Standards change for sediment cleanup
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March 15, 2013 6:00 AM
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has adopted changes to the state’s standards for cleaning up contaminated in-water sediments, to take effect Sept. 1.
Ecology Director Maia Bellon signed the revised rule on Feb. 22. The newly adopted changes include:
- Clarifying requirements for cleanup of bioaccumulative chemicals that pose risks to human health and the environment.
- Integrating the cleanup requirements in the SMS and Model Toxics Control Act rules.
- Adopting freshwater standards to protect aquatic life that lives in and on sediments.
- Clarifying requirements for coordinating source control and cleanup actions at cleanup sites.
The rule changes do not include a revised fish consumption rate for sediment cleanup projects.
An announcement will be published in the State Register on March 20. The rule will go into effect on Sept. 1.