Tag: wdnr

Washington Natural Resources Dept. Begins Cleanup of Puget Sound Pollution
Fishermen's News Online, News

Washington Natural Resources Dept. Begins Cleanup of Puget Sound Pollution

Officials with the Washington Department of Natural Resources are removing makeshift tire reefs from Puget Sound as part of the agency’s new Tire Pile Removal Program, which is part of a strategy to protect and restore salmon habitat. The tires were installed as artificial reefs from the 1960s to1980s by several Washington state groups to increase habitat or swindling rockfish and lingcod populations. On Oct. 24, Washington State Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz said it was important to remove pollutants like these tire reefs now, before they become a larger problem across Puget Sound. The polypropylene rope holding bundles of tires together is wearing down, causing tires to drift and pollute waterways and beaches. Once on land, the tires break down faster, which can res...