Grant for Portage Bay Partnership Pt 2

I'm Bob Larson. $150,000 in grant money from the Washington State Conservation Commission will allow the Portage Bay Partnership to begin improvements to the shellfish beds shut down three years ago due to contamination.

Dairyman Rich Appel says they need to have the water quality plans done for the first two farms, Edaleen Dairy and Twin Brook Creamery, very soon ...

RICH APPEL ... "So, that'll be the big challenge. Right now, we're going through the process of interviewing and picking those experts. So, that's a critical part to this process and then May 1st is kind of the next deadline that we're trying to hit as far as having two of the water quality plans in place. And at that point, we'll know a lot more as far as how feasible it is for the rest of the dairymen in Whatcom County. If that process isn't too burdensome regulatory-wise or cost-wise, I think other dairymen may choose to sign on too at that point."

Appel says things are really progressing nicely ...

RICH APPEL ... "There's a lot of enthusiasm of course from different agencies in Washington state, Ecology, from the Governor's office on down. A lot of people are watching this process and a lot of people in government are very pleased that we did come to an agreement and are doing their utmost to help make sure that this is successful for the long-haul."

Appel says the deal between the Lummi Nation and the Dairymen is setting a good example for future partnerships.