Category Archives: Announcement

January 23, 2015 Memorandum of Agreement Work Group Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Task Force
Memorandum of Agreement Work Group Meeting

Date: January  23rd, 2015
Time: 1:00 pm. to 3:00 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#

MOA Meeting Documents
–  SRRTTF MOA-1-7-14_Version 4.0
–  SRRTTF MOA 12-18-14_Version 3.0

Formal WA State 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 rule making addresses two specific areas of the water quality standards:  (1) Development and adoption of new human health criteria, and (2) Revision and expansion of some of the tools in the standards that help in implementation.  Ecology has published the rule proposal on its website on January 12, 2015.  The public comment period on the draft rule and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the rule is open through midnight March 23, 2015. 
 
Information on the rule making, including documents, details about public hearings and webinar opportunities, and other related information, can be found on Ecology’s website at:
 
You can learn more about the proposed standards and provide comments at the following public hearings.
 
                        2426 N. Discovery Pl., Spokane Valley 99216
                        6 p.m. open house; 6:30 p.m. presentation with Q&A session, followed by public hearing. This is an in-person-only public event.
March 4          Yakima Convention Center
                        10 N. 8th St., Yakima 98901
                        6 p.m. open house; 6:30 p.m. presentation with Q&A session, followed by public hearing.  This is an in-person-only public event.
 
March 12        Ecology Headquarters Building
                        300 Desmond Drive, Lacey 98503   
                        Two sessions – you may attend either session in person or online by webinar.
 
                        Session 1:  1:30 p.m. open house; 2 p.m. presentation (webinar begins) with Q&A session, followed by public hearing.
                       
                        Session 2:  6:30 p.m. open house; 7 p.m. presentation (webinar begins) with Q&A session, followed by public hearing.
 
You may provide comments at a public hearing or you may provide them in writing through one of the following methods:
 
·       By Email: swqs@ecy.wa.gov
·       By Fax:  360-407-6426
·       By Mail:
Cheryl Niemi
Washington State Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA  98504-7600.
 
For more information, contact Cheryl Niemi at (360) 407-6440 or by email at swqs@ecy.wa.gov.
 
The proposed changes to the water quality standards are tied to toxics-reduction legislation Gov. Inslee is proposing to address toxics that enter the environment from unregulated, everyday sources, such as consumer products. Find out more by going to this website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/water/standards/index.html

January 7, 2015 Technical Track Work Group Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Task Force
Technical Track Work Group Meeting

Date: January  7th, 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
–  Tech Track WG Agenda 01-07-15 v2
–  Technical Track TTWG 01-07-15 Meeting Summary DRAFT

EAP Project Proposals

Presentations
–  SRRTTF_Background_Dilks_01_05_2015_DRAFT
–  SRRTTF_MassBalance_Dilks_2015_01_05_DRAFT

December 18, 2014: MOA Work Group Meeting

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The next Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Work Group meeting is: 

Date: Thursday, December 18th, 2014
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 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#

MOA Work Group Documents:
–  MOA Work Group Meeting 12.18.14 Summary DRAFT

Meeting Documents
–  SRRTTF MOA 12-18-14_Version 3.0
–  SRRTTF MOA 12-17-14_Version 2.0
–  SRRTTF MOA 11-17-14 Version 1.0

December 17, 2014 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting Announcement

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

Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2014
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

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 Adriane Borgias (abor461@ecy.wa.gov) ahead of time.

Meeting Documents
–  SRRTF Task Force Meeting Summary Notes 12.17.14_ Draft for Task Force Review
–  SRRTTF December 17 2014 Agenda-draft-2
–  TTWG Meeting 11 5 14 Draft Meeting Summary
–  SRRTTF 11 12 14 Conference Call DRAFT Meeting Summary
–  SRRTTF 11 17 14 Draft Meeting Summary
–  PIO mtg notes November 2014
January Workshop Documents:
–  Jan 2015 SRRTTF Workshop final agenda
–  PCB Workshop Package
–  January Workshop Registration Page
Presentation
–  SRF14_PCB Product Sampling
Video
“Green the Green Video: Raise a Glass to our Water”
Environmental Assessment Program Proposals: Background Documents

FY2015 Scoping Projects SRRTTF

PCBs in Ground Water workplan-DRAFT 2 Dec-2014

Statewide Atmospheric Deposition 12-9-14

Little Spokane River PCBs in Fish Tissue Verification Study

Lake Spokane PCBs in Carp

Chemicals of High Concern to Children in Children’s Clothing, Footwear, and Accessories

