Benton County and Linn-Benton Community College will assess local abandoned wells in Linn and Benton counties using a $22,000 grant from the Institute for Water and Watersheds, U.S. Geological Service Small Grants Program.

The assessments will be made within Benton County and the southern Willamette sub-basin by locating improperly abandoned wells, as defined by the state Water Resources Department as part of Benton County's Water Project, Phase 2.

Will Fulton, a Benton County student intern studying at Linn-Benton Community College, will conduct the assessments with support from Adam Stebbins, Benton County water project coordinator, and LBCC geosciences instructor Deron Carter. They will investigate, assess and analyze existing land and water use records to determine approximate locations of abandoned wells and conduct field investigations to assess the conditions of those wells.

Benton and Linn County residents interested in getting involved with the project or receiving a free assessment of wells and groundwater quality on their properties can contact Stebbins at 766-6085 or send e-mail to adam.steb bins@co.benton.or.us.

- Gazette-Times