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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
September 13, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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September 13, 2012
 
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Dept. of Health upgrades Shellfish conditions in Oakland Bay By NATALIE JOHNSON natalie@masorcountv.com The Washington State De- partment of Health (DOH) announced on Sept. 5 its in- tention to upgrade 750 acres of shellfish beds in Oakland Bay from "conditionally ap- proved" to "approved." The DOH stated in a news release that improvements to the City of Shelton's waste- water treatment plan, sep- tic systems in the area and environmentally-friendly farming practices have con- tributed to the decision. It also recognized the Squaxin Island Tribe, shell- fish growers and property owners for their part in im- proving water quality in Oakland Bay. "This is a prime example of how successful we can be when communities pull together to protect and im- prove sensitive, important resources," Secretary of Health Mary Selecky said in a statement. "We can all take pride in the results of that teamwork in Oakland Bay." Andy Whitener, natural resources director for the Squaxin Island Tribe, said in a statement that the parties involved in cleaning up Oak- land Bay should all be proud. "The recent news that several beaches in Oakland Bay will be upgraded to ap- proved for shellfish har- Jouma pnoo Dy Natal e Johnson The Washington State Department of Health announced on Sept. 5 that it planned to upgrade 750 acres of shellfish beds in Oakland Bay, seen here, from "conditionally approved" to "approved." vest is a drastic change of course to the news we usu- ally hear about local waters," he wrote in a statement. "Things more often seem to get worse and worse." While the bay was clas- sified as conditionally ap- proved for shellfish harvest. it would close after heavy rainfall because of runoff into the bay from local farms, industry and private septic systems. The waters of Oakland Campfire sparks ! STAFF REPORT pr@masoncounty corn A campfire left by tran- sients triggered a brush fire on Friday that burned a 200-by-70-foot section of steep terrain on Sylvan Heights above downtown Shelton. The fire on the hillside below Sylvan Heights Lane and Northcliff Road was reported about 10:30 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, crews found a fire about 50-by-70 feet on the hill- side, reports Central Ma- son Fire and EMS. No homes were in dan- ger during the duration of the fire, although several nearby residents hosed down the roofs of their houses. The responding agencies were Central Mason Fire and EMS, Mason County Fire Districts 4, 6 and 11 and the state Department of Natural Resources. The fire was sparked by a campfire left by tram sients, Central Mason Fire and EMS Fire Chief Tim McKern said. County dedicates By NATALIE JOHNSON natalie@masoncounty.com Members of the Mason County Board of Commis- sioners and the county's Parks and Trails Depart- ment got together Tuesday afternoon to dedicate the expanded Latimer's Land- ing County Park. The park, directly next to the Harstine Island Bridge in Pickering Pas- sage, a part of the Case In- let, provides public access to the Puget Sound with a boat launch and dock. Approximately 25 peo- ple, including members of the public, attended the event. The Mason County Parks and Trails Depart- ment recently finished a project to renovate and ex- pand the parking lot, add- ing larger parking spaces for trucks with trailers. The project was paid for by a $400,000 Boating Fa- cilities Grant from the Rec- reation and Conservation Office. Taylor Shellfish spokes- Bay flush slowly, leaving the shellfish beds particularly susceptible to pollution. In 2007, Mason County created a Shellfish Protec- tion District around Oakland Bay in an effort to address these water quality issues. In July, the Mason Coun- ty Public Health and Human Services department was awarded a model practice award from the National As- sociation of County and City Health Officials. In Augusg the Oakland Bay Clean Water District Advisory Committee's educa- tion subcommittee received a Pugeg Sound Champion brush fire downtown Journa 3noto Dj Gordon Weeks Firefighters from Central Mason Fire and EMS battle a brush fire Friday on steep terrain on Sylvan Heights above downtown Shelton. Latimer's Landing expansion Journa unoto D, Natahe Johnson Bill Dewey, spokesman for Taylor Shellfish, served clams to members of the public who attended Mason County's dedication of the newly expanded Latimer's Landing County Park. man Bill Dewey and Sus- tainability Manager Mar- co Pinchot prepared and served clams to members of the public who attended the dedication. award for eflbrts to restore the bay's water quality Organizations such as the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Mason Conservation Dis- trict have worked with local landowners and government entities to improve wager quality. Oakland Bay hosts 19 commercial shellfish compa- nies as well as a public shell- fish beach near the Bayshore Golf Club. Taylor Shellfish harvests the majority of its clams from Oakland Bay. "It's just a huge decision, a huge victory for everybody involved," Taylor spokesman Bill Dewey said. Oakland Bay closes for shellfish harvesting about 45 days every year for pollution concerns, Dewey said. "It's a big impact," he said. "We would preserve other areas that we knew weren't subject to pollution closures so we'd have them when Oakland Bay went down." Whitener said the change in classification will also have a positive affect on the Squaxin Tribe. "Shellfish also play a large role in the tribe's economy as well. More than 20 percent of our membership makes a good portion of their income on the beach. The tribe'also owns a company that buys and sells shellfish," he said. Whitener said exerc]s- ing tribal shellfishing rights would not be possible with- oug clean water in Oakland Bay. The northern part of Oak- land Bay as well as Chap- man Cove will continue to be closed for shellfish har- vest after heavy rainfall due to higher bacteria levels in those areas. Whitener cautioned that the new state of Oakland Bay is still fragile. "We are only one failing septic system away from an- other downgrade," he wrote. "We need to keep on looking for a way to clean p the up- per bay and make sure the rest of Oakland Bay stays clean. If we don't, all of us will lose our ability to har- vest in one of the most pro- ductive shellfish growing ar- eas in the world." SKOOKUM [ K TOBACCO-- FACTORY #UTLET  36#428254 MONSTER ENERGY Buy one 16 oz. can for $2 39 & get a '2 no C&I1 FREE Come Try Our N EW DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS Sandwich, Chips, & 22 oz. Soda Washington State Made Liquor On Sale Now! While Supplies Last STORE LOCATIONS " OPEN LATE FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE! KTP - Intersection of HWY 101 & 108 * Open 6am daily KTP Express - 3850 Old Olympic HWY SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Smoking By Steamboat - 6233 Steamboat Island Rd. Pregnant Women Ma, Result in Fetal InJUJ€, Premature Birth And Low Birth Weign Prices subject to change without notice --_ = =_-:c-- - -- " -i IIIIIl'llllllllll Prevent Uncomfortable & Costly Dental Problems r m m m m m m u m . 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