Environmental Watch: Groups launch new education program

OLYMPIA -- Representatives of Audobon Washington, the state departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife, and school districts and organizations are forming the Pacific Education Institute to improve student learning and test scores.

The Pacific Education Institute supports environmental education projects such as Fish and Wildlife's "Project Cat" in Cle Elum, where students are tracking radio-collared cougars. Representatives will meet next year to discuss funding and new projects. For details call Lynne Ferguson at (360) 352-1500.

Reindeer games: Caribou herd still endangered

SPOKANE (AP) -- The last wild herd of woodland caribou in the lower 48 states continues to struggle for survival.

Only 41 caribou were counted in the 2003 census within the Selkirk Mountains north of Spokane. This caribou herd was listed as endangered in 1983, and remains under pressure from loss of habitat and predation by cougars.

Between 1987 and 1998, 113 caribou were brought to the Selkirks. Without the transplants, the herd would be extinct, researchers say. Some caribou moved north, and others were killed by predators, were poached or died of unknown causes, officials said.

Scientists believe the herd must reach 200 caribou to survive on its own. They estimate the herd historically had 200 to 400 animals.

Mountain caribou were once found across the northern U.S., but logging and other human activities wiped out their habitat. Now they are limited to a remote area of the Idaho Panhandle, northeastern Washington and southern British Columbia.

Vegas to extend water intake in Lake Mead

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- With drought drying Lake Mead, water officials are hurrying plans to draw water from deeper in the reservoir that supplies almost all of southern Nevada's drinking water.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority approved spending up to $2.5 million to buy materials to attach a downward pipe to the water intake at the Hoover Dam complex on the Colorado River. The agency's board is scheduled to award the construction contract in January.

Officials estimate installation could cost $3 million to $5 million, and construction could begin in February, with completion in June.

Drought has dropped the lake to its lowest level since 1968. Plans call for the new pipe to extend 50 feet down from the highest intake, so both would draw water from about 1,000 feet.

The water authority needs approval from the National Park Service, the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

San Joaquin Valley opts to go to 'extreme'

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- Air quality regulators asked the Environmental Protection Agency to put San Joaquin Valley in the worst category for air pollution to meet federal air standards and avoid expensive sanctions.

Only Los Angeles is an "extreme" violator of federal ozone pollution standards. San Joaquin is the only region to seek the designation and has until 2010 to clear its air.

Failure to clean the air by 2005 would cost businesses $36 million in fees and cost the eight-county region $2 billion in federal highway funds.

Urban sprawl, limited public transportation and a lack of willpower by local air regulators have been blamed for making this one of the nation's most polluted regions.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has never had a workable plan to clean smog. The district missed deadlines to comply with the Clean Air Act and EPA failed to act until environmental groups sued the agency for failing to enforce the law.

Business refills ink-jet printer cartridges

SEATTLE -- A new business in Northgate Mall and more than 100 other malls across the country court refills inkjet printer cartridges for about half the cost of a new one.

Island Inkjet also has locations in Auburn Supermall and five in Victoria, B.C., and plans to open 50 more outlets in Washington next year, according to the company.

The stores take about an hour to refill inkjet cartridges, hundreds of millions of which wind up in landfills. With proper care, according to the company, most inkjet cartridges can be refilled five to 15 times. For details visit www.islandinkjet.com.

Panel to discuss sustainability March 31-April 2

VANCOUVER -- Representatives of Shell Canada, Placer Dome Inc., Mountain Equipment Co-op and other companies will discuss the challenges of sustainability programs at the Vancouver Convention Exhibition Centre March 31-April 2, 2004.

For details on the eighth GLOBE environmental business summit visit www.globe2004.com.

Garbage dump powers federal laboratory

SEQUIM -- The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is using a garbage dump to power its Marine Sciences Laboratory.

To power the Sequim facility, the U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory laboratory is using electricity generated by a plant that uses methane gas from a regional sanitary waste landfill, according to PNNL.

The laboratory has also bought 2.7 million kilowatt hours of "green power," such as wind and solar power, for the Sequim facility and 9.3 million for its main campus in Richland.

Environmental workshops in Phoenix Jan. 22-23

PHOENIX -- The American Hazard Control Group -- an energy, governance and environmental consulting firm -- will hold a series of benchmarking workshops at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix Jan. 22-23.

The workshops are part of the 11-year series "Linking Leadership Councils with Company-Changing Energy, Materials and Environmental Initiatives." Sheryl Telford of DuPont, Stephen Jester of ConocoPhillips, Keith Miller of 3M, Steve Willis of Whirlpool and others will discuss "Making the Business Case for the Near Future." For details call Celeste Richie at (518) 583-9615.

Sweden, Denmark sustainability tour set

SEATTLE -- A Denmark-based sustainable energy and development consulting firm is leading a sustainability tour of Denmark and Sweden from March 27 to April 2 next year.

Representatives of CH2M Hill, Vulcan, CollinsWoerman and other organizations are attending the grnNRG (pronounced "green energy") tour. The tour will focus on stormwater management, energy- and water-efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials and resources, economics, corporate responsibility and transportation.

The Denmark and Sweden urban planning offices are helping organize the tour, and the Seattle city council and mayor's office invited the study group to discuss its findings. For details contact Patricia Chase of grnNRG Consulting at particia@grnNRG.com.

Environmental Watch: Energy Efficiency Alliance names chair

PORTLAND -- The board of directors of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance elected Mat Northway, long-time manager of energy management services for the Eugene Water & Electric Board, as its new chair.

At a recent annual meeting, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance board elected new officers and approved $8 million in funding for commercial-sector initiatives and $3.5 million for residential initiatives for 2004 and 2005.

The Northwest Efficiency Alliance is a non-profit group representing utility, government, public-interest and industry groups. The board named the Oregon Department of Energy's Mark W. Kendall as treasurer and Puget Sound Energy's Bob Stolarski as secretary. Kendall, Stolarski and Northway will serve for one year.

Oregon tribal lands get FSC certification

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. -- The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs has received Forest Stewardship Council certification for the tribe's commercial forestry operations on 430,000 acres along the eastern slopes of Oregon's Cascade mountains.

Pine and mixed-conifer forest covers nearly two-thirds of the Warm Springs Reservation. FSC specialists in Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood Program reviewed the ecological, economic and social impact of the tribe's forest management methods, according to FSC-accredited conservation organization. For details visit www.smartwood.org.

Ecology revises state shoreline rules

OLYMPIA -- The state Department of Ecology adopted changes to the state's shoreline guidelines, prompting counties and cities to modify shoreline programs.

The guidelines require cities and counties to inventory the ecological functions of shorelines and update shoreline programs over the next decade. To reduce erosion, cities and counties must slow the spread of bulkheads and other shoreline armoring, according to Ecology. They must also restrict piers and docks to minimum size.

Shoreline programs regulate new development and shorelines use along rivers, larger streams, lakes over 20 acres, and marine waterfronts.

The state issued draft guidelines for public comment in July and made 17 changes in response, according to Ecology. For details visit www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/SMA/guidelines/index.html.

SEPA/NEPA conference Jan. 28

SEATTLE -- Representatives of David Evans & Associates, Stoel Rives, Sound Transit, the Port of Seattle, Preston Gates & Ellis and other firms and government agencies will speak at a SEPA/NEPA conference at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel Jan. 28, 2004.

The conference is being organized by Law Seminars International, an educational organization that focuses on legal and business topics in the United States and Canada. For details call (206) 621-1938 or (800) 854-8009 or e-mail registrar@lawseminars.com.