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Feed and Rainbow Trout from Selected Trout Hatcheries

 

December 3, 2014: Technical Track Work Group Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Task Force
Technical Track Work Group Meeting

Date: December  3rd, 2014
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 Tech Track Work Group summary notes 12 3 14_ Draft for Task Force Review
– Tech Track WG Agenda 12-03-14 draft
– Summary of EAP Projects Requested

Presentation:
–  SRRTTF_Dilks_12_03_2014

EAP Topics Information:
–  Statewide Atmospheric Deposition 12-9-14 work plan memo 
–  Statewide PCB Michigan TMDL (This TMDL uses air deposition in the allocation)
–  Persistent Organic Pollutants in Feed and Rainbow Trout From Selected Trout Hatcheries

Workshop Documents
–  Jan 2015 SRRTTF Workshop agenda 11-25-14
–  Workshop Planning Document Analytical Session Final 11-24-14
–  Workshop Planning Document Sampling Session Final 11-24-14
–  Workshop Planning Document Mass Balance and Statistics Session Final 11-24-14
–  Workshop Planning Document Where to Session Final 11-24-14
–  Invitees 12-03-14

November 17th, 2014 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting Announcement

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

Date: Monday, November 17, 2014
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: Spokane County Water Resource Center
1004 N. Freya Street
Spokane, WA 99202

Click here for a map

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 Adriane Borgias (abor461@ecy.wa.gov) ahead of time.

Supporting documents for the meeting are posted below.   There will be a decision on the composition of the MOA Work Group at this meeting. All stakeholder groups are asked to provide 1 (or 2 if needed) participants to the Work Group.  Also, please send any comments/revisions to the MOA to Chris Page (c.page@wsu.edu) or bring to the Task Force meeting. For more information on the MOA revisions process, new signatory process, and to access the Track Changes version of the MOA go to the October 24th, 2014 announcement.

Meeting Documents
–  SRRTTF 11 17 14 Meeting Notes-DRAFT version
–  SRRTTF Nov 17 2014 Agenda_DRAFT
–  SRRTTF 10 22 14 Meeting Summary DRAFT
Technical Documents
Gravity Documents:
–  Gravity Sampling Field Report
–  SPK Report Tables DRAFT
–  FIG1_Project_Area_11x17
–  FIG2_Sampling_Stations_11x17
January 2015 Toxics Workshop
–  Jan 2015 SRRTTF Workshop agenda 11-10-14
Workshop Session Documents: updated 11-17-14
–  Workshop-Planning-Document-Analytical-Session Draft of 111114
–  Workshop-Planning-Document-Sampling-Session Draft of 111114 v2
–  Workshop-Planning-Document-Mass-Balance-and-Statistics Session Draft of 111114 v2
–  Workshop-Planning-Document-Where-to-Session Draft of 111114 v 2
MOA Documents: Letters Sent to Tribes from Department of Ecology
–  Chairman Nenema 11.14.14
–  Chairman Peone 11.14.14
–  Chairman Allan 11.14.14
–  Chairman Boyd 11.14.14
Presentations
–  SRRTTF_LimnoTech Presentation 11_17_2014b

 

Announcement: November 12, 2014 Task Force Conference Call (11:00am) to Approve Outreach Materials for Spokane River Forum

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The Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force will have a meeting by conference call on Wednesday, November 12th at 11:00 a.m. to consider the approval of Task Force display materials for the Spokane River Forum and future events.  
 
Voting members of the Task Force are asked to call in, as we will need a quorum to make the formal approval. Other Task Force participants are welcome to call in with additional input or to listen and contribute to the call.
 
Please review the DRAFT Posters (3 panels each 20 X 36 inches), DRAFT Business Cards, and DRAFT 4X5 handout. The posters will be mounted as a three-paneled display for the Spokane River Forum, and the other materials are intended for interested people to take with them.
 
Please send any comments and/or edits to Kara Whitman at kmwhitman@wsu.edu by the close of business on Monday November 10, 2014.  Kara will post any changes made by 9 am on Wednesday November 12th for review ahead of the 11:00 am call.
 
