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November 2019
Effective October 22, 2019 a new area of 765 acres is approved for commercial shellfish harvest in Drayton Harbor! Washington Department of Health approved the new acreage for commercial harvest after determining that marine water quality and shoreline conditions meet necessary standards. The reclassification of the shellfish growing area reflects the Drayton Harbor watershed community's commitment to finding and fixing preventable sources of human and animal bacteria pollution.
“The long-term commitment to water quality improvement by local and state agencies, tribes, and community members has been paramount to the success seen in this area.  Data shows that pollution prevention actions are working and the community can be proud of their accomplishments.”
–Scott Berbells (Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Growing Area Section Manager)
In October, we visited Bob VanWeerdhuizen to deliver an award for his many years of dedicated volunteer service to the Portage Bay Shellfish Advisory Committee.  Bob was involved in the development of the initial shellfish closure response strategy in 1997 and served on the advisory committee through 2017.
Albert de Boer (Portage Bay Chair) and Christine Woodward (Portage Vice-Chair) providing award to Bob VanWeerhuizen (center).
“Bob was an integral partner in the development of the Portage Bay Closure Response Strategy in 1997. At that time he was representing the Whatcom County Dairy Federation. He fought hard to be fair in representing his friends and neighbors in the dairy business but to hold them accountable for actions that affected the group as a whole. Bob has always seen the connection between clean water, upland farmers and the farmers of the tideflats. We may not have agreed on everything but we did agree that clean water is a right for everyone. Though not always popular for his outspoken words, those words have always been true and fair. In 2014 when the shellfish beds were being downgraded once again, Bob brought his experience to the table to work cooperatively with the new group in giving direction, honest words and to help once again to battle for clean water in the Nooksack watershed. Bob is a true steward of his world and a mentor for so many. I am proud to call him not just another committee member but a true friend.”
– Christine Woodward (Vice-Chair Portage Bay Shellfish Advisory Committee) 

FALL RAINS LEAD TO HIGH BACTERIA POLLUTION LEVELS IN PORTAGE BAY

Fall is a challenging time for improving water quality and requires consistent efforts to address preventable sources of fecal bacteria pollution. After months of dry summer weather, fecal bacteria from sources such as farm animals and pets build up on the land. Fall rains pick up pollutants and carry them into our ditches and creeks and downstream to our bays and harbors. Fecal bacteria pollution limits people’s ability to safely work in, play in, and harvest food from local waters.
Fall rains have arrived. Click above for a short video...
Drayton Harbor
Drayton Marine Sites: Dots indicate the 90th percentile at each site for the last 30 samples (March 2017 – October 2019).  Red sites exceed the standard (> 43 MPN/100mL), orange are ‘Threatened ‘(30-43 MPN/100mL), yellow are ‘Of Concern’ (20-30 MPN/100mL), green are ‘Well Within’ standards (< 20 MPN/100mL) and blue are <10MPN/100mL.
Drayton Harbor Marine Status: Bacteria results in Drayton Harbor during the October 23, 2019 marine sampling run were elevated at 11 of 14 sites (range of 13 to 130 MPN/100mL). The highest result was observed at station 315 (130 MPN/100mL). With these results, the 90th percentile for the last 30 samples at the stations in the western portion of the bay increased slightly. This pattern was also observed at stations 378 and 379, closest to the mouths of California and Dakota Creeks.  However, the 30 sample 90th percentiles for stations 4, 6, 413, 8, and 15 all decreased slightly. Station 6 is now classified as well within standards (green arrow). This sampling run followed heavy rains in mid-October from the 17th through the 22nd.
Drayton Watershed Freshwater Status: The October routine freshwater sampling run was conducted on October 22nd, the day before marine sampling.  All freshwater results for the mainstem of California and Dakota Creeks were greater than 200 cfu/100mL with the exception of SFDak0.2 (South Fork Dakota at Custer School Road). This highest concentrations of fecal bacteria at mainstem sites were observed at Cal 6.2 (California creek at Bruce Road) and NFDak0.1 (North Fork Dakota at Custer School Road) with results of 1,100 and 1,200 cfu/100mL, respectively. The highest concentrations at tributary sites were observed at CA6 (Arnie Road- Custer drainage) and TribDakN2 (North Fork Dakota tributary at Delta Line Road) with results of 1,500 cfu/100mL at each site. This pre-scheduled sampling run followed heavy rains in mid-October from the 17th through the 22nd.

