
Oakland Bay and Hammersley Inlet are located in Mason County, Washington. Oakland Bay is one of the most important commercial shellfish areas in the country. However, Oakland Bay, Hammersley Inlet and several tributaries fail to meet state water quality standards for fecal coliform bacteria. Several tributaries also fail to meet temperature standards. In the spring of 2003 Ecology and local partners began a cleanup process to protect commercial shellfish harvest, salmon, and recreational use of area water bodies.
In November 2006, WA Dept. of Health restricted shellfish harvest in the north end of the Bay. Chapman Cove has elevated bacteria concentrations and is threatened with harvest status downgrade. Mason County coordinated an energetic response. From early 2007 through the summer, partners met weekly to develop a shellfish response plan.
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