10.04.2013 Views

Carbaryl, Carbofuran, and Methomyl - National Marine Fisheries ...

Carbaryl, Carbofuran, and Methomyl - National Marine Fisheries ...

Carbaryl, Carbofuran, and Methomyl - National Marine Fisheries ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

production represent the top three permitted sources of contaminants within the lower<br />

basin according to discharge volumes <strong>and</strong> concentrations (Rosetta <strong>and</strong> Borys 1996).<br />

Rosetta <strong>and</strong> Borys (1996) review of 1993 data indicate that 52% of the point source waste<br />

water discharge volume is from sewage treatment plants, 39% from paper <strong>and</strong> allied<br />

products, 5% from chemical <strong>and</strong> allied products, <strong>and</strong> 3% from primary metals. However,<br />

the paper <strong>and</strong> allied products industry are the primary sources of the suspended sediment<br />

load (71%). Additionally, 26% comes from sewage treatment plants <strong>and</strong> 1% is from the<br />

chemical <strong>and</strong> allied products industry. Nonpoint source discharges (urban stormwater<br />

runoff) account for significant pollutant loading to the lower basin, including most<br />

organics <strong>and</strong> over half of the metals. Although rural nonpoint sources contributions were<br />

not calculated, Rosetta <strong>and</strong> Borys (1996) surmised that in some areas <strong>and</strong> for some<br />

contaminants, rural areas may contribute a large portion of the load. This is particularly<br />

true for pesticide contamination in the upper river basin where agriculture is the<br />

predominant l<strong>and</strong> use.<br />

Water quality has been reduced by phosphorus loads <strong>and</strong> decreased water clarity,<br />

primarily along the lower <strong>and</strong> middle sections of the Columbia River Estuary. Although<br />

sediment quality is generally very good, benthic indices have not been established within<br />

the estuary. Fish tissue contaminant loads (PCBs, DDT, DDD, DDE, <strong>and</strong> mercury) are<br />

high <strong>and</strong> present a persistent <strong>and</strong> long lasting effect on estuary biology. Health advisories<br />

have been recently issued for people eating fish in the area that contain high levels of<br />

dioxins, PCBs, <strong>and</strong> pesticides.<br />

Habitat Modification<br />

Basin wide, critical ecological connectivity (mainstem to tributaries <strong>and</strong> riparian<br />

floodplains) has been disconnected by dams <strong>and</strong> associated activities such as floodplain<br />

deforestation <strong>and</strong> urbanization. Dams have flooded historical spawning <strong>and</strong> rearing<br />

habitat with the creation of massive water storage reservoirs. More than 55% of the<br />

Columbia River Basin that was accessible to salmon <strong>and</strong> steelhead before 1939 has been<br />

blocked by large dams (NWPPC 1986). Construction of the Gr<strong>and</strong> Coulee Dam blocked<br />

1,000 miles (1,609 km) of habitat from migrating salmon <strong>and</strong> steelhead (Wydoski <strong>and</strong><br />

236

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!