News Briefs | Aug. 28 edition
Published 7:50 pm Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Wastewater award
Vashon Wastewater Treatment Plant is among the roughly one third of the state’s 300-plus plants which has been recognized by this year’s annual Outstanding Performance Awards from the Washington Department of Ecology. The award recognizes the plants and plant operators that achieve excellent compliance with their routine water quality monitoring and reporting requirements, and in meeting water quality permit limits.
In a prepared statement, senior operator in charge Lizzy Corliss said: “These awards are a bar set, a legacy maintained, and an expression of environmental stewardship. Phew! Another year of dedication to the health and wellness of the community, and its surrounding waterways.”
County seeks feedback
King County Local Services wants to know what roads and intersections make you feel unsafe. Take an anonymous survey at publicinput.com/e00375 to help inform planners about traffic safety needs on the island. The survey is open through Sept. 22.
Historic barns grants
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a new round of funding available for owners of historic barns in Washington State.
The funding, allocated by the Washington State Legislature as part of the 2025-2027 state budget, marks the tenth round of Heritage Barn Initiative grants, which assist owners barn stabilization and rehabilitation projects. Approximately $900,000 is available in this grant cycle. Grant awards typically range from $25,000-$40,000, with the maximum eligible grant award capped at $75,000. The deadline for applications is Sunday, October 19, at 11:59 p.m.
Free information sessions about the grants will be held on Zoom from 4-5 p.m.Friday, Sept. 5, and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, with recordings of the application-walkthrough portion of the talks posted online.
For more information, visit preservewa.org/barn-grants or contact Moira Nadal at 206-462-2999 or grants@preservewa.org.
Granny’s Grants
Fall grant submissions for island thrift store Granny’s Attic are due no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Funding will be released during the first week of October. Contact brian@vashongrannysattic.org for more information.
Home and Garden Fair: Registration for vendors and event sponsors is open for the Vashon Chamber of Commerce Home & Garden Fair on October 18. The free event connects residents with professional experts and vendors. Visit thisisvashon.com/home-garden-fair.
Pets on ferries: Last week, Washington State Ferries began a six-month trial of an updated pet policy for riders in an effort to align with other transportation carriers. During this trial, dogs on leashes are allowed in all passenger areas, except galleys. All other pets must stay in a crate or carrier. Big dogs should stay on the floor. Small dogs should be on a lap or in a carrier. Owners must control their pets and clean up after them. Crew members may direct pets to be moved to an outside deck or a vehicle if needed for safety or behavior reasons. As always, service animals are welcome everywhere, as required by law. Livestock must stay in appropriate enclosures at all times. Find out more at tinyurl.com/49awz4zp.
Shellfishing closure: Recreational shellfishing remains closed across all the beaches of Vashon-Maury Island due to unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poison — a neurotoxin that can sicken or even kill those who eat contaminated shellfish.
Since August 8, the closure has extended to all island beaches and includes all species of shellfish including clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters and snails. For updates, visit fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html, or call the DOH biotoxin hotline at 1-800-562-5632. The closure refers only to recreational shellfishing; commercial shellfish sites are monitored separately.
