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Department of Ecology News Release - May 5, 2009
09-101
SPOKANE – Waterfront property—everybody wants it, and there's only so much to go around. But those who live on a lake, stream or river have special responsibilities to keep the shoreline healthy and natural for themselves and for everyone else who enjoys them.
To help people understand how they keep the shorelines and Washington waters healthy, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) is sponsoring free workshops in Newport and Moses Lake. Participants will learn about native plants that will help restore the shoreline back to its natural state, how to assess what each piece of property needs, and how to add paths, docks and beach areas without harming the environment.
“The workshops are a great place to learn how to keep your property from eroding. Using the right kind of landscaping makes a big difference,” said Brian Farmer of Ecology's shorelands program in Spokane. “What we, as individual land owners do on our land makes a huge difference to the health of our lakes and rivers. Often, people just don't realize that there are better ways to manage their property that can actually improve the land value and improve water quality. These workshops will provide win-win strategies for living on shorelines. ”
A workshop will take place near Newport on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Sacheen Lake Fire Station, 6131 Highway 21. Another workshop will occur on Tuesday, May 12, in Moses Lake, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at ATEC, Big Bend Community College, 7611 Bolling St. NE, Moses Lake.
Although Ecology is sponsoring the workshops, many organizations are helping. “For both workshops the WSU Extension services including Master Gardeners have been a tremendous help,” said Brook Beeler, Ecology's watershed educator. “Pend Orielle County, the Pend Orielle County Conservation District, and the city of Moses Lake have provided the local insight needed to make these workshops a success.”
The workshops are free, but pre-registration is requested. To register, contact Brook Beeler, at Ecology's Spokane office, (509) 329-3478.
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Media Contacts:
Cathy Cochrane, communications, 509-329-3433; email
ccoc461@ecy.wa.gov, or
Jani Gilbert, communications, 509-329-3495; email
jagi461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
