Press Release

March 14, 2014

Skagit County seeks assistance from the Samish Watershed Community to protect water quality this weekend

SKAGIT COUNTY – With heavy rains predicted for this weekend, Skagit County would like to ask for help from the Samish Watershed community to protect water quality from fecal coliform pollution. Your help is of great important since the Samish Watershed is currently in a critical period to evaluate if the bay’s shellfish harvesting status can be upgraded.

We are reaching out to all parties (livestock owners, basin residents, and the general public) this week to help implement Best Management Practices that will protect water quality.

Listed below are some steps that can be implemented to protect water quality in the Samish Watershed.

Ensure that all components of your septic system are functioning correctly.
Keep livestock out of waterways and saturated fields.
Use temporary fencing, if necessary, to protect soggy pastures.

Contact the Skagit Conservation District for information on obtaining free temporary fencing at (360) 428-4313.
Implement good pasture and manure management practices; cover manure piles to keep water away.
Pick up the poop from your pets - bag it and put it in the trash.

Apply Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control runoff: Use gutters and downspouts to keep roof water away from fields and animal confinement areas.

For more information about the Clean Samish Initiative and clean water efforts in Skagit County, visit www.skagitcounty.net/cleanwater or contact Michael See at Michaels@co.skagit.wa.us or at (360) 336-9400.