Diagnostics for Hood Canal High Quality, Well-Maintained Parts

Diagnostics for

for Hood Canal Watersheds Residents &Visitors Hood Canal "Service Specialist" Listings

This publication was produced by the WRIA 16/14b Watershed Planning Unit in cooperation with the East Jefferson Watershed Council, Kitsap County and Washington Department of Ecology (Grant #G0800033). View this document online at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/wrias/Planning/16-14b.html. If Hood Canal were a car, Hood Cana what kind would it be? TECH SPECS: A classic made in the U.S.A. ood Canal is a che1ished asset. A natural glacier-caived fjord, the Canal is known for its sleek Body type ...... fj ord shape, abundant ha1vests, wildlife, forests, close-knit communities and boundless recreation. H But Hood Canal's "check engine" light has :flashed repeatedly in recent years. Fish kills and Length ...... more than 60 miles other impacts to marine life appear more common than in the past. Water quality problems, wildlife Major rivers ...... 9 habitat losses and changing ocean conditions raise concerns about the funire health of Hood Canal and the sun om1ding watersheds. Average depth ...... 177 feet

Average width ...... 1.5 miles

Shoreline ...... 213 miles

Salmon species ...... 5

Human population ...... about 54,000

Square miles in the Hood Canal Watershed ...... 1, 067. 7 Area of residential use ...... 55.4 sq. miles Area of agricultural use ...... 2.3 sq. miles Area of forest ...... 1010 sq. miles Built to Last and Maintenance-free? e take care of our cars and trucks - Tour your watershed maybe even show them off to friends Wherever we work, play or go to school, we are in W and neighbors. We want them to last a watershed. This is an area of land that drains down and provide years of enjoyment. to the same body of water, such as a stream or bay. A We also expect Hood Canal to run smoothly for watershed includes rain and snow that soak into the a long, long time. ground, nm over the land, or flow into streams and Many of the choices we make every day are livers. influencing the Canal's water resources and Washington is divided into watershed management wildlife habitat. Our are-as called Water classic fjord is showing Resource Invento1y Areas This "Look Under the Hood" is a report to (WRIAs). Some ofth ese signs of wear. Hood Canal owner-operators on what we ca n ai·eas ai·e represente.d But with regulai· do right now to tune up Hood Canal in simple by "pla1ming lmits" or maintenance, monitoring watershe.d cotmcils. These and "engine-uity," Hood and significant ways. groups, and others, gather Canal can continue to scientific inf01mation support fish, wildlife and a great quality of life about the Canal and its watersheds. Tuey identify for people. actions to help improve water resources. Photo by Tami Pokorny 2 H 201 1 UNDER THE HOOD• Diagnostics for Hood Canal High quality, well-maintained parts

ike an automobile, Hood we enjoy. Canal functions best We can all engage in efforts to L with high quality, well help Hood Canal run smoothly on maintained parts. These parts the challenging road ahead. include the marine water, beaches and estuaries, as well as the streams, High-octane. wetlands, forests and developed premium land that surround Hood Canal. Quality fuel But some of these parts have gone matters in a high missing. Others are malfunctioning. perfo1mance car. Under current circumstances, The "premium nature can't take care of its "engine fuel" for Hood trouble" alone. Government Canal is clean, cold, agencies, community groups and abundant fresh citizens are working to invento1y,

By the year 2000, Hood Canal had already lost 35 percent of its historical tidal shoreline areas.

One of many beautiful Hood Canal streams. This waterfall is in the Hamma Hamma watershed. protect and repair the vital parts water. However, and pieces of Hood Canal. We're some of that water learning how they function together isn't as clean and cold Around Hood Canal, the to create the abundance and beauty as we would like it to best place for dog waste is in the arba e. be. t amount of each fluid keeps a car running Small amounts of The right amount of water flowing in a pollution from countless h elps keep that stream healthy. There is an sources really do add up. ant balance between too much water and spray, spread, scatter, drop, le water that changes with the seasons. leak, build, paint, place an inter and spring, flows may gush from our many things onto our wate d streams and sometimes cause flooding. that can influence water ften improve habitat conditions. They create difficult or changing quality. tances for people. In summer and early When rain and snowmel s steadily decline as dry spells lengthen. run off hardened smfaces ime, people, fish and wildlife all rely such as rooftops, paved am's residual snowmelt, wetlands, or streets, parking lots and dwater to meet their water needs. even lawns, they pick up As the Hood Canal area's demand for pollutants. The resulting ater grows, we are concerned that soup is called "stonnwater the water supply may not be enough. runoff." Typically, sto1mw Consequently, water supply is the subject runoff flows untreated dire of intensive study and public discussion in some areas. Reducing water use is into streams, rivers and Ho After a rain, stormwater runoff containing nutrients, often a money-saving practice that may bacteria, sediment and toxic chemicals collects in roadside Canal. ditches, runs into culverts, and flows into Hood Canal. so benefit fish habitat. Photo by Tami Pokorny Diagnostics for Hood Canal ·UNDER THE HOOD 2011 H 3 The red lines and boxes indicate streams and areas that have not met state and federal water quality standards for fecal coliform. The dark blue boxes have not met standards for dissolved oxygen.

