Partnerships are key to reduce pollution; open up shellfish areas near Barker Creek

(Port Orchard, WA) – A cooperative effort of Kitsap County government and private property owners has resulted in a significant reduction in fecal pollution in Barker Creek. Their successful clean up efforts resulted in opening shellfish areas in Dyes Inlet near the mouth of the stream to harvesting.

Funding from the Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management (SSWM) Program and the Washington State Department of Ecology allowed local agencies and property owners to work together to reduce fecal pollution in Barker Creek. Cleaning up bacterial pollution in Barker Creek involved finding and fixing the sources of pollution in a comprehensive way.

Partner on-the-ground actions included:

• Kitsap Public Health District inspected 333 properties; nine failing septic systems were identified and repaired

• Kitsap Conservation District helped landowners install 31 farm improvements to manage animal waste

• Kitsap Public Works upgraded maintenance of stormwater facilities in the Barker Creek watershed.

In 2003, 1500 acres of shellfish beds in Dyes Inlet were upgraded; however, the mouth of Barker Creek was not included in the shellfish upgrade because of pollution from the stream. As a result of the partnership clean-up actions, in early 2012, health officials lifted the shellfish closure at the mouth of Barker Creek.

“The SSWM program takes a comprehensive approach to surface and stormwater management and allows each partner agency to focus on areas that they do best,” says Dr. Chris May, SSWM Program Manager. “The 15-year SSWM partnership achieves important environmental benefits while collaborating with our community to restore and protect our streams and Puget Sound.”

Because of the Barker Creek successful cleanup project, the local National Public Radio station -- KUOW -- interviewed several people, including landowners, about their experience. This interview is available at http://earthfix.kuow.org/communities/article/tackling-water-pollution-one-creek-at-a-time/.

Fecal Coliform
Fecal bacteria are commonly found in human and animal wastes, and high levels in streams suggest that swimming and eating shellfish may be a health risk. Sources of fecal contamination include septic systems, domestic and wild animal manure, and leaky sewer systems.

Surface and Stormwater Management Program
The Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management (SSWM) Program protects people, property and natural resources by reducing flooding and stormwater runoff, conserving groundwater, restoring fish habitat, and preventing stormwater pollution. Five agencies carry out SSWM programs: Kitsap County Public Works, Kitsap Public Health District, Kitsap Conservation District, Washington State University Kitsap County Extension, and Kitsap County Community Development.

For more information
For more information about the Surface and Stormwater Management Program, visit www.kitsapgov.com/sswm.

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