Environmental Watch: Howard Hanson Dam meeting Sept. 8

SEATTLE — A public meeting on water and fish habitat restoration plans for Howard Hanson Dam is set for Sept. 8. at Federal Center South, 4735 E. Marginal Way S. from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release large woody debris collected above the dam each year.

The Corps worked on Howard Hanson restoration to study how gravel and wood work together. It built log jams with root wads attached and installed gravel. Corps biologists found chinook, pink, sockeye and coho salmon spawning in the new habitat last year. Monitoring surveys this year showed fry using log jams as rearing and protection habitat.

For more information, contact public affairs specialist Andrea Takash at (206) 766-6447.

Biodiesel on job sites: workshop Sept. 22

SEATTLE — Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition hosts a free workshop for developers, architects and contractors on biodiesel Sept. 22 at the Lighting Design Lab, 400 E. Pine St. in Seattle.

Talks include how developers have used biodiesel, stories from contractors and fleets using it, and where to get biodiesel. Participants can meet fuel providers and suppliers. Biodiesel is biodegradable and renewable.

New Environmental Protection Agency standards for emissions controls and cleaner diesel fuel for on- and off-road equipment will take effect in 2006. Biodiesel produces less air pollution than diesel fuel, according to Clean Cities, and is versatile enough to use with almost any diesel engine.

Register for the workshop before Sept. 15 by contacting (206) 684-0935 or linda.graham@seattle.gov. For more information, visit pugetsoundcleancities.org/biodieselworkshop.htm

$1M skate park eyed for Woodland Park

SEATTLE — The Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation is proposing a 23,000-square-foot skateboard park on unused land at Lower Woodland Park. It would cost $1 million.

Susan Golub, strategic advisor with Parks, said part of the reason costs are estimated to be so high is a maintenance road that would have to be moved.

Seattle lacks good skate parks, she said, though it has one at Seattle Center and one in Ballard on a site scheduled to be redeveloped into a new park.

No architect has been chosen, but a staff landscape architect drew a preliminary design with input from a group of skateboard enthusiasts. It would have areas to accommodate all skill levels, a street course and an elevated viewing area.

Construction for the 14,000-square-foot first phase is set to begin in 2006. Parks has requested $300,000 in grants from a committee for outdoor recreation.

The skate park is one item the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners will consider at its Sept. 9 meeting, to be held at 100 Dexter Ave. N. at 6 p.m. Also on the agenda is Occidental Square Park. Revamping the park is part of Mayor Nickels' Downtown Parks Initiative to make the space more inviting to visitors.

For more information, contact Sandy Brooks at (206) 684-5066 or sandy.brooks@seattle.gov.

County cutting willows at Marymoor

SEATTLE — Willow trees are being removed at Marymoor Park near Redmond, even though they provide shade for salmon in a fish and wildlife habitat.

The willow tree removal is part of a maintenance agreement King County signed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers more than 40 years ago intended to improve water flow through the area during floods. Vegetation between the banks is removed each year.

The county and the Corps are working on the Willowmoor Reach Restoration project, to see how the section could be reconfigured so willows don't need to be cut again. The project is in design phase and construction won't begin until at least the summer of 2006. For more information, visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/flood/willowmoor.

Oregon DEQ seeks study of its efficiency

PORTLAND — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is seeking proposals from firms or individuals to do a study of workflow efficiency.

The contractor will study the workload in DEQ's laboratory division, assessing priorities, looking at laboratory functions, and identifying ways to improve efficiency. The purpose of the study is to find out which functions could be outsourced to cut expenses and still maintain quality.

An optional meeting will be held Sept. 14 at the DEQ Laboratory, 1712 S.W. Eleventh St., Portland. Closing date for the RFP is Sept. 30.

Environmental Watch: Hart Crowser adds five to staff

SEATTLE — Hart Crowser's Seattle office recently added five staff members to work on environmental and pollution prevention projects.

Environmental engineer Peter Smiltins designs remediation for dry cleaning and gas station sites. Evan Griffiths is working on groundwater remediation, mine reclamation and landfill closure projects. Oceanographer Erin Breckel is working on plans for stormwater pollution prevention for a port and a recycling company. Geochemist Jessica Robertson surveys hazardous building materials. Project assistant Jessica Ballard is working on environmental site assessments for the Seattle Monorail Project.

Hart Crowser is a 150-person environmental and engineering consulting firm headquartered in Seattle. The firm specializes in environmental and geotechnical engineering, natural resources and remediation technologies. It also has offices in Edmonds, Portland, Anchorage, Denver and Cherry Hill, N.J.

New wetland rules from the Corps

PORTLAND — New guidelines from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are intended to help engineers design wetland mitigation projects more successfully than they have been in the past. New guidelines are available at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/regs/MGMR.pdf.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published the new mitigation guidelines and monitoring requirements for its Portland District, which includes the state of Oregon and Washington ports on the Columbia River, from the Port of Ilwaco to Port of Klickitat.

The guidelines were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries and other resource agencies. For more information, contact Kathryn Harris at Kathryn.L.Harris@usace.army.mil.

NW salmon experts host festival in Russia

PORTLAND — Northwest salmon experts host a festival in Russia this weekend to promote awareness of wild salmon protection. The first international Sakhalin Salmon Festival will be held Sept. 4 to 6 on the banks of the Krasnodonka River, near the town of Aniva in the Sakhalin region.

