LUMMI NATION, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Improved water quality has allowed the Washington officials to expand shellfish growing areas for members of the Lummi Nation.

In August, the Washington State Department of Health reopened 360 acres of the Lummi Nation’s shellfish beds in Portage Bay when clean water was found in routine testing.

Whatcom County Public Works says that’s evidence of community members making an effort to keep their local waterways clean.

Portage Bay is located on the Lummi Nation Reservation near the mouth of the Nooksack River and is only open for tribal members.

The Lummi Natural Resources Department said in a statement that the change marks a “positive milestone” in their efforts to improve water quality.

But it says there’s still work to be done to reopen the roughly 440 acres of shellfish beds that remained closed for all harvest through Nov. 30.