New date for Open House on PCB Variances/Upcoming SRRTTF mtgs.

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New date for the Spokane Open House on PCB Variances

After considerable thought, we have decided to reschedule the March 24 Spokane Open House and March 26 webinar on PCB Variances for April 8, 2020.  Thank you for your patience and understanding as we adapt to the evolving nature of the pandemic response.In consideration of public health and safety, we are offering two opportunities to attend as an online webinar only:

April 8 morning webinar
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Register for the morning webinar
April 8 evening webinar
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Register for the evening webinar

The purpose of this open house is to revisit general information about variances and background on PCBs from previous workshops. Our goal is to provide the public with information that will assist with the upcoming review of the draft rule. We expect to have draft rule language and supporting documents available for public comment in May 2020, at which time we will schedule public hearings.  

During the virtual open house, we will cover:

  • An overview of PCBs in the environment
  • The water quality standard for PCBs and how we measure it
  • What is a variance and how does it affect compliance with water quality standards
  • How we evaluated each individual discharger variance application
  • What to expect during the formal public comment period

View Informational posters

Our intent for holding the open houses is to provide transparent and easy to understand information on what a variance from the water quality standards means, and why we are considering PCB variances for the Spokane River.

If you have an opportunity, please view our informational posters in advance of the open house webinars (the link to our posters will be live by morning of Thursday, March 26). We are hoping to gather your questions prior to the webinar to make it easier for everyone to participate. Please email any questions about the Spokane River PCB Variances to swqs@ecy.wa.gov. We will address them during the Q & A portion and will allow time for additional questions that come up during the presentation.

Visit our rulemaking page or view our focus sheet to learn more about the proposed PCB Variances for the Spokane River.

If you have any questions, please contact Marla Koberstein, Rulemaking Lead, at swqs@ecy.wa.gov.

The Department of Ecology is committed to providing people with disabilities access to information and services by meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Washington State Policy #188.  To request an ADA accommodation, contact Ecology by phone at 360-407-6600 or email at swqs@ecy.wa.gov. For Washington Relay Service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341. Visit Ecology’s website for more information

Upcoming SRRTTF meetings:

PMF work group – March 30 zoom meeting at 11 am
TSCA work group – April 1 conf. call at 10 am (605-313-5141, 723394#)
Education and Outreach work group – April 14 skype meeting at 10 am
Task Force meeting – April 22 zoom meeting at 8:30 am

Contact lara@whitebluffsconsulting.com for more meeting information