County tightens shellfish protection

Two districts designed to safeguard Henderson Inlet, Nisqually Reach

LORRINE THOMPSON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published December 18, 2001

THURSTON COUNTY -- After a year of public hearings and workshops, Thurston County commissioners created two shellfish protection districts Monday that include rules that were made tougher just four days before the vote.

The districts will employ a variety of state grant programs, voluntary actions by landowners, monitoring programs and increased enforcement to reduce bacterial contamination in Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach.

The need for the districts was triggered when the state Department of Health closed shellfish beds in both areas because of contamination.

Tim Ransom, coordinator for the Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team, agreed that the changes improve the districts.

"I urge you to act expeditiously from this step forward," Ransom told commissioners Monday. "Every day that passes means no income for shellfish growers."

Testimony

In a yearlong process to explore how the protection districts should function, county commissioners heard continuing testimony from environmentalists that proposed plans were not strong enough.

"I think (the commissioners) heard that message over and over," said Mark Swartout, county natural resources manager.

After a workshop Thursday night, Thurston County commissioners made five changes to the ordinances establishing the districts. They:

-Changed the purpose of the Henderson Inlet district from increasing the number of shellfish growing days to restoring shellfish growing areas.

"It's going to be a harder goal to achieve," Swartout said, "but if we can reach for the stars, let's reach for the stars."

-Recognized and implemented a strategy to help the shellfish areas that state officials and a group of stakeholders established.

-Committed the county to using existing and additional resources to prevent non-point pollution, like stormwater runoff.

The previous ordinance discussed a public desire rather than a county commitment.

-Committed to improving enforcement of land-use regulations, critical areas ordinances and sanitary and building codes in the watershed areas.

-Decreased the time for the plan's first phase from 24 months to 18 months. The first phase includes less aggressive measures, while later phases could include new fees or laws.

Shellfish growers are still concerned that 18 months is too long for the first phase as they wait for shellfish beds to improve, said Robin Downey, who is the executive director of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association.

However, the changes are an improvement, Downey said.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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