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Land conservation staff promote Aug. Snapshot Day, discuss water testing and paused EPA grant
Summary
Staff announced the county's participation in the statewide invasive‑species Snapshot Day on Aug. 9, described volunteer plans, and discussed a water‑testing grant application put on hold by the EPA and challenges for bacteria testing of private wells.
Land conservation staff briefed the committee on upcoming volunteer efforts and the status of a proposed water‑testing project.
Staff said Snapshot Day, an annual statewide invasive‑species survey event, will be organized locally on Aug. 9; volunteers will meet at Old Mill Pond Park Shelter and sample sites in the Willow Creek/Fishery area. The county will provide training, equipment and flyers and is partnering with local resiliency and stewardship groups; volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, staff said.
Separately, staff and partners had applied for a large EPA grant to fund a comprehensive water‑testing project with Crawford Stewardship Project. Staff reported the EPA opportunity is on hold and that other local resiliency groups are pursuing alternative water study funding. Committee members asked whether the project could incorporate private-well bacteria testing; staff said bacteria sampling requires that samples be analyzed within 24 hours of collection, which complicates broad county‑wide well sampling unless local logistics and laboratory access are in place.
Staff said possible tests would include bacteria, nitrates, phosphates and other contaminants; the committee discussed whether the county could provide partial funding for sample collection if an outside project did not cover those costs. No formal action was taken; staff said they will meet again with partners and report back.