Latest Drayton Routine Water Quality Summary
Portage Bay/Nooksack Watershed
Portage Bay Marine Sites: Dots indicate the 90th percentile at each site for the last 30 samples (March 2017-October 2019). Orange sites are ‘Threatened ‘(30-43 MPN/100mL),Yellow are ‘Of Concern’ (20-30 MPN/100mL), green are ‘Well Within’ standards (< 20 MPN/100mL), and blue are <10 MPN/100mL.
Portage Bay Marine Status: Bacteria results in Portage Bay during the October 23, 2019 marine sampling run were elevated following several days of heavy rain (range of 13 to 170 MPN/100mL).  Salinity levels at all stations were low indicating a large influence from the Nooksack River. The September and October sampling runs have clearly demonstrated the challenges of protecting water quality during early fall rains.  Following dry periods, rain washes pollutants from the land down creeks and rivers to the marine waters.  The 30 sample estimated 90th percentiles (March 2017 to October 2019) increased again at the majority of stations in October.  Stations 50 and 52 (orange oval) are the most vulnerable stations to a change in shellfish classification.  The estimated 90th percentile for station 50 is 38.3 MPN/100mL and for station 52 is 40.5 MPN/100mL.  The threshold for prohibited status is 43 MPN/100mL.
Portage/Nooksack Watershed Freshwater Summary: The routine freshwater sampling run conducted in the Nooksack watershed on October 22nd, the day before marine sampling, showed high fecal bacteria through most of the system. Several sites at the base of drainages were unable to be sampled due to flooding (Scott, Kamm, Fishtrap, and Tenmile). The highest fecal bacteria concentrations were observed at B1 (Bertrand at Rathbone) and S2 and S3 (Scott at Hannegan and Thiel Roads). B1 had a result of 5900 cfu/100mL and S2 and S3 had results of 1,500 and 1,800 cfu/100mL, respectively. Bertrand drainage results at the international border were elevated, however bacteria concentrations increased as water moved downstream to Rathbone Road. This indicates bacteria sources originating from both sides of the border. The Nooksack watershed routine sampling run on November 6th, following a dry period, had low results (below 100cfu/100mL) throughout the system. 
 
The Wet Season is Here- Take Steps to Prepare:  Why do we care so much about the wet season?  While bacteria concentrations in Portage Bay look pretty good overall, this is in stark contrast to what we observe during the fall (October through December), especially after fall rains.  The image below illustrates the bacteria concentrations that we have observed in the fall over the past 5 years.  This September and October, we have seen the same patterns.  When rain and bacteria sources mix, elevated bacteria concentrations are observed in the freshwater moving all the way downstream to the marine waters.  We can all take steps to protect and improve water quality during this critical fall period.
Portage Bay Marine Sites in the Fall:  Dots indicate the 90th percentile at each site specifically during the fall (October-December) for the last five years.  Red sites exceed the standard (>43MPN/100mL), orange are ‘Threatened ‘(30-43 MPN/100mL), yellow are ‘Of Concern’ (20-30 MPN/100mL), green are ‘Well Within’ standards (< 20 MPN/100mL) and blue are <10MPN/100mL.
Click here for tips and more information about how you can help prevent pollution closures
Farm Speaker Series: Winter Mud Management
November 14, 2019, 6-8PM
Everson Auction Market 

Join us for a FREE workshop on November 14th from 6-8 PM at the Everson Auction Market, 7291 Everson Goshen Rd. Come learn rainy season tips from WCD farm planners and a panel of local contractors. Join us as we walk through the initial design steps to plan your dream barnyard layout. Learn about resources available locally to help farmers manage the rainy season including rebates for barn gutters and heavy use area footing, tarps for manure piles and more! Learn more here.

RSVP(suggested): Katie Pencke, kpencke@whatcomcd.org or 360-526-2381 x105

Celebrate healthy waters and fresh harvest!

Join your community and celebrate the three-year anniversary of lifted shellfish harvesting restrictions in Drayton Harbor. We will also be celebrating additional lifted restrictions that went into place this October!

You're invited to attend the Drayton Harbor Shellebration on Friday, December 13th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the H Street Plaza located in downtown Blaine, WA.

This FREE event will include refreshments, oyster samples courtesy of the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, and the presentation of community awards. Community awards ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. This event will be outdoors so please dress to stay warm and dry.
Septic System Homeowner Training: December 5th
When you take Whatcom County Health's free training you will be certified to evaluate your own system. You can save money and have confidence in knowing how your septic system works. If your system is not eligible for homeowner evaluation or you simply don’t want to do it yourself, this class is still for you! 
Click here to find out more.
Other Program Links:
Water Quality Tools:
Whatcom County Public Work’s PIC (Pollution, Identification, and Correction) Program uses water quality monitoring (collecting samples in creeks, rivers, and bays) to identify priority areas for improvement programs and provides community outreach and education, technical and financial assistance for landowners, and coordination with County departments and other agencies to identify and address potential bacteria sources polluting our waterways.
PIC Program Website
Facebook
Website
Email
Our contact information:
322 N. Commercial Street Suite 110
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360)778-6230
PICProgram@co.whatcom.wa.us


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This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J18001 through the Washington State Department of Health. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Washington State Department of Health, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.






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Whatcom County Public Works · 322 N Commercial St Ste 110 · Bellingham, WA 98225-4042 · USA

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