WRIA 62 WMP 032305 - Washington State Department of Ecology

March, 2005 -59- 023-1289-003.3040
and swimming), is an aesthetic concern and may be negatively impacting resident fish populations
(Pend Oreille County, 2003). The Pend Oreille River is listed for pH on Ecology’s 303d list of
impaired waters. High pH levels are likely caused by aquatic weed growth. The intent of this issue is
to help address this water quality impairment by implementing public education activities and
bringing together a group of stakeholders within Phase IV of Watershed Planning to agree upon
actions to reduce the distribution and densitie s of Eurasian watermilfoil and, to a lesser degree, other
aquatic nuisance weeds such as curly pondweed in WRIA 62.
In 1991 the Legislature appropriated funding (paid for through boat and trailer licensing fees) for the
establishment and maintenance of an Aquatic Plants Management program through Ecology to
prevent the establishment and control of aquatic weeds. The program includes educational, technical
and financial assistance. Grants (application cycle 1 Oct-1 Nov) are available for planning, research,
implementation, and education/outreach. The web site link
(http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/links/plants.html) describes in detail what services are
available and grant application criteria. Ecology is planning an "Aquatic Plant School" in cooperation
with Portland State University and the Smithsonian for 2005. Ecology contacts for this event and for
additional information on Washington State funded measures to combat the introduction and spread
of milfoil are:
WRIA 62 WMP 032305
• Kathy Hamel, Ecology/Water Quality, Tel: (360) 407-6562, Email:
kham461@ecy.wa.gov; and,
• Jenifer K Parsons, Ecology/Environmental Assessment Program, Tel: (509) 457-7136;
Email: jenp461@ecy.wa.gov.
4.2.3 WQUAL-3a Background and Rationale
Problem Statement: There is a need to participate in current and future Total Maximum Daily
Load (TMDL) processes and provide input on TMDLs for tributary streams that originate
within WRIA 62.
The Clean Water Act requires States and Tribes with water quality jurisdiction to develop a list of
waterbodies not meeting water quality standards. Development of Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDLs) is the process by which States and Tribes attempt to achieve water quality standards.
Washington State has jurisdiction over waterbodies within WRIA 62, with the exception of waters
within the exterior boundaries of the Kalispel Indian Reservation. The Kalispel Tribe has jurisdiction
over waterbodies on Kalispel Indian Reservation lands. Idaho State has jurisdiction over waterbodies
within Idaho. The role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to review and approve
TMDLs and ensure that the TMDLs will work towards attaining applicable water quality standards
(i.e. State and Tribal water quality standards).
Information on the WRIA 62 303(d) listings and current TMDL activities are included in the Phase II,
Level 2 report (Golder, 2005). At present there are no on-going TMDLs for tributary streams to the
Pend Oreille River in WRIA 62 outside of the Colville National Forest. There are completed and
ongoing TMDLs on tributary streams to the Priest River Basin in Idaho that originate in WRIA 62.
Completed and on-going TMDLs are illustrated on Figure 4-6. TMDLs in Idaho are listed in Table 4-
6.