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For immediate release: October 20, 2005 (05-137)
Contacts:
Frank Meriwether, Food
Safety and Shellfish Program 360-236-3321
Jeff Smith, Communications Office
360-236-4072
Shellfish area east of Shelton may reopen for harvest soon
OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington Department of Health is proposing to open commercial shellfish harvesting on about 1,200 yards of shoreline east of the City of Shelton. Upgrades at the Shelton wastewater treatment plant are among the factors in this change in classification.
A comprehensive study recently conducted by Health, the federal Food and Drug Administration, Washington Department of Ecology, and the City of Shelton shows that sufficient mixing and dilution of the existing discharges from the treatment plant occur in Hammersley Inlet to meet an “approved” classification in this specific area. The scientific study was also supported in part by the shellfish industry in Oakland Bay. The area to be opened is on the south shoreline of the inlet between Bayview Road and Mell Road. Shellfish harvest remains prohibited in the southern Oakland Bay area near Shelton because of discharge from the plant.Health officials have also been concerned about future increased discharges to Oakland Bay from the Shelton wastewater treatment plant as the population grows. These concerns are addressed by proposed upgrades in the plant, installation of an effluent detention basin, improvement of the outfall in the bay, and a permit limit on the amount of effluent that can be discharged to the bay. These measures will protect the newly opened shoreline as well as existing shellfish harvest areas in Oakland Bay from potential pollution impacts. The City of Shelton is pleased for shellfish growers and gratified that the upgrades have helped to open the shellfish beds.
Questions on this proposed change in commercial shellfish harvest classification can be directed to Frank Meriwether, Environmental Engineer at the Department of Health, at 360-236-3321.
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