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Pollution plagues shellfish industry
(Continued from page 1.)
reach the appr priate authorities
and led to a recall of shellfish prod-
ucts in the middle of the holiday
giving season.
Another problem has to do with
new intbrmation shedding light,
on long-standing worries about
the polluting of Oakland Bay by
riffling septic systems. This is-
sue has county officials talking
with renewed vigor about setting
up a new shellfish protection dis-
trict and obtaining administrative
search warrants to help them get
to the bottom of things.
As was pointed out. to the board
of health by John Konovsky, envi-
ronmental program manager for
the. Squaxin Island Tribe, a water
management plan fbr Oakland Bay
has been on the county books tbr
17 years. What has been lacking
since the plan was approwd back
in 1990 is a way of making sure
that failing septic systems aren't
polluting Oakland Bay, home to
shellfish beds managed by Taylor
and the tribe.
BEDS MANAGED by com-
mercial growers were downgraded
by the state late last year. New
restrictions require that shellfish
there be transported to another lo-
cation and flushed in cleaner water
tbr several weeks t)efire they are
fit for human consumption. "We all
know there are some suspect sep-
tic systems on the bay," said Bill
Dewey of Taylor.
Suspicions along this line have
been aggravated by the results of a
cooperative study by the tribe, the
county and the Washington State
Department of Health that looked
at the makeup of tbcal colifi)rm
found in two corners of the bay.
Fecal coliform is a kind of bacteria
found in the excrement of mam-
mals, including man. Water sam-
pies were taken at locations "well
away" from outfall of the Shelton
Wastewater Treatment Plant, and
genetic infi)rmation was extracted
tom bacteria /bund in the water
and analyzed by the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency.
Some of the results were pub-
L
lished last month, and the tribe
says they show human bacteria
consistently appearing in the tbcal
pollution tbund at 10 of 11 points
around upper Oakland Bay and
Chapman Cove over a fi)ur-month
period. "There is an elevated pub-
lic health risk associated with
shellfish harvest from the bay,"
Konovsky said.
The tribe says the study "points
out conclusively" that humans
contribute to bacteria pollution in
Oakland Bay but it does not iden-
tify any specific septic tanks or
drainfields. Konovsky said they
also tbund ruminant waste, the
kind produced by cattle, sheep,
goats, elk or deer. "Human fecal
coliform and ruminant fecal coli-
form was pretty much everywhere
du ring the summer testing period,"
he said.
CHAPMAN COVE is at risk
of being downgraded after tests
showed the water there just barely
above the level deemed acceptable
by the state. Dewey told the board
of health that in any given year
Taylor Shellfish harvests about
$300,000 in clams from 11 acres in
the cove. "We are asking that ap-
propriate steps be taken and taken
soon," he said.
Dewey made the point that it
could take quite a bit of time for
the authorities to obtain the ad-
ministrative search warrants they
would need to inspect the septic
systems of property owners who
refuse to llow testing except by
the order of a court. Dr. Diana Yu,
the county's health officer, said the
presence of human coliform means
that there is human impact on
Oakland Bay.
"The human impact would have
to come from some type of septic
system," she said. "The systeros
are near the water when you build
near the water, and at some point
in time accidents do happen. Sys-
tems do fhil."
Tom Moore of the Mason County
Department of Utilities and Waste
systems was a pump used to move
sewage along to its proper destina-
tion. The system thiled when some
windstorm debris became lodged
in a pump valve, causing sewage
to flow into a storm drain and out
into North Bay.
"WE WERE going around try-
ing to contain as much of the
wastewater as we could," he said.
He agreed with Dr. Yu's observa-
tion that the h)cation of the pump
station near the storm drain "is
unfortunate" and noted that when
the pump station overflows the
sewage flows right onto the beach.
"Sewage is not something we have
control of. Whatever comes in we
have to pump," he said. "'We were
short on support staffand we had a
big problem. We didn't know what
our problems were."
One of their problems had to do
with the system of communicating
their problems to the Washington
State Department of Health. Moore
said most of the state offices were
closed, and when he tried to report
the situation he got the shellfish
hotline instead. County oificials
have since improved their lines of
communication with officials of the
Washington State Department of
Health.
