Local Government Resources and Contacts
Jefferson County Community Development: 360-379-4450
Jefferson County Conservation District: 360-385-4105
Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) – An advisory group to the Board of County Commissioners and part of the regional Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative focused on protecting and restoring local marine and nearshore ecosystems.
Jefferson County Noxious Weeds Control Board – An advisory group to the Board of County Commissioners that establishes policies and procedures to carry out the mandates of the state weed control law.
Jefferson County Public Health: 360-385-9444
- Septic Systems (On-site Sewage)
- Cost Share Program for septic system repair or replacement – brochure and factsheet.
- Drinking Water & Wells
- Shellfish & Beach Monitoring
Jefferson County Public Works: 360-385-9160
City of Port Townsend Public Works: 360-379-5096
Local Nonprofit Organizations
- Hood Canal Coordinating Council advocates for and implements actions to protect and enhance Hood Canal’s environmental and economic health.
- Jefferson Land Trust is a private, non-profit, grassroots organization. Their mission is to help the community preserve open space, working lands and habitat in Jefferson County on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
- North Olympic Salmon Coalition works to restore, enhance, and protect habitat of North Olympic Peninsula wild salmon stocks and promotes community volunteerism and stewardship.
- Northwest Watershed Institute provides scientific and technical support to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats and watershed ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest, with current focus on the Tarboo Watershed program.
- Port Townsend Marine Science Center is an educational and scientific organization devoted to understanding and conserving our marine and shoreline environment.
Statewide Watershed Resources and Contacts
- Department of Ecology – Protecting water quality and resources statewide.
- Department of Health – Overseeing health issues related to drinking water, shellfish and beach safety.
- Department of Fish and Wildlife – Fishing and shellfishing licensing, wildlife management and conservation.
- Department of Natural Resources – Managing 2.6 million acres of aquatic lands, balancing public benefits.
- Department of Recreation and Conservation – Managing grant programs for salmon recovery, recreation and conservation issues.
- Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative – A nationally-recognized conservation initiative that brings together scientists and countless community volunteers across seven counties to protect and restore the marine waters, habitats and species of the Northwest Straits region.
- Puget Sound Partnership – State agency leading the region’s collective effort of hundreds of partners to restore and protect Puget Sound.
- Puget Sound Restoration Fund – Designs, tests and spearheads in-water actions to restore Puget Sound’s marine habitats, species and waters.
- Shellfish Safety – Link to map of beach closures. 24 hotline: 1/800-562-5632 – for beach closures and shellfish harvest safety.
- State Parks – Boating safety, training and licensing.
- State of Washington Water Research Center – Oversees and conducts applied water-related research, fosters education and training, and serves as a nexus within the academic community by transferring research results to those who manage or use the Nation’s water resources.
- WashingtonCoastSavers – An alliance of partners and volunteers dedicated to keeping the state’s beaches clean of marine debris through coordinated beach cleanups, education, and prevention.
- Washington Sea Grant – Serves the people who manage, use and enjoy Washington’s ocean and coasts.
- Washington State Stormwater Center – Provides stormwater management solutions and leadership through research, training, and education.
- Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board – Maintains the state’s official list of noxious weeds.
- WSU AgWeatherNet – Current and historical weather data from Washington State University’s automated weather station network of over 360 stations statewide, including Chimacum Valley and Wilderbee Farm (Port Townsend).
- WSU Extension Rural Stormwater Solutions – Resources on best management practices for solving problems of standing water, minor flooding, and poor drainage in rural areas.
- WSU Northwest Washington Extension Forestry – Provides a variety of forest stewardship classes, workshops, and seminars, as well as occasional on-site assistance for small forest owners of Whatcom, Clallam, Kitsap and Jefferson Counties.
- WSU “Washington’s Water” Website – A hub for WSU publications, training opportunities, partner information, and information on research and programs related to water.