Link source: https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/april-2024/west-point-treatment-plant-water-quality-permit-now-issued
Each municipal wastewater treatment plant in Washington is regulated by their own unique water quality permits from Ecology. These permits ensure that the wastewater treated by these facilities is safe to discharge to the waters of the state, including rivers and Puget Sound.
Last year, we released a draft water quality permit for the largest wastewater facility in the state, the West Point plant in Seattle, which is operated by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division. We held two public hearings and received over 200 pages of comments on the draft permit. In preparing the final permit, we carefully considered and responded to all comments received and revised some parts of the permit.
We’ve now issued the final permit. It strengthens protective measures for Puget Sound by updating the permit to match current water quality rules. Some of the most notable changes from the previous permit are:
Monitoring and controlling sources of PFAS. PFAS is a general term for a family of chemicals that don’t break down naturally in the environment. The permit includes a new focus on identifying and reducing PFAS in industrial wastewater before it enters the sewage system. The final permit also requires King County to monitor for PFAS in the influent (the water coming into the plant), in the treated wastewater from the plant, and in biosolids that the plant produces.
Best management practices for additional pollutants. We’re requiring King County to expand its long-standing pollution prevention program to specifically address several pollutants, including copper, zinc, PCBs, and 6PPD/6PPD-Q.
Elliott West treatment facility. King County is working on upgrading the Elliott West wet weather treatment facility, which treats combined sewer overflows into Elliott Bay near Myrtle Edwards Park. This facility, which began operating in 2005, has issues with treating stormwater flows adequately; at times, its discharge has high levels of bacteria and other pollutants. The permit requires King County to redesign this facility and begin construction of the improved facility. Ecology expects construction completion in 2031, due to the complexity of the upgrade work.
Henderson/MLK treatment facility. Like Elliott West, the Henderson/MLK facility is designed to treat combined sewer overflows. In the draft permit, we based our pollutant limits on discharge into fresh water, as the facility outfall (discharge pipe) is located where the river transitions between fresh and saltwater conditions. After our review of public comments and additional available data, the final permit applies marine water quality standards to this outfall. This facility can’t currently meet the marine standard for copper, so the permit requires King County to study ways to comply with the standard and implement them by 2031.
In addition to setting limits for the pollutants allowed in treated wastewater that’s discharged into Puget Sound, the permit also describes requirements for operations and maintenance, monitoring and reporting, responding to problems with equipment, planning for the future, engineering design work to improve water quality protections, and controlling industrial wastewater before it enters the sewage system.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Puyallup contractor settles water quality penalty.
Puyallup-based contractor RM Homes LLC will pay a reduced $40,000 penalty for water quality violations./DOE
Public comment period open for cougar hunting season rule making.
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed changes to cougar hunting seasons. The public may submit comments electronically, by phone, or by mail through June 21, or in person during a public hearing at the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission’s June meeting in Vancouver, Wash./WDFW
Chinook fry lost after mechanical failure at Samish Hatchery.
MILL CREEK – Approximately 1 million young Chinook salmon have died at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)’s Samish Hatchery near Burlington after a mechanical failure at 1 a.m. on Monday morning, April 29./WDFW
Organic walnuts linked to E. coli infections in Washington, California.
People should stop eating and throw away recalled walnuts
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise people to stop eating organic walnut halves and pieces sold in bulk at several stores in Washington because of possible contamination with E. coli bacteria./DOH
On the road: Ferries and solar panels in the San Juans
On Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee traveled to San Juan County to highlight the urgent need to get more ferry boats on the water for Washington’s island communities. He met with Steve Nevey, the new assistant secretary for Washington’s ferry system, as well as several members of the ferry advisory committee to discuss the status of state investments. In recent months, interisland service has seen increased reliability thanks to a partnership with private companies to get relief crewmembers out to the San Juan islands faster./Gov. Office
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.
