Category Archives: Announcement

March 9, 2016 Data Management Work Group Meeting

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The next meeting of the SRRTTF Data Management Work group is:

Date: Wednesday March 9, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Location: Washington Department of Ecology
N. 4601 Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99205
Click here for a map.

Call In Number: 800-704-9804 Participant Code: 34863442#

Meeting Documents:

Link to DRBC PCB monitoring website: http://www.nj.gov/drbc/quality/toxics/pcbs/monitoring.html

Save the date for future meetings (same time, same place): March 30, April 13, and April 20, 2016.

 

March 2, 2016 Technical Track Work Group Meeting

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The next meeting of the SRRTTF Technical Track Work group is:

Date: Wednesday March 2, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Location: Washington Department of Ecology
N. 4601 Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99205
Click here for a map.

Call In Number: 800-704-9804 Participant Code: 34863442#

Meeting Documents:
–  SRRTTF TTWG 3 2 16 summary notes
–  Tech Track WG agn 03-02-16 draft-REVISED
–  Approach for TCP sites
–  Memo: http://srrttf.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Tech-Memo-PCBs-in-Spokane-Valley-GW-Marti-9-16-15-FINAL-21.pdf
–  SRRTTF Data Mgt Workgroup proposal for TTWG_03-02-16
–  SRRTTF_TTWG_LimnoTech_03_02_2016
–  SRRTTF 2016 Workshop Action Items for TTWG and LimnoTech_2 pager
–  SRRTTF 2016 Workshop Takeaways distilled ldw (1)
DRAFT Letter response to Hatchery Permit
–  Draft SRRTTF Comments on NPDES hatchery permit
Map of PCB and Fish Data Spokane River: (Meeting follow up document)
2016RiverMapFishPCB8X11_J.Donovan

 

EPA Releases Online Mapping Tool to Help Protect Drinking Water Sources

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2016

EPA Releases Online Mapping Tool to Help Protect Drinking Water Sources

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released DWMAPS – the Drinking Water Mapping Application to Protect Source Waters. This robust, online mapping tool provides the public, water system operators, state programs, and federal agencies with critical information to help them safeguard the sources of America’s drinking water.

DWMAPS allows users to learn about their watershed and understand more about their water supplier. DWMAPS also lets users see if sources of their drinking water are polluted and if there are possible sources of pollution that could affect their communities’ water supply. DWMAPS can even guide users to ways they can get involved in protecting drinking water sources in their community.

“A key part of having safe drinking water is protecting the sources – the streams, rivers, and lakes where utilities withdraw water,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “DWMAPS is the latest example of how EPA is using technology and digital tools to better protect public health and the environment.

Utilities and state drinking water program managers can also use DWMAPS with their own state and local data. It allows them to identify potential sources of contamination in their locations, find data to support source water assessments and plans to manage potential sources of contamination and evaluate accidental spills and releases. DWMAPS also integrates drinking water protection activities with other environmental programs at the federal, state, and local levels.

DWMAPS can provide users with information to update source water assessments and prioritize source water protection in any location or watershed in the country. Specifically, DWMAPS helps users to:

  • Identify potential sources of contamination in locations defined by users;
  • Find data to support source water assessments and plans to manage potential sources of contamination;
  • Evaluate accidental spills and releases, identifying where emergency response resources for accidental releases must be readily available; and
  • Promote integration of drinking water protection activities with other environmental programs at the EPA, state, and local levels.

The mapping system will not display the locations of Public Water System facility intakes, but it does contain a wide variety of data useful to the protection of drinking water sources. EPA developed DWMAPS in consultation with EPA regional drinking water programs, state drinking water regulators, and public water systems.

Visit www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/dwmaps

R025

 

February 24, 2016 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting

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

Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2015
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 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 phone:
Call In Number: 800-704-9804
Participant Code: 34863442#

Please note, the conference call in number will remain open until 15 minutes until after the meeting begins. It will continue to remain open as long as there are callers on the line. If you wish to join the meeting by phone late, please notify Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) ahead of time.