Photo by Mike Dawson

DASHBOARD LIGHTS

ust as your dashboard warning lights contaminants, such as fecal coliform bacteria, indicate when your car has a problem, Every modern car is continuously monitored by and that dissolved oxygen levels are acceptable. J scientists use indicators to measure the on-board computers and, hopefully, an attentive If not, additional monitoring is necessary to health of our streams and Hood Canal. driver for signs of trouble. Water quality monitoring focus appropriate actions. The desired result Regular monitoring of a bay, stream or is clean water for fishing, swimming and river may show that it is largely free of in and around the Canal involves all of us. drinking.

The WRIA 16/14b Planning Unit gratefully acknowledges the assistance of many individuals, agencies and organizations concerned with Hood Canal in the development of Under the Hood. The information provided was considered accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change {but we are just kidding about the knuckle wolf eel in the caption on the last page).

Graphic artist Kathy Busic ·Concept and cover photo: Tami Pokorny· Photos of Hood Canalsea life: Janna Nichols • Special thanks to Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management and Constance Ibsen.

4 H 2011 UNDER THE HOOD• Diagnostics for Hood Canal Filters ars have fuel filters, and so do watersheds. Wetlands, plants, trees and soils naturally filter out pollutants from stormwater. Because theyC are so effective, we are finding ways to make developed land act more like these natural places. One way to do this is to install a rain garden. A rain garden is a carefully designed depression with amended soils that are planted to collect, soak up and filter stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, parking lots and other hard surfaces. Rain gardens treat the water that lands on your property before it leaves your property. They also help slow the movement of water. Benefits of rain gardens: • Reduce flooding • Remove pollutants • Replenish groundwater

Rain gardens soak up and clean stormwater runoff. Photo courtesy of Kitsap County SSWM

Upgrades: Restore,enhance

Number of Hood Canal Watershed sites where fresh or marine waters have not met water quality standards….101

n the Hood Canal Watershed, government In addition, many groups are trying to solve the agencies and nonprofit groups are taking problem of low-oxygen and the resulting impacts actions to reduce stormwater runoff and to marine life. High levels of nitrogen seem to Iensure that the remaining runoff is clean. Storm cause this “dead zone” to occur. Nitrogen levels system improvements include: along the shorelines may be influenced by low • Building conventional infrastructure such performing septic systems, alder trees, animal as ditches, pipes, catch basins and ponds waste, excessive fertilizer or other sources. We • Restoring and enhancing wetlands still need to learn more about low dissolved • Installing “green” infrastructure to soak up oxygen levels in Hood Canal and ways to fix the polluted runoff naturally problem.

Stormwater improvements underway in Mason County. Photo by Alan Easton Diagnostics for Hood Canal • UNDER THE HOOD 2011 ❱❱ 5 I

Returning Quilcene Bay to a natural estuary Salmon are important to people uilcene Bay is famous for its living near Hood Canal. oysters and shellfish haivest Estuary restoration projects are ing. It is an estua1y - an ai·ea designed to help increase where fresh and salt waters mix, and tides cany out small amounts of sedi salmon populations. ment. In their natural state, estuaiies are iich in diverse plant, animal and se.a life. associated fill However, over the years people • Rechanne.ling the river so it built dikes and roads and straightened meanders namrally the rivers to create fannland near the • Removing small culve1ts and other bay. Consequently, the natural flows fish baniers of iivers and tides into Quikene Bay • Stabilizing stream banks and forest changed. Because sediment could not roads to prevent erosion flow out, the bay filled up with silt. • Acquiring conse1vation easements to This prevented the movement of fish protect and restore habitat. In 2010, and wildlife and significantly reduced 76 acres were acquired to pe1manent the quality and amount of their habitat. ly protect and restore stream, liparian An elevated walkway allows people to appreciate first-hand the resu lts of the Skokomish Omently, many groups are working and wetland habitat along Donovan River Estuary restoration project. Creek. on a major restoration project to return most frequently flooded river in • Cushman Dam settlement Quikene Bay to a more natural estua1y, Restoring the Washington State and the largest agreement. This agreement between including: Skokomish River river system in Hood Canal. Over the Skokomish Ttibe and the City • Removing dikes on the Big Quikene the years, severe floods have of Tacoma resolved a long-standing and Little Quikene rivers and the The Skokomish River is the damaged property and threatened dispute over the impacts of the people's lives and livelihoods. Oishman Dam. As a result, water Historically, the Skokomish River flows will be higher and would push is one of the state's most productive sediment out of the iiver. In addition, salmon-producing rivers. However, other activities will reduce flooding and the river has changed because restore fish populations and habitat. of several factors, including the • Dike removal. Some dikes that were Cushman hydro-electric dams built built to create fannland were removed, on the North Fork, dikes that turned allowing fresh and salt water to mix in tidelands into fa1mlands, logging natural wetlands. and erosion. The result is that the river is wide and shallow, clogged • Decommissioning old forest roads. with gravel and other sediment. This work includes removing unstable These are difficult conditions for soil, building natural drainage systems, salmon to survive and for people to and planting native plants and trees. farm and fish. • Prevent erosion. Placing trees along Recently, the Skokomish Tribe and rivers helps stabilize the banks and other government agencies began provides habitat for fish. working on several projects that will Resto1ing the Skokomish River may be restore the Skokomish River. These one of the best roads to a healthier Hood Looking south across Quilcene Bay from the mouth of Donovan Creek. Photos by Tami Pokorny include: Canal. 6 H 2011 UNDER THE HOOD• Diagnostics for Hood Canal 7-point Hood Canal

