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March 14th, 2012

Samish Bay shellfish beds reopened

SKAGIT COUNTY - The Washington State Department of Health has reopened Samish Bay shellfish beds March 14, 2012. The Department of Health closed the beds on March 10, 2012, due to the 200+ cubic feet per second rise in the river level and anticipated fecal coliform bacteria levels. This closure was confirmed by Storm Team volunteer samples taken on March 11; however, recently-collected water quality monitoring data have verified the bay is again safe for shellfish harvesting.

The State Department of Health has specific water quality criteria for Samish Bay. If the Samish River and surrounding creeks and ditches contribute too much pollution, the bay closes until water quality samples can be collected to ensure bacteria levels have abated and the shellfish are again safe to consume.

When the bay is closed, shellfish farms can’t harvest their crops and it is unsafe to consume shellfish recreationally harvested from the bay. Farms may have safe shellfish for sale during the closure that was either harvested prior to the closure or brought in from growing areas elsewhere in the state

The major sources of polluting bacteria in the Samish River watershed are:

Residential and business onsite septic systems
Various small and commercial farming operations with livestock
Farming operations that spread animal manure as fertilizer
Human recreational activities including boating, hunting, fishing, and hiking
Marine live-aboard boats
Waterfowl attracted to fields planted in grain
Mishandled pet waste

All of these sources, if managed properly, need not pose a threat to water quality.
For more information on clean water efforts in the Samish Watershed, current status of the bay (open or closed for harvest), a calendar of Samish bay shellfish bed closures to date, or to report a water quality problem, visit www.skagitcounty.net/cleanwater.

For more information, contact Emma Whitfield at emmaw@co.skagit.wa.us or at (360) 419-7667.