Meeting Documents:
–  SRRTTF 2.24.16 Meeting Summary Final Draft
–  SRRTTF Feb. 24 2016 Agenda_revised
–  SRRTTF 1-27-16 Meeting Summary DRAFT
–  MINUTE ORDER_Judge Rothstein
–  SRRTTF_LimnoTech_02_22_2016 (Dave Dilks – presentation)
–  SRRTTF_SourcesPathways_2016_0222_draft
–  DRAFT_Inventory_of_BMPs_2016_02_19
–  Monthly_sampling_SOW_022016
–  QAPP_addendum_draft_022016
–  Spokane River Regional Toxics Task 2016 Workshop Takeaways DRAFT
–  Spokane RRTTF EPA R10 Proposed PCB-Related Permit Conditions (Catherine Gockel -Presentation) 
–  Comments.Outline Draft Hatchery Permit.2016
–  PCB in Products- Presentation Alex Stone

 

 

Draft Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Spokane and Troutlodge Fish Hatchery PCB Evaluation available for Review and Comment

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Task Force members are asked to review and comment on the  draft Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Spokane and Troutlodge Fish Hatchery PCB Evaluation put together by Michael Friese of Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program.

–  Spokane and Troutlodge Hatchery PCB Evaluation 2.10.2016QAPP 

Please send comments and suggestions to Michael Friese (MIFR461@ecy.wa.gov) using track changes no later than C.O.B on Monday, February 22.
Abstract:
The Spokane River Toxics Task force has been identifying sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the Spokane River with the goal of reducing PCB inputs to the Spokane River. Previous studies have identified PCB contamination in fish raised in hatcheries. Several studies have correlated PCB concentrations in fish tissue to concentrations in hatchery feed. This proposed study will investigate PCB concentrations in hatchery fish from Troutlodge, a facility in Soap Lake, WA, and the Spokane fish hatchery, located on the Little Spokane River. Both of these facilities raise fish to be planted into the Spokane River. In addition, effluent from the Spokane fish hatchery will be evaluated for PCBs. PCB concentrations will also be measured in settleable solids and fish food from the Spokane fish hatchery. A PCB annual load contribution estimate from hatchery fish and effluent to the Spokane River will be calculated.
In order to determine concentrations of PCBs in hatchery fish being removed from the river, 2 composites of fish collected from the Spokane River will be analyzed for PCBs. An attempt will be made to collect fish from the same age class as those collected from the hatcheries.

 

New draft Water Quality Standards rule available for public review: Human Health Criteria & Implementation Tools

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The Washington State Department of Ecology proposes to adopt amendments to Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Washington – Chapter 173-201A WAC. This rulemaking addresses two specific areas of the water quality standards: (1) adoption of new human health criteria, and (2) revision and expansion of some of the tools in the standards that help in implementation. Ecology published the rule proposal on its website on February 3, 2016. The public comment period for the draft rule and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the rule is open through 5 p.m. April 22, 2016. 
 
Information about the rule making, including documents, details about public hearings and webinar opportunities, can be found on Ecology’s website at:
 
We invite you to learn more about the proposed rule and provide comments at the following public workshop/hearings.
 
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
In-person public workshop/hearing
6:30 p.m. workshop, immediately followed by a public hearing.
Georgetown Campus
South Seattle Community College
6737 Corson Ave S – Building C, room C122
Seattle, WA 98108
 
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
In person public workshop/hearing
6:30 p.m. workshop, immediately followed by a public hearing.
Spokane Centerplace Regional Events Center
2426 N. Discovery Place
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
 
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Online-only public workshop/hearing using webinar
1:30 p.m. workshop, immediately followed by a public hearing ending at 4:30 p.m.
and
6:30 p.m. workshop, immediately followed by a public hearing.
 
You may provide comments at a public hearing or you may submit them through one of the following methods:
 
·        Submit comments directly to our website at  http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/ruledev/wac173201A/1203inv.html
 
·        Email them to swqs@ecy.wa.gov
 
·        Fax to 360-407-6426
 
·        Mail to Becca Conklin, Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA  98504-7600.
 
For more information visit our website or contact Becca Conklin at 360-407-6413 or email at swqs@ecy.wa.gov.
 

The Water Quality Program of the Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking public input on the next Water Quality Assessment for Washington waters

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The Water Quality Program of the Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking public input on the next Water Quality Assessment for Washington waters in order to start the process of submitting the next “Integrated Report” to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requirements under Sections 303(d) and 305(b). This notice does two things:
 
1.     Initiates a public “call for data” to seek new water quality data and information for fresh and marine waters in Washington. This new data and information will be used for updating Washington’s next Water Quality Assessment.  The “call for data” is open-ended at this time. 
 
