There was no quorum present so there was no resolution about the MOU.
Speaker: Sherry Wantland from the Unified Sewerage Agency (USA) in Hillsboro OR presented: “Partners for Clean Water” - a Public Awareness Campaign for the Tualatin Watershed Council (Council). Here are some highlights from her excellent talk:
· Since ‘93, Sherry coordinated the Public Awareness Campaign for the Council to reduce Non-Point Source Pollution in Tualatin River watershed; DEQ directive related to Total Maximum Daily Load compliance schedule
· “Partners” : ODA, WashCo SWCD, ODF, USA,12 cities, Washington Co, Multnomah, Clackamas County, Portland, LO, West Linn, THPRD, and TRWC
· People care; still don’t know how daily activities can help or harm WQ. Partners helping teach them, and making progress.
· Targets urban residents, home and yard: fertilizer, pesticide, pet waste
· Her program is relatively low budget, works off grants, and lots of in-kind donations as well as leveraging more from what they have committed; their budget is $130,000 and ongoing
· The Council meets monthly, concentrates on info sharing, project ideas, has several active subcommittees. Started out much like we at the MRWC are now.
How they began their Outreach and Education Program:
1.Developed logo
2.Media kickoff
3.Baseline survey (what do people know about the watershed)
4.Watershed signs
5.Brochures
6.Small acreage fact sheets (now online)
7.Movie ads
8.Newspaper ads
9.Bilingual ads
10. Watershed exhibit at Nature Park
11. Awards
12. Restoration tool bank and trailer, compilation of brochures and posting on website, watershed concerts (grants submitted)
13. Trade and agricultural shows
Is it working? Tualatin WQ improving, despite development. Survey results say YES.