Standards change for sediment cleanup

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.