Ecology Department outlines plan to clean Little Bear Creek pollution

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - Feb. 23, 2005

05-039

Ecology Department outlines plan to clean Little Bear Creek pollution

BELLEVUE - Many small but important steps make up a plan to curb bacterial pollution in Little Bear Creek in Snohomish County.

The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking public comment on a proposed water cleanup plan aimed at reducing high levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the creek basin. Fecal coliform bacteria are often associated with other disease-causing bacteria (pathogens) and viruses in water.

The 15-square-mile Little Bear Creek basin extends from its headwaters in South Snohomish County near Silver Firs to Woodinville, where the creek empties into the Sammamish River, which flows to Lake Washington.

Seven stretches of streams in the basin do not meet state standards for swimming and wading. The pollution comes from thousands of sources, including failing septic systems, livestock and pet wastes, and other daily activities that either release bacteria or promote its growth.

"We all have a share in causing the pollution, and each of us can help prevent it," said Anne Dettelbach of Ecology's water-quality program. "Government action alone won't clean these streams."

Ecology urges citizens to maintain and repair their septic tanks, clean up pet waste, keep stock and other animals out of streams and get involved through local organizations and governments.

The proposed cleanup plan would incorporate new and existing state and local initiatives to prevent fecal-coliform pollution, including:

Education and technical assistance for septic system owners to prevent failures.
Pet-waste programs for local parks and trails, and education for pet owners.
Acquisition and/or restoration of wetlands and streamside areas by local governments.
Improving stormwater management.
Detecting and repairing sewer leaks.
Monitoring streams to track progress.

Ecology will host two public meetings to provide information and answer questions about the Little Bear Creek Water Cleanup Plan:

March 3, 3-5:30 p.m., Woodinville City Hall, 17301 133rd Ave. N.E., Woodinville.
March 10, 7-9 p.m., Fernwood School, 3933 Jewell Road, Bothell.

The cleanup action plan is available on the Internet at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/watershed/tmdl_info-nwro.html, at public libraries in Mill Creek and Woodinville, and at Ecology's regional office at 3190 160th Ave. S.E., in Bellevue.

Ecology is accepting public comments through March 31. Send comments to Anne Dettelbach, Department of Ecology, 3190 160th Ave. S.E., Bellevue, Wash., 98008-5452, or by e-mail to adet461@ecy.wa.gov.

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Media contacts: Larry Altose, public information, 425-649-7009; pager, 206-663-1785

For more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/watershed/tmdl_info-nwro.html