Stormwater Toxics Research Grants Announced

The Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead is excited to announce the initial funding list for Toxics In Fish projects on Research into Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) and Implementing Chemical Action Plans (CAP).

$3.5 million has been awarded to projects to research and reduce the impact of toxic chemicals in waters around Puget Sound. These projects will support important research on pollutants and their effect on salmon and other fish, as well as efforts to reduce toxic products and test new treatment methods to prevent harmful chemicals from reaching our waters. Read the funding list here.

Chemical Action Plan Implementation Funding Opportunity – Reopened through August 15

In addition, $2 million remains available for projects under the CAP Implementation funding opportunity, which is accepting a second round of applications through August 15, 2023. The CAP Request for Proposals targets projects to reduce PFAS, PCBs, and PBDEs in Puget Sound waterways. Projects may involve environmental monitoring, replacing products with safer alternatives, treating contaminated stormwater, or other actions recommended in Chemical Action Plans. Projects that address tribal treaty rights or include an environmental justice component to support historically underserved communities or vulnerable populations are especially encouraged to apply. More information on this RFP is available on our blog.

Access the CAP Request for Proposals (RFP) and apply via the Stormwater SIL RFP webpage.

  • Applications will be accepted between June 1 and August 15, 2023 (closing at 4:00pm).
  • $2 million of FFY2022 and 2023 EPA Puget Sound Geographic funds to award.
  • Proposals up to $1 million will be reviewed.
  • Investment Priority is Toxics in Fish (priority C: Chemical Action Plan Implementation).

Eligible applicants include tribes, local governments, school districts, fire departments, Local Integrating Organizations, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and others.

Resources for applicants

If you have questions about project eligibility or the RFP application, please contact the RFP Coordinator Libby Gier. For technical questions (for example, whether a proposed project is within scope for this RFP), please contact Dustin Bilhimer. A recording of an informational pre-application webinar is available, along with the presentation slides. In addition, the Stormwater SIL team will hold two online office hours to answer applicant questions in July:

Please visit our Stormwater SIL RFP page and blog post for more details on this solicitation, and share widely with your networks.

Sincerely,

Stormwater Strategic Initiative

Environment Washington Pushing To Close Loopholes In Clean Water Act – KPLU

As it relates to the fact that we have pulp mills here.

Industrial polluters dumped more than two million pounds of toxic chemicals into Washington’s waterways in 2012, according to a new report from Environment Washington. The group says tightening federal law could help curb the problem.  The group used data reported to the Environmental Protection Agency by the polluters themselves. Among the findings: the Lower Chehalis River watershed southwest of Olympia received the second highest volume in the nation of toxins that affect reproductive health. That’s due primarily to chemicals dumped by paper mills, says Anusha Narayanan, a field associate with Environment Washington. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KPLU)

http://kplu.org/post/environment-washington-pushing-close-loopholes-clean-water-act

Peninsula lawmakers back new legislation banning toxic chemicals

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Representative Kevin Van de Wege (along with Rep. Steve Tharinger  and Senator James Hargrove who was not in the photo) talks to PT folks, helping roll out the latest “Toxic Free Kids and Families Act”. The latest version of the bill (ESHB 1294) will help stop the ‘toxic treadmill’ of chemicals, banning toxic flame-retardants like Tris in children’s products and furniture. Rep Van de Wege was a skeptical when this was first introduced in 2007, but as a firefighter asked to be convinced, and came around to support this whole heartedly. Thanks to Rep. Van de Wege an earlier version passed, but now needs to be strengthened. This bill was sponsored by Washington Toxics Coalition, over 20 NGO’s who are working to rid the Sound and our bodies of these toxins. 

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