Shellfish logo used by permission, courtesy of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA).

Website hosted by:
Whatcom County Public Works

Drayton Harbor Projects

Education and Community Involvement

Brochures
Community Oyster Farm
Open House
Quarterly Reports
Volunteer Shoreline Monitoring Project

Two tools that are vital to affecting changes in behavior are education and community involvement/buy-in into the process. To understand how to correct a pollution problem, people must first understand that there is a problem and understand how the problem arose in the first place. Education comes in many different formats: brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, press releases, open houses, seminars, reports, etc. All of these forums are being used to educate people to the pollution and shellfish issues associated with Drayton Harbor.

It is becoming increasingly evident that community involvement is essential to a successful pollution prevention/reduction program. We have all helped to contribute to the problem and we all need to help correct the problems that have been created. When the community becomes involved in the process, there is ownership of the project that helps to create a solid platform for success.

• Open House- The annual Drayton Harbor Shellfish District Open House is always a big success. This is a great forum for getting information out to the community on the activities that are taking place to help improve water quality throughout the watershed. It is also a great time for agencies to get up-to-date on what other agencies have been doing. This is a fine example of the partnerships that are necessary in order to affect positive change in issues associated with the shellfish bed closures.
• Community Oyster Farm
• Brochures - In 2002, a new brochure was developed for the shellfish protection district. Take a look at some of the ways the district is helping to improve the water quality of the harbor.
• Quarterly Reports to DOH- The shellfish committee has started putting together a summary of activities that have occurred during each quarter to illustrate to the Department of Health what efforts are happening to help improve water quality throughout the entire shellfish protection district. Check out the latest quarterly report.

Addressing pollution issues is a dynamic process. Problems are identified, strategies developed, actions taken and then new potential sources identified, etc. The Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District, in 2000, completed the Status Report and Water Recovery Plan, which gives a comprehensive look at what work has been done in the shellfish protection district and what the next steps/ focus will be.

On-site Septic Systems
Municipal Sewer Systems
Agricultural Practices
Boats/Marinas
Stormwater Runoff
Wildlife/Non-human Contributions
Other Sources
Education and Community Involvement
Data Management/Water Quality Monitoring
Reports