Note of this was made in a let-
ter to the county board of health
signed by Andy Whitener, natural
resources director of the Squaxin
and Bill Taylor, president of" Tay-
lor Shellfish. They pointed out that
the Allyn spill occurred on Decem-
ber 15 but their companies weren't
informed about it until December
20. They described this five-day
lapse as "an extremely serious
breach of protocol. It put public
health at risk, creating a serious
liability for the dounty, and placed
a financial burden on both Taylor
and Squaxin to recall product dur-
ing the busy holiday season."
A BIT OF good news was pro-
vided by Bob Woolrich of the
Washington State Department of
Health. He verified reports indicat-
ing that human sewage is pollut-
ing Chapman Cove and the north
end of Oakland Bay but noted that
shellfish clean up their act when
they're in clean water. The point is
that shellfish that have sucked on
sewage can still become part of a
shellfish dish that's neat to eat.
"Shellfish have the capacity to
get rid of the pollutants they take
in," he said.
Chris Hempleman of the Wash-
ington State Department of Ecology
also addressed the board of health.
She made the point that clean wa-
ter is not just about shellfish dishes,
since children play in the water and
are better off if the water is clean.
Board of health members suggest-
ed that the county have a meetil
with people living on the shores d
Oakland Bay. The panel compris
the three elected members of tin
Mason County Commission.
"We really have to elevate thJ
as an issue that will be dealt wit
as rapidly,as possible, Tim Sh01
don said. If that bay is closedi
affects our livelihood and our rep
tation."
Lynda Ring-Erickson, a form
police officer, thinks there may ]
"probable cause" to suspect tl
certain septic systems near Oal
land Bay areflart of the problel
here. Probable cause:, is a legal teri
used by officers who request all
execute search warrants. 'I do
want any we're-going-to-have4
meeting-and-serve-treats pro
to subvert any action we're goi
to take," she said. il
Call today for a
FREE ESTIMATE
on a new Trane system!
TmiN£ Ol3rLn__pic Heating & Cooling, LL..__C
Sales * Service Installations
ItkHatd 7bStopATmne: Repairs * Heating Air
Conditioning Refrigeration
426-9945 754-1235 1.800-400.9945
Ol A'M Pll (7)68 B A
i
I Four
ill Forks
lithe Olympian
Four Stars
The News
Call for Parties,
Meetings, Receptions
& Special
Occasion Lunches
FRESH A Wide Variety of
SHELLFISH Seaf0od & Other Meat Dishes 1
DAILY v Chef Xinh T. Dwellers Asian Twil
(360) 427-8709 Open for Supper Monday-Saturday Cc
OD Downtown Shelton Comer of 3rd and West Railroad " -""
Management described how the
tailure of two systems caused prob-
lems in the Allyn area. One of the
Truck driver guilty
of killing scientists
The log truck driver implicated
in the deaths of two seismologists
in a wreck in Grays Harbor Coun-
ty in October 2005 pled guilty to
two counts of vehicular homicide
Monday in Grays Harbor County
Superior Court.
Garland Massingham, 41, of
Rochester was involved in anoth-
er incident in Shelton vhile this
case was pending, tte now fhces
the prospect of 41/2 years in prison
and is slated to be sentenced next
Tuesday.
Massingham has been accused
of being under the intluence of
methamphetamine at the time of
the fatal accident, but in exchange
fbr his guilty plea, the Grays Har-
bor County prosecutor agreed to
drop that part of the charge, The
Daily World newspaper reported;
Massingham reportedly was
driving his log truck 70 miles per
hour as he approached a curve at
the time of the accident. The .truck
was overloaded by 7,700 pounds,
according to news stories. The
seismologists, Tony Qamar of the
University of Washington and
Daniel Johnson of the University
of Puget Sound, died when their
car was crushed by the logs.
Last November 6 the trailer
on a log truck driven by Massing-
ham went into a ditch on Hulbert
Road near Shelton. No one was
injured and no charges are pend-
ing against him in connection with
that accident.
Massingham, as a commercial
driver, was required to be test-
ed after the Shelton accident. A
urine test was performed and he
allegedly tested positive for am-
phetamine. The Shelton accident
occurred on the same day Mass-
ingham was due in court in Grays
Harbor County for a pretrial hear-
ing, which he missed.
Massingham was ordered to jail
by a Grays Harbor County Supe-
rior Court judge for violating two
conditions of his release by testing
positive for taking drugs and fail-
ure to appear in court.
Vander Wal's Garage
WINTER
SPECIAL
Make Sure You're
Ready For Winter!
