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| April 14, 2022 Shelton Mason County Journal |  |
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Mason County Surface Water
Quality Program
Mason County has over 200 streams and 24,000
acres of shellfish harvest area. Mason County
staff work closely with the washington State
Department of Health and partnering agencies
to correct pollution sources that impact shellfish
and water quality conditions. Currently,
program staff are working in Oakland Bay
(Shelton) and North Bay (Allyn). Mason County
staffcollect freshwater samples at the shoreline
and follow “hotspots” upstream looking for
bacteria or other'pollution sources. Sources
of bacterial pollution can include wildlife, pet
waste, septic Systems, stormwater and livestock.
Upon finding hotspots, staff contact property
owners for in-person visits. These Visits provide
insight into pollution sources and provide
owners education on improving water quality.
If you have received a letter regarding these
projects and/or want to learn more, contact
Mason County environmental health staff at 360-
427-9670, ext. 400.
Mason Conservation District
Mason Conservation District has been a provider
of natural resources and farming education since
1956. Its mission is to help landowners meet V
the goals for their farm, ranch, forest, shoreline
or streamside property by providing no—cost
expertise and connecting them with financial
assistance such as grant-funding and cost-share
opportunities. The District is nonregulatory
and provides free, confidential assistance
without risk. District staff help identify resource
concerns, recommend voluntary best practices
and provide decision—making tools that result
in reduced effort and operating costs. Follow
Mason Conservation District on Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram, or sign up for emails and
mailers to stay informed on upcoming events,
workshops and stewardship opportunities!
: I project has been‘funded‘Wholly’or in
. 'y :ftl't‘e U.S;., EnvirOnmental‘ProteCtion
‘ tinder-assistance agmernent.PC-_
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r“ The cOntents of this document .
V U do Lniot'necessarily reflect the vieWs and
policies of the‘Enyironmental Protection
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endorsementorrecommendation for use. 7
Thursday, April 14, Shelton-Mason County Journal Page A-19
ason
Mason County Clean Water District
V In May of Mason County combined
eight existing shellfish protection districts
into a single district and established one
program to protect surface water quality
and shellfish resources. Washington State
law requires counties to create shellfish
protection districts in response to water
quality declines in shellfish areas. The
boundaries of this new district follow
existing drainages that flow towards
in-county marine shoreline. The single
Squaxin Island Tribe
-The Squaxin Island Tribe placesthe highest
value on clean and abundant water for fish
and shellfish. The Squaxin Island Tribe
works cooperatively with Mason County
to regularly evaluate water quality in the
Puget Sound watershed. This partnership
between the County and the Tribe benefits
all residents of the COunty. The Tribe
samples freshwater streams that drain to:
saltwater (see map), as an early Warning
system for shellfish safety. When high
bacterial counts are detected, Mason
County Clean Water District
district will reduce reporting and
' management costs. In addition, it will
provide a single advisory committee for
public participation in water quality efforts.
The advisory committee includes a diverse
group of representatives from within
Mason County who have a vested interest
in’clean Water. For further information and
, questions, contact environmental health
staff at 360-427-9670, ext. 400.
County follows up with landowners to find
the source of bacteria. This coordinated
effort enables shellfish beaches to remain
open, and reopens beaches that have been
closed. The Squaxin Island Tribe also co—
funds the Goldsborough Creek streamflow
monitoring station with US. Geological
Survey (httpsz//waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/
nwis/uv?12076800), and fully funds other
streamflowmonitoring stations and water
. quality projects in Mason County.
Presented by South Sound Clean Water Partners, a
collection of agencies working to assessand improve
water quality in lakes, stream and marine beaches.
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