472 



STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES - EXHIBIT C 



of my property I must ask myself whether the proposed water 



quality standards will in fact protect my interests as a 



taxpayer. Therefore let's direct our attention to the 



proposed standards as taxpayers, not pollution biologists 



or engineers. It is my impression that with the possible 



exception of a few limited spots now looked on as waste 



"dilution" or "assimilation" zones, the standards proposed 



will bring about no significant reductions in either the 



quantity or quality of waste material presently discharged 



into our marine waters. In fact depending on methods of 



water sampling followed in implementation and enforcement 



of the final standards we might see Increased pollution in 



some areas. This is very possible in those areas not 



presently receiving the dubious benefits of enrichment, 



which some people prefer, nay insist on, calling certain 



types of pollution* Since in my opinion no major improvement, 



and possible further deterioration of our marine water qualityj 



may result from the proposed standards, the question resolves 



Itself to whether I think the present water quality in the 



state is acceptable. 



Now as a taxpayer and not a pollution expert, 



how can I decide whether present water quality is or is not 



satisfactory? Does the fact that oysters regularly reproduce 



successfully in the substantially unpolluted waters of 



