TagDes Moines Creek(169)

Email chain dated March 28, 2000 among Kevin Fitzpatrick (Ecology NWRO Industrial Permit Unit), Tom Luster, Pat Svoboda, Erik Stockdale, and Greg Wingard regarding groundwater and surface water issues related to the proposed Sea-Tac Airport Third Runway. Fitzpatrick disputes Greg Wingard’s claim that Ecology’s NWRO admitted the third lagoon expansion of the Industrial Waste System

A February 2000 draft memo from environmental consultants Parametrix summarizes testing and monitoring data concluding that stormwater runoff from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA) does not harm aquatic life in nearby Miller and Des Moines Creeks. Three lines of evidence are presented: whole effluent toxicity tests showing most outfalls are non-toxic, water effect ratio studies demonstrating that creek water significantly reduces copper toxicity, and metals monitoring confirming that copper concentrations in the creeks fell below water quality standards. The one outfall found to be toxic (SDN1) was traced to zinc leaching from galvanized rooftops, with the Port of Seattle pursuing corrective measures.

A February 2000 draft memorandum from Parametrix, Inc. outlines a scope and budget for range-finding Water-Effect Ratio (WER) studies using receiving water from Miller and Des Moines Creeks, intended to help determine whether copper discharge standards at a Port facility could be adjusted through site-specific water quality criteria. The studies involve acute toxicity tests comparing copper-spiked site water to copper-spiked laboratory water, with estimated costs ranging from $2,110 for one site to $2,650 for two sites. Results from earlier 1999 range-finding tests suggested WERs high enough to potentially justify more definitive studies, but new tests without mixing zone assumptions were recommended to better assess achievable permit limits.

A February 2000 draft memorandum from Parametrix, Inc. outlines a scope and budget for range-finding Water-Effect Ratio (WER) studies using receiving water from Miller and Des Moines Creeks, conducted in connection with stormwater discharge permitting near the Port. The studies involve acute toxicity tests with copper-spiked water to determine whether site-specific water quality standards could be higher than generic state standards, potentially eliminating the need for a mixing zone. Estimated costs range from $2,110 for one creek site to $2,650 for two sites.

A January 2000 internal email from EPA's Raymond Hellwig to Tom Luster addresses concerns about premature deaths of Coho salmon in Des Moines Creek near Sea-Tac Airport, in the context of the proposed third runway project. The email clarifies that stormwater discharge regulation will be handled through NPDES permits rather than Section 401 Water Quality Certifications, as the NPDES permit provides the only mechanism for ongoing regulatory oversight under the Clean Water Act. Hellwig directs Luster to defer to the Water Quality Program on stormwater issues and to stop raising the 401 Certification as an alternative avenue for addressing water quality standards.

Email dated January 3, 2000 from Raymond Hellwig (WQ Program) to Tom Luster (SEA Program), cc’d to Ron Langley, Dave Garland, Erik Stockdale, Gordon White, Jeannie Summerhays, John Glynn, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Paula Ehlers, Megan White, and Dan Silver. Responds to Luster’s December 23, 1999 message regarding premature death of Coho salmon in Des Moines Creek

In November 1999, Highline Water District and the Port of Seattle reached a settlement agreement resolving competing claims over two water rights near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Under the deal, the Port retained rights to Well #1 for uses including Des Moines Creek flow augmentation tied to the proposed third runway project, while the District secured rights to a replacement for Well #2 to continue providing drinking water to its 58,000 customers. The District emphasized that the agreement was strictly about protecting its water rights and service area, and that it took no official position on the controversial third runway expansion.

Addendum to the Des Moines Creek Regional Capital Improvement Project Preliminary Design Report, prepared November 1, 1999 by King County Capital Improvement Project Design Team for the Des Moines Creek Basin Committee. Prepared for Tim Heydon (City of Des Moines), Tom Hubbard (Port Of Seattle), David Masters (King County), Don Monaghan (City of SeaTac), and