The primary focus of our efforts has been to evaluate the beneficial uses that relate to the health of humans, fish and wildlife. Many of the pollutants identified, as well as loss of habitat, may negatively affect fish and wildlife. Chemical pollutants in the water, in sediment, or in the tissues of prey animals that have become contaminated, can affect fish and wildlife. There are more standards available for pollutants found in water than for pollutants found in sediment or wildlife tissue. However, pollutants in water are typically very diluted and hard to measure, even with sophisticated laboratory techniques.
Many pollutants tend to concentrate and are more easily identifiable in sediment.
Pollutants in tissues of contaminated prey are of particular concern in relation to fish-eating wildlife, such as bald eagles and river otters. Fish-eating wildlife in the Lower Columbia basin are at risk of being contaminated with pesticides and a wide range of other organic chemicals. DDT, PCBs, and dioxin and related compounds, are found throughout the Lower Columbia. Bi-State program biological studies revealed negative health impacts caused by pollution. The mink and river otter study found clear evidence that man-made organic pollutants are negatively affecting these animals.