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June & July 2020
It looks like summer has finally arrived!  It's been a challenging spring this year with wet conditions and COVID having a huge impact on the way we live, work, and play. This E-News edition provides updates on PIC projects, adaptations to outreach and assistance programs, water quality patterns, and resources and tools available to help community members.  
The PIC Program sent out this Resource Reminder to 3,500 residents in Whatcom PIC areas in July.  It provides tips and tools to help residents with small farms, septic systems, and dogs.    Click here to view this newsletter electronically.
We are starting the summer off by launching an online pet-waste pledge for Whatcom residents as we adapt from planned in-person summer events. Dog owners can receive a small leash clip to help them carry dog waste to the trash hands-free while on walks. Through the pledge, people can also become an ambassador and receive a 'poop fairy' sign for their yard. The pledge is rolling out this summer through social media, direct mailings, and a photo contest.               
Keep an eye out for it!
Whatcom County Public Works and the Whatcom Conservation District sent out a dog owner survey in early April. We received responses from 1,202 people living in rural and urban areas across Whatcom County. We will be using the responses to guide future outreach programs aimed at encouraging water quality stewardship through managing pet waste. Here are a few notable statistics and positive responses:
  • 72% of respondents said protecting the environmental/water quality is one of their motivations for picking up pet waste. 
  • Many people noted that picking up their dog's poop is the "right thing to do!"
  • For respondents whose dogs use their yard, 88% said they pick up dog poop at least once per week. 
Thanks to all who responded! We will continue sharing the many reasons it is important to clean-up your dog's poop on your property, in your neighborhood, in your parks and on your trails.
This is an ideal time for farm construction projects!  The Whatcom Conservation District has several tools available for you this summer.  Rent the manure spreader or poultry processor through their Equipment Share Program. Get tips for your farm or see their latest research projects on their YouTube Channel with videos ranging from weather stations to irrigation planning and soil health on your farm.  If you have a specific question or issue, farm planners are available to assist you remotely or in limited circumstances with a site visit to your property using safety precautions.  Don't forget about the rebate and cost-share programs to help with your construction projects!  
There’s no way around it- we’ve had a wet spring.
May had 3.88 inches and June had 3.04 inches of precipitation this year.  This May was wetter than 9 of the previous 13 years and this June was the wettest in at least 14 years (May averages 2.25 inches; June averages 1.5 inches).  Pre-scheduled marine sampling runs in May and June occurred on days with rain events and demonstrated that we continue to observe elevated bacteria in freshwater and marine systems with rain events.  These patterns illustrate our need to continue to evaluate and adjust tools to address bacteria sources in wet conditions to improve marine water quality and fully reopen shellfish harvest.
Portage Bay Marine Sites: Dots indicate the 90th percentile at each site for the last 30 samples (November 2017- June 2020).  Red sites exceed the standard (>43 MPN/100mL), orange sites are ‘Threatened’ (30-43 MPN/100mL), yellow sites are ‘Of Concern’ (20-30 MPN/100mL), and green sites are ‘Well Within’ standards (<20 MPN/100mL).  This data includes elevated bacteria results observed during the fall closure season.  The recent May and June sampling runs have clearly demonstrated the challenges of protecting water quality during rain events.  Rain washed pollutants from the land down creeks and rivers to the marine waters.  This led to increasing 90th percentiles at all sites and four sites (red arrows) moved into a category indicating higher bacteria results.  Maintaining low bacteria concentrations in the spring remains important to keep Portage Bay shellfish harvesting open during the spring season.
 
Drayton Harbor Marine Sites.  Dots indicate the 90th percentile at each site for the last 30 samples (August 2017 – June 2020).  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. The 90th percentile for the last 30 samples at the majority of stations held steady with June samples.  The primary marine areas of concern are near the mouth of the harbor (red oval) and near the mouths of California and Dakota Creeks (orange oval).   The 90th percentile at station 15 is above the threshold for prohibited classification, but is located in the permanent marina closure zone.  The 90th percentile at station 8, also within the marina closure zone, improved slightly.  
 
Stay up to date on our social media communications by following the Whatcom County Public Works and Whatcom Conservation District Facebook pages.  www.facebook.com/WhatcomCountyPublicWorks/ 
www.facebook.com/WhatcomCD/
Was your farm muddy this past winter?  Summer is a great time to install barn gutters and outlet systems to keep roof water where you want it.  We can help with the cost of installation through the small farm rebate program.  Call the Whatcom Conservation District at 360.526.2381 to see if you are eligible and learn more about the small farm rebate program http://www.whatcomcounty.us/2909/Small-Farm-Improvement-Rebates.
In-person workshops are currently not available.  However, you can complete Whatcom County Health Department's online training to become certified to evaluate your own system (check eligibility for your system) and qualify for a septic maintenance rebate. You can save money and have confidence in knowing how your septic system works.  Find operation and conservation tips to help lengthen the life of your system.  Click here to find out more.

Looking for information on the Septic Rebate Program? Click here for the Septic Rebate Program Under COVID-19 Restrictions 
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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