SEQUIM — An open house to update the public on the Pollution Identification and Correction pilot project underway in the lower Dungeness watershed is planned from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. today.
The Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services’ Environmental Health Section will host the open house at the Dungeness Schoolhouse, 2781 Towne Road in Sequim.
The goal of the Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) pilot project is to identify and correct sources of bacterial pollution within the Golden Sands Slough and Meadowbrook Creek and Slough.
Water pollution has led to the closure of some of Dungeness Bay for commercial shellfish harvesting. In 2014, the county, in partnership with the Clean Water Work Group and public, developed a PIC plan to coordinate water pollution identification and correction activities more effectively.
Pilot project
The county is piloting the PIC plan in the Golden Sands Slough area and other parts of the lower Dungeness watershed in an effort to safeguard public health and restore and protect shellfish growing areas.
The open house will include a summary of results from water quality sampling that has occurred at Golden Sands Slough and throughout the pilot project area.
Other information
Information also will be provided about financial assistance, including grants and loans that are available to help homeowners repair or replace failing on-site septic systems.
County staff also will ask the public to share their ideas for cleaning up pollution in the PIC pilot area and how they can become more involved.
More information can be found at www.clallam.net/PIC or by contacting Carol Creasey at 360-417-2424 or EnviroHealth@co.clallam.wa.us.
