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Old 02-22-2013, 11:30 AM   #1
Chuck Gould
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City: Seattle
Vessel Name: Dear Prudence
Vessel Model: Eagle 40
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 131
Coming to Puget Sound? Illegal to dump waste cleaner than shoreside teated?

It's already illegal to dump untreated waste in Puget Sound, and absolutely should be. The latest brainstorm from Washington State environmentalists is to make it illegal to dump waste that not only meets USCG standards, but has actually been (according to test results published by the EPA) sanitized well beyond the standards met by most shore side treatment plants! This lunacy will make the sound *dirtier*, not cleaner!

Email received from the State of Washington follows:

The Washington State Department of Ecology is dedicated to improving water quality in Puget Sound. Ecology is working on multiple fronts to address a wide variety of pollutant sources. As one part of this effort, the Department of Ecology is evaluating a “No Discharge Zone” for all (or portions) of the Sound. You are receiving this e-mail because we believe that you are likely to be interested in this effort and can provide us with important input.

A “No Discharge Zone” (NDZ) is a designated body of water where the discharge of sewage from boats is prohibited. This prohibition would apply to all boat sewage discharges, even those from vessels that provide treatment. Current regulations and commonly used vessel treatment technologies are not accomplishing enough to protect sensitive Puget Sound marine and aquatic resources. Elevated nutrient and algae concentrations and areas of low dissolved oxygen in many parts of Puget Sound have resulted in water quality standard violations. Unsafe fecal bacteria concentrations have been detected at many Puget Sound beaches and recreational shellfish harvesting areas, posing a risk to public health.

No decisions have been made to proceed with a petition for NDZ.However, Ecology has begun gathering information to evaluate whether to proceed with developing a petition. The following information is being considered:
· Pumpout facilities and capabilities currently available
· Data on boat usage patterns and user demographics
· Environmental conditions
· Costs and benefits of establishing a NDZ
· Marine sanitation device technology
· Lessons learn from NDZ processes in other states.

We are currently working with various stakeholders to better evaluate needs and concerns. We have a website that provides reports and information about this evaluation: Clean Green Boating | No Discharge Zone | Washington State Department of Ecology.
We are particularly interested in your concerns, ideas and suggestions. We would appreciate hearing any feedback by March 22, 2013 to:

Amy Jankowiak
WA State Dept of Ecology
3190 - 160th Ave. SE
Bellevue, WA 98008-5452
amy.jankowiak@ecy.wa.gov

Please forward this on to any others that might be interested. If you do not wish to receive further e-mails regarding the NDZ evaluation, please let me know.

Sincerely,
Amy Jankowiak

Amy Jankowiak
Department of Ecology, Northwest Regional Office
Water Quality Program
3190 160th Avenue SE, Bellevue WA 98008
(425) 649-7195 ajan461@ecy.wa.gov
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