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Shellfish logo used by permission, courtesy of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA) |
Who is the Birch Bay Shellfish Advisory Committee?The Birch Bay Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee (AC) is a diverse group of individuals with one common goal: restoring the shellfish beds for harvesting by recommending strategies to affect positive changes in the water quality that impacts the tidal flats. The AC functions in an advisory capacity, helping to identify possible pollution sources and making recommendations on courses of action to take to correct these problems. The implementing agencies associated with the shellfish district deal with initiating corrective action and deal with regulatory/enforcement issues associated with water quality concerns. The committee is made up of the five members of the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District Advisory Committee, plus two citizens-at-large and representatives from the two local tribes.
Advisory CommitteeKeats Garman - vice chair Lesli Higginson 2 vacant seats for tribal representatives Agency SupportWhatcom Conservation District Washington State Department of Health Washington State Department of Ecology, Bellingham Field Office Washington State Department of Agriculture
The members of the advisory committee and the implementing agencies are committed to helping make strides in improving water quality in the Birch Bay Shellfish District, so that hopefully, one day, this portion of the bay will be clean enough to allow shellfish harvesting to resume. You, too, can do your part to help protect and improve the quality of the waters of the state by becoming better informed on how your activities impact water quality and what you can do to limit pollution in your neighborhood and watershed. What goes on the ground anywhere in the watershed can end up in a waterway, either surface or groundwater, and eventually impact the shellfish beds in the harbor. Get Informed - Get Involved - Together We Can Make a Difference |