EPA Proposes to Get Tough Against Logging Caused Water Pollution

EPA Proposes To Get Tough Against Logging Caused Water Pollution

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN CONTROLLING POLLUTED RUNOFF FROM TIMBER HARVEST OPERATIONS: THE EPA PROPOSAL TO CONSIDER SILVICULTURAL OPERATIONS AS A POINT SOURCE IS BEING HIT WITH STIFF OPPOSITION BY INDUSTRY - AND 40 GOVERNORS. THUS FAR THE EPA HAS RECEIVED ZERO (00.00) SUPPORT FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY. THIS IS A BIG DEAL! OR COULD BE A BIG DEAL - IF ACTION IS TAKEN. SEE COMMENTS BELOW INTRODUCTION

- Comments Needed by January 20 - SEE CAG COMMENTS TO EPA, USE TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN COMMENTS

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing tough new rules to limit water pollution caused by logging operations. The EPA is accepting comments on a rule change that would treat silviculture activities as point-sources of pollution under the Clean Water Act instead of as non-point sources. The EPA could then require the logging company to obtain permits to operate under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

The timber industry is very worried about this proposal because of its potential to limit logging activities, particularly in heavily degraded watersheds. Pro-timber Members of Congress raised objections to the proposal at a Senate hearing and were able to get the comment deadline extended until Jan. 20 with a rider attached to the EPA Appropriations bill.

EPA deserves credit and support for their efforts to halt the millions of tons of sediment polluting rivers and streams from clearcuts and logging roads each year. Please send in your comments supporting EPA's proposal by Jan. 20.

Urge the EPA to ensure that silviculture activities are considered point- sources of water pollution in the final rule. Please include in your comments any specific information you have regarding water pollution or landslides caused by logging or the construction of logging roads.

One issue not addressed in the proposed regulations is what kind of interim protection will be provided for polluted streams until the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standards are developed. These standards will regulate the amount of pollution allowed in a stream, but may not be finished for another ten to fifteen years.

There are requirements that if a water body is impaired by a point-source (such as a timber sale under the proposed regulations), no additional permits may be issued that increase that pollutant in the stream until the TMDL is developed. However, there is no such requirement for nonpoint sources such as sediment coming from unmaintained logging roads. Until the TMDL is developed, there should not be allowed any increase of nonpoint pollution.

Written comments on the proposed regulatory revisions to the NPDES and water quality standards programs should be sent to: Comment Clerk for the TMDL Rule, Water Docket (W-99-04), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460, or mailto:ow-docket@epa.gov.

You can go to http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/proprule.html, for a copy of the proposed rule. For more information contact American Wildlands, 406/586-8175

Alan Levine, Coast Action Group, P.O. Box 215 Point Arena, CA 95468