Cantwell Statement on Landmark New Hanford Tank Waste Cleanup Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, issued a statement following the announcement of a new holistic agreement to manage the chemical and radioactive tank waste at the Hanford site in Washington state/ from press release issued 4/30/24
At Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing, Murray Presses Secretary McDonough on EHR Oversight, Expansion of VA Child Care Pilot She Established
ICYMI: Murray Urges VA to Consider Feedback from Providers and Veterans in Spokane and Walla Walla When Evaluating Future of EHR, Get it Right in WA State First./from press release issued 5/1/24
Senators Murray, Murkowski, Baldwin, Collins, Klobuchar, Capito Other Women Senators Rally to Introduce Historic New Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Menopause Research, Expand Training and Awareness Around Menopause/from press release issued 5/2/24
3) WORLD< NATION< BUSINESS
WORLD:
General Assembly Adopts Text to Mark 25 Years of Landmark Declaration on Culture of Peace
Draft on Global Heath Passes, but Some Delegates Voice Concerns
As speakers discussed the importance of collective efforts to promote a culture of peace in a world torn by conflict and crisis, the General Assembly today adopted a draft resolution in pursuit of that goal, in addition to draft texts on a variety of other topics./UN PRESS RELEASE
Meeting Two Weeks after United States Vetoes Security Council Resolution Recommending Full UN Membership for Palestine, General Assembly Debates Ramifications
Failure to Act in Face of Escalating Crisis in Gaza Endangering Peace, Causing Unchecked Human Suffering, Devastation, Speakers Stress/UN PRESS RELEASE
Aim High to Deliver on People’s Hopes for Well-being, Ensure All Stakeholders Have Voice, Deputy Secretary-General Urges Social Development Summit Preparatory Event
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s keynote remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the High-level Seminar “Towards the Second Summit for Social Development: Enhancing Global Efforts to Achieve the 2030 Agenda” organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and International Labour Organization (ILO), in Santiago, Chile, today./UN PRESS RELEASE
ICYMI: The Wall Street Journal – Press Freedom Is Under Attack in Much of World, U.N. Ambassador Says/ USUN
Taiwan as an Observer at the 77th World Health Assembly.
New and existing threats to global health demand broad international cooperation. Beginning May 27, the World Health Organization (WHO) will hold its annual World Health Assembly (WHA) where Member State delegates and health experts from around the world will discuss priorities for advancing global health and global health security./ US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
Statement from President Joe Biden on $6.1 Billion in Student Debt Cancellation for 317,000 Borrowers who Attended the Art Institutes/WH
Department of Defense Issues Class Deviation on Cybersecurity Standards for Covered Contractor Information Systems./DOD
Opioid Manufacturer Endo Health Solutions Inc. Ordered to Pay $1.536B In Criminal Fines and Forfeiture for Distributing Misbranded Opioid Medication./DOJ
As White House Honors National Teachers of the Year at State Dinner, Biden-Harris Administration Releases New Data on Public Service Loan Forgiveness Approvals in Every Congressional District/DEPT. of EDUCATION
HUD Announces Nearly $90 Million to Make Low-income Families’ Homes Safer and Healthier
Funding supports President Biden's plan to address residential health hazards, including lead paint, carbon monoxide, mold, radon, fire safety, and asbestos./HUD
BUSINESS:
Sixth Nigerian National Pleads Guilty to International Fraud Scheme that Defrauded Elderly U.S. Victims.
A sixth Nigerian national pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded elderly and vulnerable consumers across the United States./DOJ
U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Outline Accomplishments in First Year of Implementation of Plan to Improve Taxpayer Service, Modernize Technology, Increase High-End Enforcement/ US TREASURY DEPT.
USDA Announces 28 Host Organizations to Train Future Conservation and Climate Leaders, as part of President Biden’s American Climate Corps
Prospective applicants can now apply for available positions at ClimateCorps.gov/USDA
IRS releases Strategic Operating Plan update outlining future priorities; transformation momentum accelerating following long list of successes for taxpayers/IRS
FTC to Host Compliance Webinar on Rule Banning Noncompetes.
The Federal Trade Commission will host an online compliance webinar on May 14, 2024, at 11a.m. ET to provide an overview of the FTC’s final rule banning noncompetes, which will include information on how to comply with the rule after its effective date./FTC
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: Secretary Haaland Celebrates President Biden’s Expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland applauded President Biden’s 13,696-acre expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in northern California’s Inner Coast Range today. The new designation protects a striking 11-mile-long north-south ridgeline that is sacred to the Patwin people and hosts a mosaic of rare natural features supported by the area’s unique geologic and hydrologic features. The presidential proclamation also permanently renames the ridgeline, previously known as “Walker Ridge,” to Molok Luyuk, which means Condor Ridge in the language of the Patwin people.
