Local volunteers plan for 2009 marine sampling

Since at least 2004, Clallam County residents have helped the state and county monitor water quality at popular beaches around the county through the Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication and Health program - B.E.A.C.H. - run cooperatively by the Washington departments of Health and Ecology.

Lee Diemer, a volunteer for Washington State University Extension's Beach Watcher program, has been involved since 2006 and looks forward to another season.

She recently attended a meeting of other water samplers from around western Washington where they discussed plans for the 2009 season. Program organizers hope to sample at least as many Clallam County beaches as in 2008.

Diemer's role in the sampling program has been to organize and support about a dozen volunteers who collect the samples weekly.

Samples are analyzed for the presence of Enterococcus bacteria at the Clallam County Environmental Health Division lab in Port Angeles.

Enterococci are fecal bacteria that reliably predict the risk to human health in marine waters, said Belinda Pero, manager of Clallam County's Environmental Health Division laboratory.

In the past, the program has sampled beaches from Marlyn Nelson County Park near Sequim to Freshwater Bay County Park, Joyce, as well as sites near Neah Bay.

Funding for the program has come from the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Jamestown S'Klallam and Lower Elwha Klallam tribes.

The program focuses on publicly accessible beaches where visitors are likely to come into contact with the water, as in kayaking, surfing, wading, swimming or launching boats.

The other important criterion for beach selection is proximity to known or suspected sources of potential pathogens, particularly human and other animal waste.

In the past, the sampling season has run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Sometimes it feels like winter is just going to hang on forever, but it's really important to begin planning for summer right now.

Economic worries and realities may keep Clallam County residents closer to home this summer, increasing visitation to area beaches for mini-vacations and local getaways.

When I visit the beach, I want to pick up rocks and run my fingers through the sand without worrying about getting sick.

When I know the water at that beach is being carefully monitored for my health, I feel a lot better about visiting.

Samplers for the B.E.A.C.H. program in Clallam County receive their training as part of the volunteer training for WSU Beach Watchers.

Classes run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays from March 4-May 1 and are organized to provide a university-level education for volunteers.

They "repay" their tuition with at least 100 volunteer hours educating the community about the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Other volunteer activities include interpretive presentations at Salt Creek County Park and working with marine education centers such as the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and the Feiro Marine Life Center.

Those interested in applying for the training can learn more by calling 360-565-2619 or by visiting www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/clallam/.

David Freed coordinates the Beach Watchers program in Clallam County.

Editor's note: Dana Casey, wife of Sequim Gazette editor Jim Casey, is a Beach Watcher. However, she played no role in the production, editing or placement of this guest opinion.