Here are EPA’s comments on the current version of the MOA.
January 30, 2014 Administrative and Contracting Entity Meeting
The next meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Administrative and Contracting Entity (ACE) is:
Date: January 30, 2014 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Location: Spokane County Water Resource Center
1004 N. Freya Street Spokane, WA 99202
ACE Meeting Minutes for 1-30-14
All ACE meetings are open to the public.
Announcement: Spokane River In-Stream Flow Rule Making
Date: January 22, 2014
From: Washington State Department of Ecology
Subject: Spokane River Instream Flow Rule-making
We would like to share some important information with you about our intent to begin rule-making to protect the Spokane River. Ecology is filing paperwork with the State Code Reviser that allows us to begin the development of an instream flow rule.
The purpose of an instream flow rule is to protect and preserve water in streams for “instream resources” including fish, wildlife, recreational uses, wastewater management, and hydropower. An instream flow rule will also give the river a water right, much like we give individuals, farms and municipalities. In order to issue the river a water right, the state has to go through the process of issuing a rule.
Once an instream flow is set Ecology will use the rule as a regulatory flow threshold to determine whether there is water to withdraw for new uses while still protecting fish and other instream resources.
Ecology approaches instream flow rules differently in each watershed basin. Over time we have learned and adapted means used to protect our water resources. Each rule area has unique needs due to geography, geology, population, and local water management. We remain committed to protecting instream resources and overcoming challenges by collaborating with the communities impacted by these rules.
We look forward to working with you through an open process with robust public input opportunities during rule-development. Keeping water in the Spokane River is a priority for all of us. A clean and flowing river is good for the environment and good for our economy.
For more information:
To continue to receive updates on the Spokane River instream flow rule, please sign up for our listserv.
January 22, 2014 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting
Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting Announcement
Date: January 22, 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#
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
– SRRTTF Meeting Summary 1-22-14
– SRRTTF Draft Agenda 1-22-14
– SRRTTF Scope of Work – ACE and Ecology Contract DRAFT 1-10-14
– SRRTTF RFPs Timeline DRAFT 1-15-14
– Spokane River Hydrograph 1-15-14
– SRRTTF 2013 Workshop Meeting Summary DRAFT
– SRRTTF 2013 Workshop Recommendations
– LimnoTech Memo 7: Modeling Tools Review DRAFT 1-6-14
– LimnoTech Memo 8: Data Collection Strategy DRAFT 1-6-14
– SRRTTF Funding Opportunities Summary as of 1-15-14
– SRRTTF Funding Concepts FINAL 6-12-13
Link to Technical Consultant Status Page with Final Products
Request for Information: Sampling Survey
Please distribute to any contractors, agencies, university researchers, or other contacts (and complete the form if applicable to your organization) the Request for Information below to identify entities with capabilities to provide sampling and other services for the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force. Background information is provided.
Completed forms are due by Friday, January 24th to Arianne Fernandez (contact information on form). Thank you!
– SRRTTF Request for Information: Sampling Survey
– LimnoTech DRAFT Data Collection Strategy for PCBs
– SRRTTF Fact Sheet
January 8, 2014 Technical Track Work Group Meeting
Spokane River Regional Task Force
Please note: The Tech Track Work Group meeting has been moved up to January 8 and the Funding Work Group will be meeting on February 5.
Technical Track Work Group Meeting
Date: January 8, 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 Jan 8 TTWG Mtg Summary
– SRRTTF Tech Track WG DRAFT Agenda 1-8-14
– Spokane River Basin Toxics Sampling and Research Interest Inquiry Form
– DRAFT Scope of Work 11202013a
– SRRTTF Model Review Memo 2014 Jan 6
– SRRTTF Monitoring Strategy 2014 Jan 6
Per Task Force Request: EPA Comments from December 2011
On December 14, 2011, EPA submitted comments to the Memorandum of Agreement.
These were received after the MOA was finalized and not incorporated into the document.
EPA will be reviewing these comments for relevancy and sending an updated version for discussion at the January 22, 2014 Task Force meeting.
Many of the comments will be revised because they are no longer relevant.
Conditions 10 and 11 on page 2 of 20 of the MOA will be relevant:
SRRTTF MOA DRAFT dated 11-09-2011 Annotated
December 18, 2013 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting
Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting Announcement
Date: December 18, 2013
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
– SRRTTF Meeting Summary 12-18-13 DRAFT
– SRRTTF Meeting Agenda DRAFT 12-18-13
– Water Quality Improvement Project Proposals FY2015 (2)
Announcement: Letters of Support for $500K Funding Request
As requested at the November SRRTTF meeting, a copy of the Inland Empire Paper Company letter supporting the $500K funding request to the legislature for the SRRTTF can be found here.
Please send your letters of support for the $500K funding request to the Governor and copy your Representative and Senator. A phone call is also encouraged. If possible, please send letters before Thanksgiving, and at the latest, early December.
Sampling Survey: RESPONSE NEEDED by December 2, 2013 to Inform Workshop
The SRRTTF is holding a workshop Dec. 4-5, 2013 to help determine the best path forward for the Comprehensive Plan. In particular, the Task Force would benefit from information on current and future PCB and dioxin monitoring along with any other data collection activities within the Spokane watershed.
To help in this effort, we would like to request your participation in filling out the sampling survey and return it to the Arianne Fernandez at Afer461@ecy.wa.gov no later than December 2, 2013 (call Arianne at 509-329-3498 if you have questions).
The information will be included in a map for the workshop attendees to help keep us oriented as we work through each topic. In addition, the information gathered here will help us determine your interest in participating in future Task Force sampling efforts along with your level of experience to include you in activities that would be most beneficial.
– SRRTTF Sampling Survey (PDF) Due back by Dec. 2!
– SRRTTF LT Task 8 Initial Monitoring Strategy 10-15-13