[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6286367,"mediaKeyId","2560952-a1a0c298f9b0919ad3cc81dc949ecead","parentId",2560952,"title","Thurston County Board of Health approves consolidated lakes IPM prescription after public questions about springs and chemicals","audioSeconds",1566,"startMs",2124000,"endMs",3690000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2560952-a1a0c298f9b0919ad3cc81dc949ecead&start=2124&end=3690","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2560952-a1a0c298f9b0919ad3cc81dc949ecead/thumbnail_2124000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286367/Thurston-County/Washington/Thurston-County-Board-of-Health-approves-consolidated-lakes-IPM-prescription-after-public-questions-about-springs-and-chemicals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286367-538f50e067984dd7b216750d142517a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775403210&Signature=WFI5uA4mrGw~azTnwgtL0XRu5JMLysUWbqqicwr06LNsyZYUlLVVG85~dFKnzDBmeYjeKcfIVVuYHOwK5UKPGjZDEV8i-Ye71yjYVO6ngRwxjOqvXh0eVTzorMppeOeBaTdNkfYnnMG4wmv0-lHDX63Hh7U29f8gxKI1OtNOIHipDEiJK4ZRUi7kjdtjzmlElNNeWSj6HpPeRV6roD298e5gT-kK0dMDgHr6PIAo3hX0Euyx-B3UoRG9z4HjK1cti-IkjHrxnIfDefQ4qT5GZudM0kPlwb6ry8nvHa39xqgBpxyRQ5Vs0FPcuBMTEfTRVB3d3VdTz0pUOpXM7yztKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Thurston County, Washington","date","2025-03-11T18:56:17Z","article","Thurston County public health staff and the county's pest and vegetation advisory committee persuaded the Board of Health to approve a consolidated integrated pest management (IPM) prescription for four county lakes — including Long Lake and Lake Lawrence — at the March 11 meeting, following public comment and a detailed staff presentation on alternatives to herbicides.

The board voted to approve the consolidated prescription after staff described the IPM decision process and monitoring requirements. The motion passed; one board member stated they were abstaining during the roll call. Names for each recorded yes vote were not provided in the transcript.

Why it matters: the consolidated prescription establishes a county-level framework that requires lake managers and contractors to evaluate prevention, manual removal, mechanical harvesting and other nonchemical approaches before using contact or systemic aquatic herbicides. Staff and the Pest and Vegetation Management Advisory Committee (PIVMACC) said the policy is intended to protect public health, water quality and recreation while allowing targeted control of nuisance aquatic vegetation.

Environmental Health Supervisor Kimberly Graham told the board the county's IPM policy requires written programs, monitoring, and active-ingredient reviews. “An action threshold … is a point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken,” Graham said, adding that chemical controls are used only after other measures fail and that environmental health assigns each active ingredient a rating of “passed,” “conditional,” or “failed.”

Environmental Health Manager Stuart Rickford described the consolidated prescription as a rework of plans used previously in Long Lake and Lake Lawrence and said it requires managers to assess options in an ordered way: manual control, mechanical harvesting, contact herbicides, and — as a last resort — systemic herbicides. Rickford cited nuisance impacts such as impaired water access, hazards to swimmers and boaters, degraded habitat and odors when weed or algae growth becomes excessive.

Public commenters asked questions about local geology, treatment boundaries and product choices. Brent Trowbridge, who provided handouts to the board, said parts of Patterson Lake drain underground toward McAllister Springs and argued some parcels and the railroad trestle area were omitted from maps used in prior planning. He urged increased protection for McAllister Springs and cautioned about certain products listed as “conditional.”

Barry Halverson, a representative of local lake management districts, said his groups had updated prescriptions in 2023 and had briefed county commissioners and the county manager on the need to add specific products — including a formulation referenced in meeting materials — to the county toolkit to address an invasive species that the state lists as a Class C noxious weed.

Rickford said the county maintains contracts with licensed contractors for mechanical harvesting and herbicide application, including pre- and post-application sampling when herbicides are used. He emphasized that glyphosate and other products have documented occupational risks when used incorrectly, but added that, “if glyphosate is used according to its label instructions, then it should have no negative impact.”

