June 3, 2015 Technical Track Work Group Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Task Force
Technical Track Work Group Meeting

Date: June 3, 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
–  TTWG 6 3 15 Summary notes DRAFT
–  Tech Track WG agn 06-03-15_Revised
–  SRRTTF_Phase_2_Draft_Report_2015_05_20
–  Rationale and cost_benefit for funding flow gages on the Spokane River at Trent and Nine Mile
–   LimnoTech Presentation: SRRTTF_HighLevelScoping_2015_06_03
–  SRRTTF_GW_Seepage_PCB_mass-loading_Jun 02-2015
–  Budget Forecasting 060115

– Notes from the SRRTTF Fish Focus Group Meeting 5-27-2015

LimnoTech Draft Report Comments:
–  LimoTech Synoptic Report Comments_Spokane County Utilities
–  Limnotech-report-comments-spokane-county-utilities-2

May 27, 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, May 27, 2015
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#

*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 5-27-15 summary Notes Final
–  SRRTTF May 27 TF Meeting Agenda DRAFT
–  SRRTTF Meeting 4 22 15 Summary Notes DRAFT
–  TTWG 5-6-2015 summary Notes DRAFT
–  SRRTTF 5-18-2015 Conference Call_summary notes (Conference Call with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
–  SRRTTF SWAT Team Updates_REVISED on 5.21.15
–  2015-16 SRRTTF – Ruckelshaus Center Proposal SOW
–  ACE Financial Statement
–  P2 at the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center- Presentation Marjorie MartzEmerson
LimnoTech Documents
–  SRRTTF_Wet Weather Presentation_2015_05_15
–  SRRTTF_Phase_2_Draft_Report_2015_05_20
–  Conflict of Interest LimnoTech
Fish and PCBs
–  Sorting Issues Related to Fish and PCBs
–  feed ingredients
Hydroseed Project Documents
–  Hydroseed Pilot Project Workplan_Revision 051915
–  PRODUCT QAPP_2014 082014_FINAL_City PacRim Signed (1)
–  PCB Product Sampling QAPP Addendum__SRRTTF Task 1 2015 03
–  Mulch material specs from 2014 Spec Book (1)
–  WSDOT List of Qualified Suppliers
Coordinated Task Force Response
–  SRRTTF Work Summary – draft 3 for SRRTTF_ 5-27-2015 (pdf)
–  SRRTTF Work Summary – draft 3 for SRRTTF_ 5-27-2015 (word doc)

 

News Release: Merkley, Blumenauer, Wyden, Bonamici, DeFazio Introduce Columbia River Basin Restoration Act to Clean Up Columbia Basin

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United States Congress
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2015
Contact: Martina McLennan/Ray Zaccaro (Merkley) – 202.224.3753
Nicole L’Esperance (Blumenauer) – 202.225.4811
Hank Stern (Wyden) – 503.326.7539
Alexandra Gilliland (Bonamici) – 202.754.1649
Kristie Greco Johnson (DeFazio) – 202.225.6416                                
 
 
Merkley, Blumenauer, Wyden, Bonamici, DeFazio Introduce Columbia River Basin Restoration Act to Clean Up Columbia Basin
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Senator Ron Wyden, Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04) introduced the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act. The legislation would authorize $50 million over five years for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a voluntary, competitive Columbia Basin grants program for projects that assist in eliminating or reducing pollution, cleaning up contaminated sites, improving water quality, monitoring the basin, and promoting citizen engagement.
Toxins are present throughout the Columbia Basin, and are harmful to humans, fish, and wildlife. These contaminants make their way into fish tissue and can be dangerous to humans if consumed. Some of these toxins are known to cause cancer and have been linked with neurological, developmental, and reproductive problems, including birth defects and learning disabilities. 
“The Columbia River is an Oregon icon that is central to both our environment and our economy,” said Merkley. “A clean Columbia River is essential for the health of our communities and for the strength of our fishing and recreation industries. Congress should step up and help protect this Oregon gem.”
 
