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Part VI–Marine Shellfish Harvesting and Criteria

173-201A-210

Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.035. 06-23-117 (Order 06-04), § 173-201A-210, filed 11/20/06, effective 12/21/06.

(2) Shellfish harvesting.

1. General criteria. General criteria that apply to shellfish harvesting uses for marine water are described in WAC 173-201A-260 (2)(a) and (b), and are for:
   1. Toxic, radioactive, and deleterious materials.
   2. Aesthetic values.
      
2. Shellfish harvesting bacteria criteria. To protect shellfish harvesting, fecal coliform organism levels must not exceed a geometric mean value of 14 colonies/100 mL, and not have more than 10 percent of all samples (or any single sample when less than ten sample points exist) obtained for calculating the geometric mean value exceeding 43 colonies/100 mL.

1. Shellfish growing areas approved for unconditional harvest by the state department of health are fully supporting the shellfish harvest goals of this chapter, even when comparison with the criteria contained in this chapter suggest otherwise.
2. When averaging bacteria sample data for comparison to the geometric mean criteria, it is preferable to average by season and include five or more data collection events within each period. Averaging of data collected beyond a thirty-day period, or beyond a specific discharge event under investigation, is not permitted when such averaging would skew the data set so as to mask noncompliance periods. The period of averaging should not exceed twelve months, and should have sample collection dates well distributed throughout the reporting period.
3. When determining compliance with the bacteria criteria in or around small sensitive areas, it is recommended that multiple samples are taken throughout the area during each visit. Such multiple samples should be arithmetically averaged together (to reduce concerns with low bias when the data is later used in calculating a geometric mean) to reduce sample variability and to create a single representative data point.
4. As determined necessary by the department, more stringent bacteria criteria may be established for waters that cause, or significantly contribute to, the decertification or conditional certification of commercial or recreational shellfish harvest areas, even when the preassigned bacteria criteria for the water is being met.
5. Where information suggests that sample results are due primarily to sources other than warm-blooded animals (e.g., wood waste), alternative indicator criteria may be established on a site-specific basis by the department.

(3) Recreational uses. The recreational uses are primary contact recreation and secondary contact recreation.

1. General criteria. General criteria that apply to water contact uses for marine water are described in WAC 173-201A-260 (2)(a) and (b), and are for:
   1. Toxic, radioactive, and deleterious materials.
   2. Aesthetic values.
      
2. Water contact recreation bacteria criteria. Table 210 (3)(b) lists the bacteria criteria to protect water contact recreation in marine water.

Table 210 (3)(b) Water Contact Recreation Bacteria Criteria in Marine Water

1. When averaging bacteria sample data for comparison to the geometric mean criteria, it is preferable to average by season and include five or more data collection events within each period. Averaging of data collected beyond a thirty-day period, or beyond a specific discharge event under investigation, is not permitted when such averaging would skew the data set so as to mask noncompliance periods. The period of averaging should not exceed twelve months, and should have sample collection dates well distributed throughout the reporting period.
2. When determining compliance with the bacteria criteria in or around small sensitive areas, such as swimming beaches, it is recommended that multiple samples are taken throughout the area during each visit. Such multiple samples should be arithmetically averaged together (to reduce concerns with low bias when the data is later used in calculating a geometric mean) to reduce sample variability and to create a single representative data point.
3. As determined necessary by the department, more stringent bacteria criteria may be established for waters that cause, or significantly contribute to, the decertification or conditional certification of commercial or recreational shellfish harvest areas, even when the pre-assigned bacteria criteria for the water is being met.
4. Where information suggests that sample results are due primarily to sources other than warm-blooded animals (e.g., wood waste), alternative indicator criteria may be established on a site-specific basis by the department.

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