Ecology Dept. to inspect Dungeness farms to protect water quality

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - April 17, 2001
01-059

Ecology Dept. to inspect Dungeness farms to protect water quality

OLYMPIA - In the next week, the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) will begin inspecting 61 farms in the Dungeness River valley to make sure they are keeping livestock waste from polluting nearby streams.

The Dungeness River fails to meet state water quality standards for fecal coliform bacteria and is among the more than 600 bodies of water that are on the list of the state's most polluted waters.

Fecal coliform pollution can be caused by livestock operations that allow waste to run off into lakes, creeks and rivers. Common causes include unrestricted animal access to creeks, lack of proper manure storage or containment, inadequate animal fencing and poor pasture management.

Two areas of Dungeness Bay are now closed to commercial shellfish harvesting because of fecal coliform pollution.

"We will be focusing on non-dairy farms that have livestock, such as heifers, cattle, horses, hogs, llamas and poultry," said Mark Bentley, a water-quality manager for Ecology.

Dairy farms are already under a routine inspection program, as required by a state law passed in 1998.

"Voluntary actions by landowners will be crucial to solving the pollution problem," Bentley said.

In the vast majority of situations, Ecology will be providing technical assistance and directing farms to the Clallam Conservation District for additional help.

"Enforcement is an option, however, if circumstances warrant," he added.

A number of Dungeness Valley farms are already working cooperatively with the conservation district to prepare and implement farm plans that protect water quality, Bentley said.

Ecology notified each of the 61 farm owners of the inspections by letter last week.

For more information about the inspections, farmers can contact Ecology's Lisa Rozmyn at 360-407-6287. The Clallam Conservation District can be reached at 360-452-1912, ext.5.

Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, 360-407-6239