The Portland-based Wild Salmon Center has helped fisheries mangers, scientists and conservation groups in the Russian Far East for more than a decade. They will attend the festival along with representatives from Salmon Nation and Oregon Trout's Salmon Watch. Northwest experts will meet Russian fish biologists, educators and a marine protection group called the Living Seas Coalition. For more information, contact Angela Owen, Wild Salmon Center (503) 222-1804, aowen@wildsalmoncenter.org. Or visit http://www.wildsalmoncenter.org.

Hazmat group to meet Sept. 7

SEATTLE — The next quarterly meeting of the Pacific Northwest chapter of the Academy of Hazardous Materials Management will be held Sept. 7 at Rock Salt Steak House, 1232 Westlake Ave. N. in Seattle. A social hour starts at 6 p.m.

Emery Bayley, senior technical services manager of the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle, will speak on the coalition's efforts to remediate contaminated properties. The academy certifies professionals and provides networking opportunities for the industry. Cost is $25. Reserve by Thursday. For more information, contact Peggy Willingham at (206) 392-9854 or peggy.willingham@alaskaair.com. Or visit http://www.pnwc-ahmm.org.

County updating flood hazard plan

SEATTLE — King County will present workshops Sept. 8, 13, 14 and 15 to gather public input to update its 1993 flood hazard reduction plan.

The plan outlines strategies for reducing hazards, and providing health and safety services when floods occur. The update will take into account the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, a national flood insurance program and amendments to the Growth Management Act such as the Endangered Species Act listing of chinook salmon and bull trout.

Presentations on the county's river management will be followed by public sessions at libraries in North Bend on Sept. 8 and in Auburn on Sept. 13. Sessions will also be held at Renton Community Center on Sept. 14 and Carnation's Sno-Valley Senior Center on Sept. 15. A draft of the plan for public review is scheduled to be out in November. For information see the Web site at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/topics/flooding/FLDtopic.htm

USGBC hosts talk on lifecycle issues

SEATTLE — The U.S. Green Building Council hosts a conference to address green building and lifecycle assessment methods. "Crossroads" will be held at the Mountaineers Building, 300 Third Ave. W., in Seattle on Sept. 10.

The council says the lifecycle assessment method has been used to specify what counts as sustainable building materials. Ways to identify and measure environmental and economic impacts will also be covered. A roundtable includes: Nina Tallering, Glen Gilbert, Vivian Loftness, Tom Paladino and Philip White. Cost starts at $180. For more information, contact ncollie@sppcoalition.org. The same conference will also be held in Portland on Sept. 9.

Sustainable transportation, trade seminars

PORTLAND — The Oregon Natural Step Network presents "Sustainable Transportation: Oxymoron or Opportunity" on Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Omsi Cafe, 1945 S.E. Water Ave. in Portland.

The seminar covers how to transport people and goods in efficient and sustainable ways. Alternative transportation, alternate fuels, and best ways to ship small packages are some of the topics to be covered. Cost is $110 or $90 for members. Attendance is limited.

The Sustainable Industries Journal sponsors a talk on sustainable free trade on Sept. 15 at Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 S.W. Salmon St. in Portland. Speakers include Steve Smith, founder of tea company Tazo, and David Griswold, president of coffee trader Sustainable Harvest. Cost is $35. For more information on either event, contact Barbara Koneval at (503) 241-1140 or events@ortns.org or visit http://www.ortns.org/events.asp.

Baldwin shows eco-friendly piano

TRUMAN, Ark. — Nashville-based Baldwin Piano has a new piano model made from lyptus, a hardwood grown in South America under sustainable forestry practices. The premium-grade lyptus is grown on plantations. To prevent native ecosystems from being overwhelmed, plots are interspersed with native trees on a regular basis.

The Baldwin model was on display in Atlanta at the recent International Woodworking and Furniture Supply Fair, a trade show for the furniture and architectural woodworking industries.

Public hearing on roadless forest rule

SEATTLE — Gov. Gary Locke, Senator Maria Cantwell and Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash) sponsor a public hearing Wednesday to get public comments on repeal of a federal rule on roadless forests.

The hearing will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 First Ave. N.E. in Shoreline. A panel of elected officials and environmental policy aides will hear public comment.

Other topics covered will be the decline of Olympic, Mount Rainier and other national parks in the region. Sponsors are: Washington Wilderness Coalition, the Campaign to Protect America's Lands and the Coalition of Concerned National Park Service Retirees. For more information, call Tom Uniack at (206) 633-1992, Ext. 102 or visit www.wawild.org/campaigns/hearing.html.

Environmental Watch: Tacoma city employees get LEED

TACOMA — Two employees in the city of Tacoma's Public Works and Environmental Services Department recently earned accreditation through the U.S. Green Building program LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Jim Parvey is a division manager in science and engineering. Bill Smith manages resource conservation and sustainability programs. The department works on surface water, wastewater and solid waste utilities programs. For more information about LEED, visit http://www.usgbc.org.

Small environmental grants available

OLYMPIA — The Puget Sound Action Team will award grants of up to $4,500 in SEEDs, Small Environmental Education Dividends. A total of $40,000 is available to Washington state individuals, organizations, businesses, watershed and salmon groups, tribal and local governments, and schools.

Eligible projects include: cleaning contaminated sites, reducing pollution or toxic contamination, protecting shorelines, or conserving orca, salmon, forage and ground fish.

The Action Team is a partnership of governments and tribal groups. This is its second round of SEEDs. Applications are posted at http://www.psat.wa.gov/Programs/Education.htm. Deadline