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Shellfish logo used by permission, courtesy of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA).

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Who is the Portage Bay Shellfish Protection Advisory Committee?

The Portage Bay Shellfish Protection Advisory Committee (AC) is a diverse group of individuals and local governments/agencies with one common goal: restoring the shellfish beds for harvesting by recommending strategies to affect positive changes in the water quality that impacts the tidal flats.

The AC functions in an advisory capacity, helping to identify possible pollution sources and making recommendations as to courses of action to be taken to correct these problems. The implementing agencies associated with the shellfish district deal with initiating corrective action and deal with regulatory/enforcement issues associated with water quality concerns.

Advisory Committee

Dorie Belisle
Michael Cochrane- Northwest Indian College
Harlan James- Lummi Nation
Justin McKay
Bastian Scholten
Robert Vanweerdhuizen- vice chair
Christine Woodward- chair
(2) vacant seats

Agency Support

George Boggs- Whatcom Conservation District
Beth Chisholm- Whatcom Conservation District
Hilary Culverwell- Puget Sound Action Team
Ed Halasz-Whatcom County Department of Health
Mark Henderson- Department of Ecology- Bellingham Office
Rick Holt- City of Everson
Kasey Ignac- City of Lynden
Don Lennartson- State Department of Health
Sharon Roy- Whatcom County Council
Roland Signett- City of Ferndale
Amilyn Stillings- Whatcom County Water Resources
Jim Thompson- Whatcom County Planning and Development Services

The members of the advisory committee and the implementing agencies are committed to helping make strides in improving water quality in the Portage Bay Shellfish District, so that hopefully, one day, this portion of the bay will be clean enough to allow shellfish harvesting to resume. You, too, can do your part to help protect and improve the quality of the waters of the state by becoming better informed on how your activities impact water quality and what you can do to limit pollution in your neighborhood and watershed. What goes on the ground anywhere in the watershed can end up in a waterway, either surface or groundwater, and eventually impact the shellfish beds in the harbor.

Get Informed! Get Involved! Together We Can Make A Difference!