Kara Steward of the Department of Ecology regarding the the Task Force request to consider PCBs in the CSPA reporting ruling.

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Happy holidays to everyone.
Please extend my thanks to the members of SRRTTF for the request for consideration of PCBs as an addition to the Chemicals of High Concern to Children during the Children’s Safe Products Act rulemaking update.  Ecology reviewed the information submitted.  At this time, PCBs are not being considered as an addition to the CHCC list.  The scope of the current rulemaking is too narrow to accommodate a rulemaking change to lower the 100 part per million reporting limit for chemicals present as contaminants.
The updated CSPA documents are on this webpage:
Let me know if you have additional questions or comments.
Kindest regards,
Kara
Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program
360-407-6250 direct | kara.steward@ecy.wa.gov.

ECOLOGY NEWS: Policy 1-11 workshop, December 13th and 14th. Register Now!

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Ecology will hold a two day workshop on Washington’s Water Quality Assessment and Policy 1-11.

Registration is now open for the two days workshop that will be held on Dec. 13 and 14 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Lacey Community Center.  You can participate in person or by webinar.

The portion that most Task Force members will want to participate in will be the December 14th (2nd day). Please go to the following link and fill out the survey information to register. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WQA_Meeting 

Public meetings on the Water Quality Assessment and Water Quality Policy 1-11 will be held next week onDec. 13 and 14 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Lacey Community Center.   If you plan to attend in-person or by Webinar, please register at:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WQA_Meeting.
 
Agendas for the two days are as follows:
 
Tuesday, December 13
9 a.m. – Noon                  Data used in the Assessment (representativeness, confidence levels, transparency)
Noon – 1 p.m.                  Lunch
1 – 3:30 p.m.                    Bioassessment
3:30 – 4 p.m.                    Wrap up and next steps for each topic
 
Wednesday, December 14
9 a.m. – Noon                  Toxics Data and use of fish tissue
Noon – 1 p.m.                  Lunch
1 – 2 p.m.                          TMDL Prioritization
2 – 3:30 p.m.                    Sediment Management Standards used for listing
3:30 – 4 p.m.                    Wrap up and next steps for each topic
 
We have posted on our website Issue Papers and related materials for the 5 key topics that will be the basis of discussion for the meetings.  If you plan to participate, we encourage you to read these prior to the meetings if possible.
 
Thank you for your interest in Washington’s water quality.
 
Susan Braley
Watershed Management Section
Phone: (360) 407-6414

Ecology News: PCB source tracing report now posted on Ecology website

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With your input, the King County Science and Technical Support Section completed the report A Review of Select PCB Source Tracing Programs this summer for Ecology. PCB source tracing programs reviewed covered Portland, Tacoma, Seattle and Spokane as well as San Francisco Bay and Delaware River Basin.
Ecology experienced website design transitions that delayed posting of the report on their website but it is now here: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/puget_sound/docs/PCBSourceTracingProgramsReport.pdf
Please share and distribute to anyone you think would be interested. One of the main objectives of the project was to facilitate information sharing. Therefore, our success is dependent on wide distribution and communication. I appreciate your efforts to assist us with this.
Keep up the good work on PCBs!
Jenée Colton
Acting Supervisor
Toxics and Contaminant Assessment Unit
King County DNRP, WLRD Science Section
206-477-4075
Mailing address:
201 S. Jackson St., Ste 600
Seattle, WA 98104

Ecology News: Ecology website update with new WQS information and Update on the Draft Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit

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Task Force,
A few updates from Ecology:
1. Additional information about the Draft Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit.
The Department of Ecology is developing a new Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit. We are accepting written comments on the draft permit and fact sheet until 5 p.m., December 2, 2016.
For your review, we have added a new link on our website to the draft Notice of Intent (NOI), which would be the application for coverage by this permit.
If you have questions, please contact Foroozan Labib at foroozan.labib@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6439.
2. Ecology’s Water Quality website is now updated.
We have now updated our water quality standards rulemaking website to include EPA’s Nov. 15, 2016, decision. Visit our page at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/ruledev/wac173201A/1203ov.html
Sandy Howard | Communications Manager | Water Quality Program | WA Dept. of Ecology | 360-407-6408 or 360-791-3177,sandy.howard@ecy.wa.gov

Ecology News: PCB Product Testing final report and data available for download and review

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FOCUS SHEET

https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1604024.html 

REPORT
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1604014.html

If you want to download all the data – Download Data by STUDY (bottom of the page) – https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/ptdbpublicreporting/
The results are in TWO studies
PCBs in General Consumer Products – 2013 Part 1 (Report 14-04-035)
PCBs in General Consumer Products – 2014-15 Part 2

Holly Davies, PhD | Toxics Policy Coordinator | holly.davies@ecy.wa.gov
WA Department of Ecology | PO Box 47600 | Olympia, WA 98504-7600| Phone 360.407.7398

Ecology News: Announcing a Draft Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit

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The Washington State Department of Ecology is accepting comments on a proposed Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit (permit).

Proposed Permit

The Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit is a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that allows for the regular maintenance cleaning, preparatory washing, and painting of bridge and ferry terminals and associated over water metal structures. Cleaning of over water structures, such as bridges, is necessary to assess their structural integrity. Additionally, cleaning, washing, and painting prolong the integrity and safety of these structures. This permit would apply to both WSDOT and local jurisdictions.

Copies of the Draft Permit

You may download copies of the draft permit and the fact sheet from the following website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/bridgewashing/index.html. You may also request copies of the documents from Foroozan Labib at foroozan.labib@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 407-6439.

Submitting Written Comments

Ecology will accept written comments on the draft permit and fact sheet until 5 pm, December 2, 2016. Ecology prefers comments be submitted by email or in a letter format mailed directly to Ecology. Comments should reference specific permit text when possible.

Submit comments by email to:       foroozan.labib@ecy.wa.gov

 Submit written comments to:             Foroozan Labib

Washington State Department of Ecology

PO Box 47696

Olympia, WA  98504-7696

You must provide comments before 5 pm, December 2, 2016. Written comments must be postmarked no later than 5 pm, December 2, 2016.

Public Workshop and Hearing

The workshop and hearing will be an event at which you may learn about and provide formal comments on the draft NPDES Bridge and Ferry Terminal Washing General Permit.

The purpose of the workshop is to explain the general permit and answer questions prior to the formal public hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony and comments on the proposed draft permit. Written comments will receive the same consideration as oral testimony. The public workshop will begin at 1 pm on November 22, 2016. The public hearing will begin immediately following the public workshop and will conclude when public testimony is complete.

November 22, 2016 – 1 pm

Washington State Department of Ecology
300 Desmond Drive
Lacey, WA  98503

The workshop and hearing may also be attended as a webinar where individuals may view the presentation and provide testimony via computer. To register for the webinar go to: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/bridgewashing/index.html. Once the host approves your request, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting.

Issuing the Permit

The final decision on the permit will be made after Ecology receives and considers all public comments. Ecology expects to issue the general permit in early 2017. If you have any questions, please contact Foroozan Labib at foroozan.labib@ecy.wa.gov or (360) 407-6439.