The state is offering more than a half-million dollars to combat low oxygen levels on Hood Canal.
State officials say the money — $600,000 — is just a down payment on what it will ultimately cost to solve human-caused nitrogen entering the water body, essentially zapping the canal’s oxygen.
Even so, members of the Puget Sound Action Team are eager for “innovative” ideas to start the battle to save the canal, said Duane Fagergren, action team special projects director.
“We’re hoping get contractors and counties coming forward to present some good ideas,” he said.
There is talk of additional federal funds being allocated in the future, action team spokeswoman Mary Getchell said.
A recent state study named septic systems along Hood Canal as the No. 1 manmade cause of high nitrogen in the water.
Five other causes, including agricultural manure, the dumping of chum salmon carcasses and stormwater runoff were also named in the report.
The nitrogen causes plankton to bloom. When the small plants and animals die, the decaying process exhausts oxygen levels — particularly in the southern reaches of Hood Canal.
