“What they found in the water was disturbing. Surfactants are what make soaps, shampoos and other household cleaners foam and there were levels of surfactants in all but one sample high enough to harm fish and other aquatic wildlife!”  READ MORE>

Bug Spray, Oils and Soaps, Oh My!

“In the most ordinary of days, it’s likely that we all contribute some sort of contaminant into the natural environment. By washing, flushing, draining, eating, spilling, driving, and working we are involved in processes that inevitably release a variety of substances.” READ MORE>

Stewardship  Connections

San Juan County

Fall 2008

“Pervious paving is a low impact development technique that helps assure that the rain is beneficial, not a transporter of  toxins. No matter which of its many forms is employed, these surfaces effectively filter and drain stormwater back into the soil. Pervious paving can be used for walkways, patios, driveways, parking areas and more.” READ MORE>

Hey, Water is Disappearing Into that Driveway!

From Ordinary to Extraordinary -

Not so Big a Leap!

“Many of us also have boats we use for work or pleasure, and in the process have developed an intimate relationship with the marine environment. And with the use of our boats comes a great responsibility for caring for the waters and the marine life that surrounds us.”  READ MORE>

Boaters - Love the Water!

“Completion of a variety of projects by the County, including low impact development, is an important part of reducing the negative effects of stormwater. But these efforts are concentrated in our “urban” areas. We, as conscientious citizens, can reduce stormwater effects countywide through our efforts.” READ MORE>

Putting Stormwater in its Place

“People pour all sorts of things down their sinks, from detergents to a wide variety of household cleaners and chemicals, often with the mistaken belief that they’ll be treated in the septic system or wastewater treatment plant. But its not true.”    READc MORE>

Stewardship Connections is a quarterly electronic publication of the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, the San Juan County Lead Entity Program for Salmon Recovery, The San Juan Initiative,

and the San Juan County Critical Areas Update

“That’s Mike Kaill’s real passion – showing as many people as possible the beautiful and complex creatures that live below the water’s surface. He knows that we all work to save what we love, but, unlike the beautiful forests, mountains and valleys we see, know and love, people just don’t know what’s below the water’s surface.” READ MORE>

Mikey Wants You to See Underwater

Reducing the Toxins in Our Environment

Practical Considerations

Local Students Find

Problems in Our Waters

“After two years of study and public outreach, the San Juan Initiative calls for comprehensive changes to local and regional shoreline education, voluntary and regulatory protection efforts. Protecting the remaining habitat in the San Juan Islands will require a focused approach on the areas most sensitive to human disturbance” READ MORE>

The San Juan Initiative

Makes Its Case to the Council