Date: November 12, 2014
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: By Phone
Call In Number: (800)704-9804
Participant Code: 34863442#

Conference Call Documents
–  SRRTTF 11-12-14 Conference Call Meeting Summary
–  CELP-Sierra Club comments on SRTTF Poster 11.11.14 From Rachael Osborn-UPDATED VERSION Including comments/edits from Riverkeeper.
–  posters_spokane river forum_11 4 14 DRAFT VERSION_sp_dk_re edits included
–  Comments from Riverkeeper (note items in gray have been incorporated into draft, items in yellow need addressed at meeting)

–  4X5 handout

4X5 handout edited

–  SRRTTF BUSINESS CARD_11.3.14

 

November 5th, 2014: Technical Track Work Group Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Task Force
Technical Track Work Group Meeting

Date: Nov 5, 2014
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
– TTWG Meeting 11 5 14 Meeting Summary FINAL
–  Tech Track WG Agenda 11-05-14
–  Workshop Invitees 11.4.14
–  Posters_Spokane River Forum_11.5.14 DRAFT

Gravity Sampling Documents
–  Gravity Sampling Field Report
–  SPK Field Report
–  SPK Report Tables DRAFT
–  FIG1_Project_Area_11x17
–  FIG2_Sampling_Stations_11x17

Ecology Comments on Gravity Report

Ecology Environmental Information Management System

What is EIM? (Handout)
The Environmental Information Management System (EIM) is the Department of Ecology’s main database for environmental monitoring data. EIM contains records on physical, chemical, and biological analyses and measurements. Supplementary information about the data (metadata) is also stored, including information about environmental studies, monitoring locations, and data quality.

EIM features

  • A searchable database
  • Search by map
  • Search and download
  • My EIM

What’s in EIM?

  • Chemical measurements: Metals, PCBs, etc.
  • Physical measurements: Water clarity, flow, temperature, groundwater levels (including transducer data), etc.
  • Biological measurements:  Fish measurements, plant tissue, benthic organisms, bioassay data, etc.
  • Habitat data:  Habitat metrics
  • Study information:  Study purpose and contact information, data quality, links to bibliographic information, etc. Studies range from statewide ambient stream monitoring to hazardous waste site cleanups.
  • Location information:  Detailed physical and geographical information about monitoring locations. Includes information about well construction and use, when available.

Data sources
Data in EIM is collected by Ecology or on behalf of Ecology by environmental contractors – and by Ecology grant recipients, local governments, and volunteers

Other
While some data is not entered into EIM (List of Data not entered int EIM), Ecology links its data to a report that specifies how the data is handled.

EIM Home page: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/eim/index.htm

List of Data not entered into EIM: (Handout)http://www.ecy.wa.gov/eim/helpDocs/EIMHelp_DataNotEnteredIntoEIM.pdf

An overview of the variety of data that the EIM can accommodate.(Handout)
EIM Data entry: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/eim/helpDocs.htm

Step by step instructions. (Handout)
Submit data instructions: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/eim/submitData.htm

EIM Data guidelines and templates: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/ehs/eimSubmittalBySpreadsheet.zip

Contains excel spreadsheets and help files. Help files are below.
–  Help Bioassay V2013.01
–  Help Doc for EIM Location Template V2014.01
–  Help Results V2013.01
–  Help Study V2013.01
–  Help Time Series Result V2014.01
–  Help Water Levels V2013.01

Revisions To Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Memorandum of Agreement

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The Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force (SRRTTF) is in the process of updating its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This update occurs in part due to new parties signing on to the SRRTTF MOA in the near future, but also due to suggested changes (identified by Task Force members and advisors) that address evolving needs. The process by which the MOA will be revised was discussed at the October 22nd, 2014 Task Force meeting and is as follows:

  • Initial comment period: all comments and suggested changes to the “Track Changes” version of the MOA that is posted below, to be sent to Chris Page of the Ruckelshaus Center (c.page@wsu.edu) no later than 10 am on November 17th, 2014
  • MOA Work Group formation: one (or, if necessary, two) representative(s) to serve on an MOA Work Group will be identified by each of the following: Idaho NPDES permittees, Washington NPDES permittees, NGO’s/Environmental Groups, EPA, Ecology, IDEQ, Health Agencies, Tribes by (or at) the November 17th Task Force meeting
  • The MOA Work Group will incorporate changes to the MOA and bring to the full Task Force for approval. (Dates TBD.)
  • Revised MOA signatory review period. New signatories will run the MOA through their legal departments and decision makers and send any needed changes back to the full Task Force for consideration. This may require another work effort by the MOA Work Group before the document is finalized and acceptable to all parties for signing. (Dates TBD.)

–  SRRTTF-MOA_EPA_City-Spokane_Spokane-Co _Riverkeeper comments November 2014
–  SRRTTF-MOA_Track Changes Version- May 2014
Letters to Tribes
–  Chairman Boyd 11.14.14
–  Chairman Allan 11.14.14
–  Chairman Peone 11.14.14
–  Chairman Nenema 11.14.14