Pick up After Your Pets

Studies show that dogs and other animals are a major source of fecal coliform bacteria and other microbes in our watershed. Pick-up after your pet's waste and dispose of it properly: flush it or throw it away in a proper waste receptacle.

For more information on Mutt-Mitt stations around marine waters, check out the wildlife/non-human contributions link under Drayton Harbor projects. 

Keep Animal Waste Out of Creeks

Animal waste from livestock operations and small hobby farms can contribute significantly to fecal coliform pollution in marine waters.

If you own livestock, there are several things you can do to protect marine water quality:

• Maintain buffers along riverbanks.
• Fence your animals out of the creeks and waterways.
• Use other nutrient management techniques.

Contact WSU Cooperative Extension at (360) 676-6736 or the Whatcom Conservation District at (360) 354-2035 for more information on management techniques for small farms.

Maintain Your Septic System

Failing septic systems can leak human waste into our waterbodies, contaminating them with fecal coliform bacteria and other microbes.

If you have a septic tank:

• Have it inspected every three to five years.
• Repair your system if it is not working properly.

For more information on on-site septic systems, contact Whatcom County Health Department at (360) 676-6724 or download a brochure entitled Understanding and Caring for Your Septic Tank System, published by the Washington State Department of Health.  

Dispose of Boat Waste Properly

If you own a boat, dispose of your on-board waste properly. Use pump-out facilities and don't dump in the harbor or ocean. Maintain your holding tank so it is working properly.

Keep Wildlife Wild

Don't feed the birds, seals or other wildlife in the harbors. Large numbers of wildlife congregating in an area can have a significant impact on water quality. Also, feeding wild animals “people food” like bread does not provide them with the nutrients they need to remain healthy.

Derelict Fishing Gear

Derelict fishing gear poses many problems to both marine animals and people such as entangling swimmers, divers, fish, marine mammals, shellfish, and birds.

If you know where derelict fishing gear is located, report it by calling the WDFW hotline at:
1-800-477-6224 or http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/fish/derelict.

For more information visit the NWSC derelict gear website.

Don't Litter or Dump Waste

Dispose of waste properly. Anything dumped on the ground can end up in our marine waters. In addition, plastic rings for six-packs and old fishing line (as well as many other discarded items) can be detrimental to many of the wildlife species we treasure.  Check out the Port Townsend Marine Science Center website on their plastics monitoring program.

Get Involved

Join a volunteer monitoring group:

• Shellfish volunteers in Drayton Harbor contact: Geoff Menzies at (360) 384-9135.
• MRC clam survey volunteers contact Whatcom County Public Works Natural Resources Staff at (360) 676-6876.
• Consider becoming a Watershed Master/Beach Watcher through the WSU Extension office.  

Be a Water Watchdog

Contact the local office of the Washington State Department of Ecology (360) 715-5200, Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (360) 676-6907, or State Park Rangers if you observe illegal dumping or other activities that may adversely affect water quality.

Get Informed

Contact Whatcom County Water Resources for additional information at (360) 676-6876.