HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health July 29 20031 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Board of Health
3
4 July 29, 2003
5
6 The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by Council Chair Dan
7 McShane in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
8
9
10 Present: Absent:
11 Barbara Brenner None
12 Laurie Caskey-Schreiber
13 Sam Crawford
14 Seth Fleetwood
15 Sharon Roy
16 L. Ward Nelson
17
18
19 1. PUBLIC SESSION
20
21 Bob Seaman, 8670 Delta Line Road, Custer, stated he has a repeated
22 problem with his neighbor, Beacon Battery and Used Tire. There is a health issue.
23 This business has been out of compliance. His personal property has been declared
24 a hazardous waste site, due to lead contamination. This business recycles lead
25 batteries. It's been out of compliance for almost 20 years. He's made numerous
26 attempts with the State Department of Ecology (DOE) and Department of Health to
27 bring it into compliance.
28
29 A 1993 letter from the County Health Department asked the owner to keep
30 batteries inside. He submitted photos of this cottage industry. Batteries that are
31 left in the rain surround the place. The batteries have a water-soluble compound,
32 lead sulfate, which goes into the groundwater, stormwater system, and into the
33 road ditches that lead to California Creek. It is a violation of the federal Clean
34 Water Act, which restricts uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance to a
35 waterway. This activity continues. He can't stop it.
36
37 In 2002, he asked that regulations and permitting be enforced. There are
38 regulations that specify what a person has to do to be a licensed waste tire storage
39 site. However, it's never been enforced. Vehicle battery recycling regulations are
40 listed on the DOE website. There is no licensing permits for this license except for a
41 master business license.
42
43 Recently he asked the DOE to do an inspection. A concern now is West Nile
44 virus. This business has tens of thousands of waste tires that are stored in the
45 woods on more than an acre of property. Some of these tires have been there for
46 12 years. It is not a legitimate recycling operation. It is a junk collection. There
47 are laws prohibiting it. About a million pounds of batteries are sent through this
48 facility per year. This is a significant size cottage industry that has no permits.
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 1
1
2 The original inspection in 2000 resulted in three suggestions from the DOE
3 for this business: installing an overflow tank, sampling to see what's in the tank,
4 and keeping a monthly log. Not one of those suggestions was followed. There are
5 no penalties. Everything from the Board of Health and DOE are merely
6 suggestions.
7
8 He's been putting up with this at his home for 13 years. There is a complete
9 failure in the system. The last letter from the Health Department says that no
10 permit is necessary because it is inside a closed building. His pictures show
11 otherwise. The pollution affects them all. It will go to the road ditch, then
12 California Creek, and then Drayton Harbor.
13
14 Waste tires leach a heavy metal component that soaks into the groundwater.
15 This is becoming more of an issue for all of them. This place needs to go
16 somewhere else where it can be heavily regulated.
17
18 Brenner asked what they could do about this.
19
20 McShane stated a councilmember could see that this is scheduled at a
21 committee meeting, when they can include the Health Department staff and DOE.
22 Seaman stated the laws are on the books. County Health Department hasn't
23 wanted to enforce anything.
24
25 Geoff Menzies, Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Advisory
26 Committee Chair and Community Oyster Farm Manager, stated he is in favor of the
27 Shellfish Restoration Program through the State Department of Health's Office of
28 Shellfish Programs. Without that program, they would be having a lot more trouble
29 in Drayton Harbor. He related the history of the Drayton Harbor shellfish closure.
30
31 He thanked Councilmember Caskey-Schreiber and Councilmember Roy for
32 getting involved with the State budget. He thanked the County for its support in
33 keeping the project going. This restoration program has supported in concept the
34 idea of the community oyster farm. That concept has been identified as a priority
35 of the Puget Sound Action Team as a way to build community support. Without
36 support from the State Department of Health, the project never would have
37 happened. They've helped with project study design to better understand the
38 sources that affect the harbor. The State Department of Health also carries out
39 studies on its own and with the assistance of the Shellfish Protection Districts.
40 Through this program, the State Department of Health continues to sample water
41 quality in areas that have been downgraded when it has no obligation to do so.
42 They train volunteers for stormwater sampling. Without the program, they would
43 not be able to restore water quality in Drayton Harbor.
