In 2008 Island County was awarded the Holmes Harbor Bacteria
Source Identification/Remedy Grant, with the stated purpose of restoring
designated shellfish harvest in South Holmes Harbor by eliminating/reducing
fecal coliform sources in freshwater inputs to the South Holmes Harbor
Shellfish Protection District. The County has worked since 2008 to
accomplish the goals of the grant through collecting reliable water quality
data within the shellfish protection district, bacteria source identification
monitoring and reporting, public involvement and education, effectiveness
monitoring, and attempting to implement riparian restoration projects within
the shellfish protection district.



The South Holmes Harbor Project has included a concentrated
outreach effort through newsletters, seminars, workshops, parade participation,
and community focus meetings. This has included the development of four
farm plans, two LID demonstration workshops, four community focus meetings, a
homeowner's guide to protecting our water resources, and technical assistance
to at least 10 landowners.



The project also included a concentrated on-site septic
inspection program that has resulted in 98% of all eligible systems being
inspected. In addition, since 2009, more than 100 septic systems have had
some type of maintenance or repair completed and reported on the inspection
forms.



The combination of the implementation of best management
practices, education and outreach, septic inspection compliance efforts, and
source identification efforts has had a positive impact on water quality
conditions in surface water draining to South Holmes Harbor. Four out of the
five beach outfalls within South Holmes Harbor showed an improvement in water
quality from 2010 to 2011. Additionally, the sample site located at lower
Freeland Creek, which is a 303(d) listed Category 5 water, met surface water
quality standards for the 2011 water year. Through June 2013, water
quality monitoring will occur at ten locations throughout the two watersheds to
continue to assess effectiveness. After June 2013, the county will continue to
monitor water quality in South Holmes Harbor.