EPA releases final Columbia Basin Toxics Reduction Action Plan
Yesterday, EPA released the final Columbia River Basin Toxics Reduction Action Plan. The Action Plan sets forth the following five initiatives to be implemented over the next five years. The goal is to "better understand and reduce toxic contamination in the Columbia River Basin".
1. Increase understanding and political commitment to toxics reduction.
2. Increase toxic reduction actions.
3. Conduct monitoring to indentify sources and then reduce toxics.
4. Develop a regional, multi-agency research and monitoring program.
5. Develop a data management system.
Two of the plan's five Initiatives are of particular interest to PNWA members:
Initiative 2: Increase toxic reduction actions. Actions include: reduce discharge of toxics through more protective water quality standards; implement integrated pest management on private and public lands; expand pesticide return programs; expand erosion prevention and sediment, stormwater and runoff controls; integrate toxics reduction with salmon and lamprey recovery efforts; develop and implement TMDLs to reduce discharges; increase technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to increase best management practices; and increase enforcement.
Initiative 3: Conduct monitoring to identify sources and then reduce toxics. Actions include: expand monitoring; target monitoring to reduction efforts such as TMDLs and pesticide stewardship partnerships; assess sources of contamination and loadings for priority tracking and control; and integrate water, land, air, sediment and biota monitoring.
PNWA will work with EPA to determine the extent to which the Action Plan addresses actual cleanup of known, existing contaminants as compared to reducing new inputs. We support both approaches to address toxics in the River.
PNWA will also work with EPA to identify opportunities for our members to prioritize actions and participate in implementing the Action Plan. The Plan is available at http://www.epa.gov/region10/pdf/columbia/toxics-action-plan_sept2010.pdf.
The Action Plan notes that current Columbia Basin toxics reduction work takes place without any designated funding sources outside of EPA funds directed to the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership (Estuary Partnership). An effort is underway in Congress to address this issue. Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Columbia River Restoration Act (CRRA) with four cosponsors, Senators Crapo, Baucus, Tester and Wyden. Rep. Earl Blumenauer introduced a similar bill in the House, with cosponsors Reps. Baird, Inslee, McDermott and Wu.
CRRA would authorize funding to implement the Action Plan over the next five years. It would also direct a portion of any funds appropriated to the Estuary Partnership. PNWA is supporting a Senate version of the bill that, in addition to authorizing funds, establishes a stakeholder-driven process to prioritize actions undertaken under the plan.
PNWA staff contact: Glenn Vanselow |