Green project wins energy award

SPOKANE -- Riverwalk Point Phase One, a low-income multifamily housing development, won a U.S. Department of Energy "2003 Power Player Award" for energy efficiency.

Riverwalk Point Phase One is the first of a three-phase Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs initiative to design sustainable low-income communities. It has five buildings with a total of 52 units, and 100 more units planned for future phases.

Bernardo-Wills Architects PC planned and designed the project, which uses natural daylight, efficient HVAC equipment, geothermal heating/cooling and low-consumption water devices. KOP Construction was contractor.

EPA promotes 'green chemistry' awards

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting nominations for its annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, which recognize the research, development and use of technologies that help industry prevent pollution.

Nominations should focus on design of safer chemicals or alternative synthetic pathways or reaction conditions for green chemistry. The technologies must reduce health and environmental impacts. Academic, government and industry groups can compete. The deadline is Dec. 31.

Gorge air study must be scaled back

THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) -- A shortage of funds is forcing researchers to limit an air quality study in the Columbia River Gorge.

Every summer, parts of the Gorge are choked with haze and smog. The pollution is a mixture of sulfates from fuel, nitrates, carbons and dust.

In 2000, Columbia River Gorge Commission commissioners added an air-quality amendment to the gorge management plan, calling for state and federal agencies to identify pollution sources and develop a strategy to improve air quality.

Agencies created a strategy projected to cost at least $7 million, and Gorge commissioners approved it in 2001. But Congress funded only $670,000 of a initial $1.2 million request, forcing researchers to scale back the study, and the Washington Department of Ecology dropped out because of state budget cuts.

Researchers cut costs by taking advantage of studies by Washington universities and regional agencies. They also reduced pollution monitoring from two years to 12 weeks by concentrating on known periods of heavy haze.

Massive slide sparks logging debate

TILLAMOOK, Ore. (AP) -- A steep slope in the Tillamook State Forest that was logged six years ago collapsed in a massive mud slide, burying a prime salmon stream in debris.

The landslide renewed concerns about how much logging should be permitted on steep slopes and above watersheds in state forests.

Oregon forestry officials said the collapse was too big to have been caused by timber cutting. But conservation and activist groups called the slide evidence that logging rules provide poor protection.

The slide poured as much as 800 cubic yards of debris into the stream, burying the gravel nests of Chinook salmon.

The Tillamook Rainforest Coalition, which supports a ballot measure to limit logging in Tillamook and Clatsop state forests, blamed the Forestry Department's management plan. The Forestry Department said the hillside is naturally unstable, and heavy rains on top of snow most likely triggered the slide.

Learn about winter wildlife Dec. 26

NEAR NORTH BEND -- Seattle Public Utilities naturalists will discuss winter wildlife Dec. 26 at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center in the Cascade foothills near North Bend.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., families with elementary-aged children can learn about animal tracks and bird feeders and hear Woodland Park Zoo staff discuss native Washington wildlife. For details and directions, call (206) 733-9421 or (425) 831-6780.

Environmental Watch: Two firms combine remediation services

LONGVIEW -- Longview-based Thermal Remediation Services and Idaho Falls, Idaho-based North Wind Inc. are teaming up to restore chlorinated solvent source areas.

Thermal Remediation Services uses electrical resistance heating for thermal soil and groundwater remediation. North Wind provides bioremediation of chlorinated solvent source areas and petroleum hydrocarbons in lithologic settings. The companies are combining the technologies.

ESA conference in Seattle in January

SEATTLE -- Representatives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Stoel Rives and the University of Washington Law School will speak at the 11th Annual Endangered Species Act conference at the Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue Jan. 22-23, 2004.

Patrick Parenteau of Vermont Law School, Melanie Rowland of NOAA, James Lynch of Stoel Rives and others will discuss ESA listing decisions, critical habitat designations and salmon recovery plans.

For details visit www.theseminargroup.net/htmls/seminars/04esawa/index.htm or call (800) 574-4852.

Built Green design competition/workshop

SEATTLE -- Green materials, natural landscapes, certified wood and construction waste will be discussed from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Built Green Seattle Design Competition & Workshop in the Mountaineers Building at 300 Third Ave. W.

But the hottest topic will be next year's Built Green design competition, which will reward developers, designers and contractors for innovative residential projects.

Presenters will discuss strategies and resources to win the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties Built Green certification for single-family, multi-family, remodel or community projects -- as well as tips on the design competition.

For details about the city of Seattle/Built Green workshop, call Lynne Barker at (206) 684-0806.

PSE to seek energy-efficiency proposals

BELLEVUE -- Puget Sound Energy filed a draft request for proposals for services to help the utility reach its energy-conservation goals.

The utility subsidiary of Puget Energy will accept proposals from companies specializing in energy efficiency to help PSE's energy-efficiency program in 2006-07.

PSE's currently offers grants, rebates and technical help for energy-efficiency measures. The draft RFP seeks energy-saving pilot projects and technologies.

It comes as the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission recently endorsed PSE's plan to help customers save nearly 40 megawatts of electricity and more than 5 million therms of natural gas in 2004-05, according to PSE.

University of Oregon sustainability workshops

EUGENE, Ore. -- The University of Oregon will hold professional development workshops on sustainability practices at UO's Baker Downtown Center Jan. 8-9.

The workshops, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 9., are part of a series on helping businesses and organizations produce sustainable economic, social and environmental results.

The first will focus on governance and the second on designing, testing and implementing new practices. The series started in September and ends in May 2004.

Bob Doppelt, who directs the Program on Watershed and Community Health in UO's Institute for a Sustainable Environment, will lead the workshops. For details visit center.uoregon.edu/sustainability or call (800) 824-2714.

National biodiesel conference Feb. 1-4

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- The National Biodiesel Board will hold its first annual Biodiesel Conference & Expo at the Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel Feb. 1-4.

Representatives of the Jefferson City, Mo.-based trade association will discuss technical, marketing and regulatory aspects of biodiesel fuel, a clean-burning derivative of fat or vegetable oil that powers diesel engines with few or no modifications.

More than 350 commercial fleets use biodiesel, and more than 200 retail filling stations carry it, according to the association. Fleets use pure biodiesel and biodiesel/petroleum diesel blends. Topics will include quality assurance, farm use, new markets and legislation. For details visit www.biodiesel.org.

Pollution credit proposal draws protest

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- Medford residents are mad at a government air quality agency that proposed to let industries buy "clean-air credits," allowing the industries to pollute more.

The Department of Environmental Quality proposed letting industries that install new pollution equipment sell clean-air credits to factories that have not.

The proposal could double the number of fine particles produced by new or expanding industry.

By 2015, dust produced by rising vehicle traffic could help boost Jackson County pollution by a third, according to agency projections.

Jackson County residents advocate a long-term solution to lessen smog, and want the agency to also address road dust, diesel emissions, wood stove smoke, open burning and other pollution sources.

Poplar trees help clean up hog waste

WHITAKERS, N.C. (AP) -- Researchers are testing poplar trees as a way to dispose of sludge from hog waste lagoons.

N.C. State University researchers are using hybrid poplars to suck up waste. Studies show the trees can metabolize nearly 3,000 gallons of waste per acre per day.

North Carolina has 1,700 inactive hog waste lagoons and 4,500 in use. In current state-approved cleanups, liquid is drained from lagoons, and farmers pays to have it scooped out, trucked away and spread on fields.

Studies show one hog produces 8,000 to 64,000 pounds of waste a year. Cleaning out a lagoon now costs up to $40,000 an acre, before land costs. A two-to-three acre cleanup using the poplars could cost $15,000 to $20,000. State officials will debate approving the poplar procedure.

