Public can help pick which beaches need water quality testing
Oregon Public Health experts want to hear from the public regarding its list of proposed beach monitoring sites for the 2010 summer season.
The beach monitoring program tests the water quality at selected Oregon beaches and notifies the public when elevated levels of bacteria are detected.
Beaches are placed on the list based on the presence of pollution hazards, previous monitoring data showing compliance risks, use of the beach by the public, and recommendation by members of the public.
“Public input is an important part of deciding which beaches should be listed,” said Jennifer Ketterman, beach monitoring program coordinator. “We want to know if Oregonians agree these sites are where we should do water quality testing – and why or why not. We welcome other comments as well.”
Comments will be taken starting today through Wednesday, April 28 at 5 p.m. Comments may be e-mailed to Ketterman at jennifer.a.ketterman@state.or.us, faxed to 971-673-0431 or mailed to Jennifer Ketterman, 800 NE Oregon St., Suite 640, Portland, OR 97232.
Since 2003 Oregon Public Health officials have used a federal Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Other state agencies participating in this program include the Department of Environmental Quality and the Parks and Recreation Department. The proposed list of summer 2010 beach monitoring sites for consideration is on the web at http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/beaches/index.shtml
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