ou can help "tune-up" Hood • Use elbow grease instead of Canal by making small chemicals when washing boats. Y changes in your eve1yday decks and docks activities. These seven tips are a great • Maintain boats and engines place to start. • Prevent fuel spills As you maintain yom car (or bicycle), give Hood Canal some TLC, too. See 7. Get involved the Hood Canal "Se1vice Specialist" listings, inside, for contact inf0 1mation • Seek ways to volunteer in your and other resomces for improving the watershed health of our Canal. • Join or organize a beach/shoreline dean up, weed removal or native 1. Retain and plant plants project native vegetation • Install and maintain a pet waste • Plant native species along shorelines to collection station in your prevent erosion and filter out neighborhood pollutants • Put pet waste in the trash 4. Treat storm,vater • Join Shore Stewards through your • Plant native species to reduce fertilizer • Store manure in a covered runoff on your site WSU Extension Office and water use in the garden strucnrre • Keep compost and yard waste • Minimize lawns away from shorelines · Mulch 3. Maintain your car • Install a rain barrel or cist 2. Properly manage • Fix any oil leaks promptly collect and store rain water your waste • Recycle used motor oil and other fluids · Install a rain garden • Have your septic system • Wash yom car at a car wash or on · Use permeable pavers or inspected and maintained grass or gravel reduce pavement

• Choose compost over synth fe1tilizers • Limit use of pesticides and herbicides • Select the safest chemicals, use the smallest quantities possible (follow labels) • Dispose of unwanted p at take-back sites or events 6. Recreate respon • Collect litter and fishing de • Freeze and reuse excess fis • If there are no restroom Gathering and eati ng shellfish Is a rich part of the Northwest heritage. Let's take some small facilities, cany it out (both actions so these traditions continue to thrive. Photo courtesy of Hood Canal Coordinating Council. own and your dog's) We’re connected to Hood Canal in unexpected ways.

hether we live, work, or play in or around WHood Canal, each of us can take action to repair and maintain this cherished resource. Start with the “7-point Hood Canal Tune- up” or use the Hood Canal “Service Specialist” listings to connect with local experts. Hood Canal, streams and rivers surround us but we don’t always pay them much attention. This knuckle wolf eel appeared during a routine Learn more inside. vehicle inspection as a reminder that Canal watersheds, and not just cars, need regular attention and maintenance. Together we’ve got what it takes to keep Hood Canal smoothly humming along!

Mason County PRSRT STD P.O. Box 1666 U.S. Postage PAID Shelton, WA 98584 Olympic Mailing Services

