Starting Sunday Pacific Habitat Services will begin the annual monitoring of the eelgrass mitigation site southwest of the NOAA facility. The Port of Newport relies on volunteer help to harvest and transplant eelgrass during the negative tide period. The eelgrass mitigation was required due to the loss of salmon habitat during the building of the NOAA facility. Periodically the port needs to monitor the area to make sure that the eelgrass planted in the new location is taking root.

Port General Manager Kevin Greenwood explains said this way the biologists are able to tell how successful the eelgrass is reproducing in the area. The eelgrass is very important vegetation as it helps provide shelter for salmonid, crab and other small marine life. Volunteers are needed starting this Sunday June 5th through Tuesday June 7th during the low tides. Sunday from 6-9am, Monday 6:30-9:30am and Tuesday from 7-10am.

Volunteers are needed and would be very welcome for the first few hours in each of the mornings. This is a good opportunity to meet people and learn about our local marine ecology. Volunteers will be meeting at the South Beach Marina north utility building to the east of the SB marina fuel station. Clam boots and/or waders along with gloves are helpful as this is muddy wet work. Any interested people should contact Jim Durkee by calling 541-270-0545.