OCR Text |
Show Releases involving oil causing a sheen on surface water, depositing sludge under the surface, or any substance that violates water quality standards must be reported to NRC. Releases to the sewer system in violation of a permit must be reported to the local sewer authority. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service ( USFWS) receives notification through the NRC when a spill occurs that has implications for protected fish and wildlife resources. DEQ and the Utah Department Public Safety require that releases of substances or wastes which could be hazardous to human health or the environment must be cleaned up and the wastes disposed of, in accordance with applicable standards. This requirement includes releases which are below thresholds requiring notification to local, state or federal authorities. The conduct of response and cleanup of spills is governed by contingency plans developed cooperatively among the affected resource management agencies, and depends upon the type, extent and location of the spill. Federal and state agencies respond on site and consult with the on- scene coordinator. Potential Flood Impacts on Water Quality Lake levels above expected highs can adversely affect existing sewage treatment facilities around the lake. During the flooding in the 1980s, several treatment plants were forced to take steps to protect their facilities from flooding. Substantial costs were incurred to protect facilities, keep them operating and prevent the discharge of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the lake. For example, the dikes of the Perry Lagoons were raised, rip rap was placed on the outside of the dikes to prevent erosion and a pump station was installed. The South Davis Sewer District built dikes around their plant and installed pumping facilities to lift the treated effluent into the lake. Although those protective structures remain in place, lakeside sewage treatment facilities are at risk from high lake levels. Also, some industries adjacent to the lake raised or relocated sediment and waste holding ponds. Magcorp relocated their wastewater holding pond further from the shoreline and put it behind a dike to provide additional protection. Lake Bottom Sediment Contaminants Concerns that potential lake water contaminants may be contained in lake bottom sediments have occurred on several occasions due to past discharges to Farmington Bay, the south shore of the lake and other areas of the lake. Several studies have been initiated to determine the levels of heavy metals, organic pesticides, dioxin and furans by DEQ. The USFWS, U. S. Geological Survey ( USGS) and the USU have also conducted studies related to lake bottom sediments and water quality. ( Discussions follow.) Farmington Bay The Davis County Causeway, constructed in the 1960s, inhibited the free exchange of brines between Farmington Bay and the main arm of GSL, resulting in a gradual freshening of the brines in Farmington Bay. Because of the many years of discharge of untreated sewage into Farmington Bay, concerns emerged in the late 1960s that the 57 |