ECRWSS

POSTAL CUSTOMER ::::::.., TO REPORT: "' Algal bloom, fish kill, oil spill or emergency environmental situation: "' Washington State Dept of Ecology Hotline- Ph: (800) 645-7911 (800-0ILS-911) ·--ftl Dangerous wildlife: Under the Hood ·- Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife Hotline - Ph: (877) 933-9847 (911 if an emergency) Hood Canal "Service Specialist" Listings Derelict fishing gear: cu An electronic version of this document, with hotlinks, is available at: "D. Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife Hotline - Ph: (800) 477-6224 Press 3 http://wdfw.wa.gov/fi shing/derelict http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/wrias/Planning/16-14b.html cu Invasive species (plants, aquatic and terrestrial animals, and insects): "' Washington Invasive Species Council Hotline - Ph: (877) 946-3378 (877-9-INFEST), ·-"> http://www.invasivespecies.wa.gov .. Leak in utility water lines or get information on water conservation: cu Jefferson Public Utility District- Ph: (360) 385-5800, http://pud.co.jefferson.wa.us Kitsap Public Utility District- Ph: (360) 779-7656, http://www.kpud.org "'~ Mason Public Utility District #1 or #3 - Ph: (360) 877-5249 or (360) 426-8255 -ftl http://www.masonpudl.org or http://www.masonpud3.org c Marine mammal concerns: ftl fl"tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration H;o~tl ~in~e :- :P~h:~(8~0~0~) 8~5;3=- 1~964~======:;-.•!l!!ll!!~i!!!l!!!!!l!'!'!l"'9' _ _,,,....-.-- ~ 0 ~~~ :c0 TO GET INFORMATION ON: Managing animal waste, small farms, or native plantings: Jefferson County Conservation District – Ph: (360) 385-4105, http://www.jeffersoncd.org Community efforts: Kitsap Conservation District – Ph: (360) 337-7171, http://www.kitsapcd.org Hood Canal Coordinating Council – Ph: (360) 394-0046, http://hccc.wa.gov Mason Conservation District – Ph: (360) 427-9436, http://www.masoncd.org Washington Sea Grant – Ph: (360) 432-3054, http://www.wsg.washington.edu National Resource Conservation Service – Ph: (360) 704-7740, http://www.nrcs.usda.gov Disposing of hazardous waste: Managing stormwater runoff: Jefferson County Household Hazardous Waste Facility – Ph: (360) 379-6911, http://solidwaste.wordpress.com/hazardous-waste-households Jefferson County Stormwater Management – Ph: (360) 379-4450 Kitsap County Health District – Solid & Hazardous Waste – Ph: (360) 337-5235 http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/Stormwater%20Management.htm http://www.kitsapcountyhealth.com/environmenta_health/solid_waste/hazardous_waste.htm Kitsap County Stormwater Management – Ph: (800) 825-4940, http://www.kitsapgov.com/sswm Mason County Household Hazardous Waste Facility – Ph: (360) 427-5271 from the Shelton area – Ph: (360) 275-4467 ext 271 from Belfair To report water pollution in Kitsap County – Ph: (360) 337-5777 http://www.co.mason.wa.us/utilities_waste/solid_waste/household_hazardous.php Mason County Stormwater Management – Ph: (360) 427-9670 Ext 769 Disposing of unwanted pharmaceuticals: http://www.co.mason.wa.us/public_works/stormwater.php Take Back Your Meds – http://www.takebackyourmeds.org Noxious weeds, native plants or landscaping, Shore Stewards: Loans for septic system repairs: WSU Jefferson County Extension – Ph: (360) 379-5610, http://jefferson.wsu.edu Enterprise Cascadia, a non-profit lender – Ph: (360) 427-2875, http://www.sbpac.com WSU Kitsap County Extension – Ph: (360) 337-7157, http://www.kitsap.wsu.edu

FOLD HERE WSU Mason County Extension – Ph: (360) 427-9670 ext 680, http://mason.wsu.edu Low Impact Development: Washington Sea Grant – Ph: (360) 432-3054, http://www.wsg.washington.edu Jefferson County Department of Community Development – Ph: (360) 379-4450, http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment Kitsap County Department of Community Development – Ph: (360) 337-5777, http://www.kitsapgov.com/dcd Recycling or disposing of many items (batteries, electronics, paint, etc.): Mason County Department of Community Development – Ph: (360) 482-5269, http://www.co.mason.wa.us/community_dev/index.php Washingtion Department of Ecology – Ph: (800) 732-9253 (800-RECYCLE), https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/recycle On-site septic system maintenance and other environmental issues: Shellfish and shellfish toxins: Jefferson County Environmental Health and Water Quality – Ph: (360) 385-9444 WA Dept of Health Office of Shellfish and Water Protection – Ph: (360) 562-5632 http://www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/index.php?environmental http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf (to report an illness from eating shellfish) Kitsap County Health District – Ph: (360) 337-5235, http://www.kitsapcountyhealth.com/environmenta_health/eh_index.htm This reference card has been provided as a service of the WRIA 16/14b Watershed Planning Unit (Covering the South Shore of Lower Hood Canal Mason County Public Health – Ph: (360) 427-9670 Ext 400 (Hoodsport, Union, Lilliwaup) or – Ph: (360) 275-4467 (Belfair) from just below Belfair, and the West Side from the Skokomish River to just north of Brinnon) with support from the WA Department of Ecology, the http://www.co.mason.wa.us/health/envhealth/index.php East Jefferson Watershed Council (http://ejwc.org) and Kitsap County.