+()ffer al)pli( al)h, on mot makes and models
10-Yard Truck
most sizes
CRUSHED
ROCK --
delivered into Shelton
165 Call for details
for and pricing to
just other areas.
Plus tax. I'rice eftective /1/05 Prices subject to change without notice.
:'q 7,) '
t
CONSTRUCTION GRADE
c..oc, s495
3" Minus
FO.B.
Located on Highway 101
between Shelton and Olympia
Year-round delivery
)
Kennl
Creek
Quarry
Call for details!
(3000) 426-4743
Winter Safe Driving Tips:
Before you drive in ice and snow, start with the right frame of min(
Realize that it is going to take you longer to get where you're going,
so allow extra time.
* Drive at a speed that matches the visibility, traffic and road conditions.
' Select clothing that provides warmth, comfort and freedom of movement.
Accelerate slowly. If more traction is needed, spread some sand, salt or
clay-based kitty litter in front of the drive wheels. Drive slowly and turn on your
headlights.
If you do get into a skid, don't panic. Let up on the accelerator or brake, and then
look and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
In case of an emergency, stock your trunk with an auto safety kit (see below).
Carry a cellular telephone and make sure it's fully charged.
* This time of year, check the following items on your vehicle:
v' Batteries, and Charging Systems I/Engine Oil v' Lights
v' Brake System V' ]ires v' Heating and Cooling SyStem
v' Windshield Wipers and Washer
L
Winter Special Includes:
Oil & Filter Change (Up to5 Qts) SAVE AI'.i.k)
Test Charging System & Battery
Check Heating & Cooling System
Rotate Tires, Check Brakes & Front End
29 Point Inspection
ONLY
Mention or bring coupon to Vandcr Wal's by 02/07/07. Not valid with other ofg:rs,
Value
_.J
Enter To Win Auto Safety Kit
63 Pieces includes:
Auto tools
Signaling & light sources
Personal accessories
50-piece first-aid kit
Elegant carrying case that
expands & collapses as needed
Don and Sue Vander Wal --
"Family Owned/Operan'd since 1942"
See Vander Wal's Garage for details!
derwalsgarage.com 426-8208
321 S. 2nd St. Downtown Shelton
Page 8 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, January 11,2007
Pollution plagues shellfish industry
(Continued from page 1.)
reach the appr priate authorities
and led to a recall of shellfish prod-
ucts in the middle of the holiday
giving season.
Another problem has to do with
new intbrmation shedding light,
on long-standing worries about
the polluting of Oakland Bay by
riffling septic systems. This is-
sue has county officials talking
with renewed vigor about setting
up a new shellfish protection dis-
trict and obtaining administrative
search warrants to help them get
to the bottom of things.
As was pointed out. to the board
of health by John Konovsky, envi-
ronmental program manager for
the. Squaxin Island Tribe, a water
management plan fbr Oakland Bay
has been on the county books tbr
17 years. What has been lacking
since the plan was approwd back
in 1990 is a way of making sure
that failing septic systems aren't
polluting Oakland Bay, home to
shellfish beds managed by Taylor
and the tribe.
BEDS MANAGED by com-
mercial growers were downgraded
by the state late last year. New
restrictions require that shellfish
there be transported to another lo-
cation and flushed in cleaner water
tbr several weeks t)efire they are
fit for human consumption. "We all
know there are some suspect sep-
tic systems on the bay," said Bill
Dewey of Taylor.
Suspicions along this line have
been aggravated by the results of a
cooperative study by the tribe, the
county and the Washington State
Department of Health that looked
at the makeup of tbcal colifi)rm
found in two corners of the bay.
Fecal coliform is a kind of bacteria
found in the excrement of mam-
mals, including man. Water sam-
pies were taken at locations "well
away" from outfall of the Shelton
Wastewater Treatment Plant, and
genetic infi)rmation was extracted
tom bacteria /bund in the water
and analyzed by the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency.
Some of the results were pub-
L
lished last month, and the tribe
says they show human bacteria
consistently appearing in the tbcal
pollution tbund at 10 of 11 points
around upper Oakland Bay and
Chapman Cove over a fi)ur-month
period. "There is an elevated pub-
lic health risk associated with
shellfish harvest from the bay,"
Konovsky said.