44
45 Christine Woodward, Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District Advisory
46 Committee Chair, thanked the State Department of Health for supporting the
47 district's and Lummi Nation's effort. They were on the cusp of being able to be
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 2
1 reclassified when they got hit with a high count last August. They are regrouping.
2 The entire Nooksack watershed has worked cooperatively.
3
4 2. WASHINGTON STATE AND LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH PRIORITIES
5
6 Carl Osaki, Washington State Board of Health Member, stated the
7 Washington State Board of Health is the oldest board in Washington State. Its
8 mission is threefold. One part of the mission is to adopt rules and regulations that
9 affect public health through the Washington Administrative Code (WAC). They are
10 in the process of looking at a number of environmental health regulations. They
11 are going to have hearings late this year. The local Board of Health responsibility is
12 to ensure the State Board of Health rules are adopted locally.
13
14 The second part of their mission is policy making. They develop policy for
15 the Governor and the Secretary of the Department of Health. They are not
16 employees of the Department of Health. The State Board of Health produced this
17 report and an annual report for the Governor.
18
19 Last, they serve as a public forum for anyone who wants to praise or
20 complain about public health issues. Traditionally, they've held monthly Board
21 meetings in different parts of the state. Now they are meeting less often due to
22 budget cuts. The Board is talking to local boards of health to get their input on
23 priorities.
24
25 The Board has ten members appointed by the Governor. The membership
26 includes two elected officials that represent counties and cities. The membership
27 also includes four individuals who serve as experts on health and sanitation,
28 doctors, planners, and two consumer representatives.
29
30 He wants to get a sense of the local Board of Health's concerns and issues,
31 so they can consider them at the State Board of Health.
32
33 Craig McLaughlin, State Board of Health Senior Staff, stated they are
34 required by the health report to get a lot of input on priorities. His job is to write
35 this report. The input he receives locally will shape the report he writes for the
36 Governor.
t
38 Nelson stated the priorities they've outlined in the 2002 Annual Report are
39 nice to see. He asked the State representatives to expand on concerns of the local
40 advisory boards, including children's health and well-being and access to health
41 care. He asked how the local Board of Health or Health Department can assist
42 community members get access to health care, including those who don't have
43 access to insurance coverage. Access to preventative care is most important.
44 Osaki stated that they discuss it often at the State Board of Health. The board
45 members educate themselves on the activities that ensure they have criteria for
46 children's health issues. If they don't require it under a mandate, they have to
47 educate parents. They are working closely with the Office of the Superintendent of
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 3
1 Public Instruction. They are also looking at the issue of the impacts of nutrition,
2 diet, and obesity. The issue of access is tough.
3
4 Nelson stated there is a separation of powers in public health when they deal
5 with disease prevention, which is more cost effective and a public health matter,
6 than with disease treatment. He asked how to integrate the two. There is a
7 disconnect.
8
9 McLaughlin stated they are talking about the menu of critical health services,
10 which tries to look at the kinds of services supported through public health. The
11 government is a major purchaser of health services. It has influence. They can
12 end up with things that haven't been supported enough, such as children
13 preventive services and drug and alcohol treatment. They are building tools such
14 as this menu to help local services.
15
16 Brenner stated one of the priorities is environmental justice, but there is
17 nothing in the State's report. She asked what priority they are giving to
18 environmental justice. It's hard to get a handle on who is in charge of what. If
19 there is a health issue, the State Department of Health, not the Department of
20 Ecology (DOE) should be in charge. She asked if there has been any discussion of
21 having a more integrated approach. Osaki stated environmental justice was a
22 priority in the last two years, but not this year. There is a set of recommendations
23 for environmental justice in the State. All jurisdictions might consider using the
24 recommendations in developing environmental policy within their own jurisdictions.
25 Regarding collaboration with other agencies, it is an issue nationally and in other
26 states as well. The DOE has come before the State Board of Health to talk about
27 what they are doing. The priority of environmental health is an attempt to figure
28 out what's going on in terms of environmental health assessments in the state, and
29 what local agencies are doing to assure that they are incorporating the values and
30 beliefs of the people who are affected. That's part of environmental justice. The
31 priority is to look at good models and practices.
32
33 Brenner asked for an example of what has changed in the realm of
34 environmental justice since the 2001 report. Osaki stated there is a disconnect
35 between communities affected by environmental justice and government.
