09/08/05 EPA okays Colville Forest water plan

09/08/05 EPA okays Colville Forest water plan

Washington Ag September 8, 2005 A plan to improve water quality in the rivers and streams of the Colville National Forest has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Department of Ecology prepared the water quality improvement plan because at least 13 sections of streams in the forest that spans three counties do not meet water quality standards. Ecology's study showed that bacteria and high temperatures are the main reasons for the water bodies failing to meet standards. Karin Baldwin of Ecology who helped author the study, explains what's next after the EPA approval. Baldwin: "We have one year to come up with a more detailed plan on how to reduce temperatures and bacteria in various forest streams." How might that more detailed plan affect livestock grazing in the national forest? Baldwin: "A variety of options for managing livestock will be considered such as providing water away from the creeks, trying different pasture rotations and controlling access to the water." The Forest Service will take the lead with working with grazing permittees. There will be public meetings so interested parties can be updated on the progress of completing the detailed plan. Baldwin emphasizes the plan only applies to Colville National Forest land and not private land parcels intermixed with the federal land. I'm Bob Hoff.
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