The tribe says the study "points
out conclusively" that humans
contribute to bacteria pollution in
Oakland Bay but it does not iden-
tify any specific septic tanks or
drainfields. Konovsky said they
also tbund ruminant waste, the
kind produced by cattle, sheep,
goats, elk or deer. "Human fecal
coliform and ruminant fecal coli-
form was pretty much everywhere
du ring the summer testing period,"
he said.
CHAPMAN COVE is at risk
of being downgraded after tests
showed the water there just barely
above the level deemed acceptable
by the state. Dewey told the board
of health that in any given year
Taylor Shellfish harvests about
$300,000 in clams from 11 acres in
the cove. "We are asking that ap-
propriate steps be taken and taken
soon," he said.
Dewey made the point that it
could take quite a bit of time for
the authorities to obtain the ad-
ministrative search warrants they
would need to inspect the septic
systems of property owners who
refuse to llow testing except by
the order of a court. Dr. Diana Yu,
the county's health officer, said the
presence of human coliform means
that there is human impact on
Oakland Bay.
"The human impact would have
to come from some type of septic
system," she said. "The systeros
are near the water when you build
near the water, and at some point
in time accidents do happen. Sys-
tems do fhil."
Tom Moore of the Mason County
Department of Utilities and Waste
systems was a pump used to move
sewage along to its proper destina-
tion. The system thiled when some
windstorm debris became lodged
in a pump valve, causing sewage
to flow into a storm drain and out
into North Bay.
"WE WERE going around try-
ing to contain as much of the
wastewater as we could," he said.
He agreed with Dr. Yu's observa-
tion that the h)cation of the pump
station near the storm drain "is
unfortunate" and noted that when
the pump station overflows the
sewage flows right onto the beach.
"Sewage is not something we have
control of. Whatever comes in we
have to pump," he said. "'We were
short on support staffand we had a
big problem. We didn't know what
our problems were."
One of their problems had to do
with the system of communicating
their problems to the Washington
State Department of Health. Moore
said most of the state offices were
closed, and when he tried to report
the situation he got the shellfish
hotline instead. County oificials
have since improved their lines of
communication with officials of the
Washington State Department of
Health.
Note of this was made in a let-
ter to the county board of health
signed by Andy Whitener, natural
resources director of the Squaxin
and Bill Taylor, president of" Tay-
lor Shellfish. They pointed out that
the Allyn spill occurred on Decem-
ber 15 but their companies weren't
informed about it until December
20. They described this five-day
lapse as "an extremely serious
breach of protocol. It put public
health at risk, creating a serious
liability for the dounty, and placed
a financial burden on both Taylor
and Squaxin to recall product dur-
ing the busy holiday season."
A BIT OF good news was pro-
vided by Bob Woolrich of the
Washington State Department of
Health. He verified reports indicat-
ing that human sewage is pollut-
ing Chapman Cove and the north
end of Oakland Bay but noted that
shellfish clean up their act when
they're in clean water. The point is
that shellfish that have sucked on
sewage can still become part of a
shellfish dish that's neat to eat.
"Shellfish have the capacity to
get rid of the pollutants they take
in," he said.
Chris Hempleman of the Wash-
ington State Department of Ecology
also addressed the board of health.
She made the point that clean wa-
ter is not just about shellfish dishes,
since children play in the water and
are better off if the water is clean.
Board of health members suggest-
ed that the county have a meetil
with people living on the shores d
Oakland Bay. The panel compris
the three elected members of tin
Mason County Commission.
"We really have to elevate thJ
as an issue that will be dealt wit
as rapidly,as possible, Tim Sh01
don said. If that bay is closedi
affects our livelihood and our rep
tation."
Lynda Ring-Erickson, a form
police officer, thinks there may ]
"probable cause" to suspect tl
certain septic systems near Oal
land Bay areflart of the problel
here. Probable cause:, is a legal teri
used by officers who request all
execute search warrants. 'I do
want any we're-going-to-have4
meeting-and-serve-treats pro
to subvert any action we're goi
to take," she said. il
Call today for a
FREE ESTIMATE
on a new Trane system!
