Puget Sound-Hood Canal cleanup projects planned in 26 state parks

Gov. Christine Gregoire and the Legislature have set a high priority on water quality improvement in Puget Sound and Hood Canal. Washington State Parks received $22.2 million to make improvements on storm water and wastewater treatment systems in 26 state parks on these two bodies of water. The allocation is part of a multi-million dollar, multi-agency protection and restoration effort. Project work in parks began in the summer of 2006, with several projects using higher quality treatment techniques and connection to municipal systems when possible.

Puget Sound and Hood Canal are ecosystems in trouble. When toxic pollutants get into the water, they settle to the bottom, working their way into the food chain and accumulating, ultimately threatening the entire ecosystem. According to the Washington Department of Ecology, more than 5,700 acres of underwater lands in Puget Sound and Hood Canal exceed safe toxic levels. The governor’s cleanup initiative seeks a quick solution to the problem with the outcome of restoring these waters.

The Puget Sound-Hood Canal cleanup effort seeks to speed cleanups at toxic sites, help homeowners repair failing septic systems, pre-position spill-response equipment and reduce storm water runoff. The governor and Legislature chose state parks sites, with the intention of getting projects completed quickly. Funds allocated for the work will help State Parks in its mission of natural resources stewardship and will move the Commission toward its Centennial 2013 goal of taking better care of existing parks.

Cleanup projects are planned in the following 26 state parks: Bay View, Belfair, Birch Bay, Blake Island, Camano Island, Deception Pass, Dosewallips, Fay Bainbridge, Fort Casey, Fort Ebey, Fort Flagler, Fort Worden, Illahee, Kitsap Memorial, Kopachuck, Larrabee, Penrose Point, Pleasant Harbor, Possession Point, Potlatch, Scenic Beach, Saltwater, Sequim Bay, Shine Tidelands, Triton Cove and Twanoh.

  Clean-water initiative partners:

• Washington State Department of Ecology
• Washington State Department of Health
• Department of Natural Resources
• Puget Sound Partnership
• Hood Canal Coordinating Council
• Washington State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation
• Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Native American Tribes
• Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
• County officials
• Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
• Salmon enhancement groups