PORTAGE BAY SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUMMARY

PDF File of Summary

AGENDA

MEETING ATTENDANCE

DOCUMENTS DISTRIBUTED

• 1/27/03 Agenda
• 11/13/02 Final Portage Bay Meeting Summary
• 12/3/02 Lynden Fairgrounds Dye Study Report

MEETING CONTENTS

1. Public Comment Period

There was no public comment.

2. Review Previous Meeting Summary and Meeting Agenda

11/13/02 Meeting Summary
There were no revisions to the 11/13/02 IFA meeting summary.

• Action: Distribute the 11/13/02 Portage Bay Advisory Committee (AC) Meeting Summary as Final.

Based on action items from the last meeting, the following will occur:

• Action: Chris will follow-up on the mutt mitt stations discussed during the 11/13/02 AC meeting and draft a letter to Roland Signett regarding a City of Ferndale employee attending these meetings regularly.

Meeting Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda.

3. Meeting Schedule - frequency, date, time, place

AC members discussed the 2003 meeting schedule and the frequency of meetings. One member mentioned that evening meetings might generate a better turn out because more people may be available during the evening.

Another AC member suggested having a regularly scheduled meeting time, but meet only when it is necessary i.e. there is enough on the agenda to warrant a 2-hour meeting. The member suggested that the group could decide at the end of each meeting whether or not they need to meet the next month and Anvil will send out notices letting members know what the committee has decided.

• Action: The Portage Bay Advisory Committee will meet on the second Monday of every month (as needed) at the Whatcom County Water Resources Building from 6-8 p.m. At least one week prior to each monthly meeting, Anvil will distribute a meeting agenda or a cancellation notice to AC members.
• Action: The next AC meeting is scheduled for 3/10/03 from 6-8 p.m. at the Water Resources Building located at 322 North Commercial Street.

Another member suggested combining efforts with the Marine Resources Committee (MRC) since both groups focus on the same general problems. Ami noted that the MRC usually has a full agenda and suggested that a quarterly meeting with the MRC may be more feasible.

Several members expressed a concern for scheduling the monthly meetings so that Don Lennartson will be able to attend, since reclassifying Portage Bay is one of the main goals of the committee.

• Action: Chris will check with Don about his availability on 3/10/03 and whether or not he will be able to make it to the AC meeting.

4. Results of Dye Study from Lynden Fairgrounds

Ami distributed the 12/3/02 Lynden Fairgrounds Dye Study Report to AC members for their review. The study is part of the investigation to determine if a possible source can be located that may have contributed to the high counts seen over the shellfish beds in August of this year. Prior to the 12/3/02 dye study, Department of Ecology (DOE) staff had visited the site of the Lynden Fair Grounds and documented the locations of the storm and building drains around the fairgrounds. Ami, Mark Henderson, and Kasey Ignac updated AC members to the findings of this dye study.

Mark mentioned that all the water that was dumped into the drains ended up where it was supposed to go. The newer buildings drained into the sanitary sewer and many of the older buildings drained into bedrock dry wells.

The report pointed out the following conclusions that were drawn because of the study:

• The building drains and restrooms hook up to the sanitary sewer system.
• The storm drains require substantial flow (about 2 full truck loads of water) before they dye was noted in storm drains further down the line and no dye was ever noted making it to the creek on this occasion (early dye work done by the City of Lynden was conducted after rainfall and dye did eventually make it from the storm drains to the creek on that occasion).
• The results from testing done on 12/3/02 were consistent to the testing done by the City of Lynden at an earlier date.

One member mentioned that these results should be included in the quarterly report to Don to let the Department of Health know that the committee is doing everything possible to track down the source.

Another member suggested that samples be taken from creeks near the fairgrounds a couple weeks before, during, and after the fair to identify any changes during these times.

The meeting facilitator mentioned that a Fall 2002 Northwest Indian Fish Commission newsletter article quoted a DOE employee saying that the cause of the high FC counts was due to a broken sewer line at the Fair. Mark agreed to follow-up with this issue and report back to the committee.

One member asked if collecting more data would help identify the source; if we have sufficient data, is someone processing it? One member mentioned that we have collected enough data and Steve Hood from DOE has taken on this responsibility.

• Action: AC members agreed to include time on the 3/10/03 agenda for Steve to discuss his analysis of the Portage Bay data and any recommendations he may have.
• Action: Chris will draft a letter to Steve asking him to update AC members on his analysis and how to allocate resources appropriately.

Another AC member noted that collecting data only shows that there is a problem and that public involvement would be more helpful in identifying the source. One member suggested writing articles for the paper to spread the word about Portage Bay’s problems or meeting with the tribes to find out what their concerns are and possibly take a tour to educate the members of the committee on issues important to the Lummi Nation and what efforts are occurring through Lummi Nation to address water quality problems. These types of meetings could help the committee to focus their future efforts within the shellfish district.

• Action: Chris will draft a letter to a Lummi Nation representative requesting a meeting between the tribe and this committee to help improve communication and help the committee focus their future efforts for tracking down and correcting pollution problems within the watershed.

Another member suggested organizing a friendly competition between the landowners of Bertrand and Tenmile Creeks. Dorie noted there are many Tenmile landowners who would like to start testing the water quality in their area so that any problems can be identified early.

George Boggs suggested that these people form a group who could be trained by professionals on how to correctly collect data, which would also be an educational opportunity within the community as well.

Chris mentioned that she would like closure on the high counts in August as it is felt that the committee has done everything possible to identify the sources of FC without resolve. She suggested that the committee might want to draft a letter to DOH, notifying them of the committee’s situation.

• Action: Chris will draft a letter to DOH, explaining the committee’s efforts thus far and the current situation regarding identifying the source of contamination.

5. Discussion on Protocol for Fecal Coliform Pollution Response

Ami distributed the draft protocol for responding to incidents of high FC counts to AC members for their review. Ami mentioned that she sent a copy to Hilary Culverwell who made comments that are included in the draft.

• Action: AC members will review the FC Response Protocol and provide comments to Ami by the last week in February so she can compile them in time for the 3/10/03 meeting.

6. New Business

AC members welcomed new member, Justin McKay to the committee.

• Action: Anvil will add Justin to the Portage Bay AC distribution list so that he will receive all meeting materials and notices.

George Boggs asked the committee to draft a letter of support for the Conservation Districts application for Centennial Clean Water Fund Money. This was in response to the possible loss of pertinent jobs through funding cuts at the CD that work with farmers and landowners to keep water quality in check through out the district.

• Action: Chris will draft a letter of support for the Conservation District’s grant application for Centennial Clean Water Fund money.

7. Next Meeting Agenda

To be determined.