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California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
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CSPA expresses concern regarding Sonora and Jamestown wastewater plant discharge into New Don Pedro Reservoir; Requests designated party status

September 22, 2008 -- In reviewing the renewal Of Waste Discharge Requirements for Tuolumne Utilities District Sonora Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jamestown Sanitary District Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tuolumne County, CSPA's Executive Director, Bill Jennings, found that the proposed permit allows for excessive discharge of chloroform (cancer potency factor), manganese, nitrate, nitrite, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, chlorine, manganese, oil and grease, copper and zinc. Further, the proposed Permit contains Effluent Limitations less stringent than the existing permit for settleable solids and chlorine contrary to the Antibacksliding requirements of the Clean Water Act.

Of additional concern is the fact that the small creek the discharges are made into is subject to low flow in dry years and the mixing zone for the effluent discharge is inadequate and therefore subject to chronic toxicity for aquatic inhabitants.

Another concern was the storage and use of wastewater to irrigate fodder fields. The storage ponds are not protected from wildlife and appear to have no method of algae treatment.

As a designated party, CSPA is asking that the permit be amended to require that the Discharger develop a work plan to eliminate the wastewater discharge to surface water in accordance with the Basin Plan.

CSPA's request for Designated Party