Marine Habitat

Indicator

King County's Marine Habitat Index includes information about the conditions of marine waters, shorelines and sediments. Our weighting system applies 45 percent each of the water quality and shoreline results, and 10 percent of the sediments results toward overall marine habitat quality.

Status

While the quality of open waters in Puget Sound is good, marine habitat conditions in certain areas of King County are severely degraded. Waters that are in protected areas without much current are of concern, including Fauntleroy Cove, Dumas Cove and Quartermaster Harbor. Overall habitat quality is reduced by non-point source pollution, contaminated sediments and the high percentage of shoreline that has been armored with bulkheads and other structures.

Influencing factors

Storm water carrying nutrients from septic systems, chemicals from motor vehicles and phosphorus from fertilizers degrade marine water quality and reduce oxygen levels for the animals that live and depend on Puget Sound habitats. Bulkheads impede natural erosion and cut off the supply of sand, rocks and other natural features that are home to native plant and animal species.

Existing DNRP response

King County safely operates its wastewater treatment and conveyance systems to minimize the flow of nutrients into marine waters. The county's Surface Water Management Program works in unincorporated King County to store and filter storm water, preventing pollutants from flowing into Puget Sound.

Priority new actions

Along with public, non-profit and tribal partners, King County is working to clean up the Lower Duwamish waterway, which feeds directly into Elliott Bay. King County is an important participant in the Puget Sound Partnership, a group of local, state and federal interests that have come together to build the framework for recovering Puget Sound. While still in the development stage, the county expects to implement programs and projects aimed at improving the health of the Sound and its shores. King County encourages property owners to find alternatives to building bulkheads on marine beaches. Our beach stewards program helps raise awareness about the unique and important nature that beaches play on our marine environment.

What you can do

Properly dispose of harmful chemicals, including unused pharmaceuticals and latex paints. Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides by practicing natural yard care. Wash your car on the grass or gravel instead of on the street or driveway, or take it to a car wash. Consider alternatives to bulkheads and other artificial barriers to marine shorelines.

More information about King County's Water Quality, Shorelines, and Sediments is available by continuing to the pages for these measures:

• Water Quality
• Shorelines
• Sediments

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