Board members asked staff how the county ensures the prescribed decision steps are followed on a site-by-site basis. Graham and Rickford said Long Lake and Lake Lawrence have integrated aquatic vegetation management plans in place, and that state grants are funding development of similar plans for Patterson and Offutt lakes; monitoring and plan updates are part of that process.

The Board approved the consolidated prescription after PIVMACC review. The board's packet and staff presentation identify Grow Smart Grow Safe (the county's public IPM resource), active ingredient review summaries, and monitoring requirements as the basis for the recommendation. The board directed staff to continue monitoring, to update plans when new data require it and to answer detailed mapping questions raised by commenters.

Ending note: staff offered to provide a follow-up response about the specific parcel mapping and how McAllister Springs connections were addressed in the consolidated prescription. The newly adopted prescription can be updated through the plan-do-check-act cycle as monitoring data and lake management plans evolve.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 11, 2025 Thurston County Board of Health Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Thurston County public health staff and the county's pest and vegetation advisory committee persuaded the Board of Health to approve a consolidated integrated pest management (IPM) prescription for four county lakes — including Long Lake and Lake Lawrence — at the March 11 meeting, following public comment and a detailed staff presentation on alternatives to herbicides.","taxTitle","taxId",4614,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6286354,"Thurston County proclaims March developmental-disabilities awareness month and March 31 Transgender Day of Visibility",1195,156000,1351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2560952-a1a0c298f9b0919ad3cc81dc949ecead&start=156&end=1351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2560952-a1a0c298f9b0919ad3cc81dc949ecead/thumbnail_156000.jpg","/articles/6286354/Thurston-County/Washington/Thurston-County-proclaims-March-developmental-disabilities-awareness-month-and-March-31-Transgender-Day-of-Visibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286354-acca749196f5c852b88e7b8a82cc9940/orig.mp4?Expires=1775403210&Signature=Wqv5rSmWmVwfZ7F1PcqkhGkwTgj9p5AnccvT5hD8jhs0YP6cdQa2sczQ54kgRYvxTxcPb3dWHtbboT-IToa08wcC8RKoRgh6IsLxMPE1DwfHPIS42aVOEdNUDdmGeHPmectKEZxtPQus9a6g1KhYNQ-SmYxOIWE-VVL5tQw2FMMvTMlrQCf5jgtUl6PO4aK~7tgiS6HxcijTn4kJ3sQQNqBwlJ-ObBxzLIL3uhanhmIIzWm1qRk4-o03I97~PzqLpVUJz2sxzjkNIDo~AthLsl71W53KHdjri03jNAYrgd5U0XPHQKHwKIvaMf~IhyRlIMMmyc~iPO~LBDfxGcOadg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Thurston County Board of Health adopted two proclamations March 11: one declaring March 2025 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and another declaring March 31 as International Transgender Day of Visibility.

At the start of the meeting, Mark Moffitt, identified in the agenda as the county social services program manager, and Pam (a client served by county programs) described Thurston County Public Health and Social Services work to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Moffitt described two main programs — supported employment (county-funded agencies provide job coaching) and community inclusion activities such as movie nights, dances and “dinner around the world” events — and highlighted Project Safer, a planned May training to connect first responders with people with IDD to reduce harmful first contacts. Moffitt also flagged state-level Medicaid funding uncertainty and told the board, “We've all heard that Medicaid potential cuts. This isn't just about health care, but we get a 50% match…so if those funds go away or get diminished, that's gonna affect the workforce for our folks.”

The Board then read and adopted a proclamation recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and called on residents and agencies to increase awareness and inclusion.

Later in the meeting the Board received speakers representing local LGBTQ organizations. A PFLAG Olympia board member described increased contacts from people fleeing states with restrictive policies and urged allies to be visible. A speaker from the New Boys Club, a peer-led support group for adults assigned female at birth who identify as transgender or nonbinary, described concerns about discriminatory federal policy and executive order 14128, saying recent changes “threaten access to gender-affirming health care” and can reduce funding for research and grants that serve LGBTQ+ communities.

County members noted local supports: the speaker thanked Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson for state protections and also noted Olympia's recent proclamation as an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city. The board read and adopted the International Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation and invited additional community engagement and staff follow-up on questions raised by commissioners, such as rules governing hospital and detention visitation for nonfamily support people.

