TagEcology(797)

In April 1999, the Washington State Department of Ecology requested contract services to independently review a groundwater study being conducted by the Port of Seattle at Sea-Tac Airport. The study aimed to determine whether groundwater contamination at the airport posed a risk to nearby surface waters and public water wells. Contract experts were needed to evaluate the Port's conceptual groundwater models, three-dimensional MODFLOW computer simulations, and proposed field monitoring work.

A April 17, 1999 outgoing telephone call was made to Kevin Fitzpatrick at the DOE regarding Project No. 55-2912-01(6), the POS Third Runway. The caller asked whether Ecology could proceed with reviewing the outline for the WER workplan and their approach to the mixing zones at the same time as evaluating BMPs at existing outfalls. Fitzpatrick responded that this was not acceptable to Ecology, stating that BMPs for existing outfalls must be addressed or confirmed as met before other project activities could proceed.

A March 30, 1999 follow-up phone call was made to Kevin Fitzpatrick of Ecology regarding a WER (Waste Equivalency Ratio) work plan renewal and a mixing zone study approach for a project near Sea-Tac Airport. Fitzpatrick indicated that Gary Bailey would assist with the WER work plan alongside Randy Marshall, and Norm Glen would review the mixing zone approach, but Kevin wanted to wait until after an April 1, 1999 meeting before proceeding. Key outstanding questions included whether existing outfalls already meet treatment standards and whether the Puget Sound Stormwater Manual technology standards would apply to existing outfalls at the site.

A March 1999 internal email from Patrick Cagney of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discusses potential disposal sites for excavated soil material related to a construction project near Seattle. Three options were identified: the Port of Seattle's third runway project (no tipping fee, hauling costs only), ProCon at 16 miles away (costs ranging from $32–$124 depending on truck size and material wetness), and Sunset at 13 miles away ($1.75 per yard). The email notes that hauling distances would be the primary cost driver across all options.

A 1999 memo from Washington State Department of Ecology staff member Roger Nye to Assistant Attorney General Kathy Gerla raises legal questions about reinstating a full-time 'prepaid' regulatory position at Sea-Tac Airport, funded by the Port of Seattle. The memo outlines the history of the position from 1992–1996, noting it was cancelled due to the lack of a signed Agreed Order, and describes public concerns that the arrangement gave the Port undue influence over Ecology. Key issues flagged include whether the prepaid role can legally extend beyond the scope of an Agreed Order, whether a new Interagency Agreement is needed, and whether reinstatement would require a public comment period likely to draw strong opposition.

This 1999 email chain between Washington State Department of Ecology staff discusses the challenges of applying water quality standards to stormwater discharges related to the proposed Sea-Tac Airport third runway project. Officials from the Water Quality and Shorelines/Environmental Assistance programs agreed that strictly enforcing numeric water quality criteria on stormwater is scientifically and legally difficult, and recommended an 'adaptive management' approach requiring monitoring and ongoing improvements rather than immediate full compliance. The correspondence also highlights resource limitations, the relationship between Section 401 and 402 Clean Water Act permits, and the need for a consistent statewide policy on stormwater review.

In this January 1999 email, Dave McBride of Parametrix, Inc. responds to questions from Brian Pippin about the Manke project, clarifying that the Washington State Department of Ecology had not yet reviewed the draft report and that the client was intentionally delaying the process to gain more time. He also notes that the use of a 6-month, 24-hour storm standard was a requirement of the NPDES permit.

This 1999 Port of Seattle document outlines the criteria and review process for accepting soil fill material used in Sea-Tac International Airport (STIA) airfield construction projects. Fill material must come from approved sources—such as state-certified commercial borrow pits, contractor-certified construction sites, or Port-owned property—and generally must meet Washington State MTCA Method A environmental contamination standards. Contractors and suppliers are required to certify the quality of their materials, and independent soil technicians monitor all deliveries to ensure only safe, suitable fill is placed on airport grounds.

Port Of Seattle 1999 Airfield Project Soil Fill Acceptance Criteria for STIA airfield projects, describing criteria and review process for acceptance of fill material requested by Washington Department of Ecology in conjunction with 401 Water Quality certification. Covers geotechnical and environmental suitability standards including MTCA Method A contaminant levels, arsenic, TPH and metals analyses. Details

Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program publication (WQ-R-95-80, revised December 1998) providing laboratory guidance and Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) test review criteria. Covers WET testing requirements in NPDES permits, options for permittees, invalid test criteria including EPA statistical flowcharts, negative controls, test termination, acceptable start counts, pH adjustment, randomization, and power standards. Also