Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /home/stparch/public_html/headmid_temp_main.php on line 4394
Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
January 11, 2007     Shelton Mason County Journal
PAGE 8     (8 of 42 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
 
PAGE 8     (8 of 42 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
January 11, 2007
 
Newspaper Archive of Shelton Mason County Journal produced by SmallTownPapers, Inc.
Website Β© 2025. All content copyrighted. Copyright Information
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Request Content Removal | About / FAQ | Get Acrobat Reader




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