Mercury Reduction Program

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality establishes water quality standards to protect people from high levels of mercury exposure when eating fish. The Willamette River and many of its tributaries, including the Tualatin River, do not currently meet water quality standards for mercury and are included on Oregon’s list of impaired waters under the Clean Water Act.

Mercury ends up in the atmosphere as a result of pollution and settles in soils when it rains. If there is erosion, mercury can wash into streams and be integrated into the food chain. Mercury can accumulate in animals like fish, causing health issues if people eat them.

To reduce the problem, THPRD and other partners across the region are implementing plans to reduce mercury entering streams. The district’s plans include:
1. Monitoring trail systems to repair or re-route trails to reduce runoff and erosion.
2. Meeting or exceeding Oregon Forest Practices Act rules.
3. Implementing riparian restoration projects, which help to filter and reduce sediment delivery to streams.
4. Using on-site stormwater retention/water quality facilities to clean stormwater.
5. Providing education and outreach activities.
6. Stabilizing exposed soils in parks, fields, or natural areas via seeding or other erosion control measures.

Annual progress reports will be posted on this website each fall.