Shellfish Protection
For Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach
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Thurston County
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Contents of this web page:

2005 Joint Implementation Plan
Proposed Septic System Operation and Maintenance Program
2003 Water-Quality Cleanup Plans
Nisqually Reach Pollution Source Identification
DNA Test Results for Henderson Inlet
Newsletters
Fact Sheets
Press Releases
Media Coverage
   

2005 Joint Implementation Plan

Click here to view a PDF of the Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach Shellfish Protection Districts Implementation Work Plan, March 1, 2005.

Septic System Operation and Maintenance Program (for Henderson Inlet) — Adopted November 21, 2005

In May 2004, a citizen-based advisory committee recommended a program to lessen human fecal bacteria in Henderson Inlet by making sure that septic systems in the watershed are working properly. Since then, the county has informed and gathered feedback from the public through a series of newsletters, TV programs, open houses, a special meeting, and public hearing. Additionally, the public was encouraged to submit comments and questions by telephone, U.S. post, or e-mail. The county also posted an informational Henderson Inlet Shellfish Protection website. The Board of Health and Board of County Commissioners adopted the program on November 21, 2005.

During 2006, the program will commence by identifying and determining the risk level of septic systems in the program area. Notices, along with risk information, will be sent for verification to all property owners. Operational certificate renewals and required inspections will be phased in over a 3-year period. Additionally, training for septic system  homeowners will be developed.

bullet Click here to read staff answers to a host of questions posed by the public about the program.
bullet Click here to view a citizens' guide to the program.
bullet Click here for information about caring for septic systems.
bullet Click here for program summary

2003 Water-Quality Cleanup Plans  

In June 2003, the stakeholder committees presented Thurston County commissioners with plans to improve the quality of water in the Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach watersheds. Thurston County expresses sincere thanks to the many dedicated committee members and members of the public, who worked more than a year to forge the plans.

Henderson Inlet Stakeholder Committee Report to Thurston County Commissioners, 2003
Survey results on draft plan from 5/19/03 workshop
   
Nisqually Reach Stakeholder Committee Report to Thurston County Commissioners, 2003
Survey results on draft plan from 6/26/03 workshop

Nisqually Reach Pollution Source Identification

Nisqually Reach Pollution Source Identification
Task 5: DNA Typing Analysis -- Final Report, May 2004
 

DNA Test Results for Henderson Inlet

"Bacteriological Contamination Source Identification, Henderson Inlet, 1999-2001" by the Thurston County Environmental Health Division in conjunction with Dr. Mansour Samadpour of the University of Washington. Contents:

Executive Summary
Final Report
Appendix A: Washington State Department of Health Circulation Study
Appendix B: Raw Data
Appendix C: Pathogen Scan Protocol
Appendix D: Total Number of Isolates Analysis
Appendix E: Description of Microbial Source Tracking Methods (as developed by Dr. Mansour Samadpour)
Appendix F: Pathogen Scan Raw Data

Newsletters

The Thurston County Shellfish Protection District Newsletters are available here, online in Adobe Acrobat format. 

June 2005: Revised Henderson Inlet Septic System Operation and Maintenance Proposal
October 2004: Citizens' Guide to the Septic System Operation and Maintenance Proposal (This newsletter describes the original proposal. See above for a newsletter describing revisions.)
February 2002: "Shellfish Protection Districts Are Now A Reality"
November 2001: "Draft Ordinances Available. Your Views Are Sought"
September 2001: "Draft Plan Needs Your Review"
June 2001: "April 12 Workshop Results"
April 2001: "Public Outreach Update"
January 2001: "Water Quality and Shellfish News"

Fact Sheets

Common Questions and Answers about Shellfish Protection Districts
Seals and Water Quality in Henderson Inlet
Using DNA to Identify Nonpoint Pollution
Shellfish Facts
Matrix of Options 
   

Press Releases

You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files:

bulletMarch 5, 2002 -- Tests Show Possible Henderson Inlet Pollution Sources
Olympia - A scientific evaluation of bacterial pollution sources for the southern portion of Henderson Inlet shows the E-coli bacteria comes from a variety of human, animal and bird sources.  The study ran from February of 2000 through May of 2001 and was a cooperative effort of Thurston County Environmental Health and Doctor Mansour Samadpour of the University of Washington.
   
bulletFebruary 19, 2001 -- Phase One of Shellfish Protection Program Begins
OLYMPIA – Thurston County is seeking citizen volunteers to serve on committees for two Shellfish Protection Districts.  Thurston County Commissioners in December adopted ordinances creating the two districts at Henderson Inlet and the Nisqually Reach.  Stakeholder groups are now being formed to guide the planning for water quality recovery efforts in the two areas.
   
bulletSeptember 26, 2001 -- Draft Plan Ready for Shellfish Protection Districts 
OLYMPIA —  The public is invited to comment on a proposed plan to create shellfish protection districts for the Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach areas.  The plan will be explained at a public meeting to be held the evening of October first.
   
bulletMay 3, 2001 -- Bacterial contamination will limit commercial shellfish harvest in part of Henderson Inlet
 OLYMPIA — Bacterial contamination in the water has prompted the Washington State Department of Health to announce its intent to downgrade the commercial shellfish area classification of an additional portion of Henderson Inlet. The downgrade will change the classification of about 300 acres of Henderson Inlet from "approved" to "conditionally approved" effective in early June 2001. There are no public beaches in this area.
   
bulletMarch 9, 2001 -- Strategy To Restore Shellfish Beds In Thurston County 
 OLYMPIA – The Henderson Inlet/Nisqually Reach Closure Response Team today released its proposed strategy to restore two shellfish growing areas in Thurston County and is seeking concurrence by the state and local agencies, tribes, and citizen groups responsible for carrying out the strategy.
   
bulletMarch 9, 2001 -- County Continues Work on Shellfish District
OLYMPIA -- Thurston County Commissioners have received recommendations for clean up of two shellfish areas, but will wait before officially adopting any of the measures.
   
bulletFebruary 2, 2001 -- County Seeks Public Help with Shellfish Protection