California washer rule now in limbo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- A freeze on regulations Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared on his first day in office may delay or alter a law requiring greater water efficiency for California clothes washers, which could keep the state from saving billions of gallons in water use.

The California Energy Commission must adopt the regulations putting the first-in-the-nation law into place by the end of the year. It has applied to the governor's office for an exemption to Schwarzenegger's order, which requires agencies to assess potential regulatory impacts on the state's businesses.

But commissioners don't know if they'll get the exemption, said Valerie Hall, one of the agency's directors. "We are not certain of the effects at this time."

While the administration says the regulations aren't in jeopardy, officials haven't provided any specifics about what will happen. That has water conservation experts concerned the state may blow a chance to both save enough water to supply 100,000 homes for a year and provide a national model for water conservation involving an appliance that consumes 20 percent of a household's annual water use.

Environmental Watch: Puget Sound Action Team meets Dec. 10

LACEY -- The Puget Sound Action Team will discuss Puget Sound restoration and cleanup at the state Department of Ecology headquarters in Lacey Dec. 10.

Puget Sound Action Team and Puget Sound Council representatives will discuss projects in the region's urban bays and shellfish growing areas from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 300 Desmond Dr.

The Puget Sound Action Team will also discuss its agenda through June 2005 and tentative work plan through 2007. For details visit www.psat.wa.gov.

Seattle wants help naming 4 parks

SEATTLE -- The city's wants help naming parks in Seattle's Mount Baker, Capitol Hill, Green Lake and Whittier Heights/Greenwood neighborhoods.

The Mount Baker park is on 31st Avenue South, between Atlantic and Day streets. The Capitol Hill park is on Boren Avenue, between Spruce and Fir streets. The Green Lake park is at Linden Avenue North and North 67th Street. The Whittier Heights/Greenwood park is at Sixth Avenue Northwest and Northwest 76th Street.

Park names should reflect location, history or culture, and nature or geology. Submit suggestions -- and explanations of how suggestions match the naming criteria -- by Jan. 30, 2004, to Seattle Parks and Recreation, Park Naming Committee, 100 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109 or paula.hoff@seattle.gov.

BuildingGreen names top 10 products

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- BuildingGreen, Inc., a Pittsburgh-based product directory and news service, named its top 10 new products at a U.S. Green Building Council conference last month.

The products are EnvironOxide pigment, made by Hoover Color Corp. and Iron Oxide Recovery; BioBase 501 soy-based foam insulation, made by BioBased Systems; MemBrain "smart" vapor retarder, made by CertainTeed parent company Saint Gobain; American Pride latex paint, made by Southern Diversified Products and the University of Southern Mississippi; mineral silicate paints, made by Keim Mineral Systems; EnviroGT wall and corner guards, made by InPro Corp.; laboratory casework, made by Case Systems; Mirra office chair, made by Herman Miller; hot water D'Mand system, made by Taco; and EcoPower faucets, made by Toto USA.

Oregon tries to reduce 10 chemical risks

PORTLAND (AP) -- Regulators are developing a plan to combat 10 toxins that threaten humans, air, land and waterways.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's "starter list" of harmful substances includes DDT, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls, or, PCBs. The Environmental Quality Commission will discuss the DEQ's proposed new "Toxics Reduction Strategy." It could also hear testimony from the Oregon Environmental Council, a group that accuses DEQ of failing to protect the public from toxic chemicals.

Within six months DEQ expects to convene a summit on toxic chemicals, where representatives from environmental groups, industry, local governments and state and federal agencies will talk about how Oregon might reduce its exposure.

America's oceans in crisis, scientists say

PORTLAND (AP) -- Some of the nation's top marine scientists say oceans are in crisis and major changes are needed to protect and restore the world's largest natural resource.

Pew Oceans Commission members said the crisis results mostly from old policy decisions. In 1969, the Stratton Commission, the last major commission to study the state of the oceans, called America's waters immense, inexhaustible and impervious to human impact.

This year nearly 8,000 square miles of Pacific coastal waters were declared off-limits to commercial fisherman in an emergency closure that rivals the 1995 New England cod collapse, which closed 6,500 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean.

Fish stocks are at an all-time low. The starkest example is the bocaccio, a type of rockfish, which is down to 3 percent of its original stock, the scientists said.

Oceans and coastal waters need to be managed as a public trust, the scientists said. They proposed creating "marine reserves" so more fish reproduce and mature.

Burien changes critical areas ordinance

BURIEN -- The Burien City Council doubled setbacks needed for building near wetlands but added flexibility to development regulations for projects near critical areas.

Burien's critical areas include streams, wetlands as well as geologic hazard, critical aquifer recharge, flood hazard, and fish and wildlife habitat areas.

The council changed the Burien's ordinance to allow reduction of wetland and stream buffers by 25 percent if buffers are enhanced by native vegetation. The new rules also regulate storage or handling of hazardous material within 200 feet of critical aquifer recharge areas, according to the city.

Tacoma considers cardboard recycling fee

TACOMA -- Tacoma may impose a collection fee on cardboard recycling.

Tacoma provides free recycling to about 125 businesses, but has more than 240 on a waiting list, according to the city.

The city may charge $20 a month for bimonthly services and $10 for additional pickups. The Tacoma City Council will vote on the proposed ordinance Dec. 16. For details call Al Tebaldi, Public Works, at (253) 593-7739 or email atebaldi@cityoftacoma.org.

Ecology, Shell settle on pipeline fire

BELLINGHAM -- The state Department of Ecology and Shell Oil Co. reached a $5 million settlement for a 1999 Olympic pipeline rupture and fire in Bellingham.

Ecology issued $7.86 million in civil penalties to Shell's predecessor, Equilon, which operated the pipeline when the rupture and fire killed three Bellingham youths and damaged the Whatcom Creek watershed, according to Ecology.

Shell will pay $4 million to the city of Bellingham and $1 million to the Whatcom Land Trust. British Pipeline is the pipeline's other owner.

The city will invest settlement money in a trust fund and use annual interest for stream and shoreline projects, starting with enhancing habitat in the area burned by the fire. The land trust will use the funds to buy salmon, eagle and elk habitat along the Nooksack River, according to Ecology.

NEBC seeks 2004 tradeshow exhibitors

PORTLAND -- The Northwest Environmental Business Council is accepting exhibitor applications for the 2004 Northwest Environmental Conference & Tradeshow at the Doubletree Jantzen Beach Hotel in Portland Nov. 16-17.

The event will showcase environmental technologies and services. For details call NEBC at (888) 609-6322 or visit www.NEBC.com.

NEBC holiday mixer Dec. 9

SEATTLE -- The Northwest Environmental Business Council will hold its Olympic Chapter holiday mixer from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in the chapel at 1600 Melrose Ave.

The fee of $15 for NEBC members or $25 for nonmembers includes hors d'ouevres and a no-host bar. For details call NEBC at (888) 609-6322 or visit www.NEBC.com.

Environmental Watch: Seven hearings set on DNR forest plan

OLYMPIA -- The state Department of Natural Resources is holding seven public hearings this month on how it will manage forests on state trust lands for the next 10 years.

The 6-8 p.m. meetings are today at the Lacey Community Center in Lacey; Dec. 3 at Peninsula College in Port Angeles; Dec. 4 at Best Western Cottontree Inn & Convention Center in Mount Vernon; Dec. 9 at Washington State University in Vancouver; Dec. 10 at the Rotary Log Pavilion in Aberdeen; Dec. 10 at Hilton Garden Inn in Spokane; and Dec. 11 at Highline Community College in Des Moines.

