Publication Summary

As a result of an extensive year-long effort, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has established the final statewide list of priority Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) or Water Cleanup Plans selected for fiscal year 2001 (July 2000 through June 2001).

As a result of an extensive year-long effort, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has established the final statewide list of priority Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) or Water Cleanup Plans selected for fiscal year 2001 (July 2000 through June 2001).

The federal Clean Water Act requires states to prepare a list of water bodies that do not meet water quality standards for ensuring the water is healthy for such activities as swimming, boating, industries, and fish and aquatic habitat every two years. Ecology uses data collected by agency scientists, Indian tribes, state and local governments, industries, and others to develop the list, which then goes through an intensive public process. A Water Cleanup Plan must be developed for each of the polluted water bodies. Ecology identified 666 water bodies with some pollution problems in 1996 and in 1998 643 water bodies were identified as having some pollution problems.

Each year Ecology identifies the water bodies where the agency will start to develop cleanup plans. Ecology selected the proposed water bodies based on the severity of the pollution, the potential for harm to human and aquatic health, and the barriers they pose for swimming, boating, fish habitat and other uses.