Category Archives: Announcement

An Introduction to Chemical Hazard Assessment: QCAT Workshop

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Northwest Green Chemistry and Ecology are offering training to use the Quick Chemical Assessment Tool (QCAT). QCAT lets users with limited resources or expertise evaluate the hazards of chemical ingredients and compare potential alternatives. This tool is great for planners, small businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions.
In this day-and-a-half workshop, Ecology’s Dr. Alex Stone and other experienced instructors will provide an introduction to QCAT and hands-on activities so participants can practice using the tool.

Register early to suggest a chemical of interest that may be incorporated into the workshop!

Date: 8:30 – 4:30, November 12, 2015 &
8:30 – noon, November 13, 2015

Location:  SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers LLC 8781 Randolph Road NE Moses Lake, WA 98837

 

Cost:  $75.00

Register:  www.eventbrite.com/e/qcat-training- tickets-18675051582

Learn More:  greenchemistry@ecy.wa.go
                     http://www.ecy.wa.gov/greenchemistry/

Who Should Attend?

Professionals working in:

  • Supply chain management
  • Environmental health and safety
  • Sustainability
  • Regulatory affairs
  • Materials securement and procurement
  • Product and process design

November 4, 2015 Education and Outreach Work Group Meeting

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

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Time: 1:30 p.m – 3:00 p.m. 
Location: RiverKeeper
35 West Main, Suite 300 Spokane WA

Click Here for a map.
Meeting documents:

November 4th, Technical Track Work Group Meeting

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

Date: Wednesday November 4, 2015
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:
–  11-04-15 TTWG Summary Notes Draft
–  Tech Track WG agn 11-04-15 draft 2
–  SRRTTF_ComprehensivePlan_Scope revisions_(edits from ABP and LDW)
–  Proposed Technical Work and associated costs_as presented at the 6.24.15 meeting
–  Conceptual Model for Planning Purposes (2012)
–  LimnoTech Conceptual Model (2013)
–  Tech Memo – PCBs in Spokane Valley GW – Marti – 9-16-15 FINAL
–  watershed_management_quick_guide (see section 1)
–  SRRTTF 2016 Workshop Concepts 11-2-2015

 

Summary of EAP’s recent analysis of the stormwater PCB data collected by the City of Spokane (2012-2014)

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From Will Hobbs (Ecology, Environmental Assessment Program, EAP) 

Below is a memo which summarizes Will Hobb’s recent analysis of the stormwater PCB data collected by the City of Spokane (2012-2014). The origin of this analysis was from discussions at a Task Force meeting this past summer, where EAP volunteered to look at the PCB contributions of stormwater to the Spokane River using the City’s recent data. Will also compared this data to previous sample events by Ecology. However, it should be noted that both grab samples (Ecology) and composite samples (City of Spokane) had to be used in the analysis in order to have enough data; this obviously introduces some bias. This memo is informal and aimed at encouraging discussion prior to planning any “wet weather” sampling on the Spokane River and City of Spokane drainage basins.

 

October 21, 2015 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, October 21, 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 the meeting by webinar (presentations only):

——————————————————-
To join the online meeting
——————————————————-
1. Go to https://wadis.webex.com/wadis/j.php?MTID=m176b2b46eec89b9be1cc90f4cceb4ae2
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the meeting password: SRRtf102115
4. Click “Join Now”.

For Audio:
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 10.21.15 Meeting Summary
–  SRRTTF Oct. 21 2015 Agenda_draft_(revised date)
–  SRRTTF_ComprehensivePlan_WorkPlan_2015_1012_draft
–  SRRTTF 09-23-15 summary notes_draft
–  SRRTTF UWSR data summary 
–  SRRTTF Atmos.Dep. 10-21-15 (Presentation)
–  SRRTTF UWSR data summary_EAP presentation
–  Atmos dep in WA 8-6-15 INTERNAL Ecology memo for scoping purposes only
–  Lands Council Proposal Abstract

EPA Grant Solicitation:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting proposals under the Urban Waters Small Grants program that will advance EPA’s water quality and environmental justice goals. Proposed projects will address urban runoff pollution through diverse partnerships that produce multiple community benefits, with emphasis on underserved communities.
Proposals must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) by 11:59 P.M. EST on November 20, 2015.

