HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources May 20 1997WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
May 20, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 11 a.m. by Committee Chair Marlene Dawson in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Tom Brown None
Kathy Sutter
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING SEWAGE OVERFLOW PROBLEMS IN THE
BLAINEBIRCH BAY AREA (AB97 -185)
(Clerks Note: First discussed was the addendum item)
Dawson suggested the overflow was due to the recent area heavy rains. She noted
William Goff had supplied much information to committee. His main concern was that when
there is sewage overflow, there should be an appropriate response; e.g., signage, fencing. The
city of Blaine =s Public Works Department thought the appropriate response was to notify the
state and local Health Department for follow up enforcement.
Chuck Benjamin, Health Department Director, commented. He stated he met with
Goff and is currently working with the city of Blaine on a resolution of the situation, specifically
signage and fencing.
Bill Duffy, city of Blaine, gave an overview of a program consisting of several projects
that will alleviate this problem (handout on file). The projects include: replacement of the
Drayton Harbor sewage main, and an upgrade of the wastewater treatment. The other three
projects involve activities in the collection system, which he explained. He discussed the
funding system (handout on file). He noted the city is not only replacing the main line collection
system, but the surface lateral spares to the property owners= homes. Briefly discussed was the
disconnection of gutters to the storm sewers.
William Goff, Blaine resident, was concerned about the relationship between Blaine =s
plans and the Department of Health =s letter stating the storm sewer discharge contains high
coliform levels in the dry seasons. He stated he has not yet heard a satisfactory answer on how
the sewage is getting into the system. Duffy responded it has not yet been determined the
contamination is sewage. Goff inquired why the problems still exist. Duffy noted the city has
done several projects since 1991.
ADDENDUM
Natural Resources Minutes, 5/20/97, Page 1
1. DISCUSSION ON A POSSIBLE PORTAGE BAY SHELLFISH DOWNGRADE WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY (AB97 -195)
Regina Delahunt, Health Department, stated the State Department of Health drafted a
sanitary survey for this problem. She introduced Frank Merriweather and Marion Bouchard,
State Department of Health, as well as Joan Pelley, Department of Ecology.
Frank Merriweather, Engineer, State Department of Health Shellfish Program, reviewed
the survey. He stated this is not a new issue, as it was first noted in 1966. A slide presentation
was given. His program uses national standards. He noted the two stations in question (11 and
12) are failing very badly; the other station (13) is only passing. He summarized the sources of
pollution: domestic wastes; stormwater discharges; agricultural wastes; wildlife areas; industrial
waste; and sewage treatment plant discharges.
Merriweather displayed a slide of the summary of water quality data for the Nooksack
River near Ferndale. He pointed out the Nooksack has high chronic levels of fecal coliform.
Rainfall and river flow were addressed. There is much variation of the water quality in the
Nooksack through water transport. Causes of variation include winds; rainfall; and snow melt.
The actual water quality summary states a downgrade must be done on a portion of the existing
shellfish growing area in Portage Bay, specifically at stations 11 and 12.
In coordination with the Lummi Tribe, he noted the downgrade in process: stations 11
and 12 will be placed in the Arestricted= classification, which means that shellfish cannot be
taken directly out of those waters for the market. Cleansing must first be done. Station 13 will
continue to be closely examined.
Mike Cochran, shellfish biologist for the Lummi Tribe, commented.
Continuing, Merriweather stated a few water quality stations will be established within
the next year through the Department of Ecology (DOE). He pointed out that based on the way
water moves through the sewage treatment plant area, water always leaves, both on ebb and
flow.
There was some discussion. Topics discussed included monitoring areas, and frequency of
samples taken. Marion Bouchard, Department of Health, briefly addressed the follow up
process.
Joan Pelley, Department of Ecology, stated that by the end of September 1997, the
watershed in the Sumas area will have been inspected. Actually, the entire Nooksack Watershed
is a problem area. This is a problem that will not be fixed overnight. The Ferndale Treatment
Plant, she stated, did complete its required upgrades under the DOE =s recent permit review.
Brown inquired of the documentation of the Nooksack Watershed, specifically the North
Natural Resources Minutes, 5/20/97, Page 2
and Middle Forks. Pelley replied that the problems included siltation and sedimentation related
to past forest practices (erosion); elevated nutrient levels associated with agricultural practices,
non - point, or yard runoff, and a heavy metals and toxic contaminants mix.
Ward Nelson, Council member, was concerned with the extent the state will be
participating in this financially and also as a regulatory agency. Pelley replied her job was to
assure compliance with the law. She addressed the issue of monitoring. Nelson asked for
solutions. He stated the problem areas were small and limited and impact from outside a non -
point pollution. Pelley stated the DOE plays a co -lead role in developing the response strategy.
In terms of the lead, the state does not have jurisdiction over Lummi lands. The DOE has the
responsibility for enforcing and dealing with the regulatory program that affect the point and
non -point sources in the Nooksack.
In the Drayton Harbor area, people were able to apply for various state grants allowing
them to carry out some piece of the response strategy that was developed with locals and others.
A balance between the Lummi Tribe and the Council must be maintained in order to
develop a workable strategy.
Chuck Benjamin, Health Department director, commented regarding the situation. He
noted the state came up with an incentive which his department is pursuing to assist homeowners
with on -site failures in Drayton Harbor. He inquired of the likelihood the state would consider
another grant assisting the agricultural community to improve some practices that would be
costly. Pelley referred committee to other state people but did state application would have to be
made to any state grant. Delahunt stated all the funding issues would be discussed in relation to
the response strategy developed.
Stuart Glasco, Puget Sound Water Quality Reaction Team, commented about
coordination with state agencies. He stated this was a unique situation with unique challenges.
The agricultural contribution is significant. Regarding financing, he thought there were many
options. A good, solid response needs to be put together that focuses on pollution control.
Dawson wondered about the possibility of a cooperative effort involving the Lummi
Tribe. This idea of a Lummi on the advisory board was discussed with the Lummi Director. She
was reminded the contamination is coming from the Nooksack and not the reservation.
Bouchard stated her department has a federal consent decree with the three tribes - -the Lummi
being one of them - -that outlines the jurisdictional issues.
Margaret Kardell, Drayton Harbor Advisory Committee, commented regarding the
Tribe =s assistance, which she thought would be helpful.
(Tape 1, side B)
Discussion followed on committee action. Benjamin agreed to put together a proposal to
form a shellfish district and have participation by the Lummi Tribe.
Natural Resources Minutes, 5/20/97, Page 3
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
Elizabeth Bennett, Recording Secretary
Jill Nixon, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk Marlene Dawson, Council Member
Natural Resources Minutes, 5/20/97, Page 4