DNR is accepting comments until Dec. 19 on a draft environmental impact statement DNR issued last month on long-term sustainable forest management alternatives for Western Washington. For details about the hearings and draft EIS visit www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/fr/sales/sustainharvest/sustainharvest.html.

Cleanup plan out for American Plating

OLYMPIA -- The state Department of Ecology proposed a consent decree with the Foss Waterway Development Authority to clean up metals-contaminated soil and groundwater at Tacoma's American Plating site.

Ecology is issuing a determination of nonsignificance for a cleanup plan for the 1.5-acre former electroplating site near the Foss Landing Marina. The proposed action includes covering soil and debris; removing and disposing of soil and concrete; closing groundwater monitoring wells; monitoring groundwater; and ensuring future owners maintain the cleanup.

For details visit www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/american_plating/american_plating_hp.htm. Submit comments by Dec. 29 to Marv Coleman, site manager, Ecology Southwest Regional Office, Toxics Cleanup Program, 300 Desmond Dr. S.E., P.O. Box 47775, Olympia, WA 98504-7775 or email mcol461@ecy.wa.gov.

Conference on green power, climate change

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Representatives of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Electric Power Research Institute, Edison Electric Institute and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy will speak at the 7th Annual Air Quality, Climate Change & Renewable Energy Conference Jan. 20-22.

Air quality, climate chance and renewable energy specialists will give more than 200 technical presentations on legislation, new technologies and other topics at Tucson's Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. The cost is $695. For details call (520) 615-3535, e-mail info@euec.com or visit www.euec.com.

Recycling down, but waste more varied

OLYMPIA -- The recycling rate fell from 37 percent to 35 percent last year, but Washington residents are recycling more types of waste than in previous years, according to the state Department of Ecology.

Residents and industry recycled less glass, paper and yard debris in 2002, but Washingtonians are recycling more asphalt, concrete, carpet, furniture, construction debris, mattresses, batteries, ash, oil filters, paint and other materials, according to Ecology.

The recycling rate stems from a state law that requires tracking of recycling of glass, plastic, paper, metals, tires and used oil. If the rate recognized recycling of more construction, demolition and other materials, it would be around 45 percent, according to Ecology. The state's recycling goal is 50 percent.

Oregon to study recycling of e-waste

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Experts in Oregon's electronics and recycling circles will try to figure out how to safely dispose of a mounting pile of obsolete computers, TVs and other electronics.

Oregonians generate an estimated 1.75 pounds of waste electronics per capita per year and store five to seven pounds of out-of-service computers and other old electronics in closets and basements.

Many communities allow e-waste to be thrown into landfills, where toxic materials could leach into the groundwater, posing a health and environmental hazard. Senate Bill 867 forms a committee of recycling experts, environmentalists and electronics manufacturers to study e-waste and make recommendations to the Legislature in 2005.

Recommendations might include a ban on disposing electronic products in landfills or incinerators once enough recycling operations are established to pull apart e-waste and reuse the components.

A good year for the snowy plover

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- The Western snowy plover enjoyed its best year since wildlife biologists started keeping track of the threatened species along the Oregon coast.

Predator control probably played a big role in the comeback. The success rate for fledglings averaged 30 percent in recent years and this year rose to 46 percent.

Biologists injected a pesticide into chicken eggs, which are then placed near plover nesting areas. The poisoning killed up to 200 crows, ravens and red foxes.

Habitat improvement projects might have also contributed to strong numbers. Of the 2,000 birds that live on the West Coast, Oregon is home to about 100. Seven of Oregon's eight "critical habitat" units successfully produced plover chicks this year.

Judge: water bottler hurts environment

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- A judge ordered the company that produces Ice Mountain bottled water to stop drawing water from wells in a Michigan county, saying the operation has damaged the environment.

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by environmentalists who said water-bottling operation has depleted neighboring lakes, streams and wetlands.

Ice Mountain's parent company is Nestle Waters North America, the maker of brands such as Poland Spring, Arrowhead and Deer Park. The company operates four wells in Michigan, and pumps water to its nearby bottling plant. The state had allowed Ice Mountain's water-bottling plant to withdraw 576,000 gallons per day. The company said it will appeal.

Ice Mountain is one of the most popular brands of bottled water in the Midwest.

The debate over the water withdrawals nearly turned violent in September. Ice Mountain workers making a routine check of a pumping station discovered a broken glass-block window and found unexploded, homemade firebombs. The radical environmental group Earth Liberation Front claimed responsibility. The FBI is investigating.

Environmental Watch: Hall heads Golder's Ecological Services

REDMOND -- Golder Associates hired Will Hall as a senior project manager and natural resources planner in its Redmond office.

As principal planner at Snohomish County Surface Water Management, Hall directed the county's watershed planning, salmon recovery and marine resources programs. He will lead Golder's Ecological Sciences team.

AMEC adds staff in Seattle office

KIRKLAND -- AMEC hired senior engineer Marlea Haugen and senior special inspector Rodger "Rod" Ferguson for its Seattle-area Earth & Environmental office.

Haugen will work in geotechnical, materials and emergency-management engineering. She has experience in quality assurance, quality control and emergency management, and is certified as a water systems risk assessor, technical director and supervising laboratory technician.

Ferguson has experience in construction inspection and materials testing. He is certified to inspect reinforced concrete and masonry, shotcrete and fireproofing, soils, soil nails, hold-down installations, reinforcing steel and rebar.

Hazardous materials group meets Dec. 2

SEATTLE -- The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Academy of Hazardous Materials Management will hold its next quarterly meeting 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Rock Salt Steakhouse in Seattle.

A representative of the state Department of Ecology will discuss the Beyond Waste program, which focuses on long-range plans for reducing and managing hazardous and solid waste in Washington. The cost is $25 with a reservation by Nov. 26, or $30 without a reservation.

For details on the event, which starts at 6 p.m. with a presentation at 8 p.m., contact Peggy Willingham at (206) 392-9854 or peggy.willingham@alaskaair.com.

PSE: Lake Tapps hydropower not viable

BELLEVUE -- Puget Sound Energy will stop generating power next year at its 92-year-old White River Hydroelectric Project at Lake Tapps.

The Bellevue-based utility subsidiary of Puget Energy said in a news release last week that getting a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to continue plant operations past Jan 15., 2004, would cost far more than other available energy resources.

Since 1912 PSE has diverted water out of the White River into Lake Tapps, a diked reservoir the utility built to store water for its nearby hydropower plant. If the utility were to continue to operate the facility, licensing requirements under the Endangered Species Act would cost power customers about $100 million more than other available resources over 20 years, according to the utility.

PSE and the Lake Tapps Task Force -- a coalition of elected officials, government agencies, property owners and others -- are working on a plan to develop a regional drinking water supply at Lake Tapps.

Volunteers wanted to monitor Duwamish

SEATTLE -- The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition is looking for volunteers to help monitor dredging operations on the Duwamish River.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency listed the Lower Duwamish Waterway as a Superfund site in 2001. Dredging at the first seven "early-action sites" began this month. The coalition, a watchdog group, wants volunteers to monitor dredging from shore, maintain a time/incident log, and photograph observed violations of dredging protocols. The group will share the data with regulatory agencies.

For details email BJ Cummings, subject "volunteer monitor," at info@duwamishcleanup.org.

Should Lake Roosevelt be Superfund site?

SPOKANE (AP) -- Lake Roosevelt should not be declared a Superfund site, three Republican members of Congress from Washington contend.

