'Shellebrate' oysters and clean waters at upcoming event

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At the upcoming Blaine event celebrating healthy waters and fresh shellfish harvest, attendees can enjoy free oyster samples courtesy of the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company.

The fourth annual Drayton Harbor Shellebration will take place on Friday, December 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the H Street Plaza in downtown Blaine. The event will be hosted by the Whatcom Conservation District, the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee, the city of Blaine and Whatcom County’s public works department.

The goal of the event is to recognize longstanding efforts to improve water quality in Drayton Harbor. The event will celebrate the three-year anniversary of a decision by the Washington State Department of Health to approve 810 acres of shellfish growing area for commercial harvest in November 2016. Furthermore, another 765 acres of Drayton Harbor were approved for commercial shellfish harvesting in October of this year.

“We are just celebrating the community’s support for the whole effort of keeping the bay clean,” said Steve Seymour, who owns Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and chairs the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee. “There have been about 20 years of effort to open the bay and keep it clean. It’s just an annual event to say, ‘You’re doing your part, and let’s just keep doing it.’”

At the event, attendees can enjoy refreshments and oyster samples courtesy of the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, which will be serving oyster stew and grilled oysters at the H Street Plaza at no charge. “Being a shellfish grower in the bay, we have a lot to be thankful for,” said Seymour. “It’s just our way of giving a little bit back to the community.”

Other businesses are also taking part. Bellingham bakery Flax4Life is donating gluten-, nut- and dairy-free brownies, while Starbucks is donating tea and coffee. Meanwhile, Edaleen Dairy is donating the cream for the oyster stew. “It doesn’t get much more local than that,” said Aneka Sweeney, Whatcom Conservation District’s education and outreach coordinator.

The event will feature a presentation of watershed steward awards at 4:30 p.m. “This year, we have a great selection of folks that have been nominated,” said Sweeney. “They come from all different aspects of industry, agriculture, volunteering and stewardship. We want to bring to light their efforts.”

In the 1990s, increasing levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the harbor led to shellfish harvesting restrictions and closures to protect public health. In response, community members took actions to improve water quality, including evaluation and repair of septic systems; consistent use of marina pump-out stations; investments in wastewater and stormwater management systems; improved pasture and manure management; planting trees and shrubs along waterways; and picking up pet waste.

Drayton Harbor Shellebration will be an outdoor event, so attendees are encouraged to dress for all types of weather.

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