08 • 03 • 2016
Capitol Chapter Utilizes Public Comment Period to Establish Local Blue Water Task Force Program
The Capitol chapter's goal was to advocate for further testing sites in in Thurston County, WA through the Dept. of Ecology's public comment process. The goal is to open new sites, and provide volunteer support to test at those locations.
In April, the Capitol-Olympia Chapter commented on the Department of Ecology’s Draft BEACH List and requested that Priest Point Park be added to the list of water-testing sites for 2016. In their comment letter, the chapter volunteered to help collect water samples from the park. The Department of Ecology was receptive to the chapter’s offer to help and met the chapter volunteers in the field to provide training in proper water sampling technique. Because of collaboration, this summer will be the first time since 2004 that the Department of Ecology has sampled Priest Point Park as part of the BEACH program. Due to proximity to non-point pollution sources, Priest Point Park beach has a permanent swim advisory, and it is recommended that you rinse off after any contact with the water at this beach. The other BEACH sample site in Thurston County is Burfoot Park Beach.
The Capitol Chapter is very excited to be able to partner with the State and County to ensure the safety of recreational use of Washington’s amazing beaches. This new relationship builds upon a solid history of successful collaboration between the State and County run BEACH water quality monitoring programs and Surfrider’s Blue Water Task Force in Washington.