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<br />Where ambient quality was worse (higher) than the table numbers, a measure <br /> <br />.- <br /> <br />I\) roughly equivalent to the 85th percentile of ambient data was used to <br />to <br />-.J establish the standard. Using these two approaches has resulted in a system <br />(j) <br />of metals standards which fails to highlight or draw attention to those stream <br /> <br />segments which might exceed a uniform statewide criteria for a particular <br /> <br />metal or metals. While this approach has benefit in recognizing that natural <br /> <br />and irretrievable man-induced conditions exist, it also has shortcomings by <br /> <br />failing to direct attention to problem areas that might be at least partially <br /> <br />correctable by judicious app1iation of best management practices, particularly <br /> <br />,. <br />~ <br />:i <br /> <br />now that the Clean Water Act provides a funding mechanism through Section <br /> <br />319. For this latter reason, this assessment has relied upon the table <br /> <br />~ <br />~ <br /> <br />criteria only in determining which segments regularly exhibit elevated levels <br /> <br />of metals. It is hoped that by following the selected approach, rather than <br />comparing data against the adopted standards only, restoration efforts may be <br /> <br />t~ <br /> <br />directed toward at least a few segments that might have otherwise. been <br /> <br />(1 <br />~.:t <br /> <br />overlooked. The State's Section 305(b) report, Water Quality in Colorado, <br /> <br />it~ <br />~,-. <br /> <br />which is the companion document to this assessment, provides a list of <br /> <br />segments 'which are not in compliance with adopted standards for metals and <br /> <br />ri.~; <br />~!:; <br />, ~.::: <br /> <br />other pollutants. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Fecal Coliform Bacteria <br /> <br />:::'~ <br />M <br />i@ <br /> <br />Fecal coliform bacteria are found in the intestines of warm blooded animals. <br /> <br />Their presence in waters indicates that pathogenic organisms may be present. <br /> <br />,',' <br />~r <br /> <br />~;~ <br /> <br />These bacteria are most commonly associated with failing leach fields from <br /> <br />-38- <br /> <br />