By Brook Beeler, Communications, Eastern Region
Ecology staff will return to the field in March to assess the health of streams in several eastern Washington watersheds.
This is the same survey work we have done in the past to identify
water quality problems and then follow-up with landowners to offer options
and funding to help them fix water pollution problems. What’s new this time is that
we are improving our outreach to landowners.
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| A farm nestled in the Palouse region of eastern Washington. Photo credit: Ellery Samuels. |
Agriculture is important to our way of life in Washington. Clean water and a strong agricultural
community can go hand-in-hand. To strengthen our commitment to the agricultural
community Director Maia Bellon reached out to expand upon and improve our
working relationships with landowners and livestock producers by creating the Agriculture
and Water Quality Advisory Committee.
The advisory committee provides an open forum for dialogue
ensuring both water quality protection and a healthy agricultural industry. Recently, the
group reviewed the watershed assessment process and recommended
key changes.
Our improved process
this field season includes
partnering with local producer groups to provide additional outreach. We will include
more specific information in letters to landowners about water quality
concerns. We will offer follow-up site visits, and give a clear explanation of
our process and timeline for actions.
We will be focusing on five areas in eastern Washington
including: Blue Mountain streams, Hangman Creek, the north and south fork
Palouse River, Snake River tributaries in Whitman County, and the Walla Walla
River.
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| Cattle are fenced away from the stream to protect streamside trees and shrubs and water quality. |
We are partnering with conservation districts and WSU
Extension to host workshops so landowners can learn about the current health of
their watershed, the watershed assessment process and resources available to
promote a healthy operation and protect clean water.
Three workshops are currently scheduled. Each starts at 6
p.m.:
- January 27 at the Fairfield Community Center
- January 29 in Pullman at the Schweitzer Engineering Lab Event Center
- February 4 at the Walla Walla Regional Airport
Clean water and a healthy agriculture industry are compatible. Our eastern Washington watershed assessment is a tool to provide the technical and financial assistance that can support that outcome. We are dedicated to working with Washington’s agricultural community to achieve the shared value of healthy agriculture and clean water.
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