March 16, 2000
Dave Palmer
Chehalis River Council
104 East Pine
P.O. Box 586
Oakville, WA 98568
Dear Mr. Palmer:
This letter and draft report are being sent to inform you about the results of a recently completed State Department of Ecology study of water quality in the Grays Harbor area. The study outlines fecal coliform bacteria pollution problems in the harbor, specifically at the mouths of tributaries, urban drains, at the mainstem of the Chehalis River, and where municipal and industrial wastewater plants drain into the harbor. (Study Conclusions)
Fecal coliform bacteria indicate biological waste is entering the harbor. It is a threat to water quality and to the health of shellfish beds. Fecal coliform bacteria enter water bodies from many sources, including failing septic tanks and agricultural run-off
We would like to learn your comments on the scientific methods, interpretation of results, conclusions, and recommendations of this report. Once we learn what you think, we will be better prepared to talk about developing mutually acceptable cleanup strategies. This comment period is intended to involve just the most highly invested parties in the study area who may be affected directly by the study and outcomes. Outreach to a broader public audience will follow.
Please attend a workshop to discuss the draft report. It will be held at 1:00 p.m. on March 3 1, at Grays Harbor Community College, in Room 220 Music Hall.
In addition, we have developed a web site that presents animations of the model results at http://www.wa.ecy.wa.gov/eils/wrias/tmdl/ghfc/results.html. The electronic files described in the draft report are currently available on request.
A final version of this report will serve as the scientific basis for future discussions with you about water cleanup strategies. There will be lots of opportunity for discussion about how to go about fixing the pollution problems. First, however, we need to make sure the report correctly describes what pollution problems exist.
We need your help to make sure that water cleanup strategies are developed that are consistent with local economic, environmental and social interests. Because the study indicates that most of the pollution problems come from small diffused sources, successful solutions will involve many people.
For general questions about the workshop or the Grays Harbor watershed cleanup planning process, contact Dave Rountry at (360) 407-6276 or by e-mail at drou461@ecy.wa.gov
If you have technical questions about the report, contact Greg Pelletier at (360) 407- 6485 or by email at gpel461@ecy.wa.gov If you are unable to attend the workshop, you can still submit technical comments about the report by mailing them to Greg at Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. Please provide your written comments by April 21, 2000 so we can address them and move the report on to the public outreach phase
Sincerely,
Dave Rountry
Water Cleanup Plan Coordinator
Water Quality Program
March 31st Grays Harbor Community College, Room 222, Music Hall
Discussion outline
WHY APE WE HERE?
Introductions
Ooverview of Workshop Purpose
The cleanup planning process (TMDL) for identifying problems and solutions. How can you get involved ?
Discussion, Q. and A
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT GRAYS HARBOR WATER QUALITY?
Overview of technical study: objectives, methods, findings, conclusions.
Water Quality and Shellfish Protection
Discussion, Q. and A
NEXT STEPS
Opportunity for participation by primary interests, general public, landowners and community. Technical/scientific comment period for draft technical report. General project schedule.
Discussion, Q. and A
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