Over 60 years, Teck Cominco's smelter Trail, British Columbia dumped 10 million tons of slag laden with heavy metals into Lake Roosevelt, a 130-mile-long impoundment of the Columbia River behind Grand Coulee Dam.

The slag covers beaches near Northport. The Washington State Department of Health says the beaches pose a health risk.

In a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Reps. George Nethercutt, Jennifer Dunn and Doc Hastings advocated an alternative cleanup proposed by the Eastern Washington Council of Governments, a group of county commissioners funded by Teck Cominco.

EPA notified the Vancouver, B.C., company it has until Dec. 16 to agree to pay for further Columbia River cleanup studies. EPA also wants reimbursement for about $1.8 million in preliminary studies.

Mini-tree farms come with instructions

McKENNA, Pierce County (AP) -- Weyerhaeuser Co. is marketing 20-acre plots in a tree farm to people interested in building a home -- and maybe harvesting timber on the side.

The Federal Way company's Forest Reserve program lets those who buy the parcels build on part of the land while managing timber on the rest.

Weyerhaeuser has sold about 65 of 100 lots and offered to sell 100 more. The company is getting rid of its 4,400-acre Vail Tree Farm, about 45 minutes from Olympia and Tacoma. The plots sell for $102,000 to $180,000 and contain an average of 8,000 trees each. It's all second- or third-growth, mostly Douglas fir with some hardwoods. Buyers get four hours of instruction on forestry management.

Weyerhaeuser owns 2 million acres in Washington and Oregon and 8 million in the United States. It cut and replanted trees in the region for decades, but its focus gradually shifted to the Southeast and overseas, where wood is produced more cheaply.

Ecology buys water rights to protect fish

SEATTLE -- The state Department of Ecology has invested $4.1 million to keep water flowing in river basins where fish populations are most at risk.

Ecology is working on plans to restore 16 basins where inadequate stream flows have threatened fish runs. Ecology has spent $4 million since 2001 to acquire five water rights in the Yakima and Walla Walla watersheds, returning 4,284 acre feet of water in areas key to fish survival, according to the department.

Avista gives CWU a fuel cell

ELLENSBURG -- Spokane-based fuel-cell maker Avista Labs delivered a photo electronic membrane fuel cell to Central Washington University, which the university will use in a fuel-cell education program.

The Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative and Bonneville Power Administration paid for the $10,000 device with part of a $100,000 grant, which the state energy office awarded for hydrogen and fuel-cell education.

The grant is also paying for 200 fuel-cell model car kits, which will be given to schools to teach students about fuel cells, said Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative Director Jeff Morris. For details visit www.nwetc.com.

Environmental Watch: PSE to issue wind power RFP

BELLEVUE -- Puget Sound Energy will issue a request for proposals by Nov. 19 for long-term purchase power agreements or ownership of windpower projects.

State regulators last week approved the utility's proposed process for seeking approximately 150 megawatts of wind-power capacity as the utility tries to add new resources to its portfolio to meet customers' power needs.

The utility recently developed a plan to meet its goal of supplying at least 10 percent of its customers' total electricity from wind power and other renewable sources by 2013. Proposals will be due Jan. 9. For details visit www.pse.com/about/supply/resourceplanning.html or call (425) 462-3657.

Ecology reviews Columbia water rights

YAKIMA -- The state Department of Ecology will prepare an environmental impact statement for a new plan on how to make Columbia River water-right decisions.

Ecology will prepare an EIS for the Columbia River Initiative, whose goal is to create a program for deciding how to permit new water withdrawals while supporting salmon recovery.

The plan would discuss how to allocate up to 1 million acre-feet for irrigation and municipal use over 20 years. Ecology is also studying possible costs and benefits of diverting new water from the river, and the impact withdrawals could have on endangered species.

For details visit www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cri/crieconrev.html. Submit comments by Dec. 12 to Gerry O'Keefe, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600 or email to cri@ecy.wa.gov.

State seeks volunteers for habitat program

OLYMPIA -- The state Department of Fish and Wildlife wants volunteers to help guide salmon habitat restoration projects.

Volunteers with the agency's Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Program serve on an advisory board that meets quarterly to review and approve salmon recovery projects. The volunteers also review and propose regional fisheries enhancement legislation.

Apply by Dec. 1 to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Program, Attn: Dianne Ludwig, 600 Capital Way N., OIympia, WA 98501-1091. For information call Dianne Ludwig at (360) 902-2252.

Applications due for water-quality funds

OLYMPIA -- The state Department of Ecology on Dec. 1 will begin accepting applications for water-quality improvement and protection loans and grants for the fiscal year 2005 funding cycle.

Loans and grants from the Centennial Clean Water Fund, Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Fund, and Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund are used for wastewater treatment facilities, watersheds, agricultural best-management practices, water-quality monitoring, stormwater controls, wellhead protection, information/education efforts and similar projects.

Ecology will hold application workshops in Spokane Dec. 4, Yakima Dec. 5, Lynnwood Dec. 9 and Tacoma Dec. 10. Local governments, Indian tribes, colleges/universities and not-for-profit groups can apply for funding. For details visit www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/2005.

U of I gets $950K for biodiesel study

MOSCOW, Idaho -- The United States Department of Agriculture gave the University of Idaho a five-year, $950,000 grant to create and distribute public information about biodiesel fuels.

Biodiesel fuels are made from canola, mustard seed and other oil crops and from reused vegetable oils. The university, which has biodiesel development and transportation programs, will use the grant to fund publications, Web sites and workshops on biodiesel opportunities.

Iowa State University also worked on the grant proposal. For details visit www.uidaho.edu or www.uidaho.edu/bae/biodiesel/.

Environmental litigation workshop Dec. 10

SEATTLE -- A workshop called "Environmental Litigation Tool Kit -- A Substantive Workshop on Procedural and Evidentiary Aspects of Environmental Litigation" will be held at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel Dec. 10.

Speakers will include representatives of Stoel Rives, Bricklin Newman Dold, Marten Law Group, Geosphere, Preston Gates & Ellis, Davis Wright Tremaine, Parametrix, the Pollution Control Hearings Board and the Washington State Attorney Generals Office.

Attorneys and consultants will discuss preparing, presenting and defending environmental and land-use cases in Washington and elsewhere. For details see the Law Seminars International events calendar at www.lawseminars.com/frame_seminars.htm.

Wind erosion, air quality meeting Dec. 4-5

RICHLAND -- Scientists from Washington State University and the United States Department of Agriculture will discuss Pacific Northwest wind erosion and air quality issues at a Dec. 4-5 meeting at Red Lion Hotel in Richland.

The annual research review of the Columbia Plateau Wind Erosion/Air Quality Project will cover dryland and irrigated cropping systems research, long-term climactic variability on agriculture, prediction and modeling of dust emissions, and the newly published "Farming with the Wind II."

For details or to register, visit www.pnw-winderosion.wsu.edu/ or contact Cindy Warriner at (509) 659-3214 or warriner@wsu.edu.

Murray to address NW power forum

SEATTLE -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and others will discuss the Northwest power industry, federal energy legislation and the causes and effects of compromised power grids Dec. 3 at a breakfast forum at the Westin Hotel at 1900 Fifth Ave.

Representatives of Seattle City Light, the Bonneville Power Administration, Puget Sound Energy and the Athena Institute will also speak at the "Insuring Energy Reliability to Promote Regional Economic Development" forum, hosted by the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County.

Tickets are $45 for EDC members and $45 for nonmembers. For details call EDC at (206) 389-8661 or visit www.edc-sea.org.

