The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has affirmed a finding by state health officials that the University of Colorado Boulder is not making illicit discharges into Boulder Creek, which has high levels of E. coli in some sections.
Michael Boeglin of the EPA’s Region 8 Water Enforcement Branch in Denver, emailed Boulder Waterkeeper’s Art Hirsch on Thursday stating that Boeglin “deferred” to an Aug. 20 response from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division, which had stated that CU Boulder’s stormwater discharge permit was currently under review, but that discharges highlighted by Hirsch’s group were not illicit under the terms of its existing permit.
“I appreciate your concern about the presence of E. coli in Boulder Creek. If you have any further questions about this matter, I strongly suggest you maintain contact with the appropriate individuals” at the state’s water quality control division, Hirsch was told.
Boeglin also invited Hirsch to contact his own supervisor at the EPA, should Hirsch be dissatisfied with Boeglin’s decision. Hirsch stated by email he likely would do so.
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