TagState of Washington(146)

A March 28, 2001 letter from the Washington State Department of Ecology clarifies that lands classified as 'prior converted croplands' by the US Army Corps of Engineers are still subject to state wetland regulations if they meet the criteria outlined in the 1996 Washington State Wetland Delineation and Identification Manual. While the federal Food Security Act may exempt such lands from Clean Water Act Section 404 requirements, this exemption does not extend to state law. As a result, some wetlands may be free from federal oversight but remain fully regulated under Washington State rules.

This Washington State Department of Ecology publication, authored by Stewart M. Lombard and Cliff J. Kirchmer and released in February 2001, provides guidelines for preparing Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) for environmental studies. It outlines standards and procedures to ensure that data collected during environmental investigations meets defined quality and reliability requirements.

Washington State Department of Ecology Water Quality Program Permit Writer’s Manual, Publication Number 92-109, revised January 2001, prepared by Gary Bailey. Covers NPDES permit writing procedures and water quality standards for Washington State. AR 032664, Exhibit-2077.

Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) Publication No. 00-06-016, authored by Patricia A. Johnson, Dana L. Mock, Emily J. Teachout, and Andy McMillan. Phase 1 compliance study of wetland mitigation in Washington State, published June 2000 by the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program, Lacey, WA. Exhibit-2027, AR 030914.

State of Washington interagency policy guidance (AR 034771, Exhibit 2193) adopted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE) for evaluating aquatic mitigation alternatives under section 401 of the Clean Water Act, the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58), and the Hydraulic Code (RCW 75.20). Covers mitigation sequencing (avoiding, minimizing,

A 1998 internal memorandum from Washington State's Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program recommends reclassifying employee Tom Luster from Environmental Specialist 4 to Environmental Specialist 5, citing his assumption of higher-level duties following a colleague's departure in 1997. Luster's qualifications, including a Master's degree in Geography and over 10 years of experience, along with the cost-neutral budget impact, are presented as justification for the upgrade.

Washington State Department of Ecology publication (No. 97-112, April 1998), authored by Andy McMillan of the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program. Introduces regulatory authority over wetlands, wetland definitions and delineation, wetland characterization and function assessment, wetland mitigation, and buffers. Covers Washington State wetland regulation under state law, published by Ecology’s Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program,

Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Program Evaluation prepared by Randall Marshall, WET Coordinator, Washington State Department of Ecology Water Quality Program, February 1998 (Publication #98-03). Evaluates implementation of Washington State’s WET regulation adopted October 1993, covering WET test review, effluent toxicity data, the state’s WET rule (WAC), EPA WET policy, SETAC Pellston Workshop (September 1995), EPA

Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program publication WQ-R-95-80 (revised March 1997) titled ‘Laboratory Guidance and Whole Effluent Toxicity Test Review Criteria.’ Provides laboratory guidance and whole effluent toxicity (WET) test review criteria. Published by Ecology, printed on recycled paper, available through the Department of Ecology Publications Distribution Center, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. Document held

Washington State Department of Ecology, Shorelands and Water Resources Program, Publication No. 96-06 (April 1996). Guidance document titled ‘Water Quality Guidelines for Wetlands: Using the Surface Water Quality Standards for Activities Involving Wetlands.’ Provides direction on applying Washington State surface water quality standards to activities involving wetlands. Administrative Record number AR030803, Exhibit-2024.