Vashon-Maury Island Marine Recovery Area

In accordance with RCW 70.118A, Public Health - Seattle & King County (Public Health) has evaluated existing information concerning areas where shellfish harvest is threatened or restricted because of contamination originating from septic systems. Based on the information Public Health designated a Marine Recovery Area on Vashon-Maury Island in 2008. A Marine Recovery Area is a specific designation under state law that establishes the goal of protecting, preserving and restoring shellfish harvest opportunities by assuring that property owners within the Marine Recovery Area inspect, and repair or replace as necessary, their On-Site Sewage (OSS) system.

Within the Vashon-Maury Island Marine Recovery Area (MRA) Public Health is committed to complete the following actions:

• Work with MRA property owners to evaluate existing Onsite Sewage Systems (OSS) and identify unknown (OSS)
• Monitor OSS to ensure that all systems within the MRA are professionally inspected, repaired and maintained as necessary by July 2012
• Work with OSS operation and maintenance professionals to develop OSS inspection procedures for the MRA
• Develop and maintain an electronic database of all OSS within the MRA

Many shoreline and near shore properties were developed many years ago before there were standards in place for sewage treatment and disposal. In many cases sewers and gray water lines from these older developed properties discharge directly to the beach or indirectly through seeps and bulkheads. There are now new technologies available to improve these old systems. Not only does state law now require that action be taken, the real benefit will be a cleaner, healthier Puget Sound for all of us to enjoy.

The Public Health On-Site Septic System Management Plan adopted in 2008 establishes the following goals for the MRA:

• Assist property owners to determine the condition of existing OSS
• Develop collaborative strategies to repair or replace failing OSS
• Promote and implement alternative onsite septic technologies
• Increase total acreage of shellfish growing areas approved for harvest, both commercially and recreationally
• Assure that existing open harvest areas remain open

• In the Quartermaster Harbor MRA area, Public Health has been working since 2005 with approximately 175 property owners to complete an OSS inventory and identify systems that need repair or replacement. Where the inventory has been completed the focus is to work with property owners, OSS designers and OSS installers to repair or replace the failing OSS. The short term goal is to correct enough of the failing OSS to entirely or partially lift shellfish harvest restrictions in the area. Work in the Quartermaster Harbor area is proceeding in the following priority:
  • First: North end, Governors row area
  • Second: South end
  • Third: Middle area – Harbor Heights
    
    
• In the East Passage MRA area, Public Health will work with approximately 115 property owners to educate them about the MRA project, septic problems and potential solutions. The short term goal is to complete an inventory of OSS for each of the five sub-areas in the East Passage MRA.
  
  
• Longer term, the goals for implementation of the MRA include:
  • Making significant progress on repair or replacement of failing OSS in both the Quartermaster Harbor and East Passage areas; and,
  • Evaluation of existing and new data to identify other potential MRA’s to reduce the number of failing OSS and improve water quality.

Public Health has assembled a variety of resources to assist you in responding to the MRA designation including:

• King County Onsite System Management Plan
  
  
• MRA maps showing individual parcels and the status of the OSS for each parcel
  
  
• OSS As-Built plans and inspection records:
  Property owners can request any available On-Site Sewage system as-built plans and any inspection records on file for their site. To request any available as-built plans or inspection records for your OSS site print the Public Records Request form, fill in the details of your request, sign the bottom and mail it, fax it, or bring it in person to:
  
  Black River Environmental Health, Attn. Jarone Baker
  900 Oakesdale Ave. SW, Suite 100
  Renton, WA 98057
  You can fax your request to 206-296-4919
  
  
• OSS Inspection Report Form for MRA and Time of Sale
  
  
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
  
• State Approved On-Site Treatment Systems and Products
  
  
• Quartermaster Harbor Community System Wastewater Treatment Options Report
  
  
• Marine Recovery Area Background Information
  
  
• MRA press releases and news articles:
  • Finding a Septic Solution, The Vashon Loop (Page 5 of PDF document)
  • Sludge Fest: a chance to learn the dirt about your septic system, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
  • County will soon require homeowners to certify their septic systems are in good condition, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
  • Working together to protect the Island's precious groundwater, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
  • A clean-up of the failing septic systems along the western shore of outer Quartermaster Harbor, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
    
    
• Partners seeking solutions to OSS problems on VMI:
  • Vashon Community Council Septic Solutions Subcommittee
  • Vashon-Maury Island Groundwater Protection Committee
  • Washington State Department of Health
  • Washington On-Site Sewage Association