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August 26th, 2011

Community meeting to release results of Skagit County's Microbial Source Tracking project in the Samish Basin

SKAGIT COUNTY - On September 8, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Skagit County personnel and invited experts will present the preliminary findings from the County's Microbial Source Tracking project in the Samish Basin. This project was designed to help determine sources of fecal coliform bacteria in the Samish Basin. The meeting will be held in the Edison Elementary cafeteria located at 5801 Main Ave., Bow 98232.

Dr. Kate Field of Oregon State University and Dr. Stephanie Harris of the Environment Protection Agency will present the preliminary findings and be available for questions and answers following the presentation. Skagit County staff will also discuss and review the Puget Sound Partnership's 10-Point Targeted Action Agenda to clean up Samish Bay.

The Samish Bay suffers from severe fecal coliform bacteria pollution issues. Bacteria in the Samish River, other streams, and the bay often reach levels too high for safe shellfish harvest, recreation, and food production. In recent years, this problem has become the focus of the Clean Samish Initiative. The problem has also attracted the attention of federal, state, and county environmental inspectors as they pursue cleaner water and safer shellfish in the bay.

For more information, contact Skagit County Public Information Officer Emma Whitfield at emmaw@co.skagit.wa.us or at (360) 419-7667.