Category Archives: Ecology News

Rule-making Information for WAC 173-350 – Solid Waste Handling Standards

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Ecology has received inquiries about the possibility of extending the comment period on the draft rule beyond September 6th.  It is necessary to move forward now so that the rest of the rulemaking pieces can fall into place.  It is important to remember that the draft rule released to stakeholders at the end of June was not a formal rule proposal.  The workshops held in July were intended to give stakeholders an understanding of the changes we are considering, and to generate discussion based on the draft rule.

We received some really good feedback during the workshops.  We are hoping that stakeholders will follow through with constructive comments.   There will be another opportunity for review and comments when an actual proposed rule is released.   That is a more formal process that will include hearings and the opportunity to testify, if desired.  We will do our best to consider all comments on the draft rule, including those that arrive after September 6.  Based on stakeholder feedback, it is clear that we have some work to do on the draft we shared before we can consider making a formal rule proposal.  We are continuing to work with stakeholders as we make those changes.

The best way to remain informed about the rule process is to sign up for our Solid Waste Handling ListServ.  If you receive this message directly, you are a member already.  If you know someone who may be interested, please forward this message to them.

You can find details on this rulemaking, including videos and information shared at recent workshops on our web pages:

Please submit comments to w2rrulemaking@ecy.wa.gov.  Thank you for continuing interest and participation in this rulemaking process.

 

 

Ecology News: Rule-making Information for WAC 173-350 – Solid Waste Handling Standards [mailto:ECY-SW-HANDLING-STANDARDS

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We wanted to update you on progress toward revising the rules in Chapter 173-350 WAC – Solid Waste Handling Standards.

Outcome of July Meetings

More than a hundred stakeholders attended three meetings across the state in July.  The purpose of the meetings was to inform stakeholders about possible changes, and why, and to generate discussion.  Participants raised good questions, and helped the agency identify aspects of the draft rule needing more consideration.  As a result, lead staff are already working on some changes to the draft rule.

Updated Web Site

There have been some important updates on our web pages.  If you need a refresher, or were unable to attend the meetings there is a way for you to learn more about the rule.  We have added video clips and pdfs of individual presentations from the Lacey meeting to our public involvement page.  You can choose your area of interest in order to make the best use of your time.

We have also posted a revised version of the draft rule to our documents page.  The new version reflects errors noted in the draft that were corrected following the meetings.  Errors to date are generally minor.  There were several corrections in new section 995 – Soil and sediment screening levels, which is used in conjunction with new section 235 – Soil and sediment criteria and use.  Some threshold levels and footnotes for chromium, lead, and molybdenum were corrected, and additional information was added in the reference portion following the criteria table.  These are detailed in the errata sheet included with the revised draft.  If you find any errors in the draft rule, please let us know.

Next Steps

We will be evaluating any comments we receive by early September.   We have asked for comments from stakeholders by September 6.  Ecology plans to move forward with drafting formal rule revisions this fall, and we hope to make a formal rule proposal later this year or early in 2017.  The formal proposal will include public hearings and an additional comment period before and after the hearings. We are continuing to work with stakeholders to improve rule language in the interim.

As always, this ListServ remains the best source of information for updates on rule development.  If you know others who may be interested, please forward this message.  Anyone can subscribe or manage their subscription from the log in – registration page.

The Department sincerely thanks those who made the effort and could take time to attend the informational meetings.  We look forward to hearing from anyone who has comments on the preliminary draft rule.  If you have questions about the rule process or where to direct questions, please send email to w2rrulemaking@ecy.wa.gov or phone 360-407-6559.

 

Thank you!

 

 

Kyle Dorsey

Rules & Policy Specialist

Waste 2 Resources Program

Washington State Department of Ecology

PO Box 47600

Olympia, WA  98504-7600

360-407-6559

 

Ecology News: Rulemaking

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CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry – Filed with the Office of the Code Reviser July 19, 2016.
  • Uses and Limitations of the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (WAC 173-98) and Uses and Limitations of the Centennial Clean Water Program (WAC 173-95A)
Ecology proposes to revise two existing chapters, Chapter 173-98 WAC and Chapter 173-95A WAC. The key things we are trying to accomplish with the rulemaking are: housekeeping, provide more clarity, provide more flexibility, and take advantage of new funding opportunities.
For more information and to stay up to date on Ecology rule-making go to http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/ruledev/wac17398/1604ov.html

King County Dept. of Nat. Resources: PCB Source Tracing Review, Webinar July 26th, 2016

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King County Department of Natural Resources has conducted a review of PCB source tracing programs in several urban areas of the northwest (Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, and Spokane). Nationally they also reviewed programs in the Delaware Basin and San Francisco Bay.  This work was conducted under a interagency agreement with Ecology using funds from the National Estuary Program.

The results of this work will be presented at Ecology HQ by King County staff in Lacey on July 26 from 1:30 to 2:30 in auditorium rooms ROA 32/34.  For those not in the Lacey area who would like to attend, WebEx and a conference line will be available.

