Miller Creek and Pilchuck Creek, located in the Stillaguamish watershed, contain high concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria. Bacteria concentrations must be reduced by 91% and 26%, respectively, in Miller and Pilchuck Creeks to meet state water quality standards.

This project will address sources of fecal coliform contamination by:

1) Educating landowners about their potential effects on stream water quality.

SCD will use a variety of outreach techniques to improve awareness of local pollution problems and change behaviors that contribute to them. InMiller Creek, SCD will work closely with the Stillaguamish Flood Control District and Drainage District #12 to improve land management at approximately 60 rural and agricultural properties. In the larger Pilchuck watershed, SCD will use social marketing techniques to reach a larger and more geographically diverse community. The social marketing program will focus on small farm owners, who are the primary audience in the Pilchuck and in many other Snohomish County watersheds.

2) Providing technical and financial assistance to livestock owners and streamside landowners for BMP implementation.

SCD will provide technical assistance(phone calls, site visits, e-mails, letters, publications, and farm plans) and cost-share funds for BMP implementation to livestock owners and streamside property owners who are located within the selected sub-basins. Implemented BMPs will decrease fecal coliform, nutrient and sediment inputs to streams, and increase shading of streams.

3) Monitoring stream fecal coliform concentrations.

SCD will monitor fecal coliform bacteria concentrations at several locations in Miller Creek in order to locate sources of bacterial pollution and to direct discussion with landowners about their effects on stream pollution.