Erosion control conference Dec. 8-12

STEVENSON, Skamania County -- The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association is holding its annual conference at Skamania Lodge in the Columbia River Gorge Dec. 8-12.

Discussion topics will include restoration efforts after the California fires, and the Flight of Discovery, a team of geologists, agronomists, botanists, ecologists and anthropologists who will follow the river and overland routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

A trip to the Bonneville Dam will look at erosion-prevention materials used during construction of the fish slide on the north side of the dam. For lodging and conference details visit www.pnwieca.org or call Rosemary Andrews at (360) 699-1426.

Environmental Watch: Intertox hires environmental scientist

SEATTLE -- Intertox, a Seattle-based scientific consulting and research firm that measures the impact of chemicals and microbes on public health and the environment, hired environmental health scientist Golan Kedan.

Kedan studied environmental health at the University of Washington and biology and environmental studies at Tufts University. His consulting, public health and academic research experience emphasizes risk assessment, toxicology, exposure assessment and risk communication.

KTA Associates adds staff

OLYMPIA -- KTA Associates, a Seattle-based environmental consulting and training firm, added environmental engineer Lenora Westbrook to its Olympia office.

Westbrook has experience with ISO 14001 environmental management systems; air, water and waste compliance; and emergency and spill-response plans. She previously worked for 25 years as an environmental engineer at power companies.

$900,000 study OKd for Capitol Lake

OLYMPIA (AP) -- Capitol Lake, the picturesque 260-acre reflecting pond that shimmers at the foot of the state Capitol campus, may be allowed to revert to its original status as a Deschutes River estuary.

The state Capitol Committee approved a $900,000 study on whether to re-create a free-flowing river, rather than perpetuate the man-made lake that is clogged with silt.

Over the next year or two, experts will look at the pros and cons of removing the Fifth Avenue Dam, which creates the lake and holds back salt water from Puget Sound.

The state owns and maintains the lake, which was created in 1951 to complement the Capitol campus. It was part of the original campus design, along with a heritage park still under development.

Backers of an estuary like the idea of a naturally flowing river and the likely benefits to fish, wildlife and water quality. But others don't want to lose the lake.

Ecology's 2003 fines hit $732,211

OLYMPIA --The state Department of Ecology handed out $81,374 in fines between July and September, bringing the year's total to $732,211.

Ecology fined Wilcox & Flegel Oil Co. of Longview $18,000 for spilling nearly 700 gallons of fuel oil into a tributary of Schoolhouse Creek in Cowlitz County. The state fined Seavestco Inc. and Wellington Hills Park LLC, both of Woodinville, $8,000 each for releasing silt-laden water from the Wellington Hills construction project into a drainage ditch connecting to Little Bear Creek.

In King County, Smoki Foods and King's Command Foods were fined $5,000 each for disposing of commercial waste in storm drains and discharging wastewater without permits. Seaworthy Services and Salmon Bay Terminals were fined $3,000 each for repairing ships without waste-discharge permits.

Meeting Nov. 19 on Midnite Mine cleanup

FORD, Stevens County -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials will discuss the remedial investigation and feasibility study for the uranium-contaminated Midnite Mine Superfund site at a public meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. in Ford on Nov. 19.

EPA is studying cleanup options for the inactive open-pit uranium mine northwest of the town of Wellpinit, on the Spokane Tribe Reservation, where Dawn Mining Co. mined uranium ore from 1955 to 1981. Dawn Mining Co. is owned by the Denver-based multinational Newmont Mining Co.

Cleanup cost estimates have reached $160 million.

For details about the EPA meeting and Midnite Mine, call EPA project manager Ellen Hale at (800) 424-4372 or visit http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/.

EPA awards $431,000 to 11 organizations

SEATTLE -- The Puget Sound Action Team, University of Washington, Washington Trout and Jamestown-S'Klallam Tribe will receive more than $150,000 in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regional geographic initiative grants.

EPA is awarding a total of $431,000 to 11 Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska organizations for projects that "fill critical gaps in the agency's ability to protect human health and the environment," according to EPA.

EPA is accepting applications for 2004 grants. The deadline for proposals is Dec. 18. For details visit http://www.epa.gov/region10.

Nov. 13 conference on 'smart energy'

PORTLAND -- Northwest smart-energy products and services will showcase the NW Energy Technology Collaborative and Portland Business Alliance conference from 2 to 6 p.m. at World Trade Center II in Portland Nov. 13.

A new study by Climate Solutions and The Athena Institute identifies smart energy -- the convergence of digital technology and electrical power -- as a $15 billion economic sector with potential to create jobs in the Pacific Northwest.

Representatives of the Athena Institute, Celerity Energy, Quantec, ScottishPower, the Bonneville Power Administration and U.S. Department of Energy will speak at "Smart Energy -- Economic Opportunities for the Northwest" in the auditorium level of the 121 S.W. Salmon St. building.

For conference details visit http://www.portlandalliance.com. To read "Poised for Profit II," the smart-energy report, visit http://www.centerforsmartenergy.com.

DNR report gives tree planting advice

OLYMPIA -- A new state Department of Natural Resources report uses genetic information about Douglas fir, western hemlock, western red cedar and other tree species to recommend locations to plant trees.

Coordinated by DNR with funding from the U.S. Forest Service, "Washington Tree Seed Transfer Zones" includes maps and research from DNR, USFS, the British Columbia Ministry of Forests and other Northwest forest agencies and timber companies.

USFS geneticists Bill Randle and Paul Berrang wrote the report, which includes elevation readings and other Geographical Information Systems data. For details visit http://www.dnr.wa.gov/webster/seedzonebook/.

Fish and Wildlife cutting staff, programs

OLYMPIA (AP) -- The 2003 Legislature cut $9.1 million from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's 2003-05 budget. The federal government cut another $7.4 million.

From 1999 to 2001, Fish and Wildlife's budget was $302.8 million. For 2003-05, it is $277.8 million. The cuts have shrunk the number of enforcement officers, habitat biologists and other staff in game protection and salmon recovery programs. All Fish and Wildlife programs have taken cuts over the past two years.

However, investment in fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreation in Washington could help the agency's budget, said director Jeff Koenings.

According to the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, sport anglers spent $854 million in Washington that year, hunters spent $350 million, and wildlife watchers spent $980 million. A big chunk of Fish and Wildlife's budget -- $57.1 million of the $277.8 million current budget -- comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and fees

Environmental Watch: ENSR names new general manager

Hayden

Hayden joined ENSR 16 years ago and was previously western regional manager for administration.

ENSR is based in Massachusetts. Its Redmond office provides water, air, hazardous waste/remediation, permitting, risk assessment and environmental due diligence services to industrial and government clients.

Citizens for a Healthy Bay gets new director

TACOMA -- Citizens for a Healthy Bay, an advisory and advocacy group for Tacoma's Commencement Bay Superfund site, named Stan Cummings as its new executive director.

From 1980 to 2001 Cummings was president of the Ocean Institute, a Dana Point, Calif., educational agency operating in two states and six cities. Before that, Cummings, who studied teaching and science education at Wesleyan University and Stanford, was director of education at the Yosemite Institute.

To learn about Citizens for a Healthy Bay, visit www.healthybay.org or call (253) 383-2429.

City holding 'Center City' event Nov. 10

SEATTLE -- Former Vancouver, B.C., city council member Gordon Price will discuss transportation and land use 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Bertha Landes Reception Room at Seattle City Hall at 600 Fourth Ave. Nov. 10. The speech is part of "Center City: what we want to be" and is sponsored by the city of Seattle.

Price served six terms from 1986 to 2003. He also served on the boards of the Greater Vancouver Regional District and Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, and lectures often on transportation and land use.

Seattle Department of Transportation director Grace Crunican will talk about local transportation strategies and Department of Planning and Development director Diane Sugimura will talk about development strategies. For details contact John Rahaim at (206) 684-0434 or john.rahaim@seattle.gov.

Nov. 13 conference looks at water, land use

SEATTLE -- A conference in the Seattle Art Museum Nov. 13 will explore the connection between water-resource management and land-use planning in Washington state.

Public- and private-sector and non-governmental officials will discuss the Growth Management Act, Shoreline Management Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Endangered Species Act and public water system planning at the 2003 Washington Section American Water Resources Association Annual Conference.

The conference is designed for consultants, attorneys, business professionals, tribal representatives and others. For program and registration information visit http://earth.golder.com/waawra.

RCRA workshop Nov. 13-14.

SEATTLE -- Lion Technology is holding a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act workshop at the Hilton Seattle Airport Nov. 13-14.

The workshop is geared for those who know the RCRA basics and want to learn more about complex regulatory options. Topics will include recycling, waste-identification and management, land-disposal restrictions compliance and special-issue wastes.

Native plant, landscaping workshop Nov. 12

SEATTLE -- Healthy, low-maintenance landscaping will be the focus of a 6:30-9 p.m. workshop at Rainier Beach High School Nov. 12.

Seattle Public Utilities and King County representatives at "Seattle's Naturescaping Workshop" will also discuss how local birds and wildlife relate to native plants. Those who attend the 8815 Seward Park Ave. S. workshop can also dig up native plants Nov. 16 at a salvage site provided by the Issaquah School District.

To register contact Bob Spencer at (206) 684-4163 or bob.spencer@seattle.gov.

Comments due on Oregon water proposal

SEATTLE -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting comments until Nov. 9 on proposed new Oregon water-quality standards.

The proposed standards include use designations for critical-life stages of some salmon, trout and other cold-water fish species; temperature criteria to protect salmonids in state waters aside from the Columbia River; criteria to protect spawning salmonid in designated spawning areas; and ways to implement Oregon's antidegradation policy.

Submit comments to Valerie Badon, ORC-158, U.S. EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101. For details visit www.epa.gov/region10/ and click on the calendar item on proposed Oregon water-quality standards.

Exhibit to showcase green art, design

SEATTLE -- A two-month exhibit starting Nov. 17 at on third floor of Bank of America tower at 701 Fifth Ave. will feature environmental artwork, architecture and product design.

"Sustainable Connections -- Art, Architecture and Product Design" will also showcase sustainable strategies from the King County King Street Center, new city of Seattle buildings and the Sixth International Design Resource Awards. Viewing will be available 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Jan. 15, 2004.

Study says green building pays off

WASH., D.C.-- Investments in green buildings pay off 10 times over, according to a new study by Capital E Group, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm.

The study was done for California state agencies and guided by the United States Green Building Council. It concluded that green buildings improve productivity and health and reduce energy, water, operations, maintenance and other costs.

The study pegged the financial benefits of green buildings at $50 to $70 per square foot. For details visit www.cap-e.com/publications/default.cfm.

OSU group recycling stadium waste

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- Thirty-seven thousand fans packed into Reser Stadium recently to see Oregon State University hammered by Washington. But they didn't pack out.

Campus Recycling, went to work. Cans, paper cups, plastic bottles, cardboard and leftovers from tailgate parties were everywhere. Campus Recycling took what could be recycled, and set it aside for a disposal company. Later, a church group got the rest.

The student group helps recycle about 40 percent of items left by fans at football home games. It has two paid workers and many volunteers, who usually fill more than 100 large bags of recyclable material.

OSU's athletic department pays Campus Recycling $600 per game.

Environmental Watch: State gets $3M for brownfields cleanup

OLYMPIA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) $3 million to expand cleanup of brownfield properties.

The grant will let the Washington Partnership -- a partnership of CTED, Ecology, King County, Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane -- start a revolving loan fund for cleanup of former petroleum-contaminated sites and real estate contaminated by methamphetamine production.

One-third of the funding will be used on hazardous waste sites such as former landfills, rail yards and junkyards, according to CTED.

NEBC legislative preview luncheon Nov. 5

SEATTLE -- The Northwest Environmental Business Council's annual legislative preview luncheon Nov. 5 will focus on the impact legislative and government affairs are having on environmental businesses.

The 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. luncheon, at McCormick & Schmick's Harborside on Lake Union at 1200 Westlake Ave. N., will cover topics that will guide NEBC's Olympic Chapter Committee next year. The speaker will be Jerry Smedes of Smedes & Associates.

The cost is $30 for NEBC members and guests and $45 for nonmembers. For details call (888) 609-6322 or visit http://www.nebc.org.

Enter the Built Green design contest

SEATTLE -- A design competition next year will let architects, builders, remodelers, developers, project teams and homeowners tout green design -- and win some cash in the process.

Entries are being accepted for the Built Green Seattle Design Competition. Winners will get technical, marketing and permitting support and $1,000 to $10,000 in prize money. Applications are due by February 2004, and projects must be built and certified Built Green by November 2004.

For details call Resource Venture, a program of Seattle Public Utilities and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, at (206) 389-7281 or visit www.ci.seattle.wa.us/dclu/sustainability/builtgreen.asp#apply.

Oregon calls for View-Master plant study

PORTLAND (AP) -- A new state report recommends a larger health study of workers at the former View-Master plant in Beaverton who were exposed to the industrial solvent trichloroethylene, or TCE, which has been linked to cancer.

In 1998, the solvent was discovered in the View-Master well that supplied drinking water to the plant. The TCE concentration was measured at levels of up to 1,670 parts per billion, well in excess of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum safe levels of 5 parts per billion.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality estimates the TCE was present in the supply well for more than 20 years. The report recommends a detailed study put the health risk of TCE exposure into perspective for View-Master employees; show the health impact on the local community; and improve medical knowledge about the effects of TCE exposure.

Wood waste conference Nov. 5-7

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Representatives of Weyerhaeuser and other forest-industry companies will discuss energy-related solutions and technologies for using wood waste at the Residue-To-Revenue Residual Wood Conference in at the Delta Vancouver Airport Nov. 5-7.

Representatives of companies such as Lignol Innovations Corp., Timberjack Energy Technology, Earth Tech Canada Inc., BW McCloy & Associates, KC Environmental Group Ltd. and Creative Energy Systems Corp. will discuss handling and separating wood residue, carbon credits, biofuels, emerging technologies and other topics.

For registration, schedule and location information, call the Logging and Sawmilling Journal at (604) 990-9970, e-mail tenaj@telus.net, or visit www.forestnet.com.

Wind energy study looks at climate change

SEATTLE -- The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and 3TIER Environmental Forecast Group will study the impact of climate change on wind patterns in the Pacific Northwest.

The study will use data from current wind projects to determine how climate change might affect energy production at current and future wind projects. Research by PNNL, which part of the U.S. Department of Energy, will be led by Ruby Leung.

Research by 3TIER, which specializes in atmospheric and hydrological forecasting and assessment, will be led by Senior Research Scientist Kristin Larson.

Celebrate recycling at Safeco Nov. 13

SEATTLE -- Business professionals. property and facility managers, building owners, and others are invited to discuss the benefits of recycling at the Washington Recycles Day exhibition and conference at Safeco Field November 13.

Workplace recycling will highlight tool-box sessions, exhibitions and a networking lunch between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Topics will include recycling computers and electronic devices, containers and signage, employee participation and bottom-line benefits. For information visit the Washington State Recycling Association at www.wsra.net.