36 Government sees environmental justice as a process to communicate information
37 and analyze data. Communities see environmental justice as an end to a problem.
38 The Board of Health is trying to shed light on the disconnect so everyone can see
39 the problem and be on the same team. That's part of this assessment process.
40 Some of the issues and concerns are making sure that government understands
41 what the environmental justice community is talking about. They have come up
42 with guidelines on how government agencies can be better partners with
43 environmental justice communities. He doesn't have any examples of success
44 stories. Their terminology of environmental justice is equal justice, regardless of
45 national origin, color, and income, with respect to development, implementation,
46 and enforcement of environmental laws and policies.
47
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 4
1 McLaughlin stated the Board does not have a license to undertake
2 programmatic activities. They need to find places where they can have an influence
3 by pushing in areas where they can push. They see the issue that government
4 agencies operate slowly. The Board has a limited role.
5
6 Fleetwood stated a priority project is access to critical health services,
7 including mental health services. His impression is that the social safety net is
8 abysmal. If a person is not a threat to him or herself or another, that person
9 cannot go in and access services. He urged efforts be made to expand services to
10 people who might not be a physical threat, but who are in definite need. Osaki
11 stated that the State Board of Health can take a position in support of a community
12 or local board of health, and has written letters or resolutions to the responsible
13 entity. Mental health is not something the State Board of Health has debated
14 because there are specific boards on mental health.
15
16 Roy stated concerns from speakers today include the Shellfish Protection
17 Districts, which are extremely important to this community. The dairy nutrient
18 program is critical, and has been moved to the State Department of Agriculture
19 from the State Department of Ecology. There are three State agencies looking at
20 this shellfish issue. There is a lot of community involvement in this program.
21 Another local water body, Birch Bay, has just been listed as threatened. This is a
22 very important issue. The community groups are open to meeting with
23 representatives from the State to explain the issues. The State's role is critical.
24 Coordinate these State departments.
25
26 (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
27
28 Osaki stated the State Board of Health wants to understand all the aspects
29 that affect a particular issue.
30
31 McLaughlin stated that the councilmembers are welcome to call the Board of
32 Health if he and Mr. Osaki haven't understood or realized all the issues of concern
33 by the local Board of Health.
34
35 Nelson thanked Mr. Osaki and Mr. Craig for taking the time to seek the local
36 Board of Health's input on issues of importance.
37
38 Caskey-Schreiber stated that because the switch in government agencies is
39 occurring that is vital to the well being of waterways in the county, she would like
40 close monitoring to see if the Department of Agriculture's efforts are working and to
41 hold the legislature responsible for this change and accountable for having the
42 same success that the Department of Ecology has had. People have been trying for
43 years to reopen these shellfish beds. This agency shift is a step backwards.
44
45 She asked if there is policy on the State looking at banning smoking in public
46 restaurants. Osaki stated the Board of Health has not talked about that issue.
47 Because the debate has come up in terms of policy in the past, restaurants
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 5
1 voluntarily banned smoking. There are other methods besides laws and rules to
2 affect change.
3
4 McLaughlin stated the Department of Health has been working proactively on
5 the smoking issue, so the Board doesn't see there being much of a void.
6
7 Caskey-Schreiber stated she lives in an area where people are still smoking
8 in restaurants. It isn't healthy for the people who have to work in the restaurants.
9
10 Brenner asked if the Board of Health would consider providing support for the
11 County's position of putting the nutrient management program enforcement back to
12 the Department of Ecology and not the Department of Agriculture. Osaki stated the
13 County is welcome to make that request to the State Board of Health, which would
14 consider it.
15
16 McShane stated the State Board of Health is working on onsite sewage
17 system regulations for near -shore areas. Put forward rules that are quite restrictive
18 and protective, keeping in mind that many systems fail. Osaki stated the shellfish
19 industry is actively involved in the development of those rules.
20
21 McShane stated there is a grant program where a local health department
22 works on confirmed and suspected contaminated sites. He encouraged that
23 program be funded. Osaki stated local health departments have that responsibility
24 to ensure that community health aspects are incorporated, even though it is a
25 Department of Ecology program.
26
27 McShane stated one environmental justice issue is the air quality issues.
28 Whatcom County is a rural county with a large volume of air pollutants per capita.
29 The role and impacts to individuals can be significant.
30
31 He doesn't have an opinion on the Department of Agriculture versus the
32 Department of Ecology issue. They've had a successful program with DOE. The
33 program worked. It was completely successful. They are perplexed about why it
34 was changed. The Whatcom County Board of Health will put forward a letter to
35 crystallize these concerns.
