Image above: Sign posted at Coupeville Wharf on 4/2/2020.
Image above: 4/2/2020
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
We are told that stewardship is a priority:
Sign below educates the public on local waters.
Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area
Has there ever been a news story to inform the public on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?
Looks like a significant area.
Penn Cove site visits 4/2/2020:
Coupeville
Another Month With An R at Captain Thomas Coupe Park – Site Visit
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
Site Visit – Another Month With An R at Monroe Landing
Several Island County beaches are now closed for recreational shellfish harvest because of sewage treatment outfall.
Sewage treatment outfall. Not stormwater.
This appears to be a routine/ongoing situation.
View the Washington State Department of Health beach list here.
Asking questions about local water quality impacted by sewage treatment plant outfalls:
Has anyone ever seen any news report asking questions related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Has any government agency, elected official or volunteer organization asked questions related to one or more sewage treatment plants sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
North side of Penn Cove at Monroe Landing
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Is the sewage treatment plant sending unsafe product into Penn Cove?
Reporting on this topic appears to be completely off limits to the press.
Coupeville
Love to see newspeople provide updated reporting on this:
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Arriving at Coupeville 4/2/2020:
Back in 2017, Island County Public Health posted a sign at the Coupeville Wharf about restrictions on recreational shellfish harvesting.
Why no warning sign on 4/2/2020?
Three reasons why it looks like a warning sign should still be posted:
1 On 4/2/2020 the Washington State Department of Health tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest: Shellfish Safety Map
Image above: April 2nd, 2020
Source: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
2 WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest:
3 The sign posted at the west end of Penn Cove by WDFW tells us that this is not a safe location for recreational shellfish harvest.
March 13, 2020 Whidbey News-Times
4th grade students publish book on Salish Sea
“Invisible Pollution in the Salish Sea”
School teachers,
Are you teaching your students to look for green colors on the Recreational Shellfish Safety Map?
More here:
Green colors show safe places for recreational shellfish
Distance learning idea:
Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls
Related:
Less Pollution at Bellingham and Anacortes?
More Than A Week Since The Big Rains
Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?
Ocean Water in Snohomish County?
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