Hi Task Force,
We want to make the Task Force aware of two Water Quality Program open comment periods that include proposed updates affecting the Spokane River watershed. Details, resources, primary Ecology contacts, and instructions for submitting comments are provided below.
The first (see item ❶ below) is related to the proposed reissuance of the Upland Finfish Hatching and Rearing NPDES and State Waste Discharge General Permit. This includes WDFW’s Spokane Hatchery located on the Little Spokane River.
The second (see item ❷ below) is related to Ecology’s release of the draft Water Quality Assessment (WQA). The draft WQA includes new listings on segments of Lake Spokane and/or the Spokane River for temperature, pH, methyl mercury and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
Ecology has provided substantial information on their website (see links below) and we encourage you to review the available information and resources. Primary contacts Laurie Niewolny and Jeremy Reiman can respond to question specific to the proposals.
❶ Ecology proposes to reissue the Upland Finfish Hatching and Rearing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and State Waste Discharge General Permit (permit). The current permit was issued on April 1, 2016, and expired on March 31, 2021. The draft permit and accompanying fact sheet, which explains the technical basis for the permit, are available for review and public comment from Wednesday, April 7, 2021, through Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Ecology will host two public workshops and public hearings on the draft permit.
Purpose of the Permit
The permit provides coverage for upland finfish hatching and rearing operations and limits the discharge of pollutants from raising or spawning fish, which includes uneaten feed, fish fecal matter, and medications and disease control chemicals. Under Federal and State water quality laws (Federal Clean Water Act and State Water Pollution Control Act), a permit is required for the discharge of these wastewaters. State, county, private, and some tribal hatcheries that rear finfish such as salmon and trout and that discharge wastewater to waters of the State must obtain permit authorization for their discharge.
Submitting Written Comments
We will accept written comments on the draft permit and fact sheet from April 7, 2021, through May 26, 2021 by 11:59 pm. Comments may be submitted:
Online: Submit your comments through our online comments form (preferred method)
By mail:
Laurie Niewolny
Washington State Department of Ecology
PO Box 47775
Olympia, WA 98504-7775
In person: Comments are accepted during the following Public Workshops and Hearings. The purpose of the workshops is to explain the general permit and to answer questions prior to the formal public hearings. The purpose of the hearings is to provide an opportunity for people to give formal oral testimony on the proposed draft permit. Oral testimony will receive the same consideration as written comments submitted.
The public hearings will begin immediately following the public workshops and will conclude when public testimony is complete.
Morning Webinar: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 – 10 a.m. Join the Webinar*
Evening Webinar: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – 6 p.m. Join the Webinar*
*Workshops and hearings offered via webinar allow individuals to view the presentation and provide testimony via computer or mobile device. Ecology is not currently offering in-person hearings due to COVID-19 safety concerns.
Issuing the Permit
After we receive and consider all public comments, we will make a final decision on permit issuance. We expect to make a decision on the general permit in August 2021.
Copies of the Draft Permit and Fact Sheet
The draft permit and fact sheet are available on our permit webpage. You may also request copies from Water Quality Reception at (360) 407-6600.
Ecology Contact
Laurie Niewolny – General Permit Writer
Telephone: (360) 584-8852
Email: laurie.niewolny@ecy.wa.gov
To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, call Ecology at 360-407-7285 or visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.
❷ The Department of Ecology is releasing the draft Water Quality Assessment for public review and comment. The Assessment pulls together existing data for fresh and marine water, and is available for review as an interactive online tool.
Ecology is responsible for identifying and improving Washington’s polluted streams, lakes, and marine water. As part of this work, we must regularly update Washington’s Water Quality Assessment that categorizes state waters as clean or polluted, based on data we have. Results of the Assessment help us see where progress is being made and where to prioritize future water quality improvement plans. The Assessment is used by tribes, federal, state, and local governments, and stakeholders to design monitoring programs and water quality improvement projects; incorporate the data into other environmental reporting; and to share successes in water quality improvement efforts. The Assessment includes data gathered by Ecology and readily available data from several other local, state, and federal agencies, tribes, and environmental groups. To help ensure that the data we use is accurate, all data must meet our quality assurance requirements.
Online training
We are holding a virtual training on April 20 at 1:30 p.m. to offer background information on the Assessment and tips on how to use the search and map tools to review any areas of interest. Register for the online training webinar.
How can I comment?
We are inviting people to review Assessment results in watershed areas of the state that they are familiar with or have an interest in. For information on the Assessment and to access the online tool and other materials, please visit the Assessment website.
The deadline for public comments is 5 p.m., Friday, June 4, 2021.
Submit comments by:
Online comment form provided on the review tool (preferred method)
Email: 303d@ecy.wa.gov
Mail: Washington State Department of Ecology
Jeremy Reiman
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Please note, any information (e.g., personal or contact) you provide in a comment or in an attachment may be publicly disclosed and posted on the Internet.
Next Steps:
After reviewing public feedback and making any revisions, Ecology will submit the final Assessment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet Clean Water Act requirements.
More information:
Water Quality Assessment webpage
Water Quality Assessment Focus Sheet
April 8, 2021 Ecology News Release
Questions? Contact
Jeremy Reiman
Water Quality Assessment Scientist
email: 303d@ecy.wa.gov
phone: 360-819-0197
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 jeremy.reiman@ecy.wa.gov. For Washington Relay Service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341. Visit Ecology’s website for more information.
EPA Announces $67 Million Grant Program to Help Communities Manage Stormwater
04/01/2021
Contact Information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov )
WASHINGTON (April 1, 2021)— Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $67 million in grant funding through the new Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. This funding will support public health and environmental protections by helping states and cities improve stormwater management to address sewer overflows and reduce pollution that can flow into local waterways.
“While utilities do an incredible job of managing wastewater and safely returning it to the environment, increased water from heavy rains and storms can challenge and even circumvent this great work,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Under America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, this new grant program empowers EPA’s state, local, and utility partners to improve stormwater management and benefit communities.”
This grant program will provide funding for critical overflow and stormwater infrastructure projects in communities. Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect pollutants—including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment—and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows (CSO) during heavy rainstorms. Managing stormwater is a complex environmental challenge and EPA is working with its partners to meet the needs of communities.
States, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia can apply for funding. Once awarded, these funds will be provided as sub-awards to municipal entities for projects that address infrastructure needs for CSOs, sanitary sewer overflows (SSO), and stormwater management. Through this $67 million investment in water infrastructure, EPA estimates that over a thousand direct and indirect jobs will be created.
Background
America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 amended section 221 of the Clean Water Act, which reauthorized the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants program. These amendments expanded project eligibilities to include stormwater management projects and authorized appropriations for the program. The program received a $28 million appropriation in fiscal year 2020 and a $40 million appropriation in fiscal year 2021. EPA developed an allotment formula for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to best address CSOs, SSOs, and stormwater needs for each state, as determined by the data from the latest Clean Watersheds Needs Survey, along with supplemental data on population, urban population, and precipitation.
For more information about the program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/sewer-overflow-and-stormwater-reuse-municipal-grants-program.