Revised Comprehensive Plan Draft Scope, Timeline and Cost Estimate Available for Review, Comment Period Extended to October 26th

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At the request of the Technical Track Work Group, LimnoTech has prepared a revised comprehensive plan, scope, timeline and cost estimate. Task Force members are asked to review the revised document and send edits and/or comments to Chris Page of the Ruckelshaus (c.page@wsu.edu) no later than close of business on Monday October 26th. Based on comments/edits received, LimnoTech will provide a revised draft for posting for a decision at the November 18th Task Force Meeting.

–  SRRTTF_ComprehensivePlan_WorkPlan_2015_1012_draft (pdf)
–  SRRTTF_ComprehensivePlan_WorkPlan_2015_1012_draft (word doc)

October 7, 2015 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force and Technical Track Work Group Meeting

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The next meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force and Technical Track Work group is:

Date: Wednesday October 7, 2015
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#

This meeting will be an official Task Force meeting in order to make a decision on the letter to Ecology commenting on the Draft General Hatchery Permit.  In order to make this decision there will need to be a quorum of voting members present either in person or on the phone for this meeting.  (7 out of 12 voting members).

The small work group tasked with pulling the General Hatchery Permit response letter together has been working very hard and have pulled together a letter that addresses very specific issues in the fact sheet and the permit as they pertain to the key points that the Task Force identified. Task Force members are asked to review the letter as soon as possible and provide comments/major edits to Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) no later than 12 pm on Monday October 5.  Task Force members should provide only substantive comments about major points that have been missed and/or major points that they cannot agree with. If a comment is regarding a point or points that they do not agree with, Task Force members should provide alternative language. All comments/edits will be compiled and posted prior to the Task Force meeting for review.

Meeting Documents
–  10.7.15 TTWG Meeting Summary DRAFT
–  Tech Track WG agn 10-07-15 revised

–  Hatchery Permit Comment letter 9-30
— Spokane County comments_Hatchery Permit Letter

–  EAP project summaries
–  Urban Waters 2011 Source Investigation
–  SRRTTF_2014_Data Usability Assessment_2015_09_08
–  SRRTTF_2014_Field Audit_2015_09_02 (1)
–  hydroseed PCB load estimate
–  Spokane Fish Hatchery PCB Case Study Plan Proposal

–  SRRTTF_ComprehensivePlan_WorkPlan_2015_0923_draft
—-  Compiled Comments on LimnoTech Comp Plan Scope

 

 

LimnoTech Comprehensive Plan Draft Scope, Timeline and Cost Estimate Available for Review and Comment

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The draft comprehensive plan, scope, timeline and cost estimate from LimnoTech is available for review and comment. Task Force members are asked to review the document and send edits and/or comments to Chris Page of the Ruckelshaus (c.page@wsu.edu) no later than 12 pm on Friday October 2nd. Comments will be compiled and discussed at the Technical Track Work Group meeting on October 7th.

 –  SRRTTF_ComprehensivePlan_WorkPlan_2015_0923_draft

Task Force Response Letter to the WA Department of Ecology Draft General Hatchery Permit: Revised Timeline

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The Washington Department of Ecology has given an extension on the the comment period for the General Hatchery Permit Draft. Therefore the timeline for revising, commenting and making a decision on the final comment letter has been revised from what was discussed at the September 23 Task Force Meeting.

Key Points: New Hatchery Permit Comment letter key points 9-24

The revised timeline and process is as follows:

  • Draft letter from Lisa Dally-Wilson to small work group (BiJay Adams, Galen Buterbaugh, John Beacham) Monday September 28th
  • Small work group comments to Lisa Dally-Wilson by C.O.B on Tuesday, September 29th
  • Final letter out for posting by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 30 with request for approval in one week at the Technical Track Work Group Meeting.
  • Ruckelshaus to incorporate any substantive comments from Task Force members to the letter between September 30 and October 6. 
  • Final Decision on the letter will be made at the Technical Track Work Group Meeting scheduled for Wednesday October 7, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Department of Ecology in Spokane. This will be an official Task Force meeting.  In order to make this decision there will need to be a quorum of voting members present either in person or on the phone for this meeting.  (a minimum of 7 out of 12 voting members). 
    • Department of Ecology: 4601 North Monroe Street, Spokane, WA
    • To Dial in: Call In Number: 800-704-9804, Participant Code: 34863442#
  • Final Comment letter to Ecology on Thursday October 8th!

Final Letter submitted to Ecology on 10/8/15 : SRRTTF comments on Ecology General Hatchery Permit_ 10-08-15