08/04/06 Comment on Colville Forest water plan

Washington Ag August 4, 2006 A detailed plan for how to cool down the water and reduce bacteria in the rivers and streams of the Colville National Forest is out for public review until Sept. 8, 2006. This is the last stage of the process to create a water-quality improvement plan for the forest. Jani Gilbert, public information manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology, says a study with a general plan for solving water-quality problems was approved by the EPA in August of 2005. Gilbert: "Now what we have before us, and what we are asking for comment on, is a much more detailed plan on how we will clean up these bodies of water. In lots of places on the Colville National Forest we have problems with coli form bacteria and high temperatures that are unhealthy for fish." Among the actions specified in the plan are improvements in grazing areas, such as providing water for livestock away from streams. The plan can be obtained at the Colville National Forest Ranger District offices or from Ecology or Ecology's website. Again, the comment period ends September 8th. I'm Bob Hoff.