DRAYTON HARBOR SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA

Download Zip File of All 2002 Summaries

AGENDA

MEETING ATTENDANCE

DOCUMENTS DISTRIBUTED

• Agenda
• 3/27/02 IFA Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee (AC) Meeting Summary
• Applying Landscape Principles to Wetland Planning in the Drayton Harbor Drainage (PowerPoint Presentation)

MEETING CONTENTS

1. Public Comment Period

No comments from the public.

2. Review Agenda and Previous Meeting Summary

Review Agenda
Geoff Menzies reviewed the agenda. One member, who had to leave the meeting at 5:00 p.m. asked that the DOE presentation be moved to the beginning of the meeting.

Review Meeting Summary
The committee reviewed and approved the 4/17/02 Meeting Summary.

• Action: Distribute the 4/17/02 IFA Meeting Summary as Final.

3. Shuckin’ on the Spit Event Review

Due to lack of time, the committee did not discuss this agenda item.

4. Presentation by State DOE

Geoff introduced Stephen Stanley and Susan Grigsby from the Department of Ecology (DOE) and gave a brief synopsis of their work in the watershed. Geoff and the Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) initially started work to identify critical wetlands around Drayton Harbor. Geoff eventually contacted the DOE Wetland Restoration Program. The DOE expanded the scope of the project to include the Dakota and California Creek watersheds. The purpose of the project is to apply a landscape-scale perspective to wetland restoration as a means for water quality improvements in Drayton Harbor. The project task is to identify areas/sites within each drainage that have potential for wetland restoration as a strategy to help reduce fecal loading to Drayton Harbor.

Physical/chemical and biological mechanisms for improving water quality are most efficient with increased residence time for water in the system, increased vegetation density, and increased width of vegetated buffers—all of which result from restoration of wetland areas. In wetland areas, predatory protozoans feed on fecal coliform in the water. The effectiveness of the protozoans at fecal coliform removal depends on the residence time of the water in the systems. The longer the water remains in the system, the more fecal coliform the protozoans are able to process from the water.

Analysis of soils, topography, geology, and land cover data indicate areas that are suitable for wetland preservation or restoration. The project researchers then reviewed existing water quality sampling data in order to locate areas of contamination that would be areas to look at for possible restoration/remediation efforts. The researchers selected sample sites and sampled for pH, conductivity, nitrate/nitrite, and % saturation for dissolved oxygen. The researchers found a strong correlation between land use and water quality parameters in the California and Dakota Creek drainages. The project found that the Dakota Creek “hotspot” areas are dominated by surface flow due to a decrease in infiltration. Decreased infiltration indicates decreased residence time for water in the system and impaired water quality processes.

Due to agricultural needs, existing wetland zones in the basins generally consist of mowed or grazed vegetation, minimal woody debris, and channelization of wetlands. Disced or tilled soil demonstrates run-off coefficients similar to urban areas. Researchers estimate that under certain wet weather conditions, water in the agricultural areas of the upper Dakota Creek basin take approximately 7 hours to reach Drayton Harbor. The project researchers recommend that residence time be increased to a minimum of 2 to 7 days to gain maximum benefit from wetland processes. By restoring key wetland areas, the project hopes to maximize the benefit to water quality, while minimizing impact on agricultural uses in the basins. Stephen emphasized that target areas for wetland restoration would most likely coincide with the least productive agricultural lands.

The committee discussed the findings of the project analysis in terms of the water quality data for Drayton Harbor. State Department of Health (DOH) analysis has shown a strong correlation between rain events and high fecal counts in the harbor. If samples immediately following a rain event are discounted, all but one of the monitoring stations in the harbor would pass the shellfish growing area requirements. The DOE project suggests that wetland restoration could be a long-term solution to fecal coliform contamination in Drayton Harbor that is linked to rain events.

The committee discussed the difficulties associated with acquiring land in the lower watershed, or in coastal areas. Due to higher land values of properties near the shoreline, it has been difficult to compete for federal dollars with other local public land acquisition projects and there are minimal government funds available for providing local match.. The committee discussed the possibility of constructing a Padilla Bay-style learning center/recreation area. One attendee suggested focusing on the increased bird habitat and the opportunities for bird watching and related tourism.

Stephen and Susan are scheduled to present to the Whatcom County Planning Department on 5/17/02. George Boggs from the Whatcom Conservation District will be in attendance. In addition, Stephen and Susan will present to DOE staff involved with the Nooksack TMDL to discuss the benefits of wetland restoration to salmon stocks.

Stephen estimated that restoration costs would total approximately $4/square foot for planting willow wands, placing some woody debris, and re-routing some stream courses. For the final report, Stephen and Susan plan to suggest three areas for restoration or preservation. One attendee asked that they try to include cost information.

5. New Business

No new business.

6. Next Meeting’s Agenda

To be determined