Public Comments Needed for Polluted Waters List (WA)

The Washington Department of Ecology has initiated a water quality assessment for the state including updates to the “Polluted Waters List” otherwise known under the Federal Clean Water Act as the 303(d) list.  Washington DOE is soliciting public comments between now and March 15^th, 2004.  In addition the Department will host a series of public meetings across the state to gather input.  For more information on how to provide information on polluted waters or attend a public meeting visit the WA DOE Water Quality Assessment site.

When it comes to polluted waters whitewater boaters are the proverbial “canary in the coal mine”.  Boaters immerse themselves in the water exposing themselves to pollutants on a regular basis.  As such the boating community has a direct interest in cleaning up Washington’s polluted waters.  In many cases paddlers are aware of polluted waters before the Department of Ecology.  Please take the time to review the 2002 list of polluted waters.  If you believe a Washington whitewater run is erroneously omitted from the list then please file comments with WA DOE 303(d) list coordinator.  

You are encouraged to send WA DOE comments if you find a water body that you believe was incorrectly assessed or omitted from the list.  To submit comments about a waterbody currently listed in the water quality assessment, please fill out the submittal form. Comments may be sent to:

Ecology will also accept new streams or reaches that were not including in the updated 2002 list. This information will be reviewed and incorporated into the final assessment as appropriate. If you would like to submit a new stream to Ecology, please click here.