Ending: both proclamations were adopted by the Board of Health as read and the county will post the proclamations and related resources. Staff offered to follow up on the visitation and resources questions raised for future meetings.","The Thurston County Board of Health read and adopted two proclamations March 11 recognizing National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and International Transgender Day of Visibility; presentations accompanied both proclamations, including a county program overview and community testimony about discrimination and supports.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6286358,"Thurston County EMS moves to pilot prehospital Suboxone and formalize peer follow-up with nonprofit partner",397,3093000,3490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2560952-a1a0c298f9b0919ad3cc81dc949ecead&start=3093&end=3490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2560952-a1a0c298f9b0919ad3cc81dc949ecead/thumbnail_3093000.jpg","/articles/6286358/Thurston-County/Washington/Thurston-County-EMS-moves-to-pilot-prehospital-Suboxone-and-formalize-peer-follow-up-with-nonprofit-partner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286358-0fddc440c5ec6cea2f6377f7139ee28e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775403210&Signature=n3obYtlvCKE8EqU4F5FoAUXOO3JJJqI4d04NpTulq8FhSLoQ4UeLdBmr3aDwsIyDp8LIBDB~UYWKW0EIKWCX30uBhUuAv5y0yXRlZf1dvBsPs9eOyvErfEN9zoD66DfsxG5Cxb~my6Kt12NTXX3wv07vspXqctGGZnsHurX5gi1Ll1z1ByWCT8zJ5f-udtfSlCmRLFkyRKfhIiUolT5lTYcPzV3U49eZ62uwg~UOS0HFBozfDyoM6S~lCqyv-t9AtnEp44Fr2fgQ69kxeJMSlPwc1grTD3EOjqvxu1eg8~g34b92UWcLSZhcWALQZHmpeoEVVMXX3GRI~V9uQPwI1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thurston County Director of Emergency Services Ben Miller Todd told the Board of Health on March 11 that the county is finalizing protocols to deploy buprenorphine (Suboxone) from paramedic units and to expand leave-behind Naloxone distribution, and that a nonprofit partner will fund a peer case manager to support follow-up care.

Miller Todd said the state approved the county's pilot for prehospital buprenorphine on March 4 and that the county is in the final stages of training and protocol approval. “Suboxone is what's going to be used in the pre hospital setting throughout Thurston County and all of our paramedic units,” he said, adding that deployment was expected between April 1 and May 1 as training and approvals finish.

Why it matters: naloxone and buprenorphine are different clinical tools. Miller Todd explained to the board that buprenorphine binds opioid receptors with high affinity and a long half-life, which can reduce the risk of subsequent respiratory depression and reduce immediate mortality risk after an overdose. The county intends to use the medication as part of a broader linkage-to-care strategy rather than as a standalone treatment.

Catholic Community Services has agreed to fund a peer case manager to bridge the gap between a 2 a.m. field encounter and daytime clinic access, Miller Todd said. The peer will accept HIPAA‑compliant referrals and coordinate with treatment providers; the county will use Gelada (a HIPAA-compliant referral and case-management software) to send referrals from field crews to the peer and partner organizations.

Miller Todd also updated the board on broader system initiatives: the county anticipates an eighth Medic unit staffed in contract with the city of Tumwater with a targeted implementation date of Jan. 1, 2026 (possible earlier start if staffing permits). He said staff had completed the initiatives they committed to in 2024 and that protocol implementation and partnerships remain active priorities for 2025.

Board members praised the approach. Commissioner Fournier said the program was “forward leaning” and noted the mortality burden from overdoses. Commissioner Grant and others commended the inclusion of peer support; Grant said a peer with lived experience is uniquely capable of helping people connect to treatment immediately after an EMS encounter.

Staff said Gelada will enable a direct field-to-peer referral and that the peer case manager role is intended to fill a service gap between emergency care and daytime community resources. Miller Todd said the pilot will include training, HIPAA-compliant record-sharing and software workflows for referrals.

