Controversial Powder River Basin TMDL changes may be decided on May 23
By Joe Hathaway on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality says it will present its proposed permanent changes to the Environmental Quality Commission on the controversial Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of the Powder River Basin.
The Commission may decide whether to approve the new changes for the TMDL.
The DEQ aims to reduce bacteria in Powder River Basin streams, covering Baker County and parts of Union, Wallowa, Grant, and Malheur counties. According to the agency’s website, primary bacterial pathways include erosion, pasture runoff, livestock manure deposition, and sediment transport. Per the DEQ, it attributes approximately 90% of the total permissible bacteria load in the basin to ranching and farming activities.
Concerns have been raised about the changes from the local agricultural community, citing potential adverse effects for cattle producers.
Some sections of stream would require reductions in bacterial load of 40% to 95% to meet water quality standards, according to the draft TMDL for the Powder River Basin.
Here is the release from the Oregon DEQ:
DEQ will present the Powder River Basin TMDL Rulemaking to the Environmental Quality Commission for a decision at its May 23, 2024, meeting.
This rulemaking is to establish a Total Maximum Daily Load to address the impairments to water quality standards and beneficial uses in surface waters in the Powder River Basin. These impairments are caused by excess bacteria and will be addressed by identifying and quantifying sources of this pollutant. This rule will also establish a water quality management plan that includes pollutant management strategies, a list of parties responsible for developing management plans and implementing strategies, and a timeline to reduce pollutant loads and attain water quality standards.
Meeting Details
DEQ will present this item to the EQC on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 1:15 p.m. PT. Please visit the EQC website for meeting details and information on attending this meeting.
Meeting Materials
Meeting materials are now available on the EQC website:
- Item E: Powder River Basin Bacteria TMDL(Action)
- Attachment B – Total Maximum Daily Load
- Attachment C – Water Quality Management Plan
- Attachment D – Technical Support Document
- Attachment E – Redline version of TMDL, WQMP and TSD
- Attachment F – DEQ’s Response to Comments
- Attachment G – Compilation of Public Comments Received
Additional Information
Additional information about this rulemaking, including the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is available on the rulemaking web page. If you want to receive future email notices about this rulemaking, please sign up to receive updates here.
