Assessing participants’ basic knowledge of MP will inform workshop content and help us calibrate other survey responses;
Perceptions of responsibility for MP is another area workshop participants thought would be particularly promising to explore through a survey;
We should expect some misunderstanding about what constitutes “micro” plastics (e.g., some will probably assume that straws are MPs) and make sure we don’t assume participants understand the definition of MPs or other “basic” (to the scientific community) facts about the issue.
Plan for moss sampling of microplastics in three regions (two in Portland and one in Hood River) will be expanded to include both sides of highways;
We will add co-located sediment samples;
We will add several samples in a pristine area, such as east of Mt. Hood as reference sites;
We will determine whether we can age moss to be consistent with age of collections.
Important to understand relevant regulatory frameworks of Tribal Nations, as these differ from the state and federal frameworks with which we are already familiar (e.g., CWA, TSCA);
EPA conducted research on fish consumption in the Columbia Basin about 20 years ago that could serve as a model for interdisciplinary work with this regional focus;
PFAS could also be a model for understanding how emerging contaminants gain traction
Our Basin-Wide Workshop was held on October 14, 2022 from 10:00-3:00 PM.
The workshop goals included: 1) providing participants with an overview of the state of CRB science on microplastics in the terrestrial and freshwater environment, including findings of initial stakeholder surveys and field sampling; 2) brainstorming CRB microplastics research priorities and future research needs across the diverse profession, disciplinary, and regional and cultural perspectives; and 3) identifying CRB practitioner-leaders interested in continuing to co-develop inland microplastics research and future potential partnerships with the project team.
Agenda
10:00-10:15 Introduction of participants and meeting overview
10:15-10:45 Project overview and project update to date by subgroups + Q/A
10:45-11:30 Invited presentations - CRB MP research (Susanne Brander, Wayne Landis)
11:30-11:40 Coffee/tea break
11:40-12:20 Group discussion: Research priorities and collaborative opportunities
12:20-1:20 Lunch Break (Catered food provided)
1:20-2:05 Invited presentations - CRB MP policy (Alli Kingfisher, Nora Nickum, Sen. Sollman)
2:05-2:45 Group discussion: Outreach, education & partnerships
2:45 Wrap up and next steps
3:00 Meeting ends