The village of Seabeck, hugging the eastern shore of Hood Canal, sprinkled with small buildings, was once one of the most vibrant settlements in the West. Driving along its scenic highway or floating in by water, the community looks inviting and meticulously maintained – the jewel of Hood Canal. Nevertheless, looks can be deceiving.

The Hood Canal is a popular recreation spot in Kitsap County, as well as being the site of the Hood Canal Shrimp and crabbing season, both of which lead to high seasonal use. In addition, significant commercial shellfish operations are located in this area while the boat launch and marina make it popular among boaters.

The Seabeck Landing has been the nucleus of the village since the 1850’s and is made up of independent businesses. The current buildings date back to the mid-1920’s… and so do some of their owner built on-site septic systems.

Like the tides that roll in and out, shifts in political priorities, the federal declaration of Hood Canal summer chum and Puget Sound Chinook salmon as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and impacts of encroaching development would conspire to impact this historic community.

Current state health regulations were nonexistent at the time of original construction of the old buildings. In recent years, effluent from these systems has been a source of pollution and concern for the Kitsap County Health District. After repeated attempts to get these systems into compliance, the businesses on the Seabeck Landing have until October of 2004 to replace their systems. Due to extremely limited property available between the roadway and the shoreline, it is not feasible to rebuild these systems on site.

Although it is zoned commercial, there is not a public restroom facility in the area and surrounding businesses must limit their use and access to restroom facilities to avoid overloading deteriorating septic systems. This necessitates the lease of Port-O-San type units to meet public and seasonal demand. In the past these units have been knocked over by accident or overturned by pranksters resulting in contamination of the shoreline and waters with marginally treated raw waste and seriously detracting from the natural aesthetic beauty of the area.

Due to surrounding steep terrain, acquiring sufficient property to site a collection tank, lateral lines, gravity assist pump station and a drainfield to accommodate current and projected use is beyond the financial capacity of these businesses collectively, and certainly individually.

Due to recent developments, it might seem as if the planets just aligned and the time is ripe for resuscitation of this village through public-public and private community partnerships.

If voters approve a $60 million bond this September, Seabeck Elementary, just 1000 feet away, will be replaced with new construction as part of the district’s plans to replace four Central Kitsap Schools. While district officials are still considering their options, its current location on Seabeck Highway might offer an opportunity to combine resources and save both public entities money in the process.

The sharing of a drainfield and safety enhancements including road widening, parking stalls, sidewalks, and crosswalks are some of the improvements that could come when force main is laid between the two locations. A restroom would be built for public use and tie into the new sewage system. The plans would also tie into the 35-acre County park property purchased in 2002 called “Nick’s Pond” that will have trails constructed and be used for viewing wildlife, beach access, and training in the environmental sciences. The park is located another 1100 feet from the school properties.

Talks between the district officials, Kitsap County Commissioner Patty Lent, the County’s grant writer and Engineering Services Associates (ESA), will begin in September according to Richard Best, the district’s director for construction, facilities and maintenance.

“I am very excited over the prospects of working together toward resolving these problems because they are overdue… we have to grow up in our efforts to develop and be protective of the resource at the same time. I am concerned over the impacts to the sensitive Hood Canal shoreline and I believe we can find cost-effective, viable solutions by partnering our efforts in this way,” said Lent.

Bill Mahan, Commissioner for the Port of Bremerton, has been a strong supporter and a driving force behind earlier negotiations to improve the shoreline, provide beach access, boat launch and initiated partnering efforts with Kitsap County and local non-profit groups. The Port joined the County in developing a design plan for Seabeck Center.

“The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is supportive of actions to clean up the beach, replace the culvert and make fish passage improvements in collaboration with the County, Poggie Club and others. We’d like to continue discussions with all of the partners involved in the Seabeck Center Planning Coalition,” said Dick Evans, president of the board of directors for the group.

“This integrated concept of bringing together schools, businesses, local government and non-profit organizations shows tremendous vision. Seabeck has reached the point where they are ready for some type of facilities improvements and the success will be in the teamwork,” added Pat McCullough of ESA.

If the biota-rich estuarine Hood Canal realizes reduced impacts, change should come without sacrifice.