Tag Archives: Fish

May 16, 2018 Fish Work Group Conference Call

Posted on by

The next Fish Work Group meeting will be a conference call:

Wednesday,  May 16th, 2018
10 am – 12 pm

Spokane Biofilm Locations
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
10:00 am  |  Pacific Daylight Time (San Francisco, GMT-07:00)  |  2 hrs

Join the meeting

Join by phone
+1-240-454-0887 US Toll

Toll Free
+1-855-929-3239

Meeting number (access code): 802 818 274

Meeting password: Spokane2018

Agenda: Objective 1. Design a study (data/models) that will further our understanding of what is causing the PCB concentrations in fish that we are observing in the river.  Determine the source(s) and avenues of exposure so that we can focus future efforts on controls that will likely lead to a reduction in concentrations of PCBs in fish tissue.

Meeting Documents:

Meeting Notes 3-9-2018

 

Ecology NEWS: DRAFT report on Evaluation of Fish Hatcheries as Sources of PCBs to the Spokane River” available for review and comment

Posted on by

Task Force

The DRAFT report on the “Evaluation of Fish Hatcheries as Sources of PCBs to the Spokane River”, is now available for your review. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send by them to Siana Wong at swon461@ECY.WA.GOV by no later than c.o.b. on Wed, Feb 28 to. Siana would be happy to answer any questions by email or phone. Below is a background summary of the study.

Background of study:

In 2016, Washington State Department of Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program undertook a study to assess the PCB load contributions of hatcheries to the Spokane River. We collected water samples from the Spokane Hatchery and fish tissue samples from hatchery rainbow trout raised at the Spokane and Troutlodge Hatcheries, and analyzed them for PCB congeners. This project followed guidelines and procedures described in the Quality Assurance Project Plan by Michael Friese: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1603104.html

Comments on Draft from Task Force members:

NPDES general permit for federal aquaculture facilities and aquaculture facilities in Indian Country within the boundaries of the state of Washington

Posted on by
 EPA has reissued the NPDES general permit for federal aquaculture facilities and aquaculture facilities in Indian Country within the boundaries of the state of Washington.  The final permit, response to comments, and other supporting materials are available on EPA’s website at: https://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/npdes+permits/general+npdes+permits#fedaqua

Ecology News: Little Spokane River PCBs Final Report available and Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Spokane and Troutlodge Fish Hatchery PCB Evaluation Finalized

Posted on by

Little Spokane River PCBs: Screening Survey of Water, Sediment, and Fish Tissue

“The lower section of the Little Spokane River is in Category 5 of the 303(d) list for PCBs in fish tissue. This study evaluated current PCB levels in fish to validate the 303(d) listing. Sediment and water were also analyzed”.

Final Report can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1603001.html

 Quality Assurance Project Plan:  Spokane and Troutlodge Fish Hatchery PCB Evaluation is now at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1603104.html

The Spokane River Toxics Task Force has been identifying sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the Spokane River with the goal of reducing PCB inputs to the Spokane River.  Previous studies have identified PCB contamination in fish raised in hatcheries.  Several studies have correlated PCB concentrations in fish tissue to concentrations in hatchery feed.

This proposed study will investigate PCB concentrations in hatchery fish from Troutlodge, a facility in Soap Lake, WA, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Spokane Fish Hatchery, located on the Little Spokane River.  In addition, effluent from the Spokane Fish Hatchery will be evaluated for PCBs.  PCB concentrations will also be measured in settleable solids and fish food from the Spokane Fish Hatchery.  A PCB annual load contribution estimate from hatchery fish from both hatcheries and effluent from the Spokane hatchery to the Spokane River will be calculated.

In order to determine concentrations of PCBs in hatchery fish being removed from the river, two composites of fish collected from the Spokane River will be analyzed for PCBs.  An attempt will be made to collect fish during the fall from the same age class as those collected in the spring from the hatcheries.

If you have questions, please contact Siana Wong at swon461@ecy.wa.govor at 360-407-6432.  Or you may contact Brandee Era-Miller atbera461@ecy.wa.gov or at 360-407-6771.

 

 

Draft Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Spokane and Troutlodge Fish Hatchery PCB Evaluation available for Review and Comment

Posted on by

Task Force members are asked to review and comment on the  draft Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Spokane and Troutlodge Fish Hatchery PCB Evaluation put together by Michael Friese of Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program.

–  Spokane and Troutlodge Hatchery PCB Evaluation 2.10.2016QAPP 

Please send comments and suggestions to Michael Friese (MIFR461@ecy.wa.gov) using track changes no later than C.O.B on Monday, February 22.
Abstract:
The Spokane River Toxics Task force has been identifying sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the Spokane River with the goal of reducing PCB inputs to the Spokane River. Previous studies have identified PCB contamination in fish raised in hatcheries. Several studies have correlated PCB concentrations in fish tissue to concentrations in hatchery feed. This proposed study will investigate PCB concentrations in hatchery fish from Troutlodge, a facility in Soap Lake, WA, and the Spokane fish hatchery, located on the Little Spokane River. Both of these facilities raise fish to be planted into the Spokane River. In addition, effluent from the Spokane fish hatchery will be evaluated for PCBs. PCB concentrations will also be measured in settleable solids and fish food from the Spokane fish hatchery. A PCB annual load contribution estimate from hatchery fish and effluent to the Spokane River will be calculated.
In order to determine concentrations of PCBs in hatchery fish being removed from the river, 2 composites of fish collected from the Spokane River will be analyzed for PCBs. An attempt will be made to collect fish from the same age class as those collected from the hatcheries.

