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Proposed 2013 Revision to ORSANCO Pollution Control Standards for Discharges to the Ohio River

Proposed 2013 Revision to ORSANCO Pollution Control Standards for Discharges to the Ohio River. Welcome!. Jason Heath, P.E., BCEE Technical Programs Manager & Assistant Chief Engineer 513-231-7719 x112 jheath@orsanco.org. Purpose of this Webinar.

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Proposed 2013 Revision to ORSANCO Pollution Control Standards for Discharges to the Ohio River

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  1. Proposed 2013 Revision to ORSANCO Pollution Control Standards for Discharges to the Ohio River

  2. Welcome! Jason Heath, P.E., BCEE Technical Programs Manager & Assistant Chief Engineer 513-231-7719 x112 jheath@orsanco.org

  3. Purpose of this Webinar ORSANCO is considering one revision to its standards. Requires ORSANCO to hold a hearing on the issue. Webinars are to provide background info for those not able to attend the hearing. Webinars are to support public comment but not receive public comment. Public comment will be received at the hearing and in writing by mail or email.

  4. Webinar Procedures • After a brief presentation we will answer questions. • All participants are muted. • You may enter a question at any time: • Click on Q&A button at top of page. • Type your question into text box. • Click the orange “Ask a new question” to submit your question.

  5. Who is ORSANCO Formed in 1948 by signing of Compact by Governors of 8 states. IN, IL, KY, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV. 3 Commissioners from each state and 3 federal Commissioners. Funding comes from the states & USEPA. Full-time staff of 23 located in Cincinnati.

  6. Authority: Ohio River ValleyWater Sanitation Compact The Compact is incorporated in the laws of each of the member states. The Compact is also incorporated in Federal law. Article VI authorizes the Commission to adopt rules, regulations and standards.

  7. Guiding Principle: Wastes discharged in one state shall not harm the waters of another state.

  8. ORSANCO Program Areas Regulatory – establish Ohio River Pollution Control Standards Water Quality monitoring & assessment Spill Detection/Response (monitoring, communications) Clean Water Act/Safe Drinking Water Act implementation coordination (TMDLs, NPDES, etc…) Applied research (pharmaceuticals, mercury) Public Involvement programs (volunteer monitoring, River Sweep, mobile aquarium)

  9. Why Review the Standards? Update information. Incorporate new science. Address newly identified problems. Maintain consistency with States and US EPA.

  10. Issue Under Consideration Extending the date of the mixing zone prohibition for Bioaccumulative Chemicals of Concern (BCCs) from October 16, 2013 to October 16, 2015. This will allow the Commission time to determine if total mercury water quality criterion is valid and if mixing zone prohibition for BCCs is appropriate for the Ohio River. The extension would also coincide with the end date for the next regular triennial review of the standards.

  11. Why is the Time Extension Needed ? • Evaluation of the Total Mercury water quality criterion: • Is 12 ng/L total mercury the correct criterion to prevent bioaccumulation of methyl mercury in fish above 0.3 mg/Kg. • Is the exceedance rate of “never to be exceeded” appropriate to protect against long-term bioaccumulation?

  12. Why (cont.) Elimination of mixing zones for BCCs is an approach developed for the Great Lakes which have very long pollutant retention times (years). Is it appropriate for the Ohio River with much shorter retention times.

  13. Additional Issues • USEPA has eliminated its total mercury water quality criterion. • States criteria vary significantly. • IL – Tot Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L. • IN – Tot Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L. • KY – Tot Hg in water; 0.051 ug/L. Me Hg in fish; 0.3 mg/Kg. • OH –Tot Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L. • PA – Tot Hg in water; 0.05 ug/L. • WV – Me Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L. Me Hg in fish; 0.5 mg/Kg.

  14. Public Notice Placed legal notices as required. Sent several thousand emails. Sent postcards to 600 permitted discharges. Press release issued separate to the legal notice. Established dedicated webpage and email mailbox to receive comments.

  15. Schedule Informational webinars held on August 1, 1pm and August 6, 6pm. Hearing held on August 13. Comment period open through September 12. Commission consideration at October 10 meeting in Charleston, WV.

  16. How to Comment • In Writing • ORSANCO, Attn: PCS Comments, 5735 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230. Or Fax: 513/231-7761 • Deadline is September 12. • Email: pcs@orsanco.org. • Emails must originate from the sender; No third party emails accepted. • Verbal testimony accepted at hearing – Aug 13 @ 4:30pm. Cincinnati Airport Holiday Inn. • All materials can be found at Website: www.orsanco.org, click on Pollution Control Standards.

  17. Questions ? Jason Heath, P.E., BCEE 513-231-7719 jheath@orsanco.org

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