January 30, 1998

Mr. Mike Zengel
Public Services
350, North Market Blvd.
Chehalis, WA 98532-2626

RE: Cosponsoring Centennial Grant

Dear Mr. Zengel:

In reference to our phone message to the Lewis County Health Department last week, we would like to formally invite you to cosponsor a Centennial Grant, for biosolids monitoring of Bunker Creek site, with the Chehalis Tribe's Department of Natural Resources.

The Chehalis Tribe has an interest in protecting the natural integrity of the Upper Chehalis River Basin. We also understand that the Lewis County Health Department is committed by regulations providing for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare through the Lewis County Board of Health Solid Waste Rules and Regulations Ordinance No. H-94-03 02.

This invitation is the Tribe's response to the appeal hearing and testimony given on Tuesday, December 9th, 1997. During the hearing, the County stated that they would hire a consulting company to collect baseline information and develop monitoring protocols needed to properly assess the Bunker Creek Site. We believe that this statement was an important development that led to the denial of the appeal by the Hearings Examiner.

In 1997, The Chehalis Tribe was awarded Water Quality Standards by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This event has given the Tribe an enormous responsibility in protecting the waters of the Chehalis River Basin. We recognize sludge application and its application sites as possibly being another source of nonpoint pollution. From previous studies, the mainstem Chehalis River and its tributaries violate water quality standards such as low D.O. high temperature, high fecal coliform bacterial levels and relatively high amounts of nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogenous compounds. Because of the stated reasons, the Chehalis river has been listed under the section 303 (d) listing for water quality limited water bodies that require TMDLs.

It is important that pollutant loading in the Chehalis river is maintained or reduced from current levels even with an increase in development. To accomplish this, Properly monitored BMPs need to be established so that health and resource managers can effectively control and abate pollution.

Finally, the Tribe is looking forward to a positive response from the Lewis County Health Department concerning our shared responsibility of protecting the waters that flow through the Chehalis River Basin. Please inform me within the next ten days regarding your decision.

Sincerely

Michael D. McGinnis
Department of Natural Resources
CC: Lewis County Commissioners
Lewis County Health Department
Lewis County Board of Health
Chehalis River Council
Fire Mountain Farms, Inc.
Back to Fertilizer Index Page
Back to Whats New Index Page
Back to Chehalis River Council Index Page
Lewis County Issues Page