36
37 3. WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE, RESPONSE, AND
38 COMMUNICATION PLAN
39
40 Don Vesper, Environmental Health Services Manager, stated the Health
41 Department has a plan for West Nile virus response. He asked for Board of Health
42 comments on the plan and to adopt the plan. Since April, the Health Department
43 has done some of the things outlined in the plan. This is a real public health issue.
44 They can't estimate the effect on Whatcom County, but can only speculate that it
45 will happen at some point in the future. The response to West Nile virus will have
46 to be ongoing. So far, there have only been 26 cases and one death nationally this
47 year. They expect more at the end of the summer. He gave a background on the
48 origin and transmission methods of West Nile Virus.
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 6
1
2 Caskey-Schreiber asked if humans could transport West Nile virus to
3 humans. Vesper stated there is evidence it can be transmitted through blood
4 transfusion, organ transplants, and through breast milk. The at -risk group is
5 elderly people. There have been no human cases in Washington State.
6
7 The plan is based on prevention. The plan elements include public education,
8 mosquito surveillance and control, bird and mammal mortality surveillance, human
9 surveillance and provider education, and a phased response plan. They are using
10 the number of avian mortality as a risk measurement for humans. The phased
11 response outlines all the prevention activities in an increasing level of activity as the
12 alert level increases.
13
14 They must reduce or eliminate mosquito -breeding habitat and prevent
15 mosquito bites. Staff is looking for specific species of mosquitoes to identify their
16 locations. They are mapping the sources. They will prepare for the possibility of
17 doing chemical control. Bird surveillance is done through calls from the public.
18 They will collect and test some of the dead birds for infection. They are partnering
19 with veterinarians to report any ill animals. Human surveillance includes working
20 with providers and laboratories. The phased response has four alert levels: no
21 West Nile virus present in the community, West Nile virus in birds of mosquitoes,
22 West Nile virus in horses or humans or many birds, and multiple human cases or
23 many animal cases. Response escalates with the alert level, but the elements of
24 the response method remain the same.
25
26 Since April, they have done a lot of education with Cooperative Extension
27 that includes handouts, group presentations, and website information. They've
28 partnered with City of Bellingham to produce a video on West Nile virus control, to
29 be aired on the public access channel. They've met with public land managers in
30 Whatcom County to talk about what they can do for mosquito control. They looked
31 at the high -risk population group, including people over 50 years of age. They've
32 mapped locations in the county where these age groups congregate, including golf
33 courses. When they overlay the map with mosquito sources, those locations would
34 be the first places where they recommend treatment.
35
36 They've been doing mosquito surveillance since April. They've identified 12
37 species so far. Of those 12, three had never been previously identified in Whatcom
38 County. There are three known species in Whatcom County that transmit the virus.
39 They are continuing with adult and larva sampling. The County Health Department
40 has applied to the State Department of Ecology for a countywide permit for
41 application of larvicide in areas with water bodies, which only applies to county-
42 owned areas. It's incumbent of other municipalities to follow the County's lead and
43 apply for their own permits.
44
45 There is a hotline for bird surveillance. They have recorded about 100 dead
46 birds since April. Fifteen to twenty dead birds have been submitted to the lab for
47 testing of the virus. The department gets many calls about dead birds.
48
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 7
1 Crawford stated he doesn't want to spend a lot of money on the dead bird
2 thing. Mosquito control is more important. Vesper stated that dead bird testing
3 would tell them when the West Nile virus is here. Once they find that it is here, it
4 may not be useful to continue that testing. They may be able to target specific
5 areas in the county that have more dead birds. This is not a costly part of the
6 program.
7
8 They have funded this activity with unexpended salary from this last year
9 and from local capacity development money from the State. It has cost more than
10 they anticipated. They have hired two people who are working as extra help for the
11 department. They've done a remarkable job of putting the plan and public displays
12 together. State funds contributed about half of what they spent. The department
13 reassigned other staff to direct this effort, resulting in less activity in other
14 programs. If they are going to continue surveillance of West Nile virus, they will
15 need additional resources. They will submit an additional services request (ASR)
16 for 2004.
