Tag Archives: Water Quality Standards

May 10, 2017 Task Force Meeting Conference Call – special meeting

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The Task Force will hold a special meeting by conference call in order to review and approve a letter to EPA drafted by Doug Krapas and reviewed by the Technical Track Work group at the May 3rd Tech Track Work Group meeting. The letter was drafted to address President Trump’s signed Executive Order 13777 and EPA’s Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OA-2017-0190. The letter specifies the Task Force request for the evaluation and correction of discrepancies that exist between the Toxics Substance Control Act (TSCA) and Water Quality Standard regulations for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).

Voting members are highly encouraged to call in in order to achieve a quorum for the decision.

Time:Wednesday May 10th, 2017 from 10:00 am to 10:30 am
Where: Conference  Call
Call in information: 509-335-2277
Conference ID: 849827

Please review the letter prior to the call. The letter needs to be submitted before May 15th, so there is not a lot time for redrafting and incorporating many edits/changes; therefore Task Force members are asked to determine if they can live with the letter as is, and only provide edits if absolutely necessary in order to be able to approve the letter.

Agenda:SRRTTF May 10 2017 Agenda_draft

FINAL VERSION: Approved by Task Force on the Conference Call (Quorum reached)
– SRRTTF-Comments-to-Docket-EPA-HQ-OA-2017-0190-_Final Draft

– 5.10.17 SRRTTF conference call Final notes

Previous Draft Letter: REVISED DRAFT 5-9-2017
– SRRTTF-Comments-to-Docket-EPA-HQ-OA-2017-0190-revised-at-TTWG-meeting -SpoCounty and Riverkeeper edits _ REVISED DRAFT

SRRTTF-Comments-to-Docket-EPA-HQ-OA-2017-0190-revised-at-TTWG-meeting-SpoCounty-and-Riverkeeper-edits-Ecology comments_-REVISED-DRAFT

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IDAHO News: Final Rule Package Submittal to EPA – WQS/Fish Consumption Rates in Human Health Criteria, Docket No. 58-0102-1201

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Idaho has submitted their State adopted Human Health Water Quality Criteria (HHWQC) to EPA for approval.

Final Rule Package Submitted to EPA

This submittal also includes documents that exist as part of the rulemaking record and posted at www.deq.idaho.gov/58-0102-1201.

SRRTTF Sends Letter to Staff and Directors of the U.S. EPA and Other Parties Regarding TSCA

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The Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force (SRRTTF) has sent a letter (via Ruckelshaus Center on December 9th, 2016)  to Staff and Directors at EPA as well as State legislators concerning the regulation of PCBs under the Toxic Substances Control Act and its link to Washington Water Quality Standards for PCBs recently submitted by EPA. The SRRTTF developed the letter(s), and agreed on the contents, by consensus.

Letter:
–  srrttf-letter-concerning-wa-wqs-and-tsca_12-9-16

Previous letter sent to EPA and their response:
–  SRRTTF Letter to EPA-Final-approved-10.23.13
–  EPA Response to SRRTTF Letter_pcbs_2.24.15

 

Federal Register publication of the Washington Water Quality Standards MORE INFORMATION

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The final rule was published in the Federal Register today, which means it will take effect on 12/28/16. All the information has been posted on EPA’s website here: https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/water-quality-standards-regulations-washington#fed

The docket is also now available (which is also available on the main link above) here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0174. The docket includes the response to comments and economic analysis – direct links to these documents below.

Response to comments: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0174-0427

Econ analysis: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0174-0300

New draft Water Quality Standards rule available for public review: Human Health Criteria & Implementation Tools

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The Washington State Department of Ecology proposes to adopt amendments to Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Washington – Chapter 173-201A WAC. This rulemaking addresses two specific areas of the water quality standards: (1) adoption of new human health criteria, and (2) revision and expansion of some of the tools in the standards that help in implementation. Ecology published the rule proposal on its website on February 3, 2016. The public comment period for the draft rule and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the rule is open through 5 p.m. April 22, 2016. 
 
Information about the rule making, including documents, details about public hearings and webinar opportunities, can be found on Ecology’s website at:
 
We invite you to learn more about the proposed rule and provide comments at the following public workshop/hearings.
 
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
In-person public workshop/hearing
6:30 p.m. workshop, immediately followed by a public hearing.
Georgetown Campus
South Seattle Community College
6737 Corson Ave S – Building C, room C122
Seattle, WA 98108
 
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
In person public workshop/hearing
6:30 p.m. workshop, immediately followed by a public hearing.
Spokane Centerplace Regional Events Center
2426 N. Discovery Place
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
 
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Online-only public workshop/hearing using webinar
1:30 p.m. workshop, immediately followed by a public hearing ending at 4:30 p.m.
and
6:30 p.m. workshop, immediately followed by a public hearing.
 
You may provide comments at a public hearing or you may submit them through one of the following methods:
 
·        Submit comments directly to our website at  http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/ruledev/wac173201A/1203inv.html
 
·        Email them to swqs@ecy.wa.gov
 
·        Fax to 360-407-6426
 
·        Mail to Becca Conklin, Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA  98504-7600.
 
For more information visit our website or contact Becca Conklin at 360-407-6413 or email at swqs@ecy.wa.gov.
 

Announcement: Information Sesssion about the Governor’s Toxics Bill and Proposal

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Darin Rice from Ecology’s Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program will be visiting Spokane on January 26, 2015 to talk about the Governor’s Toxics Bill and proposal

” We have two different sets of rules for toxic chemicals. We regulate the disposal of spent toxic chemicals after their use in industrial processes, but not their use in products we use every day. The Governor is proposing both new legislation and additional funding for efforts to help the state tackle the concern of toxics in products. Ecology will outline the major components of the Governor’s toxics reduction bill and budget package.”

Date: January 26, 2015
CORRECTED Time: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Location:
Department of Ecology
Eastern Region Office
4601 N. Monroe Street
Spokane, WA 99205

Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Click Here for the Governor’s brief, “Reducing Toxic Pollution”
Click Here for the Ecology focus sheet, “Reducing Toxics Threats”

Formal WA State Draft Water Quality Standards Rule available for public review: Human Health Criteria & Implementation Tools

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The Washington State Department of Ecology proposes to adopt amendments to Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Washington – Chapter 173-201A WAC.  This rule making addresses two specific areas of the water quality standards:  (1) Development and adoption of new human health criteria, and (2) Revision and expansion of some of the tools in the standards that help in implementation.  Ecology has published the rule proposal on its website on January 12, 2015.  The public comment period on the draft rule and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the rule is open through midnight March 23, 2015. 
 
Information on the rule making, including documents, details about public hearings and webinar opportunities, and other related information, can be found on Ecology’s website at:
 
You can learn more about the proposed standards and provide comments at the following public hearings.
 
                        2426 N. Discovery Pl., Spokane Valley 99216
                        6 p.m. open house; 6:30 p.m. presentation with Q&A session, followed by public hearing. This is an in-person-only public event.
March 4          Yakima Convention Center
                        10 N. 8th St., Yakima 98901
                        6 p.m. open house; 6:30 p.m. presentation with Q&A session, followed by public hearing.  This is an in-person-only public event.
 
March 12        Ecology Headquarters Building
                        300 Desmond Drive, Lacey 98503   
                        Two sessions – you may attend either session in person or online by webinar.
 
                        Session 1:  1:30 p.m. open house; 2 p.m. presentation (webinar begins) with Q&A session, followed by public hearing.
                       
                        Session 2:  6:30 p.m. open house; 7 p.m. presentation (webinar begins) with Q&A session, followed by public hearing.
 
You may provide comments at a public hearing or you may provide them in writing through one of the following methods:
 
·       By Email: swqs@ecy.wa.gov
·       By Fax:  360-407-6426
·       By Mail:
Cheryl Niemi
Washington State Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA  98504-7600.
 
For more information, contact Cheryl Niemi at (360) 407-6440 or by email at swqs@ecy.wa.gov.
 
The proposed changes to the water quality standards are tied to toxics-reduction legislation Gov. Inslee is proposing to address toxics that enter the environment from unregulated, everyday sources, such as consumer products. Find out more by going to this website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/water/standards/index.html

EPA Proposes Rule Updates to Federal Water Quality Standards Regulations

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To Those Interested in Water Quality Regulation:

The Department of Ecology Water Quality Program was made aware that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing rule updates to federal water quality standards regulations.  For the first time in 30 years, EPA is proposing changes to the core requirements of the federal water quality standards (WQS) regulation that interprets part of the Clean Water Act.

The proposed rule addresses the following key areas: Administrator’s determinations that new or revised WQS are necessary, designated uses, triennial reviews, antidegradation, variances to WQS, and compliance schedule authorizing provisions.

Proposed changes are available online at https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-21140.

EPA will accept public comments for 90 days beginning on September 4, 2013.  Comments must be received on or before December 3, 2013.  Details on how to submit formal comments are available here.

EPA is hosting two public webinars and one public meeting during the public comment period.  To register for the public webinars and/or public meeting, please visit: http://www.tetratech-ffx.com/wqsregs/public/.   The public webinar and public meeting dates and times are as follows: • Public Webinar 1: September 24, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST) • Public Meeting: October 23, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST) at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in the Visitor Center Auditorium in Washington, DC. • Public Webinar 2: November 14, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST)

For more information about the proposed rule, see: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/wqs_index.cfm

For further information contact: Janita Aguirre Environmental Protection Agency Telephone number: 202-566-1860 Fax number: 202-566-0409 Email address: WQSRegulatoryClarifications@epa.gov.

Ecology to Host Fish Consumption Workshops August 28, 2012

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Subject: Department of Ecology hosts workshop Aug. 28 on revised approach for Reducing Toxics In Fish, Shellfish, Sediment, and Water

On July 16, 2012, Department of Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant announced a revised approach for updating the state’s fish consumption rates for water quality and cleaning up contaminated sediments.  View Director Sturdevant’s letter and a timeline for Ecology’s work here: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/toxics/docs/20120716_FCR_SturdevantLetter.pdf.

Ecology invites interested parties to attend a video conference workshop from 1 – 5 p.m., on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at Ecology’s regional offices in Lacey,  Bellevue, Yakima and Spokane.  The workshop will provide an in-depth explanation of Ecology’s current approach.

 Workshop topics include updates on:

  • Ecology’s toxic reduction strategy.
  • Toxic Cleanup Program’s sediment management standards rule making.
  • Ecology’s fish consumption rate technical document.
  • Water Quality Program’s water quality standards rule makings.

As part of this revised approach, Ecology’s Water Quality Program intends to move forward with adopting new human health criteria for surface water quality.   An informational session on human health criteria will be included in the workshop.

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP at swqs@ecy.wa.gov. 

Learn about future public involvement opportunities and read more about the process ahead at:

Reducing Toxics in Fish, Sediments and Water: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/toxics/fish.html

Workshop Information:
Date: August 28, 2012
Time: 1 -5 p.m.

Eastern Regional Office
Room: 1-NW-18
N. 4601 Monroe
Spokane, WA 99205-1295

(Directions)

Headquarters Office
Room: R0A-32/34/36
300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA 98503

(Directions)

Central Regional Office
Room: 204 A
15 W. Yakima Ave., Ste 200
Yakima, WA  98902

(Directions)                                              
Northwest Regional Office
Room: 2A&B
3190 – 160th Ave. SE
Bellevue, WA 98008-5452

(Directions)

Sandy Howard
Communications – Washington Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program – Environmental Assessment Program
360-407-6408 (desk) ~ 360-791-3177 (cell)