  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 30, 2003
03-192
OLYMPIA - If clams and oysters could talk, they'd probably urge everyone in Mason County to help clean up water pollution in Oakland Bay.
"But since they can't talk, we're here to do it for them," said Sandy Howard, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Ecology, which is leading a study of pollution problems in Oakland Bay. "We need people who care about the bay to get involved in the cleanup effort."
Excessive amounts of fecal coliform bacteria have been found in the bay. Sources may include humans (leaking septic systems), livestock and pets, and birds and wild animals.
Fecal-coliform bacteria are microscopic organisms that live in the intestines and waste material of warm-blooded animals. Although not necessarily agents of disease, the bacteria can indicate the presence of other disease-carrying organisms that can make people sick. Thus, high levels of fecal coliform bacteria can force beaches to be closed for shellfish harvesting.
"Clean water is crucial to support our diverse recreational uses and local shellfish industry, which bring much economic vitality to Mason County," said Kim Zabel-Lincoln of Mason County's Department of Health Services. "Oakland Bay has immense historical, economic and ecological value, and further degradation would be a huge loss for area residents and visitors."
She said that Oakland Bay is the nation's largest producer of manila clams, producing nearly 3 million pounds of manila clams each year.
"Shellfish actually improve water quality," Zabel-Lincoln said. "Each oyster can filter and clean up to 60 gallons of water in one day."
High temperature may also be a problem in the tributaries flowing into the bay. Both fish and shellfish need clean, cold water to survive, but lack of sufficient shade can make the water too warm for them to live.
Federal law requires states to identify sources of pollution in waters that fail to meet state water quality standards and to develop plans to reduce the pollution. Water cleanup plans (also called total maximum daily load, or TMDL, studies) establish limits on the amount of pollution that can be discharged to a water body and still allow state standards to be met. Oakland Bay is among 700 other water bodies on the state's current cleanup list.
Mason County, Shelton, the Squaxin tribe, Mason County Conservation District, the shellfish industry and other local entities are helping Ecology with the study of Oakland Bay. And they will work together, with public involvement, to clean up the bay and its tributaries.
Field work begins next spring and will last for one year. An analysis and report is due in the summer of 2006. Plan implementation is scheduled for 2007.
During this weekend's OysterFest at the Mason County Fairgrounds, the public will have an opportunity to learn more about the Oakland Bay cleanup study and how to get involved. Information will be posted at Mason County's display. Or, they may call Ecology's Cindy James at 360-407-6295, or send e-mail to cjam461@ecy.wa.gov.
###
Contacts: Sandy Howard, Department of Ecology, 360-407-6239; pager,
360-786-3136
Kim Zabel-Lincoln, Mason County Dept.of Health Services, 360-427-9670, ext. 544
Ecology's Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/index.html
OysterFest Web site: http://www.oysterfest.com/about (Link updated 05/27/08.)
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
