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Chlorinated pesticides and PCBs are chemicals that are recognized as known or possible human carcinogens. Although these chemicals were banned in the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s, they are often called “legacy pollutants” because they persist in the environment for many years. These chemicals accumulate in fish tissue, which can make it hazardous to consume fish.
The Washington State Department of Health issued a fish consumption advisory in January 2006 for Northern Pikeminnow and Carp in the Walla Walla watershed. More information about this fish advisory is available by reading the Fact Sheet (PDF) or visiting the Washington State Department of Health Web site.
Results of the technical analysis can be read in: A Total Maximum Daily Load Evaluation for Chlorinated Pesticides and PCBs in the Walla Walla River.
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) and a local advisory group worked on an implementation strategy to reduce chlorinated pesticides and PCBs in the Walla Walla River watershed. The implementation strategy was combined with a summary of the technical analysis to create the Walla Walla River Chlorinated Pesticides and PCBs Total Maximum Daily Load (Water Cleanup Plan): Submittal Report.
Ecology held a public comment period on the toxics submittal report from September 19 - November 26, 2005. Ecology addressed the comments and made edits to the report where necessary before sending it to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA approved the report on May 9, 2006.
The final document in the TMDL process, the Water Quality Implementation Plan, will be developed once all of the TMDLs in the watershed have been approved by EPA.
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