Resources and Links
After you read the Shore Stewards Guide for Shoreline Living, you may want more information about a topic. Here are links to some informational websites organized according to our program's 10 guidelines.
- Use water wisely.
- Know and practice all the elements of septic maintenance.
- Control pests safely.
- Manage water runoff.
- Encourage native plants and trees.
- Know permit procedures for shoreline development.
- Develop on bluffs with care.
- Use soft armoring techniques when appropriate.
- Respect intertidal life.
- Preserve eelgrass beds and forage fish spawning habitat.
Guidelines for Shoreline Living
1. Use water wisely
General information on water conservation:
PUGET SOUND
WSU Extension
http://ext.wsu.edu/ (type "water conservation" in the Search WSU window)
Home water consumption calculator
http://environment.about.com/library/weekly/blwatercalculator.htm
ISLAND COUNTY
Map of Island County showing areas with elevated levels of chloride in well water
http://www.islandcounty.net/health/Envh/Hydrogeology/CircleMap.htm
Water Resources Advisory Committee
http://www.islandcounty.net/health/Envh/WRAC/WRAC Main.htm
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2. Know and practice all the elements of septic maintenance.
Septic failure:
Clallam County Extension
http://clallam.wsu.edu/waterquality/septfailure.html
Landscaping over a septic system:
Clallam County Extension
clallam.wsu.edu/waterquality/drainfield.html
Washington Sea Grant Program (PDF)
http://www.wsg.washington.edu/outreach/mas/water_quality/septicsense/landscapeseptic.pdf
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3. Control pests wisely.
Pest control/Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
Whatcom County Extension
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/IPM/
Lawn fertilizers (and effects on water quality):
Washington State University Clean Water for Washington (publication)
http://cru84.cahe.wsu.edu/cgi-bin/pubs/EB1744.html
Alternatives to chemicals:
The Washington Toxics Coalition
(206) 632-1545
http://www.watoxics.org
Seattle Public Utilities
Ecologically Sound Lawn Care for the Pacific Northwest (publication)
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/lawncare/LawnReport.htm
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4. Manage water runoff
Island County Planning Department
http://www.islandcounty.net/planning/
Department of Ecology
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelan.html (click on "Publications")
You may request the following Department of Ecology publications online:
- Surface Water and Groundwater on Coastal Bluffs: a Guide for Puget Sound Property Owners, #95-107
- Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control Using Vegetation: A Manual of Practice for Coastal Property Owners, #93-30
For more information on low impact development:
Puget Sound Action Team
http://www.psat.wa.gov/Programs/LID.htm
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5. Encourage native plants and trees
Gardening with native plants:
Island County/WSU Master Gardeners
http://www.island.wsu.edu/mastergardener/mginfo.htm
Native plant sales:
Washington Native Plant Society
http://www.wnps.org (Salal Chapter in Mt. Vernon has two sales per year in April and September)
Snohomish Conservation District
http://www.snohomishcd.org (annual plant sale held in March)
Skagit Conservation District
http://www.skagitcd.org
Pacific Northwest Trail Association
http://www.pnt.org
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6. Know the permit procedures for shoreline development
Island County Planning Department
http://www.islandcounty.net/planning/
(Good info on current shoreline regulations on setbacks, bulkheads, buffers and beach access.)
Department of Ecology
They maintain oversight of the Island County Shoreline Master Program and the shoreline permit process. They also maintain a large and informative website:
Puget Sound: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pugetsound/
Shoreline aerial photos: http://apps.ecy.wa.gov/shorephotos/
Landslides: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/landslides/
Publications: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelan.html
You may request the following Department of Ecology publications online:
- Washington State Permit Assistance Center, #00-06-041
- Introduction to Ecology's New Shoreline Master Program Guidelines, #01-06-04
- Working in the Water, #99-06
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7. Develop on bluffs with care
Island County Planning Department
http://www.islandcounty.net/planning/ (They can supply contact information for qualified geologists and geological engineers.)
US Geological Survey
USGS Landslide Hazards
http://geohazards.cr.usgs.gov/
Department of Ecology
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelan.html (click on "Publications")
You may request the following Department of Ecology publications online:
- Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control Using Vegetation: A Manual of Practice for Coastal Property Owners, #93-30
- Vegetation Management: A Guide for Puget Sound Bluff Property Owners, #93-31
- Surface Water and Groundwater on Coastal Bluffs: A Guide for Puget Sound Property Owners, #95-107
- Bluff Erosion Monitoring on Puget Sound: A Guide for Volunteers, #00-06-022
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8. Use soft armoring techniques when appropriate
Island County Planning Department
http://www.islandcounty.net/planning/
(They can advise on geologists with soft-shore protection expertise.)
Department of Ecology
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelan.html (click on "Publications")
You may request the following Department of Ecology publications online:
-
Alternative Bank Protection Methods for Puget Sound Shorelines, #00-06-012
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9. Respect intertidal life
WSU Beach Watchers
http://beachwatchers.wsu.edu
EZ-ID guide to common nearshore creatures of Island County
http://beachwatchers.wsu.edu/ezidweb/ezidindx.htm
Washington State pumpout locations:
State Parks Commission
http://www.parks.wa.gov
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10. Preserve eelgrass beds and forage fish spawning habitats
Map of eelgrass locations in Island County
http://www.islandcountymrc.org/projects/eelgrass/eelgrass.htm
WSU Beach Watchers
http://beachwatchers.wsu.edu
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Other Useful Links
Telephone Hotlines
Oil Spills 1-360-286-5540
PSP (Red Tide) 1-800-562-5632
Whale sightings 1-866-ORCANET
Oiled birds 1-800-22-BIRDS
Tide Predictions
http://www.tidesonline.com/
http://www.olypen.com/tidetables/
http://www.saltwatertides.com/
Public Sponsored Websites
Adopt-A-Stream Foundation
Chums of Maxwelton Salmon Adventure
Department of Ecology Shoreline Aerial
Photos
Hood Canal Shore Stewards
Island County Marine Resources Committee
Nature Mapping
Program in Washington
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative
Orca Network
Port Townsend Marine Science Center
Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team
Seabeck Alki Salmon Team
Washington State Department of Ecology
Waste Wise Volunteers
The Whale Museum (Friday Harbor)
Publications of Interest
Water Resources on Whidbey Island (PDF Format, 584K)
Commercial Sites
Greenbelt Consulting
Coastal Geological Services
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