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Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.

Community Planning and Economic Development

Important meeting notice: The May 16, 2023 Shellfish Protection District meeting has been canceled.

The Board of Thurston County Commissioners appoints 11 citizen stakeholders to advise on topics related to the Shellfish Protection Districts, and to help implement water quality improvement activities. The committees for Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach have been combined into a single group.

The advisory committee meets every other month, beginning in January, on the third Tuesday, starting at 4 p.m.. Until further notice, meetings are being held virtually. 

2023 Shellfish Protection District Meetings

About the Shellfish District

Membership includes eleven (11) stakeholders who reside or work within the districts' boundaries. The stakeholders represent the following interests: commercial agriculture, shellfish growers, builders/developers, representatives of tribes, cities, city residents, and county residents.

History

In December 2001, the Board of Thurston County Commissioners approved two ordinances creating the Henderson Inlet and the Nisqually Reach shellfish protection districts.

On March 26, 2002, the commissioners appointed a stakeholder group for each shellfish protection district. The groups were asked to craft recommendations on how to restore the quality of water in Henderson Inlet and Nisqually Reach to shellfishing standards. The stakeholder groups met regularly and submitted their water-quality cleanup plans to commissioners in 2003.

On February 14, 2012, the Board of County Commissioners and Board of Health adopted changes to Thurston County Sanitary Code and the Nisqually Reach Shellfish Protection District.