350 E. Delaware Ave., #9 Republic, WA 99166
	Phone: (509) 775-5235		Fax: (509) 775-5218

WATER QUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Ferry County gets W.E.T.!

The Water Education & Training (W.E.T.) Project for Ferry County and the East Half of the Colville Reservation

Project Director: Daniel L. Fagerlie
Project Coordinator: Carolyn S. Blake
W.E.T. Staff: Tim Thome

How can a county's disadvantages work to its advantage? Ferry County is challenged both economically and by geographic isolation. The development and delivery of an extensive water quality education program required collaborative efforts among citizen groups including the Kettle River Advisory Board & Curlew Lake Association, Tribal agencies, and the Ferry County Commissioners. In response to needs expressed by these groups, Ferry County Extension Chair, Dan Fagerlie, built partnerships to design a "hands on" educational program to meet priority needs. These educational components were combined in applying for USDA Cooperative Extension Water Quality Funding. Upon successful completion of the one-year project, funding was applied for and awarded to continue and expand the program for an additional three years through USDA 406 project monies.

The W.E.T. program was conceived and designed for Cooperative Extension to establish and offer cutting edge technology, curricula and program delivery to the community, staff and volunteers for an extensive water quality education program. Grant funding provided a projection microscope for classes and adult participants to view and discuss microscopic aquatic worlds. DiscoveryScopes and field microscopes were purchased to provide microscopes for youth to use individually in conjunction with programs such as aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling. A class from each school builds a scale model of a "local terrain" watershed that becomes school property for future watershed education activities. Increasing the capacity for community involvement, effective partnering and cutting edge technology have been a winning combination for the W.E.T. Project in Ferry County, Washington!

Local Water Quality Issues

85% of Ferry County consists of forested land that is habitat for the area's abundant wildlife and benefit area water quantity and quality. Forest fires, which are common in our dry climate, are among the leading sources of sediment pollution in our streams.

Non-native invasive weeds are a major threat to range lands, grazing and water quality. Many non-native weed species are inefficient in filtering sediment from run-off and have poor soil-retention characteristics due to their taproots. Long-residual, highly leachable herbicides used to combat these weeds can be a threat to water quality if used improperly. Integrated weed management education and practice is vital to suppress the spread of non-native invasive weeds and reduce non-point source pollution in this area.

Eighty five percent of residents rely on private water supplies and sewage facilities. The nearest certified water testing lab is 123 miles away making water testing both inconvenient and expensive. The 2000 Census reports that 19% of the county's residents are below poverty level (including 25% of the county's children) making the cost of water testing prohibitive. Prior to the W.E.T. Project, there were no area-wide records of drinking water quality. Educational programming for drinking water testing and protection and an area-wide look at water quality to identify potential health risks or alleviate citizen concerns are critical issues.

As in many northwest agricultural, mining and logging communities, residents are challenged to carve a living from the land while maintaining and protecting its natural beauty and environmental integrity. Regulatory issues involving logging practices, roadless areas, possible threatened-species habitat and nineteen area creeks being listed on the 303-d list of impaired streams for high levels of coliform bacteria have put water quality issues at the forefront of citizen concerns. As residents became more involved in watershed management decisions, their desire for research-based information increased, but few educational opportunities were available. It was clear that an extensive water education program was needed.

One challenge in delivering and promoting educational programming in Ferry County is limited availability of communication vehicles. One weekly newspaper and one radio station broadcasting from neighboring Okanogan County serve Ferry County. Local television is not available. Partnering groups expressed a desire for quality newsletters and other publications as an effective way to reach everyone in the project area.

Citizens involved in planning the W.E.T. Project recognized the importance of preparing today's youth to be effective stewards of our natural resources. Youth education involving hands on learning experiences, combined with opportunities to share discoveries and learning with the community were identified as key issues in creating a sustainable community.

Adult Programs

Youth Programs

Publications