From: Caroline

Sent: Sat Feb 05 11:42:47 2011

To: ToxicsRuleMaking

Cc: crk@gorge.net

Subject: YES on higher water quality standards

Importance: Normal

to: Andrea Matzke, Oregon DEQ 811 SW Sixth Ave. Portland, OR 97024 from: Caroline Skinner 2420 NW Quimby St Portland, OR 97210 503-248-9719 caro4321@earthlink.net Oregon is at a historic crossroads. The state is proposing to adopt the most protective water quality standards for toxic pollutants in the nation-YES! I strongly support Columbia Riverkeeper and I support reducing toxics in our fish. Please make sure that the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) does not fold to pressure from special interests this time. Reducing toxics in Oregon's rivers and streams is a moral imperative. It's about time too. Currently, DEQ issues pollution discharge permits that ALLOW industrial facilities, municipalities, and others to discharge toxic pollution at levels that fail to protect public health, particularly tribal members who regularly eat fish. We need to clean this up and protect human health. I SUPPORT fish consumption rate of 175 grams per day. The new fish consumption rate is based on extensive research on how much fish Oregonians eat, particularly tribal members. I urge Oregon to adopt new toxics standards WITHOUT major loopholes. The new standards will not result in actual improvements in water quality if the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) allows major loopholes for polluters. DEQ should not be allowed to issue exemptions-called "variances"-from the new rules. I urge Oregon to APPLY the New Toxic Limits to Polluted Stormwater. DEQ is proposing to ignore the new toxic standards when it issues stormwater pollution discharge permits for cities and industrial sites. This is unacceptable because study after study shows that stormwater is laden with toxic chemicals. I SUPPORT for adopting the revised water quality standards immediately. The effort to revise the toxics standards began over two decades ago. We have waited long enough for toxics standards that protect people who eat fish. The time to act is now. Thank you, Caroline Skinner/ NW Portland