June 24, 2020 SRRTTF Zoom meeting

The next meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force is:

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Zoom meeting link: Please email lara@whitebluffsconsulting.com for more information and to join

Meeting Documents:

0 – SRRTTF agenda_06242020
1 – SRRTTF Meeting Summary April 22, 2020
2a – 2020-05-31 ACE Commitment Report
2b – ACE Monthly Summary MAY 2020
3 – LongTermMonitoringUpdate_062420
4 – SRRTTF iPCB Road Paint Case Study Final_061720
5 – 20200617_SRRTTF-Revised MOA_Final DRAFT
5a – 20200617_MOA Edits Summary
6 – Future Meeting Topics – June 2020
7 – White Bluffs Support for SRRTTF Task 3 

June SRRTTF meetings and OECD workshop report

Hi all,

Here are upcoming SRRTTF and work group meetings for June:

June 3 – TSCA work group conference call at 10:00 am – call in number: (605) 313-5141, 723394#
June 3 – Fish Sampling Zoom meeting at 1:30 pm
June 9 – Education and Outreach work group remote meeting at 10:00 am
June 24 – Task Force Zoom meeting at 8:30 am
Contact lara@whitebluffsconsulting.com for Zoom meeting information

Additionally, Doug Krapas with the TSCA work group asked me to share the following information because the file size was too large to email directly. Here is a report on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Workshop on Improving Alignment of Chemicals and Waste Management Policy which occurred on February 3, 2020 at the OECD in Paris, France. It was organized by the Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee and Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology and the Working Party on Resource Productivity and Waste. OECD workshop Summary Record and List of OECD workshop Participants

April 22, 2020 SRRTTF Zoom meeting

The next meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force is:

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Zoom meeting link: Please email lara@whitebluffsconsulting.com for information

Meeting Documents:

0 – SRRTTF agenda_04222020
1 – SRRTTF DRAFT Meeting Summary March 25, 2020
2a – 2020-03-31 ACE Commitment Report
2b – ACE Monthly Summary MAR 2020
3 – LongTermMonitoringRecommendation_041520
4a – SRRTTF_Biofilm_4-22-20
4b – Spokane River PCB Fingerprinting phase 2b SOW 041720
5 – 20200413_SRRTTF-Revised MOA_Final DRAFT-TF
6 – Future Meeting Topics – April 2020

The Kaiser Trentwood public meeting presentation from April 8 regarding the proposed amended agreed order is available on the cleanup website at https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/gsp/Sitepage.aspx?csid=7093 and the public comment window closes on April 22.

March 25, 2020 SRRTTF WebEx meeting/Additional information

The next WebEx meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force is:

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Link to register: Register This event requires registration. After you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email message with instructions on how to join the event.

Meeting Documents:

0 – SRRTTF agenda_03252020
1 – SRRTTF DRAFT Meeting Summary February 26, 2020
1a – LimnoTechSRRTTF_PP_Revised
2a – QAPP_PCBs in TiO2 2-24-2020_ Revision 0
2b – SOP TDSC-01_2-24-2020
3a – TTWG UPdate for SRRTTF_03252020
3b – LongTermMonitoringMemo_022620_draft
3c – HighFlowSynopticMemo
4 – SRRTTF-Revised MOA_Final DRAFT 3252020
5 – Future Meeting Topics – March 2020

The QAPP addendum for the 2019 biofilm sampling has been published                          (Ecology 2019 biofilm sampling QAPP addendum) and is available on the SRRTTF website under Dept. of Ecology publications also.

Additionally, Ecology has asked to share that it is closing its offices to outside visitors out of an abundance of caution regarding COVID-19.  The vast majority of Ecology staff around the state are now teleworking.

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.


August 27, 2019 SRRTTF Meeting

The next meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force is:

Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District Office
22510 E. Mission Avenue Liberty Lake, WA 99019
Click here for a map

To attend by Webex and phone (all please register using the link below):
Register
After your request has been approved, you’ll receive instructions for joining.

