HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170809_OpenHouseStraitPriorityAreasProjectAlways working for a safer and healthier community
615 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org
Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality
360-385-9400 360-385-9444
360-385-9401 (f) (f) 360-379-4487
August 8, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brad Stone
Jefferson County Public Health
(360) 385-9436
Public Open House: Strait Priority Area Water Quality Project
Port Townsend - Jefferson County Public Health will be holding a Public Open House for
residents of the areas surrounding Discovery Bay and the Northern Quimper Peninsula. This
event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at the Gardiner Community Center (980
Old Gardiner Rd, Sequim WA 98382) from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The Open House will feature
information about the Strait Priority Areas Water Quality Project to be conducted in the area,
and about low-cost loan and grant programs to aid in septic system repairs.
In 2006, the Department of Health downgraded 120 acres of the commercial shellfish growing
area in Discovery Bay, near station 48, from Approved to Restricted under the National Shellfish
Sanitation Program requirements. Station 48 is located in the southern portion of Discovery
Bay near Salmon and Snow Creek, the two largest freshwater drainages into the estuary.
Currently, marine station 196, also located near the mouth of Salmon and Snow Creek, is listed
as “Concerned Status” with a 90 percentile of the samples for Fecal Coliform be between 20-
30cfu/100mL.
Jefferson County Public Health is addressing this problem by conducting a pollution
identification and correction project along Salmon and Snow Creek, and along the shoreline in
the downgraded area. Streams and marine water will be monitored for bacterial pollution and
nutrients that affect the health of people and the environment. Agricultural surveys will be
performed by Jefferson County Conservation District. The Conservation District will help install
Best Management Practices (BMPs) on qualifying parcels to help prevent livestock and
agricultural waste from entering the streams and Discovery Bay. Other major components of
the project are a survey of septic systems in the area and providing information to local
residents about ways to protect their property values as well as water quality. This project is
funded in by the Washington State Department of Ecology, with matching funds from the
Jefferson County Clean Water District. For more information about the project contact (360)
385-9436.
###
Always working for a safer and healthier community