Category Archives: Announcement

October 22, 2014 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting Announcement

Date: October 22, 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#

Meeting Documents
– SRRTTF 10 22 14 Meeting Summary FINAL
–  SRRTTF October 22 2014 Agenda_revised2
–  SRRTTF 09-24-14 Summary_for approval 10-22-14

Outreach Documents:
–  SRRTTF Funding Fact Sheet 02-27-13 (Approved)
–  SRRTTF_KeyMessages_v3

Toxics Workshop Documents (2015 Spokane River Toxics Workshop)
–  2015-Workshop-Purpose-Statement
–  Jan 2015 SRRTTF Workshop agenda_draft
–  Workshop-Planning-Document-Analytical-Session
–  Workshop-Planning-Document-Mass-Balance-and-Statistics
–  Workshop-Planning-Document-Sampling-Session
–  Workshop-Planning-Document-Where-to-Session

Presentations
– PCB related cleanup at Trentwood_Kaiser Presentation

EPA Grant Opportunity

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Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant RFP

EPA is soliciting proposals for the management of the Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant. The purpose of the grant is to accelerate and expand the strategic protection of healthy freshwater ecosystems and their watersheds across the country. EPA expects to issue a cooperative agreement to fund a single grantee to manage the Healthy Watersheds Consortium grant program and issue subawards on a competitive basis. Eligible applicants for this RFP are non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, interstate agencies, and inter-tribal consortia which are capable of undertaking activities that advance healthy watershed programs on a national basis. Eligible entities for the subawards include public and private nonprofit institutions / organizations, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, states, local governments, U.S. territories or possessions, and interstate agencies. Anticipated federal funding under the competition is approximately $3.75 million over six years. Proposals are due January 5, 2015. 

For more information go to http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/watershed/consortiumgrant.cfm

Proposed rule package available for review: main stem of river in Spokane County and small portion of Stevens County

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This just in from Chris Anderson of the Department of Ecology Water Resources Program.

“The proposed rule package for the main stem of the river in Spokane County and a small portion of Stevens County is available for review.

You may recall, we solicited feedback from the community on a preliminary draft rule before entering the official rule making process.

State law requires a State Environmental Policy Act determination and an economic analysis for the rule.  These draft documents are also available for review and comment.

You can provide comments on the proposed rule through an online feedback system or by emailing Ann Wessel (ann.wessel@ecy.wa.gov)  through Nov. 7, 2014.

We are also hosting an open house at 6 p.m. followed by a public hearing from at 7p.m. Oct. 22, 2014, at CenterPlace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley.

Thank you for your continued interest. Keeping water in the Spokane River is a priority for all of us. We all want a clean and flowing river.”

Thank you,
Chris Anderson

Department of Ecology – Water Resources Program
Public Information Technical Support/Web
Office: (360) 407-6634   Fax: (360) 407-6574

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/wrhome.html

Draft PCB Chemical Action Plan- Opportunity to Comment

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Draft PCB Chemical Action Plan

Opportunity to Comment

The Department of Ecology (Ecology) invites you to comment on the
Draft Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Chemical Action Plan (CAP).
Ecolgy will accept comments by mail, fax, or email August 6 – October
6, 2014.  Comments must be received by 5 p.m. October 6, 2014.

Two public meetings to share information and answer questions will
take place:

Olympia
Date: September 15, 2014
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Ecology Headquarters and via internet webinar

SPOKANE
Date: September 24, 2014
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Ecology Eastern Regional Office

For more information and webinar registration: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/pbt/pcbComment.html

 

 

September 24th, 2014 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting Announcement

Date: September 24th, 2014
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 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#

Meeting Documents
–  SRRTTF-09-24-14-Summary_Final
–  SRRTTF Sept 24 2014 Draft Agenda
–  PCB Workshop Proposal 9-15-14
–  SRRTTF-January Workshop Planning input_revised 9-25-14
–  Measurable Progress – SRSP PCB reduction activities _short form 9-9-2014
–  Task Force Op-Ed 9-24-2014 SRRTTF approved *Final
–  SRRTTF Communications Work Group proposal 9-10-14 draft
–  Columbia River Fund letter 09.29.14 *Final

Presentations
–  Spokane County Toxics Manag. Summary Annual Report April 2014_Presentation
–  Draft PCB Chemical Action Plan Presentation_Holly Davies

Announcement: Opportunity to Comment on Ecology’s Solid & Hazardous Waste Plan

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The first draft of the State Solid and Hazardous Waste Plan (Beyond Waste) 2014 Update is now available for review and comment.

Ecology will accept comments through September 17, 2014.

This first draft is a partial draft, and contains the introduction and draft goals and actions for the next five years. The draft goals and actions are organized as follows:

  •  Managing Hazardous Waste and Materials
  •  Managing Solid Wastes and Materials
  • Reducing Impacts of Materials and Products
  • Measuring Progress
  • Providing Outreach and Information

To Comment:  download the draft plan and comment form.

