May 2, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 72 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E529-E530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY'S 20TH ANNUAL 
                              SNAPSHOT DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2019

  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Monterey 
Bay National Marine Sanctuary as they celebrate their 20th Snapshot 
Day. This annual event brings volunteers together at over 250 sampling 
sites on the central coast of California as they collect valuable data 
on the water quality of the watersheds that drain into the Monterey Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary.
   The first Snapshot Day was organized in 2000 when the Monterey Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary collaborated with the Coastal Watershed 
Council and the Center for Marine Conservation to organize a volunteer 
effort to better understand land-based sources of ocean pollution in 
the sanctuary. With a better understanding of the sources of pollution 
from the 10 watersheds directly connected to the sanctuary, local 
agencies, stakeholders, and citizens can better protect the water 
quality along 276 miles of shoreline across four coastal counties that 
are home to more than 1.8 million residents. These protected waters 
support a wealth of biological diversity, coastal scenery, and 
recreational and business opportunities.
   Snapshot Day depends on a small army of volunteers who measure 
bodies of water for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, 
and turbidity and collect samples that

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will be tested in a laboratory for nutrients and bacteria levels. These 
assessments test the overall health of the water as well as any threats 
to aquatic organisms, fish, and humans. Through this work, volunteers 
become environmental stewards and ambassadors for the Monterey Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary and local watersheds. Since 2000, a total of 
3,783 volunteers have donated 18,915 hours of their time to monitor any 
of the Snapshot Day sites.
   Since its beginning in 2000, Snapshot Day has shown how engaged 
volunteers can make a critical impact in their community. Madam 
Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing 
the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as they celebrate their 20th 
Snapshot Day.

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