“Locally led conservation efforts are at the heart of what we are advancing in the Biden-Harris administration. Molok Luyuk is sacred to the Tribes who have long advocated for its protection and maintain a deep connection with this land and thanks to President Biden’s leadership, it will now be protected for future generations,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Today I am honored to stand with the Tribal leaders, local communities, and coalitions that made the expansion of this monument possible.”
The expansion of the monument advances the Biden-Harris administration’s work to support community-driven and Tribally led initiatives to conserve and restore the nation’s lands and waters through the President’s America the Beautiful initiative. The Biden-Harris administration has already conserved more than 41 million acres of lands and waters, putting President Biden on track to conserve more lands and waters than any President in history.
Lands within the monument have sustained Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial. In recognition of the importance to the Patwin people, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, the proclamation directs the Secretary of the Interior to explore co-stewardship agreements within the expansion area, including for educational efforts regarding the history of the Tribal Nations.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, was originally established by Presidential Proclamation on July 10, 2015, to protect its rich biodiversity, including relic prairies, riparian habitats, and species endemic to California, such as tule elk. In addition to holding important significance for Tribes, the monument provides essential habitat for threatened and endangered fish and wildlife, is home to exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities, and is invaluable for scientific research.
In September, Secretary Haaland, Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning, Congressmen John Garamendi and Mike Thompson, and leaders from the State of California, BLM and Forest Service visited Molok Luyuk to hear directly from the community on proposals to expand the existing national monument to include existing BLM-managed public land. A public meeting was held in December 2023, and demonstrated strong local support for the expansion.
“With today’s action, President Biden has lifted up the voices of Tribes and the local community, honoring collaborative conservation for a place that deserves protection,” said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning, “Molok Luyuk will undoubtedly become one of the treasures of the monument, and we look forward to working with the Tribes to manage it.”
Now encompassing more than 340,000 acres of public land, the national monument is subject to valid existing rights. The monument designation applies to existing federal land managed by the BLM; it does not apply to or affect Tribal land, private, state or local government property.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Callam County Work session for 5/6/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05062024-1177
Clallam County Commission meeting for 5/7/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072024-1178
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 5/7/24
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/14793/05072024-CC-Agenda-Packet
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 5/6/24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/fe8b6a5f-a1ef-4ee2-bfa8-6e90c643a245
City of Port Townsend for 5/6/24
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3557
Port of Port Townsend meeting for 5/8/24
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-05-08-CommMtg-Agenda-1.pdf
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: 2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Is It Possible for a Child of God to Fall From Grace?
Fifteen hundred years ago, a famous writer named Augustine taught that it is impossible for a Christian to fall from God’s grace. Four hundred years ago, John Calvin, a Protestant leader, taught the same doctrine. Calvin called his doctrine “the perseverance of the saints.” This means that if one is saved from his past sins, he can never commit a sin in the future which will cause him to be lost in Hell./TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/is-it-possible-for-a-child-of-god-to-fall-from-gra
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
THIS WEEK'S VIDEOS:
The People vs. the Swamp: LIVE Election 2024 Focus Group with Glenn Beck.
Our college campuses are on fire, turning into anti-Semitic, radical Islamist breeding grounds. Our economy is in shambles, with Americans suffering more and more each day. We’re facing a potential World War III, and our borders are WIDE OPEN, driving national security concerns with illegal immigration. And yet, the leaders in Washington, D.C. — Democrats AND Republicans — keep spending and edging us closer to war with Russia and Iran, all while sticking their fingers in their ears. With the 2024 presidential election just six months away, it’s way past time for elected representatives to LISTEN to the people.
Glenn is joined by a live studio audience ready to speak out about the issues that matter most to them going into November. For some, the financial pressures from inflation are driving them to make business and family decisions they never saw coming. For others, they live in fear that their constitutional rights (freedom of religion, right to own guns, free speech) will be ripped away. But Glenn encourages the audience to not give up. “We are at a tipping point and really close to winning.” This is the conversation Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and every member of Congress NEED to hear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-KBVA5X4ZQ
Sunday Worship Service 4/28/2024 --FOUR LAKES C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9nwmLENRPg
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