“The Columbia River is the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest, providing energy, food, jobs and recreation, but it’s become dangerously polluted,” said Representative Blumenauer. “We must do all that we can to protect and restore this majestic river. I look forward to working with Senator Merkley and other members of the Northwest delegation to advance this legislation to address an issue critical to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.”
“The Columbia River has served the people of the Pacific Northwest for eons as a source of food, energy, and a major highway for commerce,” Wyden said. “Dedicating funds to cleaning up the river is critical to ensuring that it is protected from pollution that harms the people and ecosystem that depend on it. It is past time to provide this support for the Columbia River Basin, and I’m proud to introduce this bill that will improve water quality and protect the river for future Oregonians.”
“The Columbia River is a powerful economic force in Oregon. It helps carry goods to market, serves as a valuable source of energy, and provides food to tribal populations and others,” Congresswoman Bonamici said. “We must reduce pollution and contamination of this critical resource. I am pleased to support the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act, which includes grants for projects that help preserve and protect the waterway.”
 
“The Columbia River is one of the most bountiful natural resources in Oregon, providing cultural, economic, and ecological benefits to many states,” said Representative DeFazio. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing a bill that will put significant federal investment behind meaningful restoration projects to improve water quality and reduce pollution of the Columbia River.  Rising levels of toxins in the Columbia River Basin threaten Oregon’s salmon and the livelihood of tribal communities and other Oregonians.”
 
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest, and the only large aquatic ecosystem in the United States that currently receives no dedicated funding to clean up and monitor toxic chemicals. It is 1,243 miles long and its drainage basin extends into seven states. Approximately 8 million people inhabit the Basin, including members of several Tribal nations and angling groups who frequently fish in its waters. Historically, the Columbia and its tributaries have constituted the largest salmon-producing river system in the world, with annual returns peaking at 16 million fish.
 
This bill is supported by a diverse group of stakeholders including the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, and Salmon-Safe.
###
 —
Martina McLennan
Deputy Communications Director
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley
(202) 224-3753

Coordinated Task Force Response: EPA’s submittal to the United States (federal) District Court Judge

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In its submittal in response the March 2015 court ruling, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would like to tell the court what the Task Force believes it is important for the court to know about the Task Force’s work. EPA has asked for a single concise brief, rather than multiple responses from Task Force members, and has requested it no later than June 15th. EPA has also suggested that if individual entities would like to provide information on PCB reduction activities, this is to be submitted as an individual entity. Both Task Force and individual responses will be discussed at the May 27th Task Force meeting.

Task Force members held a conference call with EPA on Monday May 18 to discuss this submittal.  The summary of this call is provided below.

–  SRRTTF Conference Call 5.18.15 summary notes
–  Measurable-Progress-SRSP-PCB-reduction-activities-_short-form-9-9-2014
–  SRRTTF Measurable Progress Assessment 04.17.15

EPA Requests a unified response from the Task Force -Conference Call Scheduled

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In its submittal in response the March 2015 court ruling, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would like to tell the court what the Task Force believes it is important for the court to know about the Task Force’s work. EPA has asked for a single concise brief, rather than multiple responses from Task Force members, and has requested it no later than June 15th.

To answer questions from Task Force members, provide any additional information, and assist in the development of this response, EPA will hold a conference call for interested SRRTTF members.

The conference call is schedule for Monday May 18th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

To Join the call: 800-704-9804 Participant Code: 34863442#

–  SRRTTF Conference Call 05-18-15 agenda_draft
–  Measurable Progress – SRSP PCB reduction activities _short form 9-9-2014

 

EPA requests unified Task Force response brief in response to court ruling. EPA to hold conference call to answer questions.

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In its submittal in response the March 2015 court ruling, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would like to tell the court what the Task Force believes it is important for the court to know about the Task Force’s work. EPA has asked for a single concise brief, rather than multiple responses from Task Force members, and has requested it no later than June 15th. The unified Task Force document should be no more than 3 pages with additional pages for references. The content should focus on actions completed or committed to by the Task Force that can reasonably be expected to do at least one of the following:

  • Address data gaps.  Examples include:
    • Sampling of the river, tributaries, and effluents.
    • Source identification or tracking (e.g., product testing, sampling within sanitary or storm sewers).
  • Quantifiably reduce PCB loading in the Spokane River watershed.  Examples include:
    • Reducing PCBs “imported” to the watershed, e.g., through changes in procurement.
    • Producing measurable reductions in PCB loadings and/or concentrations from traditional point sources or from storm water.
    • Physically removing or immobilizing legacy PCBs.