2.     Conducts a 60-day scoping process to solicit all stakeholder and tribal ideas about areas they think should be revised or clarified in Water Quality Policy 1-11, Assessment of Water Quality for the Clean Water Act Sections 303(d) and 305(b) Integrated Report.  Policy 1-11 guides how Ecology assesses data on waterbody segments and makes listings decisions on the water quality status.  Ecology is conducting this scoping process because we have already received feedback from some stakeholders on Policy 1-11 and we want to make sure all interested stakeholders have the opportunity to provide feedback on areas of the listing policy that may need revision.  Ecology will conduct a more comprehensive stakeholder process for Policy 1-11 updates to further discuss ideas received after the scoping period.  Comments may be submitted by mail or email using the contact information listed below.  The deadline for getting public feedback on the scoping process for Policy 1-11 is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2016.  
 
A full description of these requests for information can be found in the State Register notice filed on January 20, 2016.    More details about this next Water Quality Assessment process can be found at:http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/303d/2016index.html.
 

February 3, 2016 Technical Track Work Group Meeting

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The next meeting of the SRRTTF Technical Track Work group is:

Date: Wednesday February 3, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Location: Washington Department of Ecology
N. 4601 Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99205
Click here for a map.

Call In Number: 800-704-9804 Participant Code: 34863442#

Meeting Documents:
–  SRRTTF TTWG 02-03-16 meeting summary_DRAFT
–  Tech Track WG agn 02-03-16 draft
–  SRRTTF_SourcePathways_Dilks_01_27_2016 (Previously posted)
– Sources and Pathways memo (Previously posted)
– Example fate and transport diagram
– Example sources and pathways diagram
– Metals fate and transport example

Groundwater/Wells Info (from previous TTWG meetings)
–  Tech Memo – PCBs in Spokane Valley GW – Marti – 9-16-15 FINAL 
–  Well Location Map_GW_Interaction Reaches
    –  Well location identification
    –  ECY_EAP_SOP_PurgingSampling Monitoring Well_V2_EAP078
    –  Aquifer Wells – Map
    –  Appendix B-Spokane Wells
    

 

LimnoTech Draft Memorandum: Inventory of known PCB sources and pathways to be consider in Comprehensive Plan – Please review and provide feedback.

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LimnoTech has drafted a memorandum defining the inventory of known PCB sources and pathways that will be considered in the comprehensive plan (this is the first deliverable under Task 1 of the Comprehensive Plan work). The plan is to finalize this memo by February 19th. Task Force members are asked to review the draft memo prior to the Task Force meeting on Wednesday January 27th and provide feedback at the meeting.

Comments on the draft may also be sent to Dave Dilks (ddilks@limno.com) by Monday, February 8th.

ECOLOGY News: State Fiscal Year 2017 (SFY17) Draft Funding Offer List and Intended Use Plan (Draft List) for public review and comment

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The Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) Water Quality Program is pleased to announce the availability of the State Fiscal Year 2017 (SFY17) Draft Funding Offer List and Intended Use Plan (Draft List) for public review and comment. The Draft List describes how Ecology proposes to use state and federal dollars to fund projects focused on improving water quality across the state.
 
This year, Ecology received 155 applications requesting more than $207 million in financial assistance. Ecology is proposing grant and loan funding for 103 projects totaling approximately $137.5 million. The total includes $100 million in loans from the Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, approximately $33.2 million in grants from the Stormwater Financial Assistance Program, approximately $2.7 million in grants from the Centennial Clean Water Program, and approximately $1.5 million in grants from the Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program. The projects proposed for funding reflect the highest priority water quality projects across the state. Projects proposed for funding include: 

 

  • 54 stormwater facility projects.
  • 26 wastewater facility projects.
  • 16 nonpoint source pollution control activity projects.
  • 5 stormwater control activity projects.
  • 2 local onsite sewage system repair and replacement projects.

 

 The Draft List is available at: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1610002.html. In addition, the Draft List and other SFY17 funding cycle information are available at:http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/Opp/WQC/CyclePages/WQC2017.html.
 
A public review and comment period is open until 5:00pm on February 21, 2016. Ecology will hold a public information meeting to present the Draft List and discuss the project evaluation and funding cycle process. Details on the public meeting are listed below.
Date:   Friday, February 5
Time:   1:00 pm
Place:  Pierce County Library
Processing and Administrative Center
3005 112th Street East
Tacoma, WA 98446
           
Please mail, email, or fax any written comments on the Draft List to:
Daniel Thompson
Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program – Financial Management Section
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Fax: 360-407-7151
Email: daniel.thompson@ecy.wa.gov
 
A Final Funding Offer List and Intended use Plan (Final List) will be developed and issued following the receipt of public comments, awarding of federal grants, and passage of the state 2016 Supplemental Budget. The Final List is expected to be published by July 1, 2016. Any public comments received on the Draft List will be addressed in the Final List.