conditionally approved for commercial harvest. These are relatively 
rural areas that have recently undergone considerable development, 
Induced, In part, by the move to a more charming and less urbanized 
"rural" lifestyle. This Increased human Influx has resulted In greater 
use of onsite waste disposal (I.e. septic tanks, often In poor soils). 
Increased small scale animal keeping (or "hobby farming"). Increased 
development near shorelines and creeks, and more household pets - all 
potential sources of bacteria which may reach Puget Sound. 
The problems of stormwater runoff must not be regarded lightly, 
because of the potential for wide-scale contamination and the closure of 
oyster and other shellfish growing areas In Puget Sound. This has been 
clearly Illustrated In a 1984 study conducted by Thurston County In 
Southern Puget Sound. Particular emphasis in this study was placed on 
sampling the streams and tributary waters and stormwater drainages to 
Henderson and Eld Inlets. Samples taken at various locations In a stream 
draining a large Henderson Inlet storm sewer system exhibited a 
significant Increase In Indicator bacteria occurring downstream from the 
storm sewer outfall. The storm sewer drained land subjected to diverse 
uses ranging from low density residential to Industrial. Smaller 
culverts, retention ponds, and roadways draining Into streams that were 
tributary to Important oyster beds In Henderson Inlet also had very high 
Indicator bacteria levels. Creeks and culverts In the more rural Eld 
Inlet watershed receive drainage from forested areas, pasture lands, low 
density residential areas and roadways. Fecal conform levels In most of 
the creeks were low to moderate. However,a few of the streams, culverts 
and drainage ditches In areas with numerous "hobby farms" had bacteria 
levels as high as those recorded on the more populated areas of Henderson 
Inlet. 
The numerous and diffuse nature of these so-called "nonpoint" 
sources makes them very difficult to control; therefore, a considerable 
amount of time and effort must be expended to understand and resolve the 
problem. It takes the cooperation of landowners and a long-term 
committment by local, state and federal jurisdictions. There Is no easy 
and set way to reduce the collform bacteria In runoff. Rather a 
combination of methods must be employed. These Include storage of runoff 
In ponds, providing areas where the water can Infiltrate or seep back 
Into the ground, and various Institutional measures such as animal 
control ordinances, stream corridor preservation and various development 
ordinances. 
The success of these measures In Puget Sound still remains to be 
assessed. For example, an extensive cleanup of nonpoint sources of 
contamination was made last year In the drainages surrounding the 
productive, but closed, oyster beds of Burley Lagoon and Minter Bay. 
However, a recent water quality and shellfish survey by the DSHS was 
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