SAN JUAN COUNTY BEACHWATCHERS

Creosote Logs to be removed from Jacksons Beach

Agencies and volunteers collaborate to remove hazardous materials from beaches

posted 02/20/2007
Creosote treated wood will be removed on February 20 from Jacksons Beach in a partnership that has brought together volunteers with state and local agencies. Funding for the removal comes from Northwest Straits Commission, Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Port of Friday Harbor.

"This removal effort is part of a Sound-wide strategy to make beaches cleaner for wildlife and families. Creosote contains many harmful chemicals that should not be on our beaches where forage fish lay eggs and kids play," says Ginny Broadhurst, Marine Program Coordinator for the Northwest Straits Commission.

Creosote has been widely used as a wood preservative for the past 100 years. Most creosote treated debris comes from broken pilings that have fallen from derelict docks and piers or railroad ties from nearby tracks. One cubic foot of creosote treated wood contains at least 20 pounds of creosote.

Several criteria are used to determine which sites are candidates for removal operations. "The mix of public use, critical habitat, high concentration of materials, and strong partnerships, make Jackson Beach a perfect fit in the Sound-wide creosote removal program," says Lisa Kaufman, Restoration Manager for the DNR.

Steve Simpson of the Port of Friday Harbor says "We’re happy to be part of this restoration project. It fits in with the Port’s plan to maintain a clean marine environment."

WSU Beach Watcher volunteers surveyed Jackson Beach last August, measuring and tagging logs for removal. "This has been a great project for Beach Watchers," says Rowann Tallmon, San Juan County Beach Watcher Coordinator, "The volunteers love putting their stewardship training to work on public beaches in this community."

There is still room in the next Beach Watcher training series which begins February 27th 2007. Contact the WSU Extension office at 378-4414 for more information.

Jackson Beach, a Port of Friday Harbor park, is a popular spot for San Juan Island residents to walk their dogs, play with their kids, and launch their kayaks. It also provides habitat for spawning surf smelt and sand lance, two forage fish species critical to the marine food web.

Just last week, the Puget Sound Action Team released the 2007 Puget Sound Update that documents the harmful effects of the chemical constituents of creosote on herring eggs. (Puget Sound Action Team, 2007 Puget Sound Update. Ninth report of the Puget Sound Assessment and Monitoring Program. pp. 170-171)

WSU Beach Watchers Training to begin soon

posted 02/02/2007
WSU Extension is offering Beach Watcher training in Friday Harbor beginning Feb. 27, 2007. Learn about the natural history of the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands. Share your knowledge and enthusiasm with others. Get involved in marine stewardship projects in your community.

For more information about Beach Watchers in San Juan County contact Rowann Tallmon, Beach Watcher Coordinator at rowannt@wsu.edu or call the WSU Extension office at 378-4414. You can also visit the Beach Watchers website www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/sanjuan/

Creosote logs to be removed from county beaches

Story and photos by Sharon Kivisto

Robert Demar and Jacki Riley and Bongo survey Jacksons Beach.

posted 09/06/2006
Next year's Easter Egg hunt at Jacksons Beach will be much healthier for island children thanks to the county Beachwatchers and Gov. Christine Gregoire. The governor added $2 million to the Puget Sound Initiative so the Dept of Natural Resources (DNR) could expand its creosote removal program. San Juan County Beachwatchers began estimating the amount of creosote logs at Jacksons Beach last week.

"This beach is pretty full," DNR Restoration Manager Lisa Kaufman said. DNR will use the information gathered by the volunteers to determine the best method to remove the logs. Kaufman thought a barge and crane would probably be used. DNR will most likely contract out the removal in the late fall. The volunteers were inventorying the beach.

Creosote has been widely used as a wood preservative for the past 100 years. Many of the more than 300 chemicals contained in creosote are known carcinogens. The chemicals become more toxic and are more likely to leach when exposed to sunshine. Herring eggs exposed to creosote in liquid solution had a 95 percent mortality rate.

State Parks, Northwest Straits Commission and Marine Resources Committees are also involved in the comprehensive inventory and removal of cresoste and treated wood and pilings program.

Last Wednesday, (August 30, 2006) San Juan County Beachwatchers combed Jacksons Beach looking for creosote logs among the hundreds of logs on the beach. In groups of two, many accompanied by dogs, they measured logs and attached GPS markers. One large log was holding up a fort someone had built.

A creosote-treated log tagged for removal.

Steve Belluomini and Rowann Tallmon measure another creosote-treated log.

This fort is held up by a treated log.

Beach Watchers graduated Friday, April 21

Beach Watchers include (not in order): Steve Belluomini, Dennis Linden, Ginger Ridgway, Jackie Riley, David Hastings, Dick Lally, Richard Weisbrod, Phil Green, Nan Simpson, Robin Donnelly, Robert Demar, Chris Cassidy, Russell Sadler, Gayle Bodorff, and Brian Pouillon (not present).

Tom Schultz, WSU Extension Director and Rowann Tallmon, Extension Coordinator Beach Watchers Program are pictured at lower right.

posted 04/12/2006
Fifteen people became the first WSU San Juan County Beach Watchers yesterday. They completed 100 hours of training, received their certificates and badges and were ready to begin their volunteer work. Each Beach Watcher will work 100 volunteer hours participating in scientific surveys, exploring the beaches, talking with students and the public or similar activities. The Beach Watchers program promotes science-based marine stewardship through education, research, public awareness and example. More information about the program is available at www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/

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