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September 16, 2015

Agencies seek public feedback on fix for Padilla Bay pollution

SKAGIT COUNTY – Skagit County and the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) will co-host a public meeting on October 1 to report to the community and listen to feedback about plans to clean up the Padilla Bay watershed.

State and local officials will share details about high levels of harmful fecal bacteria found in the sloughs and creeks that feed into Padilla Bay, as well as in the bay itself. These levels of bacteria exceed state standards and make the water unsafe for human contact.

Skagit County, the Washington departments of Ecology and Agriculture, Skagit Conservation District, Coastal Volunteer Partnership and others have partnered on a mission to locate and fix sources of pollution.

Residents of the Padilla Bay watershed are encouraged to attend the October 1 meeting to learn about water quality in their area and how they can contribute to improving it. Citizens will also be invited to give the partners feedback about their plan to clean up the watershed.

The public meeting is scheduled Wednesday, October 1 at the Padilla Bay National Estuary Reserve, 10441 Bayview Edison Rd, Mount Vernon. The session will begin with an open house from 6 – 6:30 p.m. A presentation on the scope of the problem and solutions will be from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., with public comment and discussion scheduled from 7:30 – 7:45 p.m.

For more information on Skagit County’s Clean Water Program and Pollution Identification and Correction activities, visit: www.skagitcounty.net/cleanwater