Looking for a volunteer opportunity that will put you in direct contact with the earth? Citizens for a Healthy Bay conducts restoration site maintenance events 1-2 times a month from throughout the year. These include invasive weed removal, planting and mulching of native plants, debris removal and goose exclusion fencing repair. You can come and be a part of these fun and important activities. (more…)

CHB matches the commitment of our community to clean-up, restore and protect our region of Puget Sound and surrounding watersheds by being at-the-table actively working for sound-science based regulations to protect our marine resources.

Currently, CHB staff is actively engaged in the following initiatives:

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The Puget Sound is being polluted. Everyday there are contaminants washing into our rivers, streams and bays. These pollutants are not just from industries and wastewater treatment plants, they are from us. They come from many sources, such as oil leaks from cars, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, yard waste, and litter to name a few. The rain we love so dearly is washing many of these pollutants into the storm drains, which discharges directly into the nearest body of water without being treated for contaminants. These containments are a huge part of the pollution entering Puget Sound. (more…)

Currently, the program officially recognizes Seven Commencement Bay marinas. These marinas are the Foss Harbor, Breakwater Marina, Delin Docks, Dock Street Marina, Foss Landing Marina & Boat Storage, Chinook Landing Marina and Commencement Bay Marine Services. All of these marinas have achieved EnviroStar rationings of 4 stars or better
CHB looks forward to a continued working relationship with the TPCHD in an effort to raise environmental awareness and stewardship within the Commencement Bay area. Further, CHB is pleased to recognize organizations that incorporate sustainable environmental practices on a voluntary basis.

If you are interested in obtaining more information regarding EnviroStars, please contact (253) 383-2429 or baypatrol@healthybay.org. You may also contact the EnviroStars manager Lindsay Spencer directly at (253) 798-4783 or lspencer@tpchd.org.

To learn more about the EnviroStar Marina’s in Tacoma see below links.

Foss Harbor Marina
www.fossharbormarina.com
821 E Dock St
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 272-4404

Delin Docks
1616 East D Street
Tacoma, WA 98421
(253) 572-2524

Dock Street Marina
www.dockstreetmarina.com
1817 Dock St
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 572-2524

Foss Landing Marina & Boat Storage
www.FossLanding.com 1940 East D St
Tacoma, WA 98421
(253) 627-4344

Breakwater Marina
5603 N Waterfront Dr
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 752-6663

Chinook Landing Marina
3702 Marine View Drive # 100
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 627-7676

Commencement Bay Marine Services
820 East D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421
www.commencementbaymarineservices.com
tarintodd@commencementbaymarine.com
253-572-2666

Citizens for a Healthy Bay is offering “Citizen Stewards” training to prepare volunteers to identify and report pollution of our public waters. Participants will learn about the Clean Water Act, industries and pollutants of concern in Commencement Bay and practical pollution prevention measures.

Citizen Steward’s trainings will begin soon!!! The training is free of charge, however participants must pre-register by contacting Bay Patrol Director at 383-2429, 253-255-3895, or baypatrol@healthybay.org.

Kayaks are offered at a discount from Don’s Ruston Market (253) 759-8151.

What are the Bay Patrol Directors duties?
The Commencement Bay Patrol is a full-time, on-the-water environmental advocate, working to further Citizens for a Healthy Bay’s mission to clean up, restore and protect Commencement Bay. It is the Bay Patrol’s job to advocate compliance with the Clean Water Act, respond to citizen complaints, identify problems which affect his or her body of water and devise appropriate remedies, serve as a living witness to the condition of the ecosystem, and be an advocate for the public’s right to protect and defend the environment.

The Commencement Bay Patrol: • Conducts pollution patrols in Commencement Bay aboard CHB’s vessel Sheri J. • Responds to Water Pollution Hotline Complaints. • Manages the Water Pollution Hotline. • Monitors waterway businesses and industries to ensure compliance with water quality standards. • Serves on the various local committee’s including, Commencement Bay Maritime Fest, Foss Waterway Marina Operators, Tacoma Waterfront Association, Pierce County Environmental Health Coalition and an alternated on the Washington State Oil Spills Advisory Council • Spearheads the Clean boating…Clean Water Program • Presents Citizen Stewards Trainings

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits

The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to industries and municipalities, allowing them to release a certain amount of pollutants into Washington State’s waters. The NPDES permit system was designed to set strict limits on the mass and concentration of discharged pollutants in order to protect water quality. CHB consistently reviews new and active permits filed in South Puget Sound and submits comment letters to the WA DOE based on the following criteria.

