From: linda burdwell

Sent: Thu Mar 17 12:44:52 2011

To: ToxicsRuleMaking

Subject: Water quality standards

Importance: Normal

Dear DEQ and EQC:

Thank you for considering water quality standards and human health criteria for toxics based on the accurate fish consumption rate of 175 grams per day. I urge you to act quickly on this joint recommendation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and DEQ. Clearly, current standards fail to protect many people, including tribal members whose traditional diets are not accurately represented. The new standards would better serve Oregonians with diets and traditions dependent upon fish and shellfish.

In addition, please do not to undermine DEQ and EQC efforts by making it easier to obtain exceptions or “variances” to current standards. More specifically, I urge you to allow DEQ to issue variances without EQC approval only to standards that are changed by this rulemaking.

Thank you,

Linda Burdwell