Henderson Inlet - Nisqually Reach Shellfish Protection District News from the State Dept. of Health WORK REMAINS PRSRT STD US POSTAGE The Washington State Department of Health monitors water quality monthly at a network Many actions featured in of sampling stations in Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach. Over the past year, the this newsletter also advance PAID department has upgraded harvest clasifications in both areas due to improved water broader cleanup plans by the OLYMPIA WA quality conditions. state Department of Ecology. Shellfish Protection District News PERMIT NO 167 Ecology was required under HENDERSON INLET & the federal Clean Water Act Produced by Thurston County Public Henderson Inlet Nisqually Reach to write the plans, commonly Health and Social Services Department, NISQUALLY REACH For the first time since the mid- In October 2009, the Department of Health known as “TMDLs,” because Environmental Health Division eighties, the Department of Health in lifted harvesting restrictions on 12 acres of Henderson Inlet and the 2000 Lakeridge Drive S.W. January 2010 was able to lift harvest the Nisqually Reach shellfish growing area. Nisqually River are listed Olympia, WA 98502 restrictions on most shellfish growing The area is located where McAllister Creek on the state’s list of impaired areas in Henderson Inlet. The areas enters Puget Sound just west of the Nisqually water bodies. (TMDL stands for “Total Maximum Daily had been off-limits to harvesting for flats. This is the fourth and final upgrade in newsJuly 2010 five days after rainfall of one inch or classification of 1,000 acres that were initially Load.”) more. The southern part of the bay downgraded in 1992. Ecology will continue to remains prohibited to harvesting due EASY ACTIONS coordinate efforts to reduce to pollution concerns from Woodland While marine water quality is improving in fecal coliform in these FOR WATER Restoration of Henderson Inlet Creek. most of the growing area, shellfish harvesting is prohibited in portions of the area due to watersheds. Reductions are elevated fecal coliform levels in the shoreline needed for the Nisqually and Nisqually Reach - It Can Happen! Watershed by 2015 and drainages. ith every splash upon an oar, with two inlets due to unacceptably high Henderson Watershed by every oyster harvested on a serene levels of fecal coliform bacteria, the latest 2018. W day, with every beautiful view that leaves in a series of restrictions that began in Henderson Inlet Upgrades Nisqually Reach Upgrades us breathless, Puget Sound begs us to not 1984. The department’s actions triggered Henderson Inlet Nisqually Reach be complacent about its future. Here in the a state law that required Thurston Commercial Shellfish Growing Area Commercial Shellfish Growing Area Henderson Inlet - Nisqually Reach region, County to create two shellfish protection Inspect septic systems we’ve heard the call and have good news districts, which later merged into one and pump tanks regularly. to report. Improvements in entity. Funding for the Septic Program May Head to Nisqually Reach...continued water quality in northern shellfish protection district Pick up pet waste with Henderson Inlet have comes from the Thurston In 2006 and 2007, septic systems to help improve water quality all along The success of any program depends a bag – both in the yard enabled the state Department Conservation District, grants, along a 2-mile stretch of shoreline the Nisqually Reach. The committee on the support of people who will and in public places – and of Health to reopen 240 county and city resources, as near Mill Bight were tested after the is made up of property owners, live with it and implement it, so your place it in the trash. acres of shellfish-growing well as the taxpaying public. state Department of Health reported homeowners associations, shellfish concerns and perspectives are VERY JOHNSON POINT RD NE tidelands for harvest without numerous drainage pipes discharging growers, business owners, realtors, important to us. Take cars to a 81ST AVE NE weather restrictions. Although the quality of water commercial car wash, where 78TH AVE NE fecal contaminated water to the developers, septic professionals, the in northern Henderson Inlet You can follow the committee’s water is handled properly. beach. One in three systems tested Nisqually Tribe, and local and state These improvements are due Henderson Inlet at the mouth of has improved remarkably, we were failing. While all of those failing government representatives. progress on www.co.thurston.wa.us/ Woodland Creek 63RD AVE NE largely to the homeowners, must remain vigilant. Water health/ehrp/nisqually.html. You can Fix car leaks, or place systems were repaired, many have local governments, state quality can degrade easily The advisory committee met for the also e-mail environmental_health@ cardboard under the car LIBBY RD NE never been tested. Pollution projects agencies and other organizations that have if our commitment ebbs, and much work first time in March 2010 and plans to co.thurston.wa.us to place your name in the short term to catch MARVIN RD NE throughout Puget Sound have shown been working within the framework of the still remains. More than 400 acres of the PUGET BEACH RD NE have a draft proposal by September. on the project e-mail list. Watch for leaking oil or fluids. 