Local

Department of Health closes shellfish harvest area due to pollution

Credit: Craig Hill, Tacoma News Tribune. 

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Health is restricting commercial shellfish harvesting in a portion of Port Susan in Snohomish County following its annual water quality evaluation.

State health officials said they are working with local partners and tribal governments to find and fix the pollution problems.

In addition to restricting harvesting in Port Susan, the Department of Health said it is listing the following 18 areas as “threatened.”

Clallam County: Makah Bay.

Grays Harbor County: Grays Harbor, Pacific Coast.

Jefferson County – Discovery Bay.

Kitsap County – Dyes Inlet.

Mason County – Annas Bay, Hood Canal near Union, North Bay, Oakland Bay, Pickering Passage.

Pierce County – Poverty Bay near Dash Point, Henderson Bay, Vaughn Bay, West Key Peninsula in Dutcher Cove.

Snohomish County – Port Susan, South Skagit Bay; Thurston County – Henderson Inlet.

Whatcom County – Drayton Harbor.

The Department of Health said people can help limit pollution by “maintaining septic systems, picking up pet waste, using pump out stations for boats and recreational vehicles and managing animal waste from large and small farms.”

The Department of Health said it uses national standards to classify all 110 commercial harvest areas in the state.

Click here for up-to-date information for recreational harvesters.

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