Meeting Documents:
0 – SRRTTF agenda_20190827
1 – SRRTTF DRAFT Meeting Summary 6-26-19
2 – PCB-Products-ISESISIAQ-082019-V6_SRRTTF
3 – SRF SRRTTF PCB Media Campaign Results 8.19.19
4AB – Summary draft tasks 2019-2021&options&pmf phase 2 SOW
5A – MOA Edits Summary
5B – SRRTTF-MOA-Final-1-23-2012- Suggested Edits 08152019
5C – Codification Summary
5D – Attachment 1
6 – Workshop Agenda 8-26-2019 for SRRTTF
7 – ACE Commitment Report
8 – Future Meeting Topics – August 2019

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.

June 26, 2019 SRRTTF Meeting

The next meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force is:
Date: Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location:Spokane County Water Resource Center
1004 N. Freya Street
Spokane, WA 99202
Click here for a map

To attend by Webex and phone (all please register using the link below):
Register

After your request has been approved, you will receive instructions for joining.

Meeting Documents:
0 – SRRTTF agenda_20190626
1 – SRRTTF draft Meeting Summary 4-24-19
2 – ACE commitment report
3 – PMF Blank Study final report_061719
4a – FinalDraft_iPCBs and Pigments
4b – SRRTTF_BriefonPaper_Revised
5a – iPCB and Pigment Workshop_agenda_v6_20190618
5b – iPCB Workshop Concept Document 6.18.2019a
6 – Data Synthesis Workshop_final draft
7 – 2019MonitoringScope_Jun19draft
8 – 2019 – 2021 State Biennium Prelim Draft Budget Template
9 – Future Meeting Topics – June 2019







Riverkeeper withdrawal letter from SRRTTF/Upcoming Mtgs./Rulemaking announcement WAC 173-201A Variances

Hi Task Force and other interested parties:

Here is a recent letter from Spokane Riverkeeper to the Department of Ecology regarding their withdrawal from the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force: 20190604_Riverkeeper_SRRTTF_Letter

Upcoming SRRTTF and work group meetings:
(Conference call in number: 605-313-5141, 723394#)
June 18 – Tech Track conf. call at 10 am
June 18 – Green Chemistry conf. call at 1 pm
June 26 – SRRTTF Task Force meeting – 8:30 am to 12 pm, Spokane County Water Resource Center

July 3 – TSCA conf. call at 10 am
July 8 – MOA ad hoc committee
mtg. at 10:30 am at Spokane City Hall, Conference room 2B
July 9 – Education and Outreach
meeting at 10 am at Spokane Regional Health District, room 350

The Department of Ecology (Ecology) is beginning a rulemaking to consider amending the Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Washington, Chapter 173-201A Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Ecology is considering adopting one or more variances to the water quality standards that meet the requirements of WAC 173-201A-420 (Variance section), for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for the Spokane River, in water resource inventory area (WRIA) 57.

Ecology will consider amending sections of Chapter 173-201A WAC that address variances to the standards, including amendments to 173-201A-420 (Variance) and 173-201A-602 (Table 602-use designations for fresh waters by water resource inventory area), as well as any other sections that need to be amended to support adopting the above-noted variances.

More information on the rulemaking and links:

Comment on the scope of the EIS: http://ws.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=KTMcA

Contact:
Susan Braley
WA State Dept. of Ecology
Email: swqs@ecy.wa.gov
Phone: 360.407.6414

 

April 24, 2019 SRRTTF Meeting

The next meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force is:

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District Office
22510 E. Mission Avenue Liberty Lake, WA 99019
Click here for a map

To attend by Webex and phone (all please register using the link below):

Register
After your request has been approved, you’ll receive instructions for joining.

Meeting Documents
SRRTTF agenda_20190424
0 – SRRTTF DRAFT Meeting Summary 2-27-19
1 – ACE commitment report
2 – ACE Financial statement
3 – PMF Blank Study draft final report_030419
3a – Rodenburg blank study 042419
4 – SRF_Bioflim_v4_srrttf2
5 – PCB Tabletop_flyer
6 – Early actions summary & approval recommendations
7 – MOA comments summary Aug 2018
8 – Future Meeting Topics – April 2019