In 2016, Oregon hired consultant to conduct a thorough assessment of the reasons for its NPDES permit backlog. The report and an implementation plan to start addressing the the identified issues is attached HERE .
This information may be relevant to the SRRTTF because the assessment identified multiple problems that contributed to this backlog which may provide insights which may be relevant to Washington State.
In partnership with the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, the Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities (TFN) is pleased to announce the opening of Round Ten of Partners for Places.
Partners for Places is a successful matching grant program that creates opportunities for cities and counties in the United States and Canada to improve communities by building partnerships between local government sustainability offices and place-based foundations. National funders invest in local projects to promote a healthy environment, a strong economy, and well-being of all residents. Through these projects, Partners for Places fosters long-term relationships that make our urban areas more prosperous, livable, and vibrant. The grant program provides partnership investments between $25,000 and $75,000 for one year projects, or $50,000 and $150,000 for two year projects, with a 1:1 match required by one or more local foundations.
The application deadline for Round Ten is January 30, 2017 (by 11:59 p.m., any time zone). Please visit the Partners for Places webpage for more information. Here you can view our promotional video download the Request for Proposals (RFP), access our Proposal Form and consult our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)document (at http://www.fundersnetwork.org/partnersforplaces). You may also want to visit our Idea Bank which has summaries of all the proposals submitted in prior rounds. TFN held a webinar to answer questions about the grant program on December 7. A recording of the webinar will be made available through TFN’s website for those of you unable to participate.
Partners for Places general grant program is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, The JPB Foundation, Kendeda Fund, New York Community Trust, The Summit Foundation, and Surdna Foundation. A selection committee comprised of foundation representatives and urban sustainability directors will make selection decisions on behalf of Partners for Places, and awards will be announced on May 3, 2017. If the RFP and FAQ documents don’t answer all your questions, please contact Ashley Quintana at ashley@fundersnetwork.org or Ann Wallace at ann@fundersnetwork.org for more information.
Final Rule Package Submitted to EPA
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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To view the press release from the Washington State Office of the Attorney General go to http://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-makes-washington-first-state-sue-monsanto-over-pcb-damages-cleanup
to view the press release click here
The Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force (SRRTTF) has sent a letter (via Ruckelshaus Center on December 9th, 2016) to Staff and Directors at EPA as well as State legislators concerning the regulation of PCBs under the Toxic Substances Control Act and its link to Washington Water Quality Standards for PCBs recently submitted by EPA. The SRRTTF developed the letter(s), and agreed on the contents, by consensus.
Letter:
– srrttf-letter-concerning-wa-wqs-and-tsca_12-9-16
Previous letter sent to EPA and their response:
– SRRTTF Letter to EPA-Final-approved-10.23.13
– EPA Response to SRRTTF Letter_pcbs_2.24.15
The final rule was published in the Federal Register today, which means it will take effect on 12/28/16. All the information has been posted on EPA’s website here: https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/water-quality-standards-regulations-washington#fed
The docket is also now available (which is also available on the main link above) here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0174. The docket includes the response to comments and economic analysis – direct links to these documents below.
Response to comments: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0174-0427
Econ analysis: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0174-0300
Meeting Materials:
– Education and Outreach Workgroup meeting_12.7.16 summary
– srrttf-education-and-outreach-spreadsheet_10-17srrttf-education-and-outreach-spreadsheet_10-17
outreach items of interest:
– fw_-dont-drip-and-drive-update-we-need-your-help
– fw_-free-auto-leak-inspection-workshops-please-spread-the-word
PCB Video WMV (also titled “How to Protect Your Family” in another post, practical, informational) – EMSL Laboratory Services – 2011
Whither PCBs? (Some history and cleaning up the Hudson) – Duke University – 2009
PCBs in our environment (history, fish bioaccumulation, polar bears, orcas) – Emily Zimmermann (student?)