63RD AVE NE that “fix it and forget it” doesn’t last. Henderson Inlet - Nisqually Reach Shellfish southern inlet are still either prohibited for Public meetings will then be held to mailings and public announcements Protection District. The district establishes harvesting shellfish or restricted when it A stakeholder committee, appointed by talk about water quality issues and soon! Use compost instead of and funds projects to improve water rains. MARVIN RD NE fertilizers to grow a healthy MERIDIAN RD NE the Thurston County Board of Health, details of a draft proposal. quality in Henderson Inlet and Nisqually is now working to develop a proposal lawn and garden. Upgrade Area JOHNSON POINT RD NE Reach. This publication shares news on how the Commercial Shellfish PUGET RD NE Upgrade Area Growing Area shellfish protection district community Commercial Shellfish I-5 Approved Growing Areas The shellfish protection district began is working to ensure the waters of Conditional Approved as two separate districts in 2001 under a Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach are SLEATER KINNEY RD NE Prohibited Prohibited much different scenario: back then, the safe – whether residents are digging clams, state Department of Health had closed or gathering oysters, playing in the surf or THURSTON COUNTY PUBLIC restricted shellfish harvesting along the simply immersed in the view of south Puget HEALTH AND SOCIAL Sound. SERVICES, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION MAKE CLEAR So What Made the Difference? Local Organizations Make a Splash QUICK PICS Henderson Septic System Program a Success PET waste CHOICES FOR awareness One word sums up the reason behind the • The City of Lacey has protected roughly Community Shellfish Farm Hats off to Henderson Watershed Baffle damage is common due to the CLEAN water accomplishments made by the shellfish 750 acres along the Woodland Creek homeowners! The first three years of the corrosive nature of sewage and sewer gas in Manure from dogs and protection district thus far: teamwork. corridor through required shoreline buffers, If you’ve ever slurped Pacific Oysters, you’ve had a tasty reminder why it’s so important Henderson Watershed Protection Area the tank. The most common maintenance other pets contains Homeowners, local governments, state zoning requirements and land acquisitions. to protect the quality of water in Henderson Inlet. Thousands of these oysters are planted Septic System Operation and Maintenance item has been septic tank pumping. excess nutrients and agencies and organizations have set a Similar efforts by Thurston County have and harvested at the Henderson Inlet Community Shellfish Farm, a project launched by Program have been successful. Most disease-carrying About 90 percent of the septic systems in common course toward cleaner water in protected an additional 120 acres along the the Puget Sound Restoration Fund and the Pacific Shellfish Growers Association in 2002 homeowners have completed inspections pathogens that can harm the program are gravity, pressure, mound Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach. Woodland Creek corridor. to raise awareness about pollution problems in the inlet. The oysters are sold to residents, of their septic systems and performed humans and wildlife. or Glendon septic systems. Owners of these the Olympia Seafood Company and Elliott’s Oyster House in Seattle. A dozen free oysters Slurping oysters, the needed maintenance and repairs. The Clear Choices for Clean • Homeowners in the • The City of Lacey also courtesy Robert Kangas systems can participate in a 5-hour training are available to homeowners within the Henderson Watershed who bring their septic Many owners attended a workshop and For the past five years, Water program provides Henderson Watershed have invested millions of dollars workshop and become certified to do their inspection certificates to Olympia Seafood Company. became certified to inspect their own septic the Pacific Shellfish own system inspections ... and 1,623 owners generous incentives to been diligently inspecting on major stormwater-control systems; others hired a septic professional Institute (PSI) has have done just that! encourage people to take septic systems and making projects so stormwater Thanks to the work and generous contributions of many, the community shellfish farm is to do the job. conducted a pet waste simple actions to protect repairs as part of Thurston that once dumped directly now located on approved ground. Visit www.restorationfund.org or call (206) 780-6947. education campaign The $50 riser rebate program has been very water resources. Items such County’s septic system into Woodland Creek – the There are now 6,127 parcels in the within the Henderson popular! Access risers for the septic tank as free native plants selected operation and maintenance main source of freshwater program.