Two public involvement opportunities are coming up on June 24 and July 11 as the Department of Ecology (Ecology) works through rule-making to update the state’s surface water quality standards for toxics.

Delegates’ Table meeting June 24

Ecology is hosting a Delegates’ Table meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. (PST) on Monday, June 24, at the Lacey Community Center.

The Delegates’ Table consists of individuals representing the interests of their respective constituencies. Delegates were identified by their constituencies through a stakeholder nominating process. Members of the Delegates’ Table will provide advice and perspective to the agency as it addresses the complex science and public policy issues of the rulemaking. More information about this process is available on Ecology’s Delegates’ Table website.

The primary focus of the June 24 meeting is the Delegates’ Table discussion. Members of the public may listen to the meeting and will be given an opportunity to provide comments.

Ecology encourages the public to attend the next Policy Forum on July 11 where additional opportunities for public comment will be provided.

Members of the public may attend the Delegates’ meeting in one of two ways:

Listen by Phone: Free webinar registration is available online. Webinar participants will be able to listen to the Delegates’ Table discussion on the telephone and watch presentations from any online computer.

Watch in person: Seating is available at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey, WA, 98503 (map). To reserve a seat, please email swqs@ecy.wa.gov.

Policy Forum meeting July 11

Ecology is hosting the sixth Policy Forum meeting as an interactive webinar from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PST) on Thursday, July 11, at the Yakima Convention Center.

The Policy Forum is a process that gives the public an opportunity to learn about the new rule-making processes to adopt new human health-based water quality standards and implementation tools. All interested persons are welcome to attend the Policy Forum.

You may attend the Forum in one of two ways:

Webinar: Free webinar registration is available online. Webinar participants will be able to ask questions and participate in discussions on the telephone, and watch presentations from any online computer.

In person: Seating for interested parties is available at the Yakima Convention Center, 10 N. 8th St., Yakima, WA 98901-2515 (map). To reserve a seat, please email swqs@ecy.wa.gov.