From: Callie Jordan

Sent: Wed Mar 16 14:39:27 2011

To: ToxicsRuleMaking

Subject: Oregon's water quality standards

Importance: Normal

Andrea Matzke


Oregon DEQ,
Water Quality Division


811 SW 6th Avenue


Portland, OR 97204

I would like to urge the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) to move quickly to adopt Oregon’s draft human health criteria for toxics based on the accurate fish consumption rate of 175 grams per day. This rate is a joint recommendation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and DEQ.

Currently, the majority of Oregon’s standards are designed to protect people who eat 6.5 grams of fish per day, which is not enough to protect all Oregonians, especially those with diets and traditions dependent upon fish and shellfish.

It is important that the new rule allowing DEQ to issue variances without EQC approval should not apply to standards that aren’t affected by this rulemaking. The new variance rule should be limited to only those standards that have changed as a result of the current process.

Contamination from pesticide use and other industrial processes has long compromised the quality of Oregon’s waterways, impacting public health and especially those who frequently eat fish from Oregon’s rivers. If the new standards are adopted, Oregon will be the first state with water quality standards that protect the vast majority of people who consume fish and shellfish from Oregon waterways.

Sincerely,

Callie Jordan

207 W 7th St

The Dalles OR 97058

541-296-1550