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. ORSANCO is considering one revision to its standards. Requires ORSANCO to hold a hearing on the issue. 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 provide background info for those not able to attend the hearing. Webinars are to support public comment but not receive public comment. 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. 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. After a brief presentation we will answer questions. All participants are muted. All participants are muted. You may enter a question at any time: You may enter a question at any time: Click on Q&A button at top of page.Click on Q&A button at top of page. Type your question into text box.Type your question into text box. Click the orange “Ask a new question” to submit your question.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. Formed in 1948 by signing of Compact by Governors of 8 states. IN, IL, KY, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV. IN, IL, KY, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV. 3 Commissioners from each state and 3 federal Commissioners. 3 Commissioners from each state and 3 federal Commissioners. Funding comes from the states & USEPA. Funding comes from the states & USEPA. Full-time staff of 23 located in Cincinnati. Full-time staff of 23 located in Cincinnati.

6. Authority: Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Compact The Compact is incorporated in the laws of each of the member states. The Compact is incorporated in the laws of each of the member states. The Compact is also incorporated in Federal law. The Compact is also incorporated in Federal law. Article VI authorizes the Commission to adopt rules, regulations and standards. 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 Regulatory – establish Ohio River Pollution Control Standards Water Quality monitoring & assessment Water Quality monitoring & assessment Spill Detection/Response (monitoring, communications) Spill Detection/Response (monitoring, communications) Clean Water Act/Safe Drinking Water Act implementation coordination (TMDLs, NPDES, etc…) Clean Water Act/Safe Drinking Water Act implementation coordination (TMDLs, NPDES, etc…) Applied research (pharmaceuticals, mercury) Applied research (pharmaceuticals, mercury) Public Involvement programs (volunteer monitoring, River Sweep, mobile aquarium) Public Involvement programs (volunteer monitoring, River Sweep, mobile aquarium)

9. Why Review the Standards? Update information. Update information. Incorporate new science. Incorporate new science. Address newly identified problems. Address newly identified problems. Maintain consistency with States and US EPA. 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. 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. 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. 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: 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 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?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. 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. USEPA has eliminated its total mercury water quality criterion. States criteria vary significantly. States criteria vary significantly. IL – Tot Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L.IL – Tot Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L. IN – 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.KY – Tot Hg in water; 0.051 ug/L. Me Hg in fish; 0.3 mg/Kg. Me Hg in fish; 0.3 mg/Kg. OH –Tot Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L.OH –Tot Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L. PA – Tot Hg in water; 0.05 ug/L.PA – Tot Hg in water; 0.05 ug/L. WV – Me Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L.WV – Me Hg in water; 0.012 ug/L. Me Hg in fish; 0.5 mg/Kg. Me Hg in fish; 0.5 mg/Kg.

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

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

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

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