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Show This will be part of a wetlands study of chemical processes, and will include comparisons of sediment core samples taken at Red Butte Reservoir, a protected watershed, Farmington Bay and Decker Lake, an urban flood control basin, to evaluate and detect peaks in pesticides, heavy metals and selected organics ( USGS, 1998). GSL sediment core samples were collected ( 1995- 96) for a global climate study to provide insight into GSL Basin climate changes and evaluate environmental signals which could provide information regarding anthropogenic influences and trends in lake level and climate over time. ( USGS, 1999) South Shore During 1995, the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation was directed by the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) to conduct a soil and sediment sampling program to determine trace metal concentrations across the mud and alkali flats beach area of the south arm of GSL. The study area was located between Black Rock and the Davis- Salt Lake County line north of the C- 7 Ditch and Goggin Drain. This study was a response to concerns regarding the migration of heavy trace metals to the south arm beaches. Other possible sources of heavy metals are the Jordan River and Goggin Drain, which flow through several active and inactive landfills, junk yards and several sewage treatment facilities. The purpose of this sampling program was to identify and determine the extent and the concentrations of heavy metals which might present a hazard to human health and the ecosystem. Arsenic and lead were targeted along with 22 other elements and this group wanted to identify the source of the metals. One hundred and twenty- five locations were sampled in a series of transects across the three main water channels, the C- 7 ditch, Lee Creek and the Goggin Drain. The study concluded that concentrations of all contaminants of concern were below levels of biological concern. Nonpoint Pollution Sources A major source of pollution to all waters of the state, including GSL, is nonpoint source runoff, primarily from agricultural drainage and urban runoff. Because the lake receives overland flow and inflow from streams and irrigation/ drainage ditches in addition to the three major river systems feeding the lake, nonpoint sources of water pollution are significant. Effective management of lake water quality is dependent upon effective nonpoint source management upstream. In fiscal year 1999, a Phase II stormwater implementation component of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ( NPDES) will focus on reducing water pollution from urban runoff. Another significant modification to EPA regulations will occur next year regarding the development of Total Maximum Daily Load ( TMDL) limitations to meet water quality standards. The TMDL is the quantity of pollutant allowable in a water body to meet water quality standards and avoid impairment of the water body's assigned beneficial uses. When TMDLs are established, the allowable pollutant loads will be allocated among all point and nonpoint sources to the water body in question. DEQ has determined that approximately 467 TMDLs will need to be developed during the next 12 years. That total is comprised of 313 point source TMDLs related to discharge permit renewals, with 82 watershed 59 |
