OLYMPIA – Washington’s drive to protect salmon and other aquatic species became a national model as brake manufacturers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and an association of states signed an agreement based on Washington’s low-copper standards.

Even in low concentrations, copper is toxic to salmon and other fish, interfering with their ability to avoid predators and return to their spawning streams. The Washington Legislature passed the Better Brakes Law in 2010 to reduce the amount of copper and other toxic chemicals in brake pads. California passed a similar law at the same time.

Since then, the Washington Department of Ecology has worked closely with brake manufacturers and other stakeholders to agree on a plan to reduce copper in brake pads below 5 percent by 2021 and below 0.5 percent by 2025.

“This is a big step in the right direction to reduce copper, protect fish and improve our environment,” said Ecology Director Maia Bellon.

Brake manufacturers (www.copperfreebrakes.org) are reformulating their brake friction materials to ensure quality, performance and safety while meeting the reduced copper standard. Representatives from several vehicle industry groups signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with the EPA and the Environmental Council of the States.

“This historic MOU will provide the motor vehicle industry with consistent copper reduction guidelines and eliminate the potential for disparate state regulations,” said Steve Handschuh, president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), one of the key industry associations involved with the effort. “This has been a proactive, collaborative effort by regulatory agencies, states, the automotive aftermarket and the motor vehicle industry to reduce copper in U.S. waterways.”

In urban areas, brake pads account for up to half of the copper entering our waterways. In Washington, brake pads release about 250,000 pounds of copper to the environment each year. When Washington’s Better Brakes Law is fully implemented in 2025, this source of copper will be virtually eliminated.

John Stark, director of the Washington Stormwater Center, said reducing copper levels will remove one of the barriers to the recovery of salmon in Puget Sound.