11/22/2005: "DOE: Know Of Any Polluted Water Bodies?"

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking suggestions from community groups, local officials and interested citizens regarding which polluted water bodies in San Juan (and also in Clallam, Jefferson, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pacific, and Whatcom counties) should be targeted for cleanup planning next summer. State seeks comment on which waters to clean first: "We have made great progress in improving water quality throughout our state," said Dave Peeler, who manages Ecology's water quality program. "We value the input of the public in deciding which water bodies should get our attention next."

Ecology has developed water quality improvement plans for 450 of nearly 700 polluted lakes, rivers and streams in Washington. A legal agreement signed in 1998 commits Ecology to complete improvement plans for these polluted streams by 2013.

The plans (also referred to as total maximum daily loads, or TMDLs) determine the amount of pollution a water body can receive and remain healthy. Ecology works in affected communities to identify pollution sources and develop strategies to improve water quality. Local governments are a crucial part of the process, as they control how and where development and the pollution that goes along with it can occur.

Most water pollution comes from common sources such as household and garden chemicals, runoff from urban streets and failing septic systems. Restoring water quality can mean greater access to swimming, fishing and boating.

Ecology is proposing to begin improvement plans or further studies for some water bodies beginning in the summer of 2006. The list of polluted water bodies under consideration is available online at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/303d. More information about Ecology's water quality improvement plans can be found at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/index.html.

People are invited to ask questions and/or send comments and recommendations to Ecology by Jan. 8, 2006. They also may ask to meet with Ecology staff to discuss potential cleanup plans. Contacts for each of the counties are provided below: