Environmental Watch

New law to ease permit process

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Gary Locke recently signed a bill intended to expedite the permitting process for large construction projects. "Cost Reimbursement for Permit Processing," ESSB 6277, contains an emergency clause that puts this into effect as law immediately.

Applicants seeking a permit that requires an Environmental Impact Statement can enter a voluntary agreement with regulatory agencies to pay for the costs of processing the permits. Then the agencies hire independent consultants, who add to the agency's technical resources, to review the applications. Small projects benefit indirectly, because the work of independent technical experts should expedite work flow for the entire agency.

Agencies that can use this new contracting process include the Departments of Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources and Health.

The Northwest Environmental Business Council, an association representing environmental technology firms, supported the measure. "This program gives the state a real boost in processing environmental permits," said Jerry Thayer, chairman of NEBC's Washington chapter.

Sustainable building practices program

SEATTLE -- Seattle City Light and Seattle Central Community College are offering a six-month course on sustainable building practices. Graduates will receive "Sustainable Building Advisor" certificates. So far, thirty-five building industry professionals have enrolled in the course, which began in January. Classes meet during the evening and on weekends.

Scheduling another course of this type for the fall is currently under consideration by the program's sponsors. Cost is $900. Information on the program is available on the Web.

A concrete solution for air conditioning

SEATTLE -- Massive concrete walls, such as those of a cathedral, have the capacity to store and release substantial amounts of heat, thereby moderating internal temperatures. This effect, sometimes called "thermal mass" is now being referred to as "fabric energy storage." FES is making its way into the designs of commercial buildlings in the United Kingdom to contend with heat generated by computers and modern office equipment.

FES uses the thermal capacity of the building structure to maintain temperatures. Heat is absorbed and stored in the structure, which is then cooled by night ventilation, sometimes called "purging." This saves energy and costs as it reduces the need for air conditioning.

Dr. Jacqueline Glass from the Oxford Centre for Sustainable Development in the United Kingdom visited Seattle last week to call for the expanded use of concrete in commercial buildings in the U.S.

Cyber tools that monitor buildings

SEATTLE -- Construction professionals may soon be able to reduce energy usage by logging on to an Internet-linked sensor network that monitors building conditions and industrial processes, says a report from the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center, a nonprofit organization. Sensors would be installed to measure, record and modulate temperature and light conditions in real time. Users could adjust a building's thermostat via the Internet.

A study conducted by the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions last year predicted the Internet could eliminate the need for more than 3 billion square feet of commercial floor space by 2007.

Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center is publicizing information about these and other building technologies. To contact the organization, log on to its Web site. For a copy of the CECS study, log on to: www.cool-companies.org.

PCC purchases critical farmland

SEATTLE -- PCC Natural Markets' Farmland Fund purchased a 100-acre farm in the Dungeness Delta near Sequim last week. The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, the North Olympic Land Trust and the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe supported the purchase, to help re-establish a natural floodplain ecosystem along portions of the Lower Dungeness River.

"Many years of work by many individuals and organizations have gone toward a common vision for the Dungeness Valley for fish, wildlife and farmland. By securing this especially critical property, the Farmland Fund has made the Floodplain plan possible," said Fish & Wildlife biologist Anita McMillan.

The property is considered to be critical farmland because of its prime soil quality and strategic location in the delta. PCC ultimately plans to modify the arrangement to a joint-purchase with Fish & Wildlife, then sublease the property for organic farming. PCC is promoting organic farming as part of the solution in saving Northwest salmon, migratory birds, mammals and amphibians because the practice reduces water contamination.

Protecting the Columbia from radioactivity

VANCOUVER -- Fifty-four million gallons of highly radioactive liquid waste are stored in old tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation on the Columbia River. Some of the tanks are 30 years beyond their design life and have leaked over one million gallons of radioactive waste into surrounding soil and groundwater. Some scientists fear the contaminated groundwater will reach the river.

Washington State University Vancouver is presenting a free lecture at 7 p.m. on April 27 in the WSU Vancouver lecture hall entitled, " Protecting the Columbia River from Nuclear Contamination." The event will feature presentations from a tank waste disposal manager, state Department of Ecology and U.S. Department of Energy staff, scientists and other groups. Call (306) 546-9441 for information.

County's heron nesting sites decreasing

@NewsBody: SEATTLE -- In the past, the Great Blue Heron was abundant from spring to mid-summer throughout the Puget Sound. But last year, these birds abandoned about 40 of their nesting colonies mid-season.

Herons create large colonies of nests in several locations. The county's colonies typically accommodate up to 100 birds, with numbers reaching 600 elsewhere in the region. Normally, herons return to the same colony annually mid-winter to begin mating and disperse in mid-summer, but fewer are returning each year.

Scientists have yet to identify the cause. Some speculate an increase in bald eagle populations may be a contributing factor, as these raptors are the heron's natural predators.

The largest colonies are located at the Kenmore Park & Ride lot, the Black River near the Renton Water Treatment Plant, Peasley Canyon near SR 18 and SR 167; and at the Lake Sammamish State Park. People should stay at least 600 feet from a colony when viewing.

Volunteers install Grate Mates

SEATTLE -- Grate Mates are filters that trap up to 75 percent of the pollution that washes off paved surfaces, such as dirt, oil and debris. Between 70 and 80 percent of pollution in urban watersheds is attributable to this type of runoff; about half comes from parking lots.

Last week, 550 middle school students installed these grates throughout the city. Sen. Slade Gorton, Gov. Gary Locke and King County Executive Ron Sims concluded the event by installing the filters in the storm drains at the QFC parking lot at 100 Republican Street, near Seattle Center.

Environmental Watch: Four Oregon dams have new spill plan

PORTLAND -- Four federal dams in Oregon will change the volume and duration of water "spills" to increase salmon survival: the Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day and Lower Monumental. The Department of Energy put the changes into effect April 13.

Som experts believe spilling fish over the dams is the most effective way to move migrating fish through hydro systems. Survival increases because fewer fish pass through hydroelectric turbines. While spill increases the risk of gas bubble trauma, experts claim moderating the volume of spill mitigates the threat.

This announcement came as a result of consultations between the Bonneville Power Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation and the National Marine Fisheries Service. A complete biological opinion on federal dam operations is expected soon.

"This is the spill plan we will include in the upcoming biological opinon. The more difficult issues of dam breaching, increased spring and summer flows, improving water quality and definition of the performance standards to recover salmon are still ahead in this consultation," said Brian Brown, director of hydro operations for the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Multnomah County to buy 'green' power

Journal staff

PORTLAND -- The Multnomah County Commission will purchase clean power from wind and salmon-friendly resources, buying electricity from a combination of wind power products offered by PGE and PacifiCorp.

According to Peter West , assistant director of the Renewable Northwest Project, a nonprofit organization, this decision makes the county the largest purchaser of "green" power in the Northwest. According to RNP, the decision will have long term benefits; in terms of conservation, it is the equivalent of planting 85 acres of trees.

'Green' lamps cut carbon dioxide emissions

EVERETT -- Snohomish County Public Utility District 1 is encouraging residents to exchange inefficient halogen torchiere floor lamps for discounts on safer, energy-efficient lamps. On April 29, consumers can make exchanges at 11 participating Eagle Hardware locations. Customers who turn in a lamp will receive a $5 discount on a new lamp.

Hologen torchieres can burn as hot as 1100 degrees Farenheit. Compact fluorescent lamps use one quarter less energy than halogen lamps and can substantially cut carbon dioxide emissions. The Northwest Energy Efficient Alliance is co-sponsoring the event. This promotion is part of a larger, regional effort to promote 'green' energy.

Kent emissions test center recognized

KENT -- The state motor vehicle emissions test center in Kent has been named 1999's "Station of the Year" by the state Department of Ecology's Northwest Regional Office for providing quality service. The station ranked first among 12 stations in King and Snohomish counties.

Regional stations serve 800,000 customers annually. According to the DOE, inspections to identify vehicles with excessive tailpipe emissions prompt repairs that help reduce air pollution from vehicles by 20 percent.

King County receives 2 environmental awards

SEATTLE -- The Environmental Education Association of Washington recently gave two awards to King County. The county park system won the Organizational Excellence Award and its School and Youth Program of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program won the Community Catalyst Award.

The park's program involves some 8,000 school children in a variety of environmental field activities. Hazardous Waste Management's program teaches educators and students about safety and environmental issues. "One of the best ways for King County government to make a difference for our environment is to show others what they can do as part of their daily routine," said King County Executive Ron Sims.

Local businesses support environmental efforts

SEATTLE -- Two conservation programs sponsored by local government agencies are receiving ongoing support from area businesses. King County has been hosting native plant landscaping and salvaging workshops, focusing on the benefits of using native plants in Northwest landscaping projects. Local businesses donating sites and plants include H & L Properties, Quadrant, Pacific Properties and Finkbeiner Development.

The city of Seattle has dubbed this week "Creek Week," part of the city's ongoing Millenium Project. The program combines cleanup of area creeks with public education efforts and free entertainment. Corporate sponsors include URS Greiner Woodward Clyde, Birmingham Steel Mill and Dexter & Chaney.

There are more than 40 creeks within city limits, which drain 20 percent of all rainfall. Longfellow, Taylor, Pipers and Thornton creeks are the largest. Program activities include enlarging a storm water detention pond on Longfellow Creek and building a series of new detention ponds on Thornton Creek where it flows through the Jackson Park Golf Course.

Kent school district seeks permit to discharge storm water during construction activities

KENT -- Kent School Dist. No. 415 has requested coverage under the state Department of Ecology's NPDES permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction of a junior high school. The site is predominantly pasture and is located in unincorporated King County south of Southeast 284th Street and east of 124th Avenue Southeast.

Both phases of construction include temporary erosion and sediment control and water quality protection measures that will be in place for the duration of the project. The site contains two Class 1 wetlands and a Soosette Creek tributary north of property limits. To comment on the permit application can write Ecology at P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696.

Earth Day a catalyst for commentary and activities

SEATTLE -- Saturday, April 22, is the 30th anniversary of Earth Day and the event is prompting an avalanche of eco-activities.

More than 1,000 people are expected to converge on the Tacoma waterfront to join hands in a symbolic gesture to promote water quality. This event is sponsored by Citizens for a Healthy Bay, a nonprofit group.

Seattle Mayor Paul Schell will dedicate a solar panel project that took place earlier this month at Seattle Center. The panels will be used to power lights in the Center's Rainier Room, one of its largest meeting rooms.

Seattle City Lights is issuing energy saving tips through the media during the month of April.

The NW Energy Coalition published detailed reports on area dams and renewable energy sources in its spring newsletter. This is consistent with this year's Earth Day theme. A copy can be obtained by calling (206) 621-0094.

Umpqua run of cutthroat trout is delisted

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) -- The National Marine Fisheries Service has removed the Umpqua sea run cutthroat trout from the Endangered Species List, but it will still be awhile before Douglas County streams and rivers reopen to trout fishing.

The Umpqua run of cutthroat was listed as endangered by NMFS in August 1996. Federal biologists said they believed the run's numbers were dangerously low and that it was genetically different from other cutthroat populations.

"In that finding we explained that it was a tough call," said Garth Griffin, a fish biologist with NMFS in Portland. "The information on the cutthroat is the most sparse for salmonid species."

The agency agreed to review the listing in 1998 while a study of all coastal cutthroat trout was completed. The study found the Umpqua cutthroat was part of a larger population that stretches from the Columbia River south to Cape Blanco on the Oregon Coast. Connecting the run with the larger group led to the delisting, Griffin said.

The effects of delisting won't be felt by the public until well after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurs with the NMFS decision. The Fish and Wildlife Service is in charge of making revisions to the Endangered Species List.

"People need to understand it's not going to be something immediate," said Dave Loomis, a fisheries biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Roseburg. "You are not going to be able to go out trout fishing in the Umpqua basin tomorrow. We have already set regulations for the year 2000, so now we are receiving public comment and setting for 2001."

Once the ruling is final, the agency will have a better idea of how to approach angling, Loomis said. He added that a consideration will be to limit the harvest of cutthroat in some areas. Trout fishing was stopped in the rivers and streams of the Umpqua Basin after the cutthroat was listed because the same gear used to catch rainbow trout also lures cutthroat.

Francis Eatherington, forest monitor for the local conservation group Umpqua Watersheds Inc., expected the delisting. But she said it was unfortunate the cutthroat was losing the protection of the Endangered Species Act because of a technicality.

"The Umpqua cutthroat trout is not out of danger," Eatherington said. "It's a very endangered fish species. The technicality is that they have combined the species of the Umpqua cutthroat trout with all other cutthroat in southwest Oregon.

"These other cutthroat trout are not as well adapted to the Umpqua River," Eatherington said. "There will be no recourse if our fish go extinct."

Environmental Watch

NWF rates Washington at the bottom

Washington D.C. -- The National Wildlife Federation recently released a report that compares federal Clean Water Act implementation among the nation's states. Despite its recent emphasis on protecting state salmon runs, Washington was among the 21 states that received a failing grade. This is the result of the state's failing to address leading sources of water pollution: runoff and contaminated rain.

The NWF's "Pollution Paralysis II: Code Red for Watersheds" report reviews each state's use of a critical approach mandated by the federal Clean Water Act to stem water degradation from these two sources. The law mandates that states place limits on all sources of pollution entering "impaired" waterways and take steps to ensure limits are not exceeded. Many states have been focusing their attentions on pollution discharged from pipes, ignoring other sources. Oregon was among those states doing the most to diffuse runoff and contaminated rain and thus received a higher ranking.

However, according to the NWF report, no state received an "A" grade. "Because of a combination of political intimidation by certain industries and bureaucratic inertia, most states are not adequately addressing polluted runoff and contaminated rain. And our lakes, streams and coasts are paying the price," said NWF staff scientist Dr. Michael Murray. The NWF blames approximately 900,000 illnesses, and 900 deaths, on contaminated drinking water in the U.S. annually.

"Washington ranks in the bottom category for a number of reasons. Their program is relatively hard to follow, it has not done a good job of involving the public and does not have a strong set of priorities... It still has thousands of miles of rivers with too much fecal coliform, because too much sewage is getting into our waterways... there's too much agriculture too close to streams, there's too much logging with a significant amount of erosion that goes with it and too much development that does not do a good job of handling surface water management," said Tim Stearns, NWF's Northwest director. "This report was a wake-up call ... yes, these issues are hard. It's much easier to go after factories... But there are states that have agriculture, build subdivisions and harvest trees without impairing water habitat...." Stearns said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently proposing regulations to speed up states' cleanup efforts. These proposed rules require states to implement pollution caps and to reduce pollution from agribusiness and timber operations responsible for impairing waterways.

The NWF report can be accessed on their website.

BC seeks firm to remove river gravel

STEWART, B.C. -- The District of Stewart in British Columbia, Canada is calling for proposals from interested firms to extract and possibly export gravel from a 1.5 km by 200 m section of the Bear River. Aggradation of the river is posing a flood threat to the town of Stewart. The District seeks to sublease a company to remove the gravel from the river bed and haul it out of the Bear River Valley. The depth of the gravel is thought to be in excess of 5 meters. The deposit consists of gravel with less than 10 percent sand. Successful applicants will need to obtain necessary permits, which will likely mean going through an environmental assessment process in B.C. Proposals are due May 31. For information, contact Brian Woodward at (250) 636-2251.

Moses Lake ethanol plant seeks investors

SPOKANE -- Pacific Rim Ethanol L.L.C. seeks funding from individuals and corporations by offering public shares for an ethanol plant under development in Moses Lake, Wa. Financing is needed to build and bring the plant into production within the next two years, the company says. So far, Pacific Rim has received an initial $1 million grant for a low interest loan from the Community Economic Revitalization Board from the City of Moses Lake.

Ethanol is an alcohol used to oxygenate petroleum-based fuel for cleaner burning and lower emissions, said Pacific Rim CEO Doug MacKenzie. "It (ethanol) is produced through the fermentation of grain; in this case, wheat and barley...Our Moses Lake plant could use up to 60 percent of Washington's barley crop. That alone will make a huge financial impact on Eastern Washington's grain farmers and will spread through the communities where we live," MacKenzie said. Pacific Rim estimates the plant will create 500 new jobs in construction and operation, infusing some $70 million into the region's economy.

"In addition to creating an enhanced market for local grain growers, ethanol is a non-polluting renewable fuel source that can significantly increase the burning efficiency of gasoline, effectively reducing the emission of greenhouse gases...there really isn't a downside to ethanol," MacKenzie said. Interested investors can call MacKenzie at (509) 624-8251.

Port to explain impact of ESA

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Marine Business Coalition will host a breakfast meeting on Thursday, April 13 at 7:30 a.m. at the Swedish Cultural Center, 1920 Dexter Ave. North, to explain who the decision makers are; how land use and development regulations may change; and how the Endangered Species Act listing(s) will affect the marine and waterfront industries. Other marine and waterfront industry representatives will report on related current issues of importance, as well. The meeting is scheduled to adjourn by 9 a.m. Cost is $9.00 per person and includes a continental breakfast buffet. Reservation forms are available from the Seattle Marine Business Coalition or by faxing information to the Law Offices of Lise Kenworthy at (206)285-1707.

Cleaning up Bellevue sites costly

BELLEVUE -- Remediating soil contamination on construction sites in Bellevue could cost builders hundreds of thousands of dollars. Underground gasoline tanks once used by service stations were discovered during construction of the Bellevue Art Museum's underground parking garage. Disposing of 10,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil near its Northeast Sixth Street at Bellevue Way Northeast location is expected to drain substantial funds from BAM's budget. Westbank Properties, a Canadian developer for the Lincoln Square project, between Northeast Eighth Street and Northeast Sixth Street along Bellevue Way, across from Bellevue Square, has also discovered contaminated soil at its site. The Kemper Development Company discovered chemicals from a former dry cleaner in the soil at the southwest corner of Bellevue Way and Northeast Eighth Street at its Corner Building project site, part of the Bellevue Square expansion. Developers are required to report contaminated soil to the state, which reviews cleanup documentation and logs it onto a database. However, the state does not inspect soil at all sites prior to construction.

Groups seek injunction to stop trawling

SEATTLE -- Environmental organizations recently asked a federal court for an injunction to stop groundfish trawling in Stellar sea lion habitat. This is in follow-up to a January ruling that the National Marine Fisheries Service is violating the Endangered Species Act by continuing to ignore the impact of the North Pacific groundfish trawling on the species. Stellar sea lion populations have dropped dramatically in the past 30 years. In parts of Alaska and the Bering Sea, populations have decreased as much as 90 percent. The species was first listed under the ESA as threatened in 1991 and declared to be endangered in 1997. A lawsuit filed in April 1998 by the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund and Trustees of Alaska on behalf of Greenpeace, American Oceans Campaign and Sierra Club-Alaska against the NMFS for violations of the ESA led to this latest action.

Environmental Watch: Ecology expands chemcial release report

OLYMPIA -- Seven new industries are included in the Chemicals in Washington State annual report, published last month by the Department of Ecology. The federal government now requires commercial hazardous waste treatment, chemical wholesale distribution, solvent recyclers, metal mining, coal mining, electric utilities and wholesale bulk-petroleum distribution companies to report chemical releases to their respective states.

"This information helps all of us identify the greatest opportunities for improvements, " said Ecology's Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program Manager Greg Sorlie. The report is comprised of data on releases to air, water and soil by manufacturers. Over 300 companies reported releasing a total of 22.8 million pounds of toxic chemicals into the air; 4.28 million pounds onto land, and 3.5 million pounds into the water in 1998.

The total amount of contaminants released was 30.6 million pounds. The new industries reported 5.2 million pounds, which is 17 percent of the state's total. Excluding the new industries, released contaminants rose from 24.4 million to 25.4 million pounds from 1997-1998. Considering the economic and industrial growth in 1998, this one million pound-increase is not particularly significant. Sorlie said.

Methanol was the most frequently released chemical: 5.6 million pounds were released, primarily from the pulping process at paper mills. Hydrogen flouride and nitrate compounds were next on the list.

Paper and allied-products companies reported one-third of all chemical releases, followed by producers of primary metal products, with 5.9 million pounds, and electric service, with 4.5 million pounds.

Monitoring to continue at Spokane site

SPOKANE -- Chevron Pipeline Co., Phillips Petroleum Co. and Tosco Refining Co. were recently issued an enforcement order from the state to continue monitoring contamination in groundwater at Spokane's North Market Street site. Ecology identified gasoline, diesel and heavy oil contamination in 1984 and shut down the area's (water) wells. Residents drank bottled water in the period immediately following.

In 1990, the EPA listed North Market Street on the federal Superfund National Priorities List of hazardous waste sites. Ecology is directing the clean-up under the authority of the state's Model Toxics Control Act. Ecology and the three companies are developing plans to clean up the site.

Businesses fined for hazardous waste violations

OLYMPIA -- Schwerin Concaves, a chrome-plating shop northeast of Walla Walla, has been fined $210,000 by Ecology for repeated violations over the past 10 years. "The violations we've seen here are major and pervasive...this goes beyond poor waste management practices to unsafe, even dangerous, waste storage and handling," said Greg Sorlie of the state's hazardous waste program.

In 1998, Scherin Concaves received an order specifying 13 major compliance requirements; Sorlie said nine of these remain unmet. The violations must be corrected within the next three months, including properly disposing of the dangerous waste.

The company chrome plates concaves, which are a part of the combine that performs the threshing function when harvesting grain.

The state has also fined Airo Services of Tacoma $45,000 and ordered the company to correct its waste-handling practices.

Ecology identified seven major violations of the state's dangerous waste laws. Some 280 leaking and rusting drums of undocumented waste were found at the site. In addition, Ecology issued Airo Services, also known as Crown Tank Cleaning Service, a notice of violation for inadequate secondary containment systems to prevent oil spills.

The companies have 30 days to appeal the penalty to the state's Pollution Control Hearings Board or 15 days to file an application with Ecology for penalty relief .

Ecology modifying grant programs

OLYMPIA -- Ecology is holding four informational workshops to solicit ideas for modifying its water quality grant and loan programs. Each workshop will address chapters of the Washington Administrative Code: "Uses and Limitations of Centennial Clean Water Funds" and "Uses and Limitations of the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund."

After public input is obtained, Ecology will work with the Water Quality Financial Assistance Council to develop drafts of the changes to the chapters. The advisory council is comprised of funding recipients, government agencies, Indian tribes and environmental groups. The workshop will be held on April 18, 19, 25 and 27 in Bellevue, Tacoma, Spokane and Moxee City, respectively. For more information, contact Ecology's Tim Hilliard at (360) 407-6429.

Grants available to restore state's aquatic habitats

OLYMPIA -- Groups interested in launching projects to restore or purchase salmon and other aquatic habitat, or to provide waterfront access, may be eligible for Department of Natural Resources grants. The Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account was established in 1984 to fund local aquatic land projects.

The grants provide for boardwalks, paths, viewing and launching areas, and other amenities that enable the public to enjoy aquatic habitat. The state is encouraging cities, counties, ports, state agencies, tribes and park districts to apply. The grants will be awarded for the years 2001-2003. Applicants must submit a letter of intent by April 25 and the completed application is due to DNR by June 1. Call ALEA Program staff at (360) 902-1259 for more information.

Asotin County gets $931,000 for salmon work

OLYMPIA -- The state's Salmon Recovery Funding Board approved $931,000 for projects in the Asotin Conservation District in southeastern Washington. Local projects include riparian and upland habitat enhancements, as well as in-stream improvements.

The Board awarded $235,000 to the Asotin County Conservation District for improving the Asotin Creek watershed; $400,000 to the Columbia County Conservation District for Tucannon and Touchet river habitat and other improvements; $115,000 to the Pomeroy Conservation District for a Wilson Banner Ranch barrier bypass, a model watershed riparian tree planting and an upland sediment reduction program; $120,000 to the Walla Walla County Conservation District for sediment reduction; and, $51,000 to the Umatilla Tribes for the Patit Creek enhancement project.

The Board was established by the Legislature to help oversee the state and federal funding process for salmon recovery efforts.

$999,000 grant to protect wetlands

RIDGEFIELD, Clark County -- The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service awarded a $999,000 grant in March to the Columbia Land Trust to complete one of the Northwest's largest wetlands conservation projects. The Vancouver-based land trust will buy more than 1,500 acres of wetlands and restore 4,400 acres in the Lower Columbia River corridor.

The Oregon and Washington sites stretch from Portland to the ocean. According to CLT, the project will also improve opportunities for outdoor recreation. Replacing a dam with an adjustable water-control device, improving ditches and breaching dikes are among the tasks planned to protect salmon and area waterfowl.

The grant is the largest USFW has awarded to a land trust.

Corps sued over Elk Creek Dam

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Environmentalists, anglers and commercial fishermen joined forces to file a suit last week against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the half-completed Elk Creek Dam. The dam is on a tributary of the Rogue River, about 30 miles north of Medford.

The suit asks a judge to order the structure notched so threatened coho salmon can reach spawing habitats. The Oregon Natural Resources Council forced the Corps to stop work on the flood control dam in 1987 with a lawsuit. The suit claimed the government had failed to follow National Environmental Policy Act requirements to assess the impact on salmon. To date, crews have been trapping coho and steelhead at the base of the dam and hauling them upstream to release them near spawning habitat, at an annual cost of $150,000.

The suit, filed in Portland, argues that the Corps is in violation of the Endangered Species Act by failing to consult the National Marine Fisheries Service on the dam and its impact on coho. The Elk Creek Watershed watershed above the dam provides 44 percent of the spawning and rearing habitat for coho in the upper Rogue Basin and 15 percent of the spawning habitat for steelhead.

Environmental Watch: AWB sponsors Environmental Excellence Awards

Anchor wins 2 East Coast projects

SEATTLE -- Anchor Environmental, L.L.C., an environmental and engineering consulting firm with extensive waterfront development experience in the Northwest, was recently awarded two East Coast projects.

Anchor is part of the team that will conduct design, permitting and construction support for the first "nearshore" confined disposal facility in New York Harbor. For this project, Anchor will serve as a subconsultant to Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.'s New York office.

Anchor is also part of a team that was recently awarded a contract for the remedial investigation/feasibility study for a Superfund site in Florida. It will serve as a subconsultant to the IT Group to lead tasks related to sediment quality. Anchor has similar projects currently underway in Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, Southern California and the Northwest. Seattle-based Anchor specializes in acquatic-based remediation and waterfront development projects. It provides sediment management, environmental permitting and fisheries/habitat restoration services.

Conference April 3-4 on `product stewardship'

SEATTLE -- The Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NPSC) will host its first "Products and the Enviroment NW Conference" April 3 & 4 at Seattle Center. Formed last year, NPSC is comprised of private, public and non-profit groups working to integrate "product stewardship" into Pacific Northwest economic structures and policies. "Product stewardship" is defined as a focus on a product 's life cycle to address environmental concerns.

The conference will include roundtables on topics of significance to Northwest companies, such as those in the computer, tire, retail and medical industries. National and international experts will be featured, starting with keynote speaker Tachi Kiuchi, former CEO of Mitsubishi Electric America, who will be introduced by King County Executive Ron Sims. Coors Brewing Co. CEO Peter Coors is among the invited guests.

The event will include presentations from Boeing, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, CH2M Hill, Cascade Designs and other local and national business representatives.

"Multinationals are waking up. In the rest of the world, this concept is gaining steam. There have been some dramatic policy changes happening in other countries as the result of regulation. In the U.S., policy changes will, at least initially, be voluntary. We want these concepts to be part of the dialogue here," said Northwest Products Stewardship Council Coordinator David Stitzhal. "We want government and businesses to work together to develop policies that are going to work for everybody."

Discussions will focus on how and when individuals or businesses can best influence a product's cycle, whether it be in the design, manufacture, procurement or retail phase. Participants will get help on how to cut material costs, improve international competitiveness, grow market share and facilitate innovation. For information, contact Connie Bain at the A.C.E. Training and Development Institute at (206)217-9644 extension 223.

Learn to landscape with native plants

SEATTLE -- King County is offering a free workshop on April 8 for individuals and businesses interested in native plant landscaping. The event will be held in the Tahoma School District Service Center from 10 a.m.-noon. Afterward, volunteers will dig up native plants from a site provided by developer H. & L. Properties for relocation to their own landscaping projects. Participants are advised to dress for outdoor conditions.

Enthusiasts say native plants require less maintenance and water than non-native and are better for local wildlife; this saves time and money that would otherwise be spent on watering, fertilizing and controlling pests. For reservations, contact King County Department of Natural Resources Community Stewardship Specialist Greg Rabourn at (206)296-1923.

Port Angeles fined for late spill notification

OLYMPIA -- The city of Port Angeles has been fined $24,000 for failing to notify the state Department of Ecology about the accidental discharge of more than half-million gallons of raw sewage on Nov. 11. The city notified DOE Nov. 15 -- three days after the 24-hour-notice deadline required in its wastewater discharge permit.

"Because of the late notification, a significant public and environmental health threat went unacknowledged during the height of the risk," said Ecology Water Quality Manager Keli McKay.

The discharge occurred during a period of heavy rainfall when a large boulder dislodged and crushed a sanitary sewer pipe. Up to 637,500 gallons of raw sewage spilled, spread into a nearby creek and then into Port Angeles Harbor at Hollywood Beach, threatening nearby geoduck-harvesting beds operated by the Jamestown S'Klallam and the Elwha Klallam tribes. Since the incident, the city has developed spill response training for its employees.

The extent of the impact on the harvest is not known at this time. Officials say most of the wastewater has since washed away and remaining geoducks should be "naturally cleansed" by this time.

Ecology tightens up on open-burning

OLYMPIA -- The state Department of Ecology has revised its open-burning regulations. Scheduled to take effect April 13, revised outdoor burning rule addresses all types of outdoor burning except agricultural and silvicultural (forest management) burning. The revision incorporates recent changes to the state's Clean Air Act.

The new rule prohibits residential and land-clearing burning in the urban growth areas of Washington's large cities by year's end.

"The thrust of the state law is that burning is out of place in our growing communities," said Mary Burg, who manages DOE's air quality program. State and local agencies receive more than 27,000 citizen complaints about outdoor burning annually. Each year, 4,700 outdoor fires get out of control statewide, causing an estimated $10.9 million in property damage.

Washington's Clean Air Act began phasing out residential and land-clearing burning in 1991, beginning in areas with air quality problems. By the end of this year, the phase-out will extend to all cities with a population over 10,000 and to the urban-growth areas for cities with populations over 5,000. Under the new rule, land-clearing burning will also be prohibited by the same deadline in any adjacent areas with a population density of 1,000 or more per square mile. By the end of 2006, the ban on residential and land-clearing burning will extend to all remaining urban growth areas.

Pollution Prevention Award nominations sought

OLYMPIA -- Large and small facilities that reduce their use of toxic materials, the amount of waste and emissions they generate and/or conserve resources such as raw materials, energy and water are invited to apply for this year's Pollution Prevention Awards.

All Washington businesses, government facilities and schools are eligible.The award will be presented by Gov. Gary Locke at a ceremony in September. The submission deadline is June 19.

A panel of judges including previous winners, pollution prevention experts and representatives from labor, business, community and environmental groups will select the winner. To request an application, contact Joanne Phillipson at (360)407-6740.

AWB sponsors Environmental Excellence Awards

OLYMPIA -- The Association of Washington Business is encouraging nominations for its Environmental Excellence Awards. This program recognizes local businesses for their contributions to air and water quality, water conservation, recycling, pollution prevention, cleanup, resource conservation and education.

An "Environmental Innovator of the Year" award will be also be given to recognize the company with the most innovative program. Only AWB members and facilities within the state are eligible. Winners will be honored at a luncheon on June 6. Nominations must be postmarked by April 21. For more information, contact AWB at 1-800-521-9325 or fax your nomination to Kandice Jackson at (360)943-5811.

Company to sponsor hazardous waste classes

SEATTLE -- Prezant Associates, Inc. has trained Northwest businesses on hazardous waste management for nearly 15 years. Its May-June schedule includes training in areas such as hazardous waste, EPA Accredited Lead Training, ergonomics, mold, asbestos and also custom classes (specially-designed for clients). In addition, Prezant offers support services to the construction industry related to workplace hazards and safety. Contact (206) 269-6313 for information.

Environmental Watch: Amory Lovins lecture tomorrow

SEATTLE -- Rocky Mountain Institute Founder Amory Lovins will speak on balancing the needs of the environment, capitalism and community tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Seattle's Town Hall on Eighth Avenue and Seneca Street.

Lovins has spent nearly 20 years exploring the sustainable use of resources and the price of globalism. KUOW's "Weekday" Producer Steve Scher will host the event.

The University of Washington's Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs is sponsoring the event along with The Progress Project, a six-month-old initiative of the Evans School and the Glaser Family Foundation. As with all Progress Project events, the Lovins lecture will be webcast live.

Milton heads Tri-County water agency

YAKIMA -- Jim Milton, a longtime state Ecology Department employee with a background in watershed planning, is the new director of the Tri-County Water Resource Agency. The 55-year-old Milton will begin his new job May 1.

Tri-County was formed when the state Legislature authorized and funded local groups around the state to prepare plans for meeting future water needs. The group consists of the counties of Yakima, Benton and Kittitas; the cities of Yakima and Ellensburg; and the Roza, Sunnyside Valley and Yakima-Tieton irrigation districts. The Yakama Nation withdrew from Tri-County last year, saying the agency was not following the state watershed planning law and its interests were being overridden by the board majority.

Gov. Gary Locke has appointed a fact-finder, Seattle attorney Jim Waldo, to sort through the issues.

Milton will oversee the development of the basin watershed plan to help determine how water will be available for fish, agriculture, municipal and industrial uses in the future.

Bird's-eye views for sale

OLYMPIA -- People needing aerial photos of areas in northwestern Washington can now purchase them from the Department of Natural Resources.

DNR's high-altitude photo project, called NW-H-98, covers all of Island, King, Pierce, San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties, excluding some federal lands.

NW-H-98 primarily is used to produce orthophoto maps, which are corrected to eliminate distortion. The maps are true to scale and often include section lines and geographic names. Also, accurate measurements may be taken directly from the images. Digital orthophoto images are available in tiff file format on compact disks.

The photos may be purchased directly from DNR's Photo & Map Sales office on the first floor of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E., in Olympia. Indexes to low-altitude aerial photography projects, and boundary outlines for NW-H-98 and other high-altitude projects, are available free of charge. For more information, call (360) 902-1234.

BPA funds tribe's land purchase

BURNS, Ore. -- The Bonneville Power Administration funded the purchase of 1,760-acre Logan Valley Ranch, located south of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Area in the Malheur National Forest. The Burns Paiute Tribe will hold title and manage the property.

According to Dan Gonzalez, Burns Paiute Tribe's program manager, the tribe lost its 1.7 million-acre reservation in 1872. The current reservation was purchased and placed into reservation status through a presidential executive order in 1972. This acquisition is the first since re-establishment of the reservation.

A management plan will be developed by the tribe with the help of an advisory group. The management plan will address all issues concerning the operation of the property.

Seattle celebrates Creek Week April 15-22

SEATTLE -- To mark the culmination of Seattle's Millennium Urban Creeks Legacy program, Seattle Public Utilities will hold Creek Week 2000, April 15 - 22. The week-long series of events celebrates restoring Seattle's major creek systems to their natural habitats.

Creek Week 2000 will feature five celebrations along Seattle's four major urban creek systems. Each celebration will highlight the engineering and volunteer achievements of the Urban Creeks Legacy projects in that neighborhood. Creekstock! an all-day music and environmental festival along West Seattle's Longfellow Creek, kicks off Creek Week 2000 on April 15.

Creekstock! will also feature an environmental fair with demonstrations and hands-on activities to teach about salmon friendly gardening, natural lawn care, and other ways to help restore Seattle's urban creeks.

For more information visit the Creek Week website or call the Creek Week Hotline at (206) 684-7655.

PDG Environmental establishes NW presence

MONROEVILLE, Pa. -- PDG Environmental, Inc. plans to acquire the operations of Lincoln Cristi, Inc., a Portland-based asbestos and lead abatement services firm which serves Northwest markets from an office in Vancouver.

John Regan, PDG Environmental, Inc. chairman and CEO said Lincoln Cristi's customer base

and backlog will provide a platform for PDGE to grow in the Northwest.

Annual revenues for the company are approximately $2.5 million.

PDG Environmental, Inc. is a provider of asbestos abatement and related services to commercial, industrial and governmental clients.

$10M effort to expand use of plant oils

MIDLAND, Mich. -- A $10 million research agreement was recently announced to create new industrial products from agricultural plants rather than petrochemical plants and to improve the nutritional content for certain plant oils.

The Oilseed Engineering Alliance is a joint effort of Washington State University, Dow Chemical, Dow AgroSciences, Michigan State University, Miami University and the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory.

The researchers hope to make plant-oil based raw materials a choice for some types of chemical and plastics production and encourage the use of more sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. The key to the research is that plants can easily perform chemistry which is difficult for chemists using traditional methods.

"I look forward to the day when we can provide, on the one hand, healthier food oils and, on the other hand, alternative, environmentally friendly ways to produce plastics resins and other chemical products," said John Browse, PhD, of WSU.

Environmental Watch: Utilities forecast water demand through 2020

TACOMA -- Major water utilities in the central Puget Sound area are jointly issuing a water demand forecast through 2020 which predicts population growth at 27 percent over the next 20 years and a proportionate increase in water demand.

The first phase of the Regional Water Supply Outlook was delivered yesterday.

"This coordinated outlook is the first step of a process intended to coordinate water system planning throughout the area to ensure an adequate supply for both people and the environment for the next two decades," said Ken Merry, Tacoma Water superintendent and chairman of the 18-month-old organization.

The group is identifying areas where water demand is expected to exceed supply and find potential new and alternative supply options such as conservation and water reuse. It is also looking at ways water suppliers can help meet Endangered Species Act goals.

The second phase will include an evaluation of water supply options. Coordination with other groups which are working on defining water needs for fish will be a critical part of the process, Merry said.

The Central Puget Sound Water Suppliers Forum includes representatives from cities, counties and regional water organizations which represent 98 percent of the municipal and industrial water users in the area.

EPA targets phosphorus, copper at lake

LAKEWOOD -- Lake Steilacoom has been a bit like the old lady in the children's poem who ate a spider to catch the fly she inadvertently swallowed -- although no one ever knew why.

In the case of the 53-acre Pierce County lake near Lakewood, phosphorus has caused environmental problems and the cure for that -- copper-based aquacides -- was just as bad.

Enter the Environmental Protection Agency, which is limiting how many stormwater discharge permits are issued around the lake in an effort to protect human health and salmon.

Phosphorus from residential, commercial and agricultural lands seeped into the lake that is the headwaters of Chambers Creek which officials say is an important salmon stream. Phosphorus stimulates the growth of aquatic algae and plants, which affect fish and human health. Toxic algae blooms, which can injure people and pets, also have occurred.

To battle the algae, copper-based aquacides were dumped into the lake. This caused copper levels in the lake and Chambers Creek to violate water quality standards. Copper concentrations in the lake sediment are among the highest the state, officials said.

Now the EPA has issued a total maximum daily load, or TMDL, for both substances. A TMDL establishes how much of a particular pollutant can be discharged into a body of water.

To quell phosphorus runoff, the EPA is limiting stormwater discharge permits issued to municipalities and nearby military installations, such as Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. Future permits for the use of copper in the lake will also be limited to meet water quality standards.

Evergreen Awards seek nominations

SEATTLE -- The Environmental Protection Agency is accepting nominees for the Region 10 Evergreen Awards that go to leaders in the business community who have shown that preventing pollution is good for business.

Companies in Alaska, Oregon, Idaho and Washington are eligible. The EPA seeks to honor companies of all sizes and from different business sectors, including agriculture, energy, transportation, retail and industrial.

Nominations will be accepted from federal, state and local environmental agency personnel, business associations and environmental organizations. Companies may nominate themselves.

Nominations are due by March 24, but the EPA will continue to accept them after this date for subsequent rounds of awards. Companies can be nominated for pollution prevention, commitment to environmental quality and environmental leadership.

To nominate a company for the Evergreen Award, contact Carolyn Gangmark at (206) 553-4072 or John Palmer at (206) 553-6521.

Directory lists environmental firms

SEATTLE -- The 2000 edition of the "Environmental Services Directory for Washington State" is now available.

The business-to-business directory of environmental services, products and information resources lists more than 600 companies, organizations and individuals in more than 100 categories.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is distributing free copies of the directory through its regional offices in Bellevue, Lacey, Spokane and Yakima. Copies may be ordered by mail from the Environmental Services Directory, P.O. Box 99486, Seattle, WA 98199. Enclose $5 for postage and handling per copy.

For more information, call (206) 282-2591 or e-mail ESDWA@aol.com.

Bellevue company shows off new generator

SEATTLE -- TSET Inc. of Lake Oswego, Ore., selected Bellevue-based High Voltage Integrated LLC to demonstrate its patent-pending electron wind generator at the National Renewable Energy Lab Forum held last month in Seattle.

The forum featured promising energy efficient and renewable energy technologies from across North America, according to TSET officials, who said only 12 companies were selected to showcase their products.

TSET announced late last year that it signed a letter of intent with High Voltage Integrated for form a new company for the ownership of the company's technology and intellectual property rights. TSET plans to incorporate the technology, to be known as Kronos, in automotive, medical equipment and home devices. Kronos purifies air, removing odors, smoke, particulates and even pathogens, according to TSET.

B.C. company plans BioOil plants

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- DynaMotive Technologies Corp. of Vancouver, B.C., says it will design and build plants around the world that will produce BioOil, a new type of fuel.

The publicly traded company (OTCBB: DYMTF) is touting BioOil as a clean-burning, renewable fuel, produced from forest and agricultural wastes. BioOil is greenhouse-gas neutral and produces approximately half the nitrogen oxide emissions of fossil fuels, the company says. The product can be used directly as a fuel in diesel engines or gas turbines for "green" power generation or as the raw material for a range of value added derivative products, according to company statements.

Dynamotive's commercial-sized BioOil production plants will be built in key markets in North America, Europe, Asia and South America over the next five years.

Headed by newly appointed chief technology officer Keith Morris -- who worked as head of boiler design engineering for ABB Power Generation -- the company's product development team includes senior project, chemical and process control engineers, research scientists and plant operations specialists.

Resource Transforms International, from whom DynaMotive recently purchased the worldwide patent rights for BioOil, will continue to work as a consultant to the company's technology group.

Environmental Watch: Forest and Fish Plan workshop March 16

NORTH BEND -- King County is hosting a workshop on the Forest and Fish Plan March 16 at the Mount Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S., in North Bend. The three-hour event begins with an open house at 6 p.m. with the workshop starting 30 minutes later.

The plan is a cooperative effort among private forest landowners, the state, various tribes and the federal government. The goal is to involve people in the development of new forest management and harvest practices to maintain water quality for salmon and retain the economic viability of forest lands.

Scheduled to speak at the workshop are officials of the Washington Forest Protection Association, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the state Department of Natural Resources, King County Water and Land Resources Forestry Program and Weyerhaeuser. The workshop will include an introduction to forest landownership and management activities in the Snoqualmie watershed; an overview of the Forests and Fish Plan; a panel discussion on how the plan is likely to affect on-the-ground forest management operations; and time for citizens' questions about the plan and forest management in the Snoqualmie watershed.

Space is limited. To reserve a spot, telephone Chris Hanson of the county's Water and Land Resources at (206) 205-0598.

PEMA meeting on using CADD

SEATTLE -- Dana L. Scott, president and CEO of CADD Consulting Services, will speak at the Professional Environmental Marketing Association (PEMA) luncheon on Wednesday at the Rock Salt Steakhouse, 1232 Westlake Ave.

The event begins with an 11:30 a.m. social, followed by the noon lunch and the speech at 12:30 p.m. The topic of Scott's speech is "CADD in the Environmental Arena -- How Can it Enhance Your Services?" CADD stands for computer-aided drafting and design.

Cost is $20 for PEMA and Northwest Environmental Business Council members and $25 for nonmembers.

Sustainable products training sessions set

SEATTLE -- A two-day training course on sustainable products is set for March 7-8 in Portland and March 9-10 in Seattle. The Portland course will be at the Portland World Trade Center, and the Seattle sessions will be at the REI store.

Topics will include why sustainable products are important and how they help improve the environment; why companies are rushing to develop them; how such products are defined and marketed; and why governments support the use of sustainable products.

The fee is $395 and includes a 600-page Sustainable Products Training Manual. The cost of only the plenary session is $240 with the manual and $90 without. Payment must be received three days before the seminar.

For more information or to register, telephone Leslie Hamilton of the Sustainable Training Corp., at (202) 338-0313, or look on the Internet.

Nominations sought for Heritage Trees

SEATTLE -- The city of Seattle and Plant Amnesty are seeking nominations for Heritage Trees.

The program allows people to celebrate their favorite trees by nominating trees or groves as Heritage Trees. Currently there are nine Heritage Trees in Seattle.

Trees are selected based on criteria such as age, size, type, historical association or horticultural value. The tree must be in good health and aerial space and open ground area for the root system must be certified as sufficient by a qualified arborist.

Heritage Trees are nominated by individuals and can be located either on public or private property. Trees on private lands must have the support of the property owner. If selected, the owner of the tree will receive an owner's manual and a copy of "A City Among the Trees."

The tree also will be provided with a plaque certifying its significance. The owner can choose to place a deed restriction on his or her property to provide for future tree protection. Currently, the city's ability to protect trees on private property is limited.

The next ceremony recognizing newly designated Heritage Trees will be in April as part of Arbor Month activities.

For more information, or to nominate a tree, contact either Plant Amnesty at (206) 783-9813 or the city Arborist's Office at (206) 684-7649. Plant Amnesty is a not-for-profit organization that promotes good tree care and preservation practices.

Making waves -- or not -- in Rich Passage

BREMERTON -- The Rich Passage Wave Action Study Citizens' Advisory Group (CAG) will hold its first work session to familiarize members with the technical issues and provide a general understanding of information the study team has developed on fast ferry and wave action issues.

The 2 1/2-hour meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. March 6 in Suite 100 of the Washington Mutual Building, 500 Pacific Ave., in Bremerton.

The Rich Passage Wave Action Study is the name of the independent scientific review being conducted as a result of a court decision. King County Superior Court Judge Glenna Hall ordered that high-speed operation of the passenger ferries Chinook and Snohomish be discontinued until an environmental review of the effect of the ferries on Rich Passage is completed. The review must proceed while the Washington State Ferries awaits an appeal of Hall's decision before the Supreme Court.

The Seattle firm of Parsons Brinckerhoff is leading the environmental review. The work session in Bremerton involves CAG members, project managers, technical study presenters and official guests. CAG is made up of about a dozen individuals, including passenger ferry commuters, Rich Passage property owners, environmental groups, Native American tribes, local governments and business and economic development officials from Kitsap County. It has been formed to help bring citizen viewpoints into the environmental review.

Streamside planting event is March 25

Folks who want to improve salmon habitat in the Snoqualmie Valley can participate in a streamside planting even on March 25. For more information, contact Bob Spencer of the King County Department of Natural Resources' Water and Land Resources Division, (206) 296-1951.

Vistainfo offers natural hazards property reports

SAN DIEGO -- Vistainfo is expanding its property disclosure service nationally and accelerating the use of the Internet as the primary delivery channel for distributing hazard-based reports to its network of Multiple Listing Services organizations and related real estate professionals.

Examples of Vistainfo's new hazard-based reports that will be available to real estate agents include flood, landslide, seismic (earthquake) and fire zone reports and related hazardous site environmental information.

Report on fish recovery due out Thursday

SEATTLE -- A report critical of the money being spent on fish recovery programs will be released Thursday in Seattle.

The report was written by Seattle author Dan Chasan who says state government has failed to enforce and obey existing environmental laws which are key to the survival of salmon. Chasan's report also says local jurisdictions and agencies are disorganized and fail to monitor ongoing activities which have contributed to the extinction of salmon in 40 percent of the rivers where they historically spawned in the Northwest and California.

For information or copies of the report call the Environmental Media Services at (206) 374-7795. It will be posted Thursday on the group's Web site.

Environmental Watch: Giant dragonfly may land on Longfellow Creek

SEATTLE --- Artist Lorna Jordan has prepared designs for public art that will be included in the Yancy Street Open Space, part of the Seattle Public Utilities Urban Creeks Legacy programs.

Jordan wants to construct a giant dragonfly with its wings spread, about to soar into the air over the creek. Water from the adjacent street will trickle through a series of cascading pools to be filtered through a bioswale to feed a growing wetland. Beyond this, there will be an enormous fish skeleton and a fountain of rainwater that appears to rise out of the fronds of a fern.

The design will be on display March 1 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way S.W. Jordan and project manager Colleen Browne will be on hand.

The Urban Creeks Legacy program is intended to reconnect neighborhoods and residents with nearby creeks, restore habitat for salmon, and develop long term stewardship and education programs.

For information call Colleen Browne at (206) 684-8596.

County wants to link up manufacturers, recycling

SEATTLE --- King County is launching a new program called LinkUp designed to help manufacturers use more recycled materials in their products. The effort focuses on product and packaging designers, developers and manufacturers as well as retailers who sell these products.

Through the Commission for Marketing Recyclable Materials the county will broaden its attention to manufacturers, offering such services as engineering expertise on fabrication and materials; evaluating market potential; finding financial assistance and finding suppliers of recycled materials. The program will also give promotional assistance to participants.

This spring manufacturers will be recruited for the program. A total of $235,000 has been allocated, with money coming from the county and the city of Seattle. Businesses that want to get involved can call Erv Sandlin at (206) 296-0233.

Pierce County Transit ridership up 4%

TACOMA -- Bus ridership rose in Pierce County for the sixth straight year, with passenger boardings up 4 percent, from 13.1 million in 1998 to 13.5 million in 1999. Seattle Express ridership was up 15 percent and ridership on the Gig Harbor-Downtown Tacoma Express was up 13 percent after the addition of commuter-type buses on that route.

Earlier this month Pierce Transit cut bus services 14 percent in response to the loss of $24 million as a result of Initiative 695. "Given the magnitude of these service reductions, we do not expect ridership growth to continue this year," said transit director Don Monroe, who projects a decline of 6 percent. Cuts were made in the rural and suburban areas of the county in an effort to preserve service in the urban core.

Seattle schools cut water use 50%

Journal staff

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Public Utilities recognized Seattle Public Schools for outstanding conservation achievements last year. The district has reduced its water use by more than 50 percent, saving 100 million gallons of water and more than $700,000.

Since starting a comprehensive conservation program in 1997, the district has saved more than $1.4 million in water and sewer costs. The water-saving measures include replacing 2,200 toilets with water-efficient models, retrofitting or replacing continually flushing urinals at 50 sites and replacing water-cooled refrigeration units with air-cooled models. Faster repair of leaks has saved tens of thousands of dollars, according to SPU.

Landlords can get help to weatherize

SEATTLE -- Landlords with low income tenants can get free weatherization services through the Seattle Office of Housing's Home Improvements Program. The program will weatherize single and multifamily rental units with any heat source if at least 51 percent of the tenants qualify under certain low income guidelines.

For information about the program call (206) 684-0244 or check out the Web site.

Historic nut tree lives on in Oregon

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- On the 141st anniversary of Oregon statehood, two saplings grown from the stump of Oregon's original hazelnut tree were planted at a private home in Corvallis.

It came within a whisker of not happening.

The granddaddy of Oregon's official state nut was destined for the chipper when a few precious starts were rescued from the stump.

A former Hudson's Bay Co. employee named Sam Strictland planted the parent tree in 1858 -- the year before Oregon entered the Union -- near Scottsburg, a few miles up the Umpqua River from Reedsport. Last year, the current property owner cut down the tree, which was still healthy, because it overhung a house he was trying to renovate.

He didn't know what he had done until he was contacted by Bill Towne, a retired Douglas County master gardener, who told him.

Towne transplanted some starts from the tree to keep the lineage going. Then Donna Stone, the marketing coordinator for the Aurora-based Hazelnut Marketing Board, tracked down Towne, who gave her some of his starts. She also obtained some suckers from the original stump, which has been spared from leveling, at least for now.

"What if he had cut it down and dug it out? Then it really would be gone," she said. "I just thought this would be a way to preserve it."

Now those starts are being replanted around the state. So far the matriarch has produced 13 offspring, Stone said. "Ten are gone, and three remain with the mother tree -- the mother stump," she said.

The planting comes at a critical time for the Oregon hazelnut industry, which has produced as much as 45,000 tons a year of the valuable nuts, about 99 percent of the nation's commercial crop. Oregon is being ravaged by Eastern filbert blight, a fungal disease that has wiped out the hazelnut industry on the East Coast.

The blight has attacked numerous orchards in northern Oregon, and it has growers throughout the state worried.

Researchers are trying to breed new strains of hazelnuts that are not affected by the blight. So far, Stone said, their efforts appear promising.

"By 2004, we'll have results on whether the new varieties are immune," she said. "We have two varieties -- one called Lewis, one called Clark, appropriately -- and it's Lewis that's looking pretty good."

Environmental Watch: Meeting tonight on Northgate Mall expansion impacts

The Sierra Club Seattle Group will hold a public meeting on the expansion of Northgate Mall, daylighting of Thornton Creek and Sound Transit tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Seattle REI meeting room, 222 Yale Ave. N., on the second floor.

More than 100 people are expected to attend, including several city and county elected officials. The topics will include salmon recovery, public transportation and neighborhood planning. Co-sponsors are the Livable Communities Coalition, 1000 Friends of Washington, Transportation Choices Coalition, Thornton Creek Legal Defense Fund, Bicycle Alliance of Washington and Northgate-area community groups.

For information contact the Sierra Club.

Urban forestry grants awarded to 3 cities

Seattle, Olympia and Yakima each received $30,000 grants to fund urban forestry projects through the Urban Initiative Grants program with the Washington Department of Natural Resources. A total of 18 applications were received from 15 cities around the state.

Seattle will use the money to develop a strategic plan addressing management of the city's urban forest by different departments such as transportation, parks and environmental management. Olympia will use the money to test a new street tree planting medium called structural soil, a combination of soil, rock and water-retention gel.

Structural soil is a cutting-edge technique designed to support not only safe sidewalks but vigorous trees. Information from the test will be available to other communities that may want to use the soil. Yakima's grant will go toward developing interpretive signs for the Jewett Interpretive Center, educating visitors about the community's tree heritage and environmental stewardship.

New device may help salmon

PORT TOWNSEND -- D&A Instruments, a water quality instrumentation manufacturer based in Port Townsend, is working with researchers at Washington State University's civil engineering department to perfect a device that measures the movement of gravel in streambeds. It could be used to help protect salmon spawning beds, to measure the effects of logging and increased urbanization on nearby streams, and to measure the effects of water flow on gravel streambeds around bridge supports.

"Many government agencies have expressed an interest in this product," said John Downing, president of D&A, "including the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington Department of Ecology, and state and federal highways departments."

The Washington Technology Center in Seattle is sponsoring research on the acoustic instrument which counts gravel particles moving downstream as they hit a steel pipe. Thano Papanicolaou at WSU is working with D&A.

The gravel transport sensor is expected to be available by the end of the year.

Time for the zoo's spring fecal fest

The Woodland Park Zoo's Zoo Doo, that rich, multi-species feces, has become so popular the zoo is now accepting mail-in orders only. Orders will be taken from Feb. 16 through March 10. Send in a notecard or postcard to Zoo Doo, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle 98103, with your name, phone numbers, amount you'd like to buy (anything from a garbage bag to a pick-up truck load) and the preferred pickup date.

Remember: don't call to order but if you need the straight poop (information, that is) call the poop line at (206) 625-POOP.

What makes a healthy `foodshed'?

OLYMPIA -- Farmers, processors, distributors, sellers, buyers, preparers and eaters will come together March 24-26 at Evergreen State College in Olympia to discuss development of healthy foodsheds.

No, a foodshed isn't like a woodshed. It's more like a watershed. And it's a new idea -- or perhaps a return to an old idea -- about how food should be grown and delivered to consumers.

The idea involves developing sustainable, community-based farming and food systems, says Curtis Beus, Washington State University Clallam County Cooperative Extension chair. The WSU Department of Agriculture and the Cascade Harvest Coalition are co-sponsors of the event.

"Many people are calling for the establishment of alternative food systems that are more local in scope, and which incorporate issues of importance to them: healthy communities, social justice and environmental quality," Beus said.

The conference will provide a forum to address issues such as preservation of farm land, programs to foster local agriculture, sustainable agricultural models, urban/community food systems, concentration of power in agribusiness corporations, marketing that educates consumers and helps local producers compete, and food issues related to health.

For more information, log on to http://foodfarm.wsu.edu/farmtotable. Pre-registration deadline is Wednesday, March 8.

Instant House uses recycled cardboard

OTTAWA -- A new building system, using mostly recycled cardboard as its primary component, has just been launched by DuraKit Shelters Inc. This product is lightweight, inexpensive and strong enough to resist heavy snow loads and Category 2 hurricane winds. The Instant House systems can be assembled by unskilled workers in as little as one day.

Information is available from Frank Daller of DuraKit Shelters, (905) 778-0053.

Washington leads nation in mollusk sales

Washington ranked fifth in the nation in aquaculture sales for 1998. The value of sales totalled $56.6 million, with mollusks (clams, oysters and mussels) accounting for half of the sales with a total of $28.4 million. Trout, salmon and other fish accounted for $28.2 million. Washington placed behind Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, and Maine, according to the first National Census of Aquaculture conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

"These are benchmark levels for the industry and illustrate the importance of aquaculture in Washington," said Doug Hasslen, state statistician for the agency in Washington. "Sales at $56.6 million would rank as the 18th most important commodity in the state."

While the Evergreen State may rank fifth overall, it leads the pack in mollusk sales. Connecticut is second with $17.4 million and Florida is third with $11.3 million.

A full copy of this report is on the Internet. Visit the NASS Home Page, go to the Census of Agriculture, 1998 Census of Aquaculture, for more information about production, number of farms and marketing channels.

Forum on North Creek watershed

The North Creek Watershed Community Forum, sponsored by the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency as well as King and Snohomish counties, will be held Feb. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation's Northwest Stream Center, 600 128th St. S.E., Everett.

The event is targeted at people who live or work in the watershed and are concerned about clean water and salmon protection. Local officials, business people and government officials will look at ways to make positive changes to protect the ecosystem. This is billed as the "first in a series of conversations."

For information call the foundation at (425) 316-8592.