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March 24th, 2010

Skagit County selected for $961,980 funding for "Clean Samish Initiative" from EPA

SKAGIT COUNTY - The Skagit County Board of Commissioners were notified yesterday that Skagit County Public Works Department will receive $961,980 of funding for the "Clean Samish Initiative" from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Puget Sound Watershed Management Assistance Program.

EPA received sixty-seven proposals from local governments, federally recognized tribes and special purpose districts. A multi-agency review committee ranked and scored each proposal and presented their recommendations to the EPA Selection Officials who made the funding decision. "As a result, we are pleased to inform you that your proposal entitled "Clean Samish Initiative Implementation: Samish Bay Watershed Pollution Identification and Correction" was selected for funding in the amount of $961,980. Congratulations!, said Richard Parkin, Acting Director, Office of Ecosystems, Tribal, and Public Affairs.

Partners with Skagit County in applying for the grant include Skagit County Health Department, Samish Indian Nation, Skagit Conservation Education Alliance, Skagit Conservation District, Western Washington Agricultural Association, Washington State University Extension, and Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.

"This is the kind of attention it's going to take to turn the problems around in Samish Bay," said Bill Dewey, spokesman for Taylor Shellfish Company

Skagit County is partnering with several federal, state and local agencies in the "Clean Samish Initiative." In 2008 and 2009, commercial shellfish beds in Samish Bay were temporarily closed to harvest seven times after rain events lead to high loads of bacteria in the Samish River. Washington Department of Ecology has worked with local partners on a new water cleanup plan to reduce fecal coliform bacteria in the Samish watershed.

For further information, contact:

Dan Berentson
Skagit County Communications Director
360-419-3461