Henderson Inlet Shellfish Bed Closure ImminentPollution problems have persisted and increased in Henderson Inlet and a part of the inlet that is conditionally open for shellfish harvesting will be closed in the next few weeks by the Washington State Department of Health. The shellfish grower, Western Oyster Company, has already stopped harvesting in the area to be closed since oysters and clams are filter feeders and retain contamination present in the water. The Henderson Inlet Watershed Council, which advises the County Commissioners on water quality in the watershed, has advocated for an effective response strategy by Thurston County for the last two years to prevent this shellfish bed closure. The State Department of Health closure will trigger a state-mandated "Shellfish Protection District" and will now require the county to develop a plan to eliminate the pollution problem so the area can be reopened. The Henderson Inlet Watershed Council has recommended a solution involving an "Area of Special Concern" where higher standards are applied to septic systems, livestock and manure handling practices and stormwater runoff to eliminate pollution sources. It is not clear what the size of the Area of Special Concern will need to be to reopen the closed shellfish harvesting areas. Studies are in progress and planned to determine how much land area and how many properties will be affected. Thurston County has 180 days to come up with a plan for reopening the the closed shellfish beds. Stay tuned.
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