TmiN£ Ol3rLn__pic Heating & Cooling, LL..__C
Sales * Service Installations
ItkHatd 7bStopATmne: Repairs * Heating Air
Conditioning Refrigeration
426-9945 754-1235 1.800-400.9945
Ol A'M Pll (7)68 B A
i
I Four
ill Forks
lithe Olympian
Four Stars
The News
Call for Parties,
Meetings, Receptions
& Special
Occasion Lunches
FRESH A Wide Variety of
SHELLFISH Seaf0od & Other Meat Dishes 1
DAILY v Chef Xinh T. Dwellers Asian Twil
(360) 427-8709 Open for Supper Monday-Saturday Cc
OD Downtown Shelton Comer of 3rd and West Railroad " -""
Management described how the
tailure of two systems caused prob-
lems in the Allyn area. One of the
Truck driver guilty
of killing scientists
The log truck driver implicated
in the deaths of two seismologists
in a wreck in Grays Harbor Coun-
ty in October 2005 pled guilty to
two counts of vehicular homicide
Monday in Grays Harbor County
Superior Court.
Garland Massingham, 41, of
Rochester was involved in anoth-
er incident in Shelton vhile this
case was pending, tte now fhces
the prospect of 41/2 years in prison
and is slated to be sentenced next
Tuesday.
Massingham has been accused
of being under the intluence of
methamphetamine at the time of
the fatal accident, but in exchange
fbr his guilty plea, the Grays Har-
bor County prosecutor agreed to
drop that part of the charge, The
Daily World newspaper reported;
Massingham reportedly was
driving his log truck 70 miles per
hour as he approached a curve at
the time of the accident. The .truck
was overloaded by 7,700 pounds,
according to news stories. The
seismologists, Tony Qamar of the
University of Washington and
Daniel Johnson of the University
of Puget Sound, died when their
car was crushed by the logs.
Last November 6 the trailer
on a log truck driven by Massing-
ham went into a ditch on Hulbert
Road near Shelton. No one was
injured and no charges are pend-
ing against him in connection with
that accident.
Massingham, as a commercial
driver, was required to be test-
ed after the Shelton accident. A
urine test was performed and he
allegedly tested positive for am-
phetamine. The Shelton accident
occurred on the same day Mass-
ingham was due in court in Grays
Harbor County for a pretrial hear-
ing, which he missed.
Massingham was ordered to jail
by a Grays Harbor County Supe-
rior Court judge for violating two
conditions of his release by testing
positive for taking drugs and fail-
ure to appear in court.
Vander Wal's Garage
WINTER
SPECIAL
Make Sure You're
Ready For Winter!
+()ffer al)pli( al)h, on mot makes and models
10-Yard Truck
most sizes
CRUSHED
ROCK --
delivered into Shelton
165 Call for details
for and pricing to
just other areas.
Plus tax. I'rice eftective /1/05 Prices subject to change without notice.
:'q 7,) '
t
CONSTRUCTION GRADE
c..oc, s495
3" Minus
FO.B.
Located on Highway 101
between Shelton and Olympia
Year-round delivery
)
Kennl
Creek
Quarry
Call for details!
(3000) 426-4743
Winter Safe Driving Tips:
Before you drive in ice and snow, start with the right frame of min(
Realize that it is going to take you longer to get where you're going,
so allow extra time.
* Drive at a speed that matches the visibility, traffic and road conditions.
' Select clothing that provides warmth, comfort and freedom of movement.
Accelerate slowly. If more traction is needed, spread some sand, salt or
clay-based kitty litter in front of the drive wheels. Drive slowly and turn on your
headlights.
If you do get into a skid, don't panic. Let up on the accelerator or brake, and then
look and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
In case of an emergency, stock your trunk with an auto safety kit (see below).
Carry a cellular telephone and make sure it's fully charged.
* This time of year, check the following items on your vehicle:
v' Batteries, and Charging Systems I/Engine Oil v' Lights
v' Brake System V' ]ires v' Heating and Cooling SyStem
v' Windshield Wipers and Washer
L
Winter Special Includes:
Oil & Filter Change (Up to5 Qts) SAVE AI'.i.k)
Test Charging System & Battery
Check Heating & Cooling System
Rotate Tires, Check Brakes & Front End
29 Point Inspection
ONLY
Mention or bring coupon to Vandcr Wal's by 02/07/07. Not valid with other ofg:rs,
Value
_.J
Enter To Win Auto Safety Kit
63 Pieces includes:
Auto tools
Signaling & light sources
Personal accessories
50-piece first-aid kit
Elegant carrying case that
expands & collapses as needed
Don and Sue Vander Wal --
"Family Owned/Operan'd since 1942"
See Vander Wal's Garage for details!
derwalsgarage.com 426-8208
321 S. 2nd St. Downtown Shelton
Page 8 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, January 11,2007