It is expected that individual Task Force members will begin compiling this material, with the full coordinated response to be discussed at the May 27th SRRTTF meeting.

To answer questions from Task Force members, provide any additional information, and assist in the development of this response, EPA will hold a conference call for interested SRRTTF members. Please fill out this doodle poll  as soon as possible. (http://doodle.com/zk9urh4pyaaaysbx)

Please direct any questions to Chris Page of the Ruckelshaus Center at c.page@wsu.edu

Ecology Draft update of Nonpoint Plan available for Review and Comment

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The Washington Department of Ecology Washington’s Water Quality Management Plan to Control Nonpoint Sources of Pollution (Nonpoint Source Plan) has been posted at the following link: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1510015.html

The public comment period opens today (May 5, 2015) and closes on  June 5, 2015.  Comments must be received on or before June 5, 2015. Comments can be submitted to Ecology in three ways:

  • Email: rau@ecy.wa.gov
  • Mail: Ben Rau, Department of Ecology, PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504
  • Hand Deliver: Department of Ecology (Headquarters), 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA 98503.

As part of the Nonpoint Source Plan roll-out, Ecology will be hosting several meetings to provide background information on the Nonpoint Source Plan, describe how the plan is structured and key changes made by this update, provide information on how you can provide comments on the draft plan, outline the timeline for finalizing the plan, and take questions.

Meeting structure:

  • Introductions (10 minutes)
  • Background on Nonpoint Source Plan (15 minutes)
  • Overview of Draft Nonpoint Source Plan (45 minutes)
  • Questions (40 minutes)
  • Wrap-up (10 minutes)

The public meeting schedule:

May 6, 2015 (2pm – 4pm) – Ecology Headquarters – Lacey (both an “in-person” and “online” webinar meeting)
Washington Department of Ecology
Auditorium / Webinar
300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA 98503

May 11, 2015 (6pm – 8pm) – Yakima Area Arboretum – Yakima
Jewett Interpretive Center
Yakima Area Arboretum
1401 Arboretum Dr.
Yakima, WA 98901

May 12, 2015 (6pm – 8pm) – Oxford Suites – Spokane
Oxford Suites Spokane Valley Washington Hotel
Conference Room
15015 E. Indiana Avenue
Spokane Valley, WA 99216

May 18, 2015 (6pm – 8pm) – Edmonds Conference Center – Edmonds
Orchid Room
Edmonds Conference Center
201 Fourth Ave N.
Edmonds, WA 98020

Additionally, you can join the May 6th meeting online remotely via webinar. Click HERE to sign up to attend the meeting remotely.

For more information on the meetings and the Washington’s Water Quality Management Plan to Control Nonpoint Sources of Pollution please visit the Nonpoint Pollution webpage.

If you have questions, contact Ben Rau at ben.rau@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6551.

 

May 6, 2015 SRRTTF Education and Outreach Work Group Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Task Force
Education and Outreach Work Group Meeting

Date: May 6, 2015
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location:
RiverKeeper
35 West Main, Suite 300 Spokane WA

Click here for a map.

Meeting Documents
–  SRRTTF Education and Outreach WG Meeting May 6 2015 DRAFT Summary Notes
–  SRRTTF ED and Out WG Agenda 05-06-15
–  Education and Outreach WG Meeting 4.1.15 Draft Summary Notes
–  SRRTTF Education and Outreach Resources_Vision_ed and outreach work_TF outreach activities
–  PIO recs 11.2015_Jerry White comments 12.2014

 

May 6, 2015 Technical Track Work Group Meeting

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Spokane River Regional Task Force
Technical Track Work Group Meeting

Date: May 6, 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
–  TTWG May 6 2015 Meeting Summary Notes Draft
–  Tech Track WG agenda 05-06-15 revised (1)
–  SRRTTF Technical Track Work Group notes 04-01-15
–  Flow Wrkgrp Meeting Summary 04-08-15
–  SRRTTF_WetWeather_2015_05_06
–  Sorting Issues Related to Fish and PCBs
–  Spokane River Toxics EAP Projects Update
–  feed ingredients