Whatcom County MRC Projects - Blaine Marina Pilot Project
Drayton Harbor Shellfish
Background
Whatcom County currently has two shellfish protection districts, Drayton Harbor
and Portage Bay. Shellfish districts are formed by the County Council, either
voluntarily or within 180 days of the State
Department of Health (DOH) closing an area to shellfish harvesting due
to pollution. Drayton Harbor shellfish beds experienced closures as far back
as 1988, with significant closures occurring in 1995. By 1999, the entire
harbor (commercial, recreational and tribal areas) was completely closed
to harvesting due to fecal coliform pollution. The Drayton
Harbor Shellfish Advisory Committee, which was established in 1995, has
been working with various groups and agencies over the years to address the
various potential pollution sources that may be affecting the water quality
in this area. For more information about Drayton
Harbor Shellfish Protection District, click here.
Through various efforts, the Blaine Marina has been identified as a hot spot for fecal coliform bacteria. The State Department of Health has informed the shellfish advisory committee that the chronic poor water quality at this site is indicative of a perpetual fecal coliform source in this area. Therefore, the advisory committee has chosen to make the marina area a high priority for focused efforts at identifying and eliminating or reducing fecal impacts in the area. To this end, the advisory committee is partnering with the Port of Bellingham, the owner of the Blaine Marina, to address water quality issues in this area of the harbor. For more information about these projects, click here.
One of the Northwest Straits Commission benchmarks, which provide guidance for MRC actions, is a net reduction in shellfish beds closed to harvesting due to pollution. In 2003, the Whatcom County MRC began working with the Port and Drayton Harbor Shellfish Advisory Committee to target sources of bacteria in the commercial portion of the Blaine Marina. A reduction of fecal coliform levels in the marina and adjacent harbor sampling sites could result in the area being re-opened to shellfish harvesting, thus meeting the Northwest Straits Commission benchmark for shellfish beds.
The Project
The Whatcom County MRC is partnering with the Port
of Bellingham and Drayton Harbor Shellfish Advisory Committee to meet these
objectives:
- Evaluate bird and rat populations in the commercial portion of the Blaine Marina that may be contributing to fecal coliform bacteria levels.
- Evaluate structural components in the marina to better understand how stormwater moves in the area.
- Develop strategies for reducing/eliminating pollution sources in the commercial portion of the marina.
- Implement a selected management option(s) and monitor its effectiveness at reduction of fecal coliforms.
Bird and rat population analysis: This portion of
the baseline study involved a literature review, bird surveys, and compilation
of rat trap data. This information will be used to identify areas within
the commercial portion of the marina to target in the pilot project.
- A literature review was conducted to compile studies regarding birds and fecal coliform, the fate of fecal coliform in marine waters, and management options.
- Volunteers and staff surveyed pigeon, gull, and cormorant populations in the commercial portion of the marina and the breakwater.
- Rat activity was approximated using data from rat traps around the commercial portion of the marina.
-
Structure
characterization: This portion of the baseline study involved
characterizing the various structures within the marina area including
a summary of stormwater structures and the different land uses in the
marina area. - Summary of management options: Following the collection
of the information described above, representatives from the MRC, Port
and Drayton Harbor Shellfish Advisory Committee met to brainstorm management
options. Some of the general categories of options that are being considered
include:
- Stormwater Management Techniques~ bioretention cells, rain gardens, green roofs, etc.
- Bird Scare Techniques ~ wire x-ing on roofs, bird scare tape, squawk boxes, etc.
- Relocating Bird Populations ~ building bird habitat in other areas of the harbor
- Rat Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Techniques ~ reducing habitat and food sources in marina
These ideas will be provided to a consultant who will help the group evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the options.
Selection
of management option(s): The MRC, Port and Drayton Harbor
Shellfish Advisory Committee will select a management option or combination
of management options to implement in the marina area. Feasibility
and cost benefit will be critical components in the selection of various
options.- Monitoring: The Port currently has a water quality monitoring program and this will be used to help track the effectiveness of any implemented management option. Each implemented option will be monitored and maintained to determine its durability, its long-term effectiveness, and future maintenance costs. In addition, the MRC and Port are partnering on a small-scale storm event monitoring project in the marina. Approximately 10 sites will be sampled for fecal coliform levels during two storm events. These sites were selected using information gathered during the baseline study described above.
- Commercial tenants: The commercial tenants in the marina will be provided with factsheets on best management practices they can implement that can assist the Port in controlling fecal coliform contributions from sources such as rats, birds and stormwater runoff.
- Community awareness: A one-page project brief will be created and distributed to groups like the Drayton Harbor Community Oyster Farm and other interested community members, describing the baseline assessment and pilot study. This will help raise community awareness about the efforts being undertaken to address and correct water quality problems within the Blaine Marina and Drayton Harbor.