The draft plan is a WORD document with embedded comment boxes.  You will need to save a copy to your computer to make your comments. When finished, email it to the address below.  You can comment on as few or as many areas as you wish, and since you download your own copy of the draft plan, you are able to take your time to review and comment.

If you prefer, you may fax or mail comments to the addresses below.  If you do not use the comment form, please specify what each comment refers to; include section title, page number, and goal or action number where applicable.

Send Your Comments To:

  • Email:  Cbou461@ecy.wa.gov
  • Fax: 360-407-6715
  • US Mail: – Cathy Bouge, Dept of Ecology /HWTR, PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA  98504-7600

COMMENTS ARE DUE BY:   September 17, 2014.

You can also talk with us directly to provide your comments via email, phone or a meeting.

Contact us:

  •  Janine Bogar:  360-407-6654; janine.bogar@ecy.wa.gov  (solid waste)
  •  Chris Chapman; 360-4077160, chris.chapman@ecy.wa.gov (hazardous waste)
  • Website: www.ecy.wa.gov/wasteplan
  • WA State Department of Ecology, P.O Box 47600, Olympia WA 98504-7600

Thank you for your time and input!

Janine Bogar | Washington State Department of Ecology | Waste 2 Resources Program | PO Box 47600 , Olympia, WA 98504-7600
360-407-6654 direct | 360-407-6102 fax | janine.bogar@ecy.wa.gov e-mail

August 27, 2014 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting Announcement

Date: August 27th, 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#

Meeting Documents
–  8 27 14 SRRTTF Meeting Notes_Draft Summary
–  SRRTTF August 27 2014 DRAFT Agenda
–  Synoptic_Summary_compiled Aug 12 -Aug 25, 2014
–  CLAM AXYS Update – Meeting Notes 8-11-2014
–  SRRTTF Financial Overview v2
–  Gravity Letter to SRRTTF_Scope Changes
–  ACE Financial Statement
–  Blank Correction Example (1)
–  spokane_PCBs_map_attribute_table
–  spokane_river_RMs_adriane_PCBs_med

 

Water Quality Program State Fiscal Year 2016 Funding Applicant Training Workshops

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The Washington Department of Ecology is holding four training workshops for applicants seeking funding for water quality-related projects during the State Fiscal Year 2016 (SFY16) Funding Cycle. The total funding available is ~$183 million in loans and grants from four funding sources. Some details are listed below.

Funding Sources, Amounts, and Eligible Applicants

  • Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. ~$90 million in loans with interest rates of 2.4% (6-20 yr terms) and 1.2% (1-5 yr terms) for wastewater and stormwater facility planning, design, and construction projects and nonpoint source pollution control activity projects. Public bodies are eligible.
  • Centennial Clean Water Program. ~$25 million in grants for wastewater facility construction projects in financially distressed communities and nonpoint source pollution control activity projects. Public bodies are eligible.
  • Federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program. ~$1.5 million in grants for nonpoint source pollution control activity projects. Public bodies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible.
  • Stormwater Financial Assistance Program. ~$66 million in grants for stormwater facility planning, design, and construction and stormwater-related nonpoint source pollution control activity projects. Cities and counties are eligible.

Workshop Locations and Dates

  • Spokane. September 10, 2014; Spokane Convention Center, Meeting Rooms 102ABCD, 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd.
  • Ellensburg. September 11, 2014; Central Washington University, Student Union & Recreation Center, Rooms 201/202 (Ballroom), 400 East University Way.
  • Olympia. September 16, 2014; Red Lion Hotel, Pine Room, 2300 Evergreen Park Dr SW.
  • Everett. September 18, 2014; Edward D. Hansen Conference Center at Comcast Arena, Ballroom 3, 2000 Hewitt Avenue, Suite 200.

Times

The workshops are scheduled for 9:00am – 1:00pm. Refreshments will be provided, but not lunch.

Registration

Registration is not required, and there is no cost.

Questions/More Information

See the complete announcement at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1410040.html, or contact Daniel Thompson at Daniel.Thompson@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6510.

Message from Ecology’s Water Quality Program Manager

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Gov. Jay Inslee has given a directive to the Department of Ecology related to our work to update the Water Quality Standards for toxics (also known as the Human Health Criteria, or fish consumption rule making).

For your convenience, here is a link to the Governor’s directive.

And, here is a link to view the press conference he held July 9.

Ecology will follow the Governor’s directive to build the best possible draft rule and we want to let you know our next anticipated steps.

As we follow the Governor’s directive, we will continue to engage with all interests. We will schedule a public meeting in the near future to provide details about our approach and path forward.

Rest assured, there will be a lot of public process ahead and we welcome – and need – your participation. We will do our best to keep you informed along the way.

You can follow this work online at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/water/standards/index.html

Or if you haven’t already, sign up to receive our email updates at: http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A0=ECOLOGY-WATER-QUALITY-INFO

Heather Bartlett
Water Quality Program Manager
Department of Ecology
PO Box 47696
Olympia WA 98504-7696
Phone (360) 407-6405