• Historical Compliance: If a facility is consistently discharging pollutant levels beyond its permit limitations, there is a strong possibility that water quality standards will be violated at its point of discharge.
• Changes in effluent levels: The goal of the Clean Water Act was to eliminate pollutants discharging into waters of the state, thus with each new permit cycle effluent limitations for pollutants should become more stringent.
• Best Management Practices
• Mixing zones
• Point of Discharge: The water quality at the point of discharge is also reviewed. CHB determines whether any TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) have been established and/or if the waterbody has been established as a 303 (d) listed waterbody for any of the discharged pollutants.
• Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs): The DMRs for the facility are reviewed for compliance and violation history. These reports are located at the Southwest Regional offices for the DOE.

The State of the Sound Report, as well as the enactment of the Puget Sound Partnership sends a strong message regarding the pollutants entering Puget Sound and the effect these pollutants are having upon the aquatic environment. While the main sources of pollutants entering the Sound are generated from non-point sources, cumulative pollutant loads from point source discharge remain an ongoing threat to water quality at their point of discharge. Unlike non-point source pollution, these facilities can be strictly monitored and enforced. As the enforcing agency, the Washington Department of Ecology is mandated to send a strong message to these facilities. Commenting upon these permits is important as it provides balance to the system. The DOE is consistently given pressure by the facilities to lesson the limits placed upon them, continued interest in these permits by CHB and other citizen groups help the DOE maintain their focus for clean waters.

NOTE: I changed the name of the page to Permit Review (rather than Water Quality Permits)
Thanks

Jeff Barney, Bay Patrol Director
Jeff Barney was raised in Browns Point on the shores of Commencement Bay. After
graduating from Stadium High School, he moved to Montana, were he attended the University
of Montana’s School of Forestry and Conservation, obtaining a BS in Recreation
Resource Management. Jeff spent seven years working in the outdoors for the US
Forest Service in Wilderness Management and the National Parks Service. Jeff has enjoyed
being a Lead Instructor for NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) teaching sea
kayaking, whitewater canoe/rafting, climbing, mountain travel and backpacking. During his
time with NOLS, he has instructed courses in Alaska, the Yukon Territory, the Pacific
Northwest and the Indian Himalayans. Jeff returned to the Pacific Northwest, where he has
worked for the last four years in various areas of Marina Management on the Foss Waterway.
With over 25 years of boating experience and a childhood on the bay, he is a great addition to the team at Citizens for a Healthy Bay. Jeff enjoys all outdoor activities, including
boating, fishing and crabbing. He lives with his wife, Kristin
and new baby boy, McKinley, in Gig Harbor.

Jeanine Riss, Restoration Program Manager & Volunteer Coordinator
Originally from the Midwest, Jeanine grew up in California and graduated from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Soon after graduation she moved to western Washington to pursue a culinary career. After working for several years as a head chef, she chose to pursue her life-long interest of the environment and animals and decided to go back to school.
Jeanine received an Associate of Arts & Sciences at Tacoma Community College while training as a veterinary nurse. She then enrolled in University of Washington Tacoma’s certificate program in restoration ecology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. While studying restoration ecology at UWT, she worked on a year long restoration project at Tacoma Community College. She assisted in restoring a natural area which will be used as a living classroom for TCC students. While working at the site, Jeanine instructed several of TCC’s environmental science classes on the importance of restoring and maintaining a habitat and its original ecosystem functions. Jeanine spends her free time rescuing/fostering cats and kittens, cooking a making jewelry. She looks forward to meeting you at the many restoration events throughout the year.