Topic: PCB Source Tracing Review
Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Time: 1:30 pm, Pacific Daylight Time (San Francisco, GMT-07:00)
Meeting Number: 929 688 087
Meeting Password: KCDNR072616

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To join the online meeting (Now from mobile devices!)
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1. Go to https://wadismeetings.webex.com/wadismeetings/j.php?MTID=m78f11b3bca38daa8149eba383d1482f3 
2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: KCDNR072616
4. Click “Join”.

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To join the audio conference only
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To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the meeting, or call the number below and enter the access code.
Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 1-877-668-4493
Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-650-479-3208

Access code:929 688 087
Global call-in numbers: https://wadismeetings.webex.com/wadismeetings/globalcallin.php?serviceType=MC&ED=468122582&tollFree=1 
Toll-free dialing restrictions: https://www.webex.com/pdf/tollfree_restrictions.pdf

 

Ecology News: Water Quality-Related projects funding- Training Workshops Available

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The Department of Ecology’s Water Quality Program has scheduled four training workshops for applicants seeking funding for water quality-related projects during the State Fiscal Year 2018 (SFY18) Funding Cycle. A workshop will be held in each of Ecology’s four regions. The workshops are scheduled for 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the following dates and locations:

August 17 in Spokane at the Spokane Convention Center
August 18 in Ellensburg at Central Washington University
August 24 in Lacey at Saint Martin’s University
August 25 in Everett at Xfinity Arena

For details please see the attached PDF announcement of the workshops, or go to our SFY18 Funding Cycle webpage at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/Opp/WQC/CyclePages/WQC2018.html for a copy of the announcement and other information. (NOTE: The webpage will soon be updated to include the announcement.)

If you have questions, you may contact Daniel Thompson at 360- 407-6510 or email daniel.thompson@ecy.wa.gov.

Ecology News: Draft Rulemaking Chapter 173-350 WAC Solid Waste Handling Standards

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Draft Rulemaking Chapter 173-350 WAC  Solid Waste Handling Standards

 

Comments on the draft rulemaking from Jeff Donovan: Cochran vs Sediment-Soil Standards (3); From Jeff Donovan_solid waste rule

Here is the timeline for involvement:  http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/rules/wac173350/1308time.html

Comments are due September 6, 2016.

Of particular interest are the soil and sediment standards:  http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/rules/pdf/Ch173350focus235995.pdf

And Appendix I in 173-350-995.

A copy of the marked up rule can be found at  http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/rules/pdf/Ch173350PrelimDraftPub.pdf)

 

ECOLOGY NEWS: State environmental officials call on Congress to respect states’ role in chemical safety

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State environmental officials call on Congress to respect states’ role in chemical safety
Federal legislation would limit states’ abilities to regulate toxic chemicals
 
OLYMPIA- Washington Department of Ecology Director Maia Bellon joined state environmental officials from Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont in calling on Congress to reconsider the language in a proposed bill to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976. The version of the reform bill currently being considered contains broad preemption language that would prevent states from passing laws or updating regulations to address toxic chemicals affecting their people and environment.
The officials issued the following statement:
“As state environmental officials, we are greatly concerned about pending TSCA reform legislation in the Congress that will restrict states’ abilities to protect their citizens from toxic chemicals.”
“Unfortunately, the most recent agreement goes too far in preempting our states’ abilities to continue to protect our residents. To be clear, there are good elements in the legislation. However, state authorities are excessively and unnecessarily preempted, in exchange for the promise of federal protection that is too meager.”
“As state environmental officials, our mission is to protect people and the environment from these chemicals. Our states have been leading the way with innovative policies and state-level standards that have made great progress in this area. Our laws and regulations have in turn accelerated action by the private sector, and the federal government, to improve chemical safety.
“Far from leading to a patchwork quilt of competing regulations, state leadership on toxics has a demonstrated track record of spurring national agreements with manufacturers, or paving the way for federal legislation.”
“We have long advocated for strong TSCA reform. We need a national system that works to protect all Americans. Our states have provided input to both chambers of Congress in an attempt to help craft effective reform legislation that includes a well-functioning state-federal partnership.
“We urge those working on the bill to improve the provisions dealing with state preemption. This could include making waivers more accessible to states, preserving state abilities to ban chemicals (as currently exists under TSCA), and removing or reforming the proposed regulatory “pause” that blocks a state from regulating a chemical that the EPA is only examining. We appreciate the hard work that some members have already devoted to protecting state authorities, and urge final TSCA reform legislation to maintain states’ abilities to protect our citizens.”
Maia Bellon, Director
Washington Department of Ecology
Rob Klee, Commissioner
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Basil Seggos, Acting Commissioner
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
John Stine, Commissioner
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Tom Burack, Commissioner
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Deb Markowitz, Secretary
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
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