 

January 27, 2016 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Meeting

Posted on by

The next meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force is:

Date: January 27, 2016
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 1.27.16 Meeting Summary Final
–  SRRTTF Jan 27 2016 Agenda_draft_revised 2
–  SRRTTF summary notes 12-16-15_draft
–  TTWG 12-02-15 summary_draft
–  SRRTTF_Sources Pathways_2016_0122_draft_a (1)
–  SRRTTF_SourcePathways_Dilks_01_27_2016 (Presentation)
– SRRTTF Interpretation of Low Level PCB Data  (Blank Correction Discussion)
– Little Spokane River Update
– Spokane and Troutlodge PCB Evaluation
–  Monthly_sampling_SOW_Draft_011316 (Decision Item) -This is the same document sent out for Task Force Review on 1/13/16, please send comments to ddilks@limno.com no later than c.o.b on Monday January 25th. prior to the TF meeting) (see announcement here)

Events, Outreach, and Funding Information
EPA Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement (scroll down page to view): http://srrttf.org/?page_id=1251
Ecology Draft Funding Offer List
Updates and Announcements
– Upriver and Donkey Island report

Other Information: (not a meeting topic)
–  2016 01-14 Joint Notice of Appeal (Ecology: Upland Fin-Fish Hatching and Rearing Permit)

October 7, 2015 Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force and Technical Track Work Group Meeting

Posted on by

The next meeting of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force and Technical Track Work group is:

Date: Wednesday October 7, 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#

This meeting will be an official Task Force meeting in order to make a decision on the letter to Ecology commenting on the Draft General Hatchery Permit.  In order to make this decision there will need to be a quorum of voting members present either in person or on the phone for this meeting.  (7 out of 12 voting members).

The small work group tasked with pulling the General Hatchery Permit response letter together has been working very hard and have pulled together a letter that addresses very specific issues in the fact sheet and the permit as they pertain to the key points that the Task Force identified. Task Force members are asked to review the letter as soon as possible and provide comments/major edits to Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) no later than 12 pm on Monday October 5.  Task Force members should provide only substantive comments about major points that have been missed and/or major points that they cannot agree with. If a comment is regarding a point or points that they do not agree with, Task Force members should provide alternative language. All comments/edits will be compiled and posted prior to the Task Force meeting for review.

Meeting Documents
–  10.7.15 TTWG Meeting Summary DRAFT
–  Tech Track WG agn 10-07-15 revised

–  Hatchery Permit Comment letter 9-30
— Spokane County comments_Hatchery Permit Letter

–  EAP project summaries
–  Urban Waters 2011 Source Investigation
–  SRRTTF_2014_Data Usability Assessment_2015_09_08
–  SRRTTF_2014_Field Audit_2015_09_02 (1)
–  hydroseed PCB load estimate
–  Spokane Fish Hatchery PCB Case Study Plan Proposal

–  SRRTTF_ComprehensivePlan_WorkPlan_2015_0923_draft
—-  Compiled Comments on LimnoTech Comp Plan Scope

 

 

Task Force Response Letter to the WA Department of Ecology Draft General Hatchery Permit: Revised Timeline

Posted on by

The Washington Department of Ecology has given an extension on the the comment period for the General Hatchery Permit Draft. Therefore the timeline for revising, commenting and making a decision on the final comment letter has been revised from what was discussed at the September 23 Task Force Meeting.

Key Points: New Hatchery Permit Comment letter key points 9-24

The revised timeline and process is as follows:

  • Draft letter from Lisa Dally-Wilson to small work group (BiJay Adams, Galen Buterbaugh, John Beacham) Monday September 28th
  • Small work group comments to Lisa Dally-Wilson by C.O.B on Tuesday, September 29th
  • Final letter out for posting by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 30 with request for approval in one week at the Technical Track Work Group Meeting.
  • Ruckelshaus to incorporate any substantive comments from Task Force members to the letter between September 30 and October 6. 
  • Final Decision on the letter will be made at the Technical Track Work Group Meeting scheduled for Wednesday October 7, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Department of Ecology in Spokane. This will be an official Task Force meeting.  In order to make this decision there will need to be a quorum of voting members present either in person or on the phone for this meeting.  (a minimum of 7 out of 12 voting members). 
    • Department of Ecology: 4601 North Monroe Street, Spokane, WA
    • To Dial in: Call In Number: 800-704-9804, Participant Code: 34863442#
  • Final Comment letter to Ecology on Thursday October 8th!

Final Letter submitted to Ecology on 10/8/15 : SRRTTF comments on Ecology General Hatchery Permit_ 10-08-15