Volunteers also document anything else they see that could affect water quality, such as pipes or discharges, flocks of birds, erosion, landfills, or oil slicks. In some cases they may collect a sample to be analyzed by DMR for bacteria. Any potential problem that they report is investigated by the Department. Usually property owners are cooperative, Anderson says. If not, volunteers politely take their leave, and a DMR staffperson visits the site at a later date.
Volunteers record their observations on special data sheets.
This report provides the basis for determining whether the area is opened or closed to shellfishing. Anderson says the effort that DMR puts into the volunteer program is definitely worthwhile. Even more important is the educational part of the program, and empowering local people. That's what really lasts. The approach described in the manual focuses particularly on tracking sources of sediment input from soil erosion.