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Commissioners form West Plains PFAS advisory task force to explore filtration and funding options
Summary
Commissioners and staff described a proposed advisory task force to study PFAS impacts on West Plains wells, explore filtration and new water sources, and identify funding and implementation pathways; staff stressed the body will be advisory and not subject to OPMA procedures if it only recommends.
The Board heard an update on efforts to assemble an advisory task force to address PFAS impacts on privately‑ and publicly‑sourced wells in the West Plains area.
Commissioner French and staff said they had contacted stakeholders, elected officials and community representatives to serve on a task force that would explore filtration technologies, point‑of‑entry treatment options, potential new sources of water to serve affected properties, PFAS removal advances, funding sources, and a census of impacted wells and property owners. Staff noted the Department of Ecology has identified 259 impacted wells in the area but that more granular property‑level data will be needed to prioritize projects.
County staff said legal review confirmed the proposed body is advisory in nature and would not act on behalf of the Board; because it aims only to make recommendations to agencies and jurisdictions, staff said it should not automatically trigger the Washington Open Public Meetings Act’s (OPMA) formal requirements. County legal counsel cautioned that the task force should avoid accepting public testimony or acting on behalf of the board, and that if the task force did accept written public comments or otherwise act as a board committee, OPMA issues could arise.
Commissioners and staff discussed membership, the value of including impacted residents, outreach approaches, and creating subcommittees (for filtration, new source development and funding). County staff said they would continue to refine the scope, meet with stakeholders and return to the board with a proposed charter and membership list.
