The bacteria water quality standard is designed to provide an indicator of potential human health problems from fecal contamination. It is of particular concern in coastal estuaries for the shellfish industry because there are federal FDA limits that must not be exceeded in shellfish growing waters. Bacteria, as measured by this water quality standard, is not considered to be a factor for decline of salmonids. Toxics Toxic substances can adversely affect aquatic life and aquatic habitat. Loss of Wetlands Due to human activities, many coastal wetlands have been filled, disconnected from streams or otherwise altered, resulting in decreasing rearing and over-wintering habitat and diminishing other wetland functions important to salmonids, such as storm water storage and filtration.
Wetlands provide important habitat for salmonids.
Other wetlands have been isolated from their associated streams by roads or other improvements. Diking, draining and filling are the most common activities that have changed the abundance and quality of wetlands.