The City of Salem follows a Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan to improve water quality in local streams and waterways. This plan focuses on:

1. Managing warm summer stream temperatures
2. Reducing mercury levels in waterways

Strategies to Improve Water Quality

In 2021, the City updated its strategies to address temperature issues in local streams. These strategies include:

• Planting trees
  • Trees provide shade to lower stream temperatures
• Stabilizing stream banks
  • This helps reduce soil erosion, which benefits fish and other wildlife

The plan also includes efforts to reduce mercury in waterways. Mercury can accumulate in fish, and eating contaminated fish can pose health risks to people.

Connection to the Stormwater Management Plan

The City’s Stormwater Management Plan also includes mercury reduction strategies. In addition to mercury, the SWMP addresses other water quality concerns, such as E. coli bacteria, to ensure safe and clean waterways.

Why the Plan Matters

The TMDL Implementation Plan is essential for protecting the health of both the community and the environment. By reducing mercury and managing stream temperatures, the City helps ensure that local waterways remain safe for people, wildlife, and future generations.

Annual Reports

Every year by November 1, the City must submit an annual report to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. This report details the achievements made during the previous fiscal year.