columbia river toxics reduction working group 2012 regional roundtable: pacific northwest pollution...
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Columbia River Toxics Reduction Working Group
2012 Regional Roundtable: Pacific Northwest Pollution
Prevention Resource Center
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OverviewBackground on Columbia River Toxics Reduction
Workgroup
Current Activities
Challenges
October 24, 2012 Columbia River Toxics Reduction Working Group
Columbia River Basin• ~ 260,000 sq miles
• 2 countries, 7 seven states, 22 Tribes
• Largest flow to Pacific in N. & S. America
• 8 million people – 1/3 in I-5 corridor
• > 370 major dams• 13 endangered fish
species
Columbia River Salmon Runs Once the Largest in the World
Tribal Salmon fishing
Toxics Are A Contemporary Issue
Mother Goose and Grimm – Feb. 14, 2006
Pollution Prevention is the Key to Reducing Toxics
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Background1989: Lower Columbia Bi-State work.
1994: CRITFC fish consumption survey.
2002: CRITFC fish contaminant study.
2005: Formation of Columbia River Basin Toxics Reduction Workgroup.
2006: EPA designated Columbia River Large Aquatic Ecosystem (Great Lakes, Chesapeake), but no funding.
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Working GroupWorkgroup established in 2005.
Multiple partners from around Basin; meets 3-4 times per year.
Increase collaboration/coordination across Basin; share information; and leverage limited resources.
First action: State of the River Report.
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State of the River ReportWorking group identified need to “tell story” about toxics.
Purpose of ReportInform people, communities, and decision-makers about toxics
problems and solutionsServe as catalyst for stakeholder involvement and actionsGarner resources for toxics reduction and assessment efforts.
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State of the River ReportFocused on mercury, PCBs, DDTs, and PBDEs (recognize many other
contaminants).
Identified indicator species to track over timeJuvenile SalmonResident FishSturgeonPredatory birds – osprey and bald eagleAquatic mammals – mink and river otterSediment-dwelling shellfish – Asian Clam
Included several broad initiatives.October 24, 2012 Columbia River Toxics Reduction Working Group
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2010 Action PlanFollow-up from State of River Report.
Five Initiatives (61 Proposed Actions)
#1: Increase understanding and political commitment
#2: Increase toxic reduction actions
#3: Increase monitoring to identify sources
#4:Develop research program
#5: Develop data management systemOctober 24, 2012 Columbia River Toxics Reduction Working Group
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#1: Increase UnderstandingWorkshops around Basin
Agricultural – Pendleton and WenatcheePCBs – PortlandPBDEs - Portland Green Chemistry – PortlandPesticide Stewardship Program – Hood River
Continue to hold Workgroup meetings around Basin.
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#1: Political CommitmentAugust 2011: Executives from tribes, federal, state, and non-
profits.Committed to work together to reduce toxicsFormalized Columbia River Toxics Workgroup
November 2012: Second meeting of executives.Develop and expand sustainable purchasingEnhance existing programs (Pesticide Stewardship Partnership)Emphasize stormwater controlAdvocate for resources and TSCA reformAddress chemicals of emerging concern
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#1: Political Commitment2010: Columbia River Restoration Act (Blumenauer – House;
Merkley – Senate)Authorized $33 million over 6 year.Toxics reduction, habitat, and monitoring/researchUses 2012 Action Plan and LCREP plan as basisPassed out of Senate sub-committee but not full Senate
2012: Senator Merkley and Congressman Blumenauer proposed to reintroduce.
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#2: Toxics Reduction Actions
Federal and State clean-up activities (Upper Columbia, Hanford, Portland Harbor, and Bradford Island).
Oregon fish consumption rate: WA/ID evaluating.
Oregon DEQ toxics reduction strategy: WA toxics reduction road map.
Removing toxics from communities (WA/OR banned PBDEs; WA reduce use of copper in brake pads; WA/OR/ID successful pesticide take-back programs; 50 local communities for pharmaceutical take-back programs; Hg reduction strategies)
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#3: MonitoringNo coordinated monitoring program.
Monitoring related to clean-up sites.
WA Ecology conducts monitoring for toxics.
Oregon DEQ toxic reduction strategy; monitoring program.
Workgroup assisted LCREP to update toxics monitoring plan and developed monitoring prioritization tool for Basin.
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#4: Research
USGS: Initiated workgroup to develop research plan for chemicals of emerging concern.
USGS: Characterize occurrence and identify sources/pathways.
NOAA and USGS: Characterize impacts.
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Challenges
No coordinated monitoring program to assess status/trends, identify sources, and measure effectiveness of actions.
Non-point sources challenging to control.
Chemicals of emerging concern.
Lack of funding.
October 24, 2012 Columbia River Toxics Reduction Working Group