17
18 Brenner asked if a person could build lifetime immunity, whether or not there
19 is a vaccination, the treatment, and whether they are testing blood products.
20 Vesper stated blood products could be tested.
21
22 Dr. Greg Stern, Health Officer, stated he would look into the lifetime
23 immunity issue. When it hits the community, a lot of people will be infected and
24 the case numbers will go down. People will develop immunity. He will find out
25 more about that. There's no specific treatment for West Nile virus. There is
26 supportive treatment. Eighty percent of those infected don't even see a doctor.
27 Others develop flu -like symptoms. Less than one percent will end up with
28 encephalitis or meningitis, which can cause long-term neurological complications.
29 They've looked at using different drugs, but none have been very effective. There
30 is a vaccine for animal West Nile virus. They are still researching a human vaccine.
31
32 Nelson asked how severe West Nile virus is compared to tuberculosis, for
33 example. Stern stated tuberculosis is spread person to person. It is responsible for
34 millions of deaths per year worldwide. He spends four hours a week in the
35 tuberculosis clinic. There are 3.5 full-time equivalent employees working for the
36 tuberculosis clinic.
37
38 Nelson stated that if they have to allocate resources for prevention and
39 control of the West Nile virus, he wants to get a perspective of its severity and cost.
40
41 Delahunt stated they've spent $36,000 so far this year on West Nile virus
42 surveillance and planning. She anticipates needing $15,000 for extra help during
43 the summer months in 2004. If West Nile virus comes into the community and
44 there are many cases, it will cost more money.
45
46 Nelson asked for a budgetary analysis of the cost of each alert level.
47 Delahunt stated the ASR would be for the minimum baseline assistance.
48
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 8
1 Vesper stated staff has already spent money to gear up for level one, where
2 there isn't much risk. Now that has been done. Next year, the cost will be much
3 less. Alert levels one through three won't cost a lot of money. Level four could
4 break the bank.
5
6 Caskey-Schreiber thanked the Health Department for getting the word out
7 effectively to the horse community.
8
9 Delahunt stated she is looking for approval of the response plan from the
10 Board of Health.
11
12 Fleetwood moved to approve the West Nile virus plan and support level of
13 staff resources proposed for mosquito borne disease efforts.
14
15 (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side B.)
16
17 Brenner asked how there could be vaccination developed more quickly for
18 horses than for humans. Stern stated there are much higher standards for
19 developing human vaccines. Also, there wasn't a big demand for a human vaccine
20 until 1999. He wasn't sure where the horse vaccine was developed.
21
22 Roy asked if the mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus bite only during the
23 evening. Stern stated that is not correct. There is a variety of species.
24
25 Nelson suggested a friendly amendment to request the administration to
26 also develop a level of support necessary to implement each alert level and the
27 associated funding requirements.
28
29 Fleetwood asked if staff accepted the friendly amendment. Delahunt stated
30 it is acceptable.
31
32 Fleetwood accepted the friendly amendment.
33
34 Motion carried 6-0 with Crawford absent.
35
36 4. ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE IMPLEMENTATION
37
38 Dr. Greg Stern, Health Officer, stated he is asking the Board of Health for
39 approval of the isolation and quarantine principals and direction to develop policy
40 based on the information in the Board of Health packet.
41
42 Nelson asked if staff wants to set up a policy designed around the State
43 codes. Stern stated they want the Board of Health to approve the principles. Staff
44 is using the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) as part of the structure to
45 develop the isolation policies.
46
47 Nelson asked if they would just state that they would follow the State
48 guidelines. Stern stated they would fine-tune them and come up with more specific
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 9
measures for local assessment and implantation. The WAC's describe the due
process involved. This is more of a discussion of those restrictions as a tool. They
don't use the WAC's to make a decision as to whether or not they should implement
isolation and quarantine.
Brenner stated they need a process to follow. She moved to request staff
to develop isolation and quarantine policy based on information provided.
Stern stated a more important discussion is when they would chose not to
use isolation and quarantine. There are issues with deciding whether or not to use
isolation and quarantine.
Delahunt stated they all seem to agree with using the WAC as a basis for
implementation. They should talk about the principles of deciding to use isolation
and quarantine.