Ending: staff asked for continued board support as they finalize training, state approvals, software contracts and the peer-case-manager partnership. Deployment timelines for medication and referral workflows depend on finishing training and protocol paperwork and on the peer program hire and funding.","County emergency services reported March 11 that paramedics will begin carrying buprenorphine/Suboxone for prehospital use under a state-approved pilot, and Catholic Community Services will fund a peer case manager to coordinate follow-up care for people treated for overdoses.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6286363,"Board of Health adopts revisions to Thurston County sanitary code and updates environmental health fee schedule",147,2777000,2924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2560952-a1a0c298f9b0919ad3cc81dc949ecead&start=2777&end=2924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2560952-a1a0c298f9b0919ad3cc81dc949ecead/thumbnail_2777000.jpg","/articles/6286363/Thurston-County/Washington/Board-of-Health-adopts-revisions-to-Thurston-County-sanitary-code-and-updates-environmental-health-fee-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286363-cfd445ea612110e0015166c168476a9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775403210&Signature=ooU8xJ7YDiGBAweDc9yDg3e37R~E8g-iCOmP-cmEHhmv2Vn8yaoxfrUF8F6xcLDHXavbacoW2SKjwpSlmPEnqE8RffxL9Kerv3xY5EXqtRFA9rVZcWbEAAe2GlZGAUXT-1urh985iD8xhHHzOEYtwhCqp53qpFNHImUYDvhOdQm5t180eUthQP46fruKPeKJar8D2J89zxsIaTtQGEtikr~FfGibd5TBl8ZU2YbxKwdPhOuQMFyvwNEQxK7OM-WwCFJCX~nRGU4bIF7TzVEfyBAM1APohjEAS5vqemgZqBMI7hVzIgkjC-YEhsN2tUsr3tXHPuMuOqwqCDtjY7R2QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thurston County's Board of Health voted March 11 to adopt revisions to Articles 1 and 4 of the county sanitary code and to approve an updated environmental health fee schedule, following staff presentations and a hybrid public hearing.

Staff presented an overview of the Article 4 changes — which govern permitting, installation and long-term operation and maintenance of on-site sewage systems — and explained that the revisions remove state code language that was duplicated, clarify procedures, incorporate current policies and reflect public and industry comments received during the code update process.

Dom Peebles, environmental health program manager, summarized the Article 4 changes in the board packet and noted two specific accommodations: a minor wording clarification in the summary of changes (item 44 on page 43 of the packet) and retention of current renewal dates for septic-system professionals. The board packet also contained a summary of changes to Article 1 (definitions and references), which aligns with the Article 4 updates and a recently adopted hearing officer resolution.

The Board held a hybrid public hearing; staff said no members of the public had submitted comments for that hearing. A motion to close the public hearing passed and the board then moved to adopt ordinance H-3-2025 to enact the revised Articles 1 and 4; the board voted in favor and the motion passed.

Separately, staff proposed updates to the environmental health fee schedule and asked the board to adopt ordinance H-2-2025, with an effective date proposed of April 1, 2025. The fee updates included two new fee descriptions, reductions to several subdivision and land-use fees to align with current hourly rates, and modest increases in some solid-waste permit fees. After the hybrid public hearing on fees — for which staff reported no registered public commenters — the board voted to adopt the updated fee schedule and set the effective date as April 1, 2025.

Why it matters: the sanitary-code revisions clarify county permitting and operations for on-site sewage systems and are intended to align county rules with current practice and state guidance; the fee schedule change updates the county's cost-recovery approach for environmental-health services and sets the timetable for implementation.

Ending: staff will publish the adopted ordinances and update online resources to reflect revised code language and the April 1 fee effective date. The board record indicates opportunity for further rule refinement if future comments or operational issues arise.","After public hearings on March 11, the Thurston County Board of Health adopted revisions to Articles 1 and 4 of the county sanitary code and approved an updated environmental health fee schedule, with the fee changes proposed to take effect April 1, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Thurston County Board of Health approves consolidated lakes IPM prescription after public questions about springs and chemicals

Thurston County proclaims March developmental-disabilities awareness month and March 31 Transgender Day of Visibility

Thurston County EMS moves to pilot prehospital Suboxone and formalize peer follow-up with nonprofit partner

Board of Health adopts revisions to Thurston County sanitary code and updates environmental health fee schedule