Contact:
Catherine Breault Elisa Dawson
Communications Specialist II Planner
Catherine.Breault@snoco.org Elisa.Dawson@snoco.org
425-388-3053 425-388-6466
Workshop to Review Data Collected on Port Susan’s Storm Surges: Winter 2016-2017
Area residents can learn about the MyCoast app and help track shoreline changes
EVERETT, Wash., Sept. 6, 2017– Snohomish County’s Marine Resources Committee (MRC) is seeking interested residents to attend a storm surge and data collection workshop on September 14 at Kayak Point Regional Park. Attendees of the free workshop will review the 2016-2017 storm surge data and find out how they can contribute to current shoreline data collection. The data collected over the last year will contribute to Regional Wave Modeling across Puget Sound, the Straits of Juan de Fuca and Whidbey Basin, a project led by Dr. Eric Grossman with the United States Geological Survey. The workshop will also cover shoreline property protection methods.
Port Susan Storm Surge Workshop
When: September 14 from 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Where: Kayak Point Regional Park, 15711 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292
Beachgoers who cannot attend the event can also download the free smartphone app, MyCoast, and submit shoreline data. Information and photos collected through the smartphone app help researchers and scientists better understand beach changes and make informed decisions. The MyCoast app also enables community members to document impacts, report derelict boats and creosote pilings.
“Citizen shoreline monitors provide us with valuable data that we would otherwise be unable to collect,” said Elisa Dawson, Surface Water Management Planner. “The information gathered by locals already spending time on the shore, and who often have unique historical knowledge of the areas, help us better understand how coastal storms affect the shoreline and can give us useful insights to plan for change.”
The MRC’s goal is to understand, steward, and restore the marine and estuarine ecology of the county. Recent projects have involved kelp monitoring via kayak and assistance on the county’s Nearshore Restoration Project between Mukilteo and Everett. Those that would like to attend the event can contact Elisa Dawson, Surface Water Management Planner, at 425-388-6466 or Elisa.Dawson@snoco.org for more information or to RSVP.
About the Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee
The Marine Resource Committee’s (MRC) goal is to understand, protect, and restore the marine and estuarine ecosystems of the county. Local citizens appointed by County Council use science-based information to develop projects and help shape local and regional marine conservation policy. MRC members work to complement ongoing efforts by both government and non-profit agencies. There are seven MRCs in the Northwest Straits region of the Puget Sound. For more information, visit www.snocomrc.org.
About Snohomish County Public Works
The Snohomish County Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads; controls and manages surface water quantity, quality, and fish habitats; and oversees the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.