Henderson-Nisqually Shellfish Protection District - Pollution Control Strategy

Pollution Control Plan

Date Plan Created/Updated

n/a

Process for Creating SPD/Plan

The two groups of 13 members were selected by Thurston County Board of Commissioners. These groups created pollution plans, with the help of specialists brought in by the County. Both plans use an adaptive management plan model. Additionally, the County performed an extensive, multi-year community involvement process that included a committee, community workshops, direct mailings, newsletters (PDF), surveys, editorial board comments, and television programming, to support the formation of the SPD.

Links to Pollution Control Plan

Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach SPDs Implementation Work Plan (PDF)

Pollution Source: On-Site Sewage System (OSS)

Identifying Potential Pollution Source

The OSS O&M program has requirements based on potential risk to surface water: Low risk systems should be inspected every three years, conducted by a certified OSS professional or by a trained and certified homeowner. Ten percent of these systems are verified by county staff. High risk systems should be inspected every three years and pass a dye test every six years. Dye tests are performed by county staff.

Tank pumping is the most common maintenance item, with almost half of tanks inspected needing pumping during the first inspection cycle.

The County defines “Failure” in Article IV (PDF) as “a condition of an OSS or component that threatens the public health by inadequately treating sewage or by creating a potential for direct or indirect contact between sewage and the public.”

Validating Source of Pollution

n/a

Verifying Pollution Source Has Been Corrected

The OSS O&M program for the Marine Recovery Areas has designated compliance staff to ensure that failing and deficient systems are repaired. The County uses a permit tracking system to track an OSS repair permit to its completion. When a failure is identified, the violation is also tracked in the system by compliance staff. If the full OSS system is replaced (permitted), there is no follow-up beyond the normal permitting and inspection process. If the repair is minor (unpermitted), such as the replacement of a broken pipe, the County would do a second dye test to confirm the repair has been completed.

Establishing a Threshold (concentration, number of counts or flow rate)

The County follows state standards that apply to the body of water being sampled. According to Article IV (PDF), a failure would include a positive dye test results and a fecal coliform bacteria sample result of at least 200 cfu/100 mL or above established background concentrations collected within six months of the dye test and collected at the same location as the dye-positive site.

Pollution Source: Agriculture

Identifying Potential Pollution Source

Thurston County has the authority to control animal wastes through a nonpoint ordinance Article VI (PDF) Thurston County Sanitary Code. Problems are identified through complaints received. The Health Department has a cooperative agreement (PDF) with the CD whereby violations are referred to the SPD for technical assistance with farm plan development and implementation of best management practices.

Article VI is practice-based and focuses on best management practices. It does not require that the County demonstrates through sampling that an operation is contributing bacteria or pollution.

Validating Source of Pollution

n/a

Verifying Pollution Source Has Been Corrected

The County does follow-up and takes compliance actions if the land owner fails to correct the violations. Monthly sampling enables the County to have a baseline for specific locations.