Computer recycling benefits nonprofit

SEATTLE -- Half of the revenue generated by recycling computer equipment collected at University Congregational Church at 4516 16th Ave. N.E. Nov. 7-8 will go to Child Care Resources, a nonprofit agency.

Computer equipment contains lead, mercury, cadmium and other materials. Equipment collected from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the church's Parking Lot C in the University District will go to e-Cycle, a local recycling business that sells reusable computer parts and sends non-reusable parts to licensed processors. For information on c-Cycle visit www.ecycletech.com.

Also, a new Tacoma recycling program is giving unwanted cell phones to domestic violence victims. The "Old Phones, New Chances" program pairs the city's Solid Waste Management and Human Rights and Human Services departments are with Tacoma Goodwill Industries.

For collection locations, call (253) 591-5151 or visit www.cityoftacoma.org/recycle.

Green business drives Nov. 6-9 conference

AUSTIN, Texas -- More than 1,000 MBAs, business leaders and alumni are expected to descend on the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business Nov. 6-9 to discuss business ethics, corporate social responsibility and environmentally friendly business practices.

The Net Impact 2003 Conference "From Corporation to Community -- Building a Network for Change" will offer panel discussions, professional workshops and a career expo about socially and environmentally sensitive business.

The keynote speaker will be Reginald Van Lee, senior vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton and leader of the Harlem Small Business Initiative. Representatives of Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Procter & Gamble, Reliant Energy and other corporations will also speak. For details visit www.srb.org/index.php?id=435.

Environmental Watch: New hire at NVL Laboratories

SEATTLE -- NVL Laboratories, a Seattle-based hazardous building materials testing laboratory, hired Andre Zwanenburg as manager of the field services division.

Zwanenburg, a project designer and estimator with experience in regulated hazardous materials abatement, will oversee asbestos and lead surveys/inspections, temporary staffing, air and worker exposure monitoring, mold inspections and protocol development.

ABR hires bird scientist

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- ABR, Inc. Environmental Research & Services hired research scientist Jonathan Plissner. Plissner earned a doctorate at Clemson University and has more than 20 years of experience in ecological research.

Plissner's work with sensitive bird species includes bird censusing, metapopulation viability analyses, behavioral studies, statistical support and passerine and shorebird ecology.

$3.58M OK'd for Commencement Bay work

TACOMA -- The state departments of Ecology and Natural Resources will give the city of Tacoma up to $3.58 million to help pay for cleanup of the Thea Foss and Wheeler-Osgood waterways and to reimburse most of the cost of removing two derelict vessels from Commencement Bay.

Tacoma accepted a $3.4 million Model Toxics Control Act grant from Ecology for cleanup of the two Superfund-listed waterways. Also, DNR will reimburse up to 75 percent of the $238,810 that the Tacoma City Council agreed to pay to have two abandoned boats removed from Commencement Bay's Olympic View Resource Area, which the city spent more than $3.5 million to clean up.

The reimbursement could be close to $180,000. The council accepted the funds at an Oct. 14 meeting, said John O'Loughlin, of the city's Public Works/Environmental Services department.

Criminal charges filed in asbestos removal

SEATTLE -- The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged John Long, owner of Long Classic Homes Ltd. in Puyallup, for improperly removing asbestos-containing materials from a house scheduled for demolition in Renton.

Ecology investigators found Long and his sons tried to remove asbestos ceiling and vinyl-asbestos flooring in 2001. Long was charged with not notifying Puget Sound Clean Air; not using workers certified to remove and handle asbestos; illegally disposing of asbestos debris with regular garbage; and not placing barriers and warnings on the site. He faces up to a year in jail and $40,000 in fines.

King County buses to try biodiesel fuel

SEATTLE -- King County Metro Transit is testing biodiesel fuel in 10 buses as part of an effort to reduce the agency's reliance on fossil fuel.

The agency will test a biodiesel blend of 80 percent diesel fuel with 20 percent vegetable oil, according to a news release. The fuel will cost $1.50 per gallon, compared with 80 to 90 cents per gallon the county spends on ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, said spokesperson Linda Thielke.

She said the agency will spend $5,000 to monitor the project and determine whether biodiesel causes operation or maintenance problems. Even if biodiesel works well, Thielke said expanding its use could prove difficult due to limited local availability and high prices. The fleet has 1,300 buses.

SPU meetings highlight new drainage plan

SEATTLE -- Seattle Public Utilities will discuss its proposed Comprehensive Drainage Plan at two upcoming community meetings.

SPU is examining how it manages flood protection, habitat preservation and enhancement, water quality, public assets and other stormwater issues.

The agency will discuss the plan at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Seattle City Light North Service Center, 1300 N. 97th St.; and at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Camp Long Environmental Education Center, 5200 35th Ave. S.W. in West Seattle. For information contact Darla Inglis at (206) 733-9196 or e-mail drainage.plan@seattle.gov.

2good2toss.com offers online exchange

TACOMA -- The goal of a new government-sponsored Web exchange is to slow the flow of used appliances, furniture, fixtures, carpet, lumber, electronics, car parts and other items to landfills.

There's little limit to what users can post at http://www.2good2toss.com: Judging by a quick browse of the Web site, items that are legal and non-hazardous appear to be fair game.

Participants include Clark, King, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Walla Walla and Columbia counties and the cities of Shelton, Tacoma and Richland. Listings are free, and users can make a buck, but eBay this ain't: Items must be offered for $99 or less. For details visit www.2good2toss.com.

Nov. 4 workshop: 'final word' on toxic mold

SEATTLE -- A Nov. 4 workshop at the Red Lion Hotel, 1415 Fifth Ave., will cover the biological, practical, and legal implications of toxic mold in residential and commercial buildings.

"The Mold Epidemic: Fact or Fiction? The Final Word on Toxic Mold Issues" is designed for attorneys, physicians, contractors, insurance agents, Realtors, property managers, consultants, developers, design professionals and industrial hygienists.

Topics will include development and biology; mold-related illnesses; prosecuting commercial cases; defending contractors and designers; and mold remediation and repair. For details call The Seminar Group at (800) 574-4852 or visit www.theseminargroup.net/htmls/seminars/03moldwa/index.htm.

Comments due on aquatic reserve plan

OLYMPIA - The state Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments on its proposal to create aquatic reserves near Maury Island and Cherry Point.

Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland recommended the sites become aquatic reserves after recommendations from state and federal agencies and academia. At an Oct. 28 meeting in Vashon and a Nov. 5 in Bellingham, DNR will discuss the proposed reserves and aquatic-reserve process. For details visit www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/aqr/reserves/home.htm.

Submit comments by Nov. 7 for Maury Island and Nov. 12 for Cherry Point to DNR's SEPA Center, P.O. Box 47015, Olympia, WA 98504-7015, or e-mail to sepacenter@wadnr.gov.

Automakers fight for SUV tax deduction

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An effort in the Senate to cut tax deductions for small businesses that buy sport utility vehicles is running into opposition from automakers, who say the deductions are fair and should be expanded.

The Senate Finance Committee voted this month to cut the amount small businesses can deduct for buying an SUV from $100,000 to $25,000. The bill is headed for the full Senate, where some lawmakers have called for a complete repeal of the deduction.

The deduction applies to vehicles weighing 6,000 pounds or more. Tax deductions for trucks and SUVs first were meant for farmers and other small businesses that needed large vehicles. The deduction amount grew from $25,000 to $100,000 this summer as part of an economic stimulus package.