A Partnership Approach to Protecting and Improving Water Quality in the Shellfish Watersheds of Pierce County

Commercial shellfish growing is a significant economic driver on the Key Peninsula of Pierce County, Washington. In response to the downgrades of several shellfish areas in the 1990’s and early 2000’s and the establishment of Shellfish Protection Districts and Closure Response Plans, it was recognized that a more proactive approach was needed. In an effort to build cooperation and a partnership across Pierce County, and address bacterial contamination in the shellfish growing areas, a Pierce County Shellfish Partners Strategic Plan was developed and formalized in March of 2013. The partnership initially included Pierce County Surface Water Management (SWM), Pierce Conservation District (PCD), and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (Health Department) but expanded to include numerous agencies, organizations, businesses, and even individuals. This Shellfish Partners Strategic Plan built up on the work of local agencies first formalized in 2006 but now identifies and coordinates the mission, goals, strategies and tasks of government and stakeholders. It describes the key elements of a fully functioning shellfish water quality pollution prevention, identification and correction program and it strives to meet the Vision: “Governments and stakeholders are actively working together to improve water quality in the shellfish watersheds of Pierce County.” This presentation will focus on the partnerships and processes utilized to maintain and continue to refine a robust pollution prevention, identification, and correction program in an effort to protect public health and the environment. It will also discuss the programs formed through cooperative efforts such as septic grant and loan programs, landowner outreach, natural yard care, monitoring and farm animal Best Management Practice (BMP) assistance