PIC Program Accomplishments

Background

  • Purpose: Identify and correct sources of bacterial and nutrient pollution in the Lower Stillaguamish River valley west of Interstate 5
  • Implementation Timeframe: November 2013 to September 2016
  • Program Managed By: Snohomish County Public Works Surface Water Management
  • Total Cost: Approximately $444,000 (Roughly $247,000 for Snohomish County and around $197,000 for Snohomish Conservation District)
  • Funding Source: 100% funded by US EPA National Estuary Program grant and administered by Washington Department of Health in coordination with Washington Department of Ecology
  • Program Partners: Snohomish Conservation District, Snohomish County Health Department, Washington Department of Agriculture, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Health, Stillaguamish Flood Control District, City of Stanwood, Stillaguamish Tribe, and Stillaguamish Clean Water District Advisory Board

Since the launch of the program in 2014, Snohomish County and its partners have addressed:

Inter-agency Cooperation
Snohomish County led quarterly meetings of its advisory committee to foster inter-agency cooperation on implementation of the Lower Stillaguamish PIC Program.


Water Quality Monitoring in the PIC Program Area
Snohomish County:

  • Conducted monthly water quality sampling at nine sites within the program area with a focus on adjacent upland areas that drain to the Lower Stillaguamish floodplain.
  • Performed short-term targeted investigatory water quality sampling in the Sunday Lake drainage area, based on the monthly sampling results.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) conducted monthly and targeted investigatory water quality sampling in the Miller Creek area of the Lower Stillaguamish floodplain.


Pollution Source Identification, Technical Assistance, and Enforcement
The Washington State Department of Ecology, Snohomish Conservation District (SCD), and Snohomish County:

  • Worked with cooperating landowners to design and implement three agricultural best management practice (BMP) projects in the Silvana Terrace area.
  • Identified several significant sources of bacterial pollution in both the Lower Stillaguamish River floodplain and adjacent uplands.

Clean-up for most of these sources is either underway or complete.


Education and Outreach to PIC Program Area Residents and Landowners

SCD:

  • Conducted 5 workshops/tours on BMPs.
  • Hosted 10 community meetings.
  • Promoted BMPs for on-site septic systems and livestock manure through various outreach activities.
  • Responded to 27 site visit requests within the Lower Stillaguamish River PIC Program area, primarily related to technical assistance for livestock owners.

The WSDA:

Snohomish County Public Works:

  • Issued newsletters to PIC Program area residents in 2015 and 2016.
  • Held an open house on November 14, 2015 in Stanwood, WA.
  • Presented PIC Program updates at the Fourth Annual Free Shellfish Dinner on August 13, 2016 in Stanwood, WA.