Publication Summary

In July 2002, EPA approved several TMDLs for fecal coliform bacteria in streams in the Dungeness River basin. The TMDL package includes a Water Cleanup Plan for Bacteria in the Lower Dungeness Watershed. Ecology analyzed the post-TMDL data and found significant improvements in bacteria levels in some areas.

Matriotti Creek fecal coliform levels have significantly improved. Several sites now meet the bacteria target levels set for the creek, and all sites monitored show some improvement. The Dungeness River does not yet meet TMDL targets, but improvements in fecal coliform levels were seen during the irrigation season at river mile 0.8. Meadowbrook Creek continues to not meet fecal coliform standards.

The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is required, under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, to develop and implement Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for impaired waters and to evaluate the effectiveness of the water cleanup plan to achieve the needed improvement in water quality.

In July 2002, EPA approved several TMDLs for fecal coliform bacteria in streams in the Dungeness River basin. The TMDL package includes a Water Cleanup Plan for Bacteria in the Lower Dungeness Watershed. Since completion of the TMDL project, the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Clallam County have continued to monitor selected TMDL sites to determine if fecal coliform bacteria levels are improving and if the actions implemented thus far from the water cleanup plan are effective. Ecology analyzed the post-TMDL data that the tribe collected and found significant improvements in bacteria levels in some areas.

Matriotti Creek fecal coliform levels have significantly improved. Several sites now meet the bacteria target levels set for the creek, and all sites monitored showed some improvement. The mouth of Matriotti Creek needs only a 38% further reduction in bacteria levels which is a significant improvement over the 78% reduction that was needed in the year 2000.

The Dungeness River does not yet meet TMDL targets, but improvements in fecal coliform levels were seen during the irrigation season at river mile 0.8. Improvements could be due to decreasing bacteria levels in Matriotti Creek.

Meadowbrook Creek fecal coliform concentrations have increased slightly since completion of the TMDL project, and the creek continues to not meet fecal coliform standards.