Holden Laboratory

Negotiation Advances with State for Additional Goleta Beach Study

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Agreement is reached with the State to amend an ongoing microbial source tracking research contract to allow additional study of archived DNA sampled from the disposed mud, surf zone, and beach sands at Goleta Beach following the Montecito debris flow in January, 2018. A first study—funded by the UCSB Associated Students Coastal Fund Emergency program—followed State-approved protocols for Microbial Source Tracking, applying approaches also used during two preceding AB411-period years (2016 and 2017). Because, by ongoing protocols, there was “low to no” evidence of human fecal contamination in 2018 wintertime Goleta Beach field samples, we requested that the State allow use of existing funds for further study, including using DNA sequencing. Communications with the State began January 20th, culminating in a detailed request in late March, 2018 once first study results were complete.