From: rick till
Sent: Sun Feb 06 16:34:51 2011
To: ToxicsRuleMaking
Subject: Adopt Strong Standard on Toxic Pollution
Importance: Normal
DEQ,
Please adopt the strongest possible water quality standards for toxic pollution. Oregon should be a leader in water quality protection and the public should not have to worry about swimming in streams or eating fish due to toxic pollution.
Please adopt a fish consumption rate of 175 grams to reflect realistic consumption rates, particularly for tribal members.
Do not create loopholes, exceptions, or variances to any new water quality standards. Variances would be exploited by industrial interests and their corporate-counsels to undermine the pressing need to reduce toxics in our waterways.
The new toxic standards should apply to polluted stormwater as well. Ignoring stormwater would ignore one of the leading sources of toxic pollution. Cities and towns must improve their managment of stormwater and strong water quality standards will incentivize improvements.
Its time that Oregon takes the initiative on protecting our water quality and protecting those of us who rely on local fish for food. Please adopt strong, variance free water quality standards as soon as possible.
Thanks,
--
Rick Till
503-750-6599