Publication Summary

The purpose of the Section 305(b) report is to present to the U.S. Congress and the public the current conditions of the state's waters. Section 305(b) of the federal CWA requires each state to prepare a water quality assessment report every two years. The EPA compiles the information from the state reports and prepares a summary for Congress on the status of the nation′s waters. The 2000 Washington State 305(b) report has been prepared in accordance with the 1997 EPA guidelines for preparation of 305(b) reports.

The purpose of the Section 305(b) report is to present to the U.S. Congress and the public the current conditions of the state's waters. Section 305(b) of the federal CWA requires each state to prepare a water quality assessment report every two years. The EPA compiles the information from the state reports and prepares a summary for Congress on the status of the nation′s waters. The 2000 Washington State 305(b) report has been prepared in accordance with the 1997 EPA guidelines for preparation of 305(b) reports.

This year′s 305(b) report incorporates several new sections on the status of water quality in Washington. The format of this year′s report is a compilation of the formats used in the 1996 and 1998 305(b) reports. Descriptions of state programs that manage and clean up impaired waters and prevent pollution are detailed in the text of the report. Assessment results for rivers, streams, estuaries and lakes are included in the form of tables.