Total Maximum Daily Load document for the Malheur River Basin is the designated ceiling amount of each pollutant a river can contain and still meet federal water quality standards.

The highest levels of pesticide values were detected in the lower Bully Creek sediment samples. Pesticide levels in the sediment were higher downstream from Vale than upstream, and most sediment pesticide values in 1998 and 1999 samples taken by Oregon State University were significantly less than those detected in the 1990 sample.

According to Dadoly?EUR??,,????'???s report, both compounds are slow to break down in soil but it also said the data shows the pesticides are breaking down and concentrations of them should be reduced over time.

Efforts to reduce soil erosion as part of actions required under phosphorus and bacteria TMDLs will have the benefit of reducing pesticide levels in the Malheur, he concluded.