OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Health has awarded $5.5 million in funding to projects aimed at restoring and protecting shellfish habitats across Puget Sound.
The DOH is the agency responsible for the safety of commercially harvested shellfish in the state.
The funding will go towards 11 proposed projects with the goal of reducing fecal pollution and improving marine water quality.
According to DOH, Washington is the nation’s leading producer of farmed shellfish, but over 16,000 acres of Puget Sound shellfish beds are closed to harvest because of fecal pollution.
“Washington’s marine waters are a dynamic and vital part of our unique ecosystem,” said Todd Phillips, DOH Office of Environmental Health and Safety director. “We applaud the efforts of each award recipient for their role in water quality improvement and protection.”
Projects receiving funding include the South Sound Shellfish Recovery Project and the Savvy Septic Program in Snohomish County.