As 2010 came to a calendar end, many of us are also doing a variety of year end reports for work, volunteer groups and many others. One report I submit is to Kitsap County Public Works twice a year is in regards to their “Mutt Mitt” program.

Olympic Property Group has opened its trails to thousands of residents in the county for hiking, horseback riding, running, biking and dog walking. While many of these activities take place in the uplands and trails, the dog walking also takes place in the town of Port Gamble.

In 2009 we began to work with Jayna Ericson from Kitsap County Public Works who had approached Olympic Property Group to see if we would be interested in their “Mutt Mitt” program, since we have the open space and trails that are open to the general public.

Public Works supplied the signage and disposal bins and we supplied the “mutt mitts” for disposal of dog waste. We started with six dog stations and quickly added another two. In 2010 alone we went through 10,000 “mutt mitts” – that is a lot of dog waste.

Here is why we do it. The problem of dog waste is that left on the ground waste can be picked up by rain and melting snow and washed into storm drains. Most storms drains are not connected to any type of treatment plant and flow directly into our streams, lakes, and bays.

The natural landscape years ago degraded dog waste fairly easily and bacteria rarely reached surface waters. Now that we have roads and efficient drainage systems, dog waste has an easier and more direct route to our lakes and streams.

Did you know that dogs in Kitsap County produce more than 11,000 pounds of waste each day? When left on the ground, the waste and bacteria are easily washed away. Everyone needs to pick up and dispose of dog waste frequently and where ever you go, whether it’s in Port Gamble, Poulsbo, or your own backyard. We love having you here. You just need to scoop your dogs’ poop.

Now get your calendars out and check out our listing of events for 2011. You can find more event information on our website at www.portgamble.com. You will find contact information for events organizers on the website as well.

Follow Port Gamble on Facebook and Twitter as well. Just search for “Port Gamble.”

2011 Port Gamble Events

Roots Rock Trail Race “Fishline” 50K/25K Feb.13

South Sound Wedding Workshop April 16

Roots Rock Trail Race “Lumberjack Endurance” April 16-17

Roots Rock Trail Race “Forest” 5K May 1

Northwest Adventure Sport Expo May 7-8

Medieval Faire June 3-5

Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop June 22-26

Civil War Re-enactment June 24-26

Roots Rock Trail Race “Timber Town” 10K July 10

Muddy Paw Dog Agility July 15-17

Paddle Kitsap Aug. 5-6

Port Gamble Garage Sale Aug. 6

Maritime Music Festival Aug. 13

Roots Rock Trail Race “Half Marathon” Aug. 14

Roots Rock Trail Race 50K/25K Sept. 4

Forest Festival/Old Mill Days Sept. 30– Oct. 2

Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off Oct. 8

Ghost Walks Saturdays in October

Port Gamble Ghost Conference Oct. 28-29

Roots Rock Trail Race “Spooky” 12K Oct. 30

Port Gamble Halloween Celebration Oct. 31

Roots Rock Trail Race “Doppler” 50K Nov. 20

Country Christmas & Fruitcake Contest Dec. 10-11

Shana Smith is Port Gamble town manager for Olympic Property Group.