Stern stated isolation and quarantine are measures used to restrict people's
activities to control the spread of an infectious disease. They have to look at
effectiveness and cost. Isolation and quarantine would only be used when the
benefits outweigh their risks and costs.
Costs include the impact on the people they are restricting, their families,
their business, and their employees. There are also costs to monitoring and
enforcing isolation and quarantine. There are risks to civil liberties.
The State developed principles and processes to apply when they make these
decisions to make sure they are the least restrictive measures necessary to achieve
the desired results. Isolation applies to people who are sick and suspected to be
infectious. Quarantine applies to people who have been exposed, but who are still
well. When someone who is in quarantine becomes ill, he or she may then go into
isolation.
Motion carried 6-0 with Crawford absent.
Stern stated one example is infectious tuberculosis. There are specific
guidelines in the WAC on the due process of isolating people who are infectious.
Food handlers and childcare workers would be excluded from going from work. The
WAC specifies the principles of least restrictive measures. Voluntary compliance is
ideal. They have to consider whether there is imminent risk to people.
In considering whether to issue isolation or quarantine orders, they consider
how the disease is transmitted, ease of treatment, timing of symptoms, and
number of people infected. They need to consider the ramifications of large-scale
isolation. There is a lot of judgment in terms of effectiveness and what's happening
with the disease in the community currently. There are a lot of factors to consider
regarding whether or not it will stop the spread of the disease.
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 10
1 Isolation and quarantine are one of many tools. They have to temper their
2 decision with the consideration of effectiveness, costs, and civil liberties issues.
3 They want to have policies and plans in place if they need to implement isolation
4 and quarantine quickly.
5
6 Nelson asked if the policy would include implementation by the local
7 authority of a large-scale outbreak with a serious cause. They can probably handle
8 one or two cases. Stern stated there's a reason they don't have a cookbook for
9 how and when they will apply isolation and quarantine. Each case has to be
10 evaluated independently. One key will be community cooperation. The authority
11 for issuing those orders is the Health Officer. He will issue the orders after talking
12 with the State Department of Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
13 (CDC), law enforcement, and the Prosecutor. In doing emergency planning, they
14 are developing that type of communication so the mechanisms are in place. Large-
15 scale isolation hasn't been done in the United States for 80 years. There are
16 discussions about whether it would even be appropriate to use in a small pox
17 outbreak.
18
19 Delahunt stated the planning discussions are happening and will be part of
20 the emergency response plan.
21
22 Stern stated there are bio-terrorism and emergency exercises they do.
23
24 Caskey-Schreiber asked if Whatcom County is prepared to implement policy
25 during the next cold season, when another outbreak of SARS might happen. Stern
26 stated these are the principles they applied during the SARS outbreak last season.
27 He is comfortable with them.
28
29 S. FISH MERCURY LEVELS IN WHATCOM COUNTY LAKES
30
31 Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director, stated that the State
32 Department of Ecology sampled 20 water bodies statewide, including three
33 Whatcom County lakes: Terrell, Samish, and Fazon. In addition, the Whatcom
34 County Health Department gathered mercury in bass data on Lake Padden, Tennant
35 Lake, Wiser Lake, and Lake Whatcom. The mercury concentrations are varied.
36 There is a strong correlation between size and age of fish and the amount of
37 mercury in fish tissue. The State found bass is a big problem in 70 percent of lakes
38 in the state, including the lakes in Whatcom County. In general, Whatcom County
39 is similar to other counties in the state.
40
41 It's hard to compare between the lakes because of all the variables. Instead,
42 the State did statistical analysis. She's asked the state for similar statistics on
43 other county lakes. She guessed that Lake Whatcom and Tennant Lake have
44 higher levels. Lake Padden and Wiser Lake would have lower levels. Whatcom
45 County lakes aren't very different from other lakes around the state. The U.S.
46 Geological Survey (USGS) is doing a study on Lake Whatcom.
47
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 11
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Brenner moved to ask staff to move ahead with modifying the Lake
Whatcom bass advisory, similar to the States advisory.
Motion carried 4-0 with Fleetwood, Crawford, and Nelson absent.
Caskey-Schreiber asked when the results of the USGS study would be
available. Delahunt stated she hoped the study results would be available in
December.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
These minutes were approved by Council on September 9 , 2003.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown -Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dan McShane, Council Chair
Board of Health, 7/29/2003, Page 12