FILTHY HARBOR

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) have five ratings for water bodies--one being clean, and five being filthy. Drayton Harbor is in category five, what's called a 303 impaired water body. 303 water bodies under the federal Clean Water Act must be cleaned up so they are safe for water recreation, wildlife, and shellfish harvest. 

The 303 listing for Drayton Harbor is due to a high fecal bacteria count--human, canine, and herbivore. The herbivore fecal bacteria is being addressed by farmers working with the county extension service and ecology staff who identify pollution sources and solutions. The missing partner here is the City of Blaine, which is responsible under 303 to reduce human and canine fecal bacteria in our urban creeks.

Improper stormwater management by the city and developers contribute to the high bacteria count as they discharge into Cain, Spooner, and Dakota Creeks, and in turn into Drayton Harbor. In November, DOE will submit a report to the EPA, with targets for the mandatory cleanup plan. By buying into the plan and cleaning up its act, Blaine might be able to keep Drayton Harbor Oyster Company in business.

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