Chehalis Basin Dairy Inspections by WaDOE

The following is a press release from WaDOE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 3, 1998

98-023

Ecology Inspecting Dairies In Southwest Washington For Water Pollution

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Ecology is stepping up efforts to reduce water pollution from dairies in Lewis, Thurston and Grays Harbor counties. Ecology is now inspecting all dairies in the Chehalis watershed, upstream of Porter, to ensure they are properly managing dairy waste and preventing pollution in the Chehalis River.

The results of water quality studies of the Chehalis River showed that in order to improve the health of the river, major changes would be necessary from point sources, industrial and municipal wastewater treatment facilities, and nonpoint sources, including stormwater runoff, timber and agricultural practices. Dairies are the most significant source of polluted runoff in the watershed, because they concentrate livestock in one area.

The upper Chehalis River suffers from three main pollution problems: low levels of dissolved oxygen, contamination by fecal coliform bacteria, and high water temperatures. These problems make the river unhealthy for fish and other aquatic life.

"The Chehalis River has very serious pollution problems," said Megan White, Ecology’s Water Quality Program manager. "We started addressing the problem by focusing on discharges from wastewater treatment facilities in the cities of Chehalis and Centralia, and at Darigold Inc. And now, we’re looking at dairy farms to see how they’re doing at keeping cow manure out of the river."

Since 1994, state law has required federal wastewater-discharge permits for any dairy farm with a waste discharge to a lake, stream or river. The permit directs the farm operators to develop a farm plan or waste management plan to guide effective management of dairy waste. A dairy that is placed under the "dairy waste general permit" may ask Ecology to terminate its permit coverage when the farm has properly managed its dairy waste for three consecutive years. There are three likely outcomes of the dairy inspections:

1. For a farm that has a waste discharge that appears can be stopped within 30 days, Ecology will notify the farmer that he or she has 30 days to stop the discharge. If the discharge is not stopped within 30 days, Ecology will direct the farmer to apply for a permit to manage dairy waste.
2. ;If a farm has a wastewater discharge that cannot be stopped within 30 days, Ecology will require the farm to apply for a permit to manage dairy waste, or the agency will use enforcement tools. The permit will require that the farmer take certain steps to reduce polluted runoff from the farm.
3. If a farm is properly managing its dairy waste, Ecology will take no action.

"It is possible we will find a discharge that is causing serious environmental harm, which threatens human health or is a flagrant disregard for the law. In such cases, we can require immediate correction of the problem and issue penalties," said White.

Ecology plans to complete inspections of the approximately 50 dairies in the upper Chehalis watershed by the end of March 1998. Ecology plans to complete permit decisions and the necessary follow-up actions by July 1998.