Laura Nokes, Water Quality Project Manager
Laura is a Washington native and received a B.S. in Environmental Science from University of Washington, Tacoma. Growing up in the Puget Sound area, tromping through forests, mountain biking, kayaking or simply pitching a tent in the wilderness has given her respect for the unique blend of habitats in the area along with the critters that live there. Also, the opportunity to study water quality issues in the Puget Sound has provided her with the knowledge that without change, that natural beauty is in jeopardy.
Laura has spent the last several years involved in several research projects. Last year she compiled the key point source pollutants entering the Puyallup River Watershed from major NPDES permit holders to determine the cumulative impact these pollutants could have on the watershed. Currently she is also working with the University of Washington assisting in water quality testing and toxic algal bloom research in Quarter Master Harbor. Laura provides a strong voice for strengthening water quality in our area and protecting the Sound for future generations.

Dave Sarver, IT Specialist, Citizens Advocate
Proud to be a Washington Native, Dave brings his computer expertise to CHB combined with a true passion for the outdoors and environmental conservation. He’s spent time working at Yellowstone National Park, and for REI while attending Western Washington University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. Following his college experience he had the opportunity to work for the Microsoft Corporation in their Product Support Group, assist in building and managing a new marina on the Foss Waterway, and was a Systems Engineer for Bally Technologies. Dave is also an experienced boater and a certificated commercial airplane pilot. In his free time he enjoys fishing, hiking, biking, exploring and home improvement projects. He is also happy to announce that he is newly married to Jennifer and they live with their two dogs Taylor and Bailey in Ruston.

Carrie Hernandez, Administrative Assistant
As a child Carrie grew up in an agricultural community in Nebraska. Her interest in protecting and preserving water quality came from years of observing how chemicals and fertilizers can affect local water systems. After serving seven years in the United States Army, Carrie decided to finish her higher education. She obtained an Associates of Arts and Sciences degree from Pierce College and is currently attending University of Washington, Tacoma in pursuit of a BS in Environmental Science. Carrie joined CHB in August 2007working as an administrative assistant. Since that time, Carrie has been involved in various programs at CHB, gaining experience in the environmental arena and helping with the protection and restoration of Commencement Bay and its surrounding watersheds.

Superfund: A Lemons to Lemonade Story
Speaker: Leslie Rose, Senior Policy Analyst
Leslie Rose presents an overview of the Commencement Bay Superfund cleanup and brief descriptions of the 6 major cleanup sites. Twenty-nine habitat restorations ring the bay mostly as a result of Superfund mitigations. Volunteer efforts to maintain and continue these critical nearshore mudflat and salt marsh habitats are part of the story. Also included are ongoing measures by CHB and others to protect the tremendous investment the community has made in the cleanup and the role that Superfund has played in the revitalization of Tacoma.

Clean Boating: A discussion on individual responsibility and stewardship of our waterways.
Speaker: Jeff Barney, Bay Patrol Director
Jeff discusses ways that boaters can reduce impacts from marine vessels on the waterway. As Bay Patrol Director he has hands on experience with helping boaters reduce their impacts on water quality. While this presentation assists boaters in making responsible individual choices it also educates them to identify and properly report other sources pollution on the waterways.

Restoration and Invasive Species Removal
Speaker: Jeanine Riss, Restoration and Volunteer Coordinator
This presentation is geared toward high school or college biology or restoration courses. Jeanine Riss presents an overview of restoration ecology and invasive species in our area. As CHB manages six restoration sites, Jeanine will discuss her experience in both restoration and invasive species removal. Finally, Jeanine will attempt to recruit each and every one of you to join a CHB restoration event.

EnviroScape: A hands on demonstration of stormwater pollutants in our watershed.
This presentation is geared towards kids interested in learning about water pollution. Staff from Citizens for a Healthy Bay will talk about pollutants found throughout the watershed. Using the EnviroScape, which is a model of a watershed, we demonstrate how these pollutants get washed off roads, farms and landscapes and find their way into our rivers and Puget Sound. This is an interactive talk that involves students and provides them with real life changes they can make to reduce pollution in our waters. There is no honorarium needed for this presentation.

The Role and work of CHB in your community
This presentation is geared towards community neighborhood groups and service organizations. Learn about CHB’s history in working with citizens to cleanup, restore and protect waters in the Puyallup River Watershed, its programs, and what you can do to support the work of this premier community organization.

We had titled this page “Speakers” in the outline we discussed.