General Information
Shellfish Protection District Name
Skagit County Clean Water Program (CWP) / The Clean Samish Initiative (CSI) / Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Program
County
Skagit
Websites and Links
- Skagit County Environmental Health
- Samish Watershed Map (PDF)
- Skagit County Critical Areas Ordinance (Chapter 14.24)
- The Clean Samish and Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Program
- Washington's Open Space Taxation Act, Chapter 84.34 RCW (PDF)
- The Clean Water Program
- Skagit County Video Clip
- Environmental Canine - Sniffing Dogs Program (PDF)
Geographic Boundaries
Unincorporated Skagit County
Primary Point of Contact
Name: Michael See
Agency: Skagit County Public Works
Phone: 360-416-1455
Email: michaels@co.skagit.wa.us
Year Created
1995 for Shellfish Protection District (SPD); 2005 for CWP
Reason Created
Skagit County established a SPD county-wide in 1995 in response to pollution issues, especially in Samish Bay, and closure of parts of the shellfish growing area in the bay with Skagit County Ordinance #O15708 (PDF). There was no funding attached to the establishment of this district. However, Skagit County successfully pursued a community sewer system for the Town of Edison and on-site sewage system (OSS) repairs for the Blanchard community.
The Skagit County CWP was created in 2005 as an outgrowth of the SPD (Skagit County Resolution #R20050487 (PDF)). The CWP was reauthorized in 2009 (Skagit County Resolution #R20090395 (PDF)). The CSI was established by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) in 2009 and transferred to Skagit County in 2010 with the awarding of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to address Samish Bay fecal coliform pollution.
Members and Stakeholders
Appointed
There is no board for this SPD. The CSI Executive Committee provides accountability for the work of the CSI. The SPD is managed by Skagit County Public Works Natural Resources Division.
Non-Appointed
Non-appointed participants in the CSI include:
- Ecology
- Governor's Office of Regulatory Assistance
- Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
- Washington State Department of Health
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- Puget Sound Partnership
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Skagit County Public Works
- Skagit County Public Health & Community Services (SCPH)
- Skagit County Planning and Development Services
- RE Sources of Sustainable Communities - North Sound Baykeeper
- Skagit Conservation District (CD)
- WSU Skagit County Cooperative Extension
- Washington State Conservation Commission
- Western Washington Agricultural Association
- Taylor Shellfish Farms
- Skagit Conservation Education Alliance
- Washington Sea Grant / University of Washington
- Washington State Dairy Federation
- Washington Cattlemen's Association
- Upper Skagit Tribe
- Samish Indian Nation
- Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group
Funding Sources
Grants
$960,000 in EPA PIC funding for 3 and a half years (expired December 2013) was used to establish the PIC program in the Samish Basin. Additional EPA grant dollars were obtained by Skagit County to address fecal coliform pollution in the Padilla Bay watershed.
Funding for Public Health work in the MRAs varies from year to year. In a typical year, approximately $50,000 is available for base funding of this work. Skagit County has also received approximately an additional $75,000 per year for special projects.
Agency Funds
EPA funded the Skagit County PIC program in 2010. Other financial assistance includes CD/Washington State Conservation Commission cost share funds, EPA/National Estuary Program Agriculture BMP funds, Skagit County's Natural Resources Stewardship Program, CWP funds, and OSS inspection reimbursement. The program proposed to County Commissioners to reauthorize funding for an additional five to ten years, and the response was positive.
Taxes and Fees
A $28 fee per parcel or an assessment based on impervious surface funds the SPD and the County CWP. Funding totals approximately $1,300,000. This supports the CD and CWP (Skagit County Public Works and SCPH) work in the area. Skagit County will seek reauthorization of the CWP in 2014.
Loans (including Craft3)
Low-interest loans for the repair of failing OSSs is available through Skagit County's loan program funded by Ecology's Centennial Clean Water fund.