PORTAGE BAY SHELLFISH PROTECTION DISTRICT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUMMARY

ZIp File of 2002 Summaries

AGENDA

MEETING ATTENDANCE

DOCUMENTS DISTRIBUTED

• Agenda
• 3/27/02 Meeting Summary

MEETING CONTENTS

1. Public Comment Period

No comments from the public.

2. Review Previous Meeting Summary and Meeting Agenda

The 3/27/02 Meeting Summary was approved.

• Action: Distribute the 3/27/02 Meeting Summary as final.

3. Continuation of Work on the Matrix

The AC continued their discussion and specific revisions to the Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District Matrix (matrix).

Objective 3 Control STP’s and OSS’s Sources
Task 3.1 dealt with an on-site sewage system (OSS) survey in the Marietta, Rural Ave and County Lane area. Whatcom County Health and Human Services (WHHS) completed the surveys. Homeowners with faulty septic systems (6) made the necessary repairs. Ed Halasz will research what the final date was for repair completion and will also determine is a report was issued. Ed explained that WHHS responds to complaints for the Nooksack watershed on an ongoing basis.

• Action: Ed will find a repair completion date for Task 3.1 and also the title of any pertinent report that was issued.
• Action: In the matrix column for current status, Ami will add ”ongoing monitoring” for Task 3.1.

Task 3.2 dealt with grant funding to assist homeowners with failing OSS repairs. The grant program remains unfunded and has been tabled as County Health now has a zero interest loan program to assist homeowners with repairs (see Task 3.3).

• Action: In the status column on the matrix, Ami will add tabled for Task 3.2.
• Action: The AC recommends discontinuing Task 3.2 concerning pursuing grant funding.

Task 3.3 pertains to a loan opportunity for homeowners to assist with OSS failure repairs. The loan program is ongoing. The AC is in favor of the restructured program.

Task 3.4 pertains to OSS enforcement policies. County Council adopted policies in 1997 and required repair actions have been enforced since that time. County Health responds to any sewage-related complaints on an ongoing basis. Homeowner response time is prioritized based on a set of criteria for failures. If WHHS discovers a problem, the homeowner is generally notified to initiate corrective action within 30 days. In higher risk situations, the homeowner must initiate action within seven days.

Task 3.5 dealt with the current work plan for developing a County OSS Operations and Maintenance Program. The plan has been developed. Members wanted to adjust the wording in the task to address prioritizing sub-basin with higher risks to water and, in particular, to shellfish resources.

Task 3.6 deals with reminder mailings that WHHS sends to homeowners (5000 sent out each year). The reminder program is ongoing subject to funding (funding comes from an interlocal agreement with the City of Bellingham). The AC agreed to replace the words of each watershed code and subbasin under Task 3.6 with the wording “Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District.”

• Action: Ami will update the wording under Task 3.6 to read “Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District.”

The AC discussed potential non-fecal pollution problems such as heavy metals. A member said that EPA inspectors are responsible for monitoring pollution other than fecal coliform and, according to the EPA, there have been no recorded problems in the relevant drainages. One member suggested that monitoring should be undertaken for heavy metals and other pollutants. Comments were made that this type of monitoring can be quite expensive over time. The AC focuses on fecal coliform because this is the pollution criterion the WDOH uses to close areas to shellfish harvesting. Members agreed that it would be helpful to have Dave Ragsdale of EPA attend the May meeting to discuss potential pollution problems.

• Action: Ami will invite Dave Ragsdale to the May meeting.

Task 3.7 deals with ensuring residential connection to public sewers or adequately functioning OSS systems. Although there is no regulation to require connection, the cities and the County encourage homeowners to make the connection as soon as public sewers are installed.

• Action: Ami will add “Everson” to the status column indicating cities that have compiled lists of residences that are now able to connect to public sewer.

Tasks 3.8, 3.9, and 3.10 all relate to DOE inspection of WWTPs. These processes are in place and tasks are ongoing. The AC decided that the status column on the matrix would be amended to clarify this.

Mark Henderson discussed the issue of addressing distinct incidences of total maximum daily load (TMDL) problems at wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Mark Henderson reported that all relevant drainages have been meeting TMDL requirements.

Task 3.11 was a one-time procedural and operational review that was completed. When there have been incidents, WWTP managers have handled the problems and notified DOE.

Mark reported that generally all WWTPs have been in compliance for a while. One WWTP went from counts of 200 CFU/100 mL in the effluent down to less than 28 CFU/100 mL, using a system of chlorination and subsequent de-chlorination. (CFU is the abbreviation for “colony forming unit.”) All of the wastewater treatment plants (Lynden, Ferndale and Everson) will be required to meet the new lower standard of 28 CFU/100mL in their effluent when their permits come up for review/renewal by DOE. Cities apply for grants from DOE and other grant funding sources to help upgrade their systems.

• Action: Ami will add the status of Tasks 3.8, 3.9, 3.10,and 3.11 to the matrix.

Objective 4: Monitor Water Quality
Task 4.1 and 4.2 are ongoing monitoring projects. They are funded by different sources and will continue as long as funding remains available. The AC would like the sources of funding indicated on the matrix for Task 4.2.

Task 4.3 is related to water quality monitoring that is funded by various sources associated with the TMDL. The AC agreed to request information from the Nooksack Tribe and the River Farm regarding this Task.

• Action: Ami will follow up with Bob Kelly on whether any sampling is occurring now and inform the AC.

Objective 5: Establish Education/Outreach Program
Task 5.1 and 5.2 pertain to developing and implementing an outreach program. The Stream Team and the Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) completed these tasks. The AC believes that the completion date was October 2000, which should be added to the matrix.

• Action: Chris will check with Beth Marcy of the Whatcom Conservation District and the Stream Team to verify the completion date and Ami will enter the completion date on the matrix.

One member recommended that a coordinator be selected for each subbasin as a way to improve public awareness. One member said that once restoration efforts are making progress in one subbasin, then focus should shift to the next subbasin. Members agreed that long range planning efforts need to be evaluated so that trees are not planted under power lines, for example.

Ami is involved in public outreach and is producing a brochure for the shellfish district and revamping the shellfish website to be more user friendly and to provide linkages to other groups/interests in the County that relate to marine resources, water quality, water resources, etc..

The AC agreed that there are several possible outreach methods and objectives to consider:

- Website
- Brochure
- Newsletter
- Fundraiser
- NW Washington Fair

The AC agreed that the Water Quality Pledge Program has been effective in other areas and should be thoroughly utilized. One member said that the AC should more actively connect with the agricultural, tribal, and environmental communities.

The AC agreed that there are many opportunities for planning events that will build partner relationships and foster community. The Nooksack basin is much larger than the Drayton Harbor watershed, which makes progress more difficult. It therefore takes time to make progress. Ten Mile Creek is a good example of the progress that can be made- after a lot of hard work, it now has a vigorous watershed community.

One member suggested a two-step approach involving networking on a sustained basis and periodic events such as open house festivities.

Objective 6: Establish Funding District and Program
Task 6.2 involved development of various elements of the matrix and was completed in May 1998.

Task 6.4 involved the work completed by Julie Hirsh and Chris through Whatcom County Health District. The program is continuing and Chris requested that Ami add to the matrix that a full-time staff position replaced the consultant position.

• Action: Ami will note on the matrix that Water Resources replaced the consultant position with a full-time staff position.

4. New Business

Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team
In an announcement on public radio, the PSWQAT stated that the results of water quality testing indicate improvement.

Whatcom Conservation District
WCD hired a new person to develop small farm plans.

5/29/02 Meeting Attendance
The AC agreed to contact the Implementing Agencies to ask for items they want added to the agenda. The AC recommended that the following people should receive an invitation to the May meeting:

- Jim Thompson (Whatcom County Land Use Specialist)
- Sylvia Goodwin (Whatcom County Planning Division Manager)
- Mak Kaufman (DOE Water Quality Specialist)
- Andy Ross (Lummi Nation)
- City representatives (Lynden, Ferndale, Everson)

• Action: Ami will make sure that the individuals listed above are invited to the May meeting.

5. Agenda for 5/29/02 Meeting

• Implementation Agency Updates