Ecology seeks feedback on preliminary rulemaking to reduce PCBs in the Spokane River

Ecology is seeking informal comments to a preliminary draft polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) variance rule for the Spokane River. The preliminary draft rule would support five individual discharger variances to meet PCB water quality standards for the Spokane River.

Currently, the draft rule is on hold pending the outcome of litigation challenging EPA’s decision in May to roll back the PCB water quality standard to be less stringent. Preliminary feedback will be used by Ecology to inform further development of the draft rule if litigation challenging EPA is successful.

Ecology describes a variance as “a tool available under the Clean Water Act that provides a pathway for dischargers to make progress toward meeting Washington State’s Surface Water Quality Standards using the most current available technologies and control measures.” For more information, see their variance rulemaking webpage.

The informal comment period on the preliminary draft rule and supporting documents is from June 10 to July 25, 2020. Ecology states that while “feedback will help us develop rule language and supporting documents, we will not formally respond to comments received.”

You can submit comments:

  • Online until 11:59 p.m. on July 25, 2020
  • By mail (must be postmarked by July 25, 2020):
    • Marla Koberstein
      WA Department of Ecology
      Preliminary Draft Variance Comments
      PO Box 47696
      Olympia, WA 98504-7696

Those making comments are encouraged to review a suite of materials that include:

You can join Ecology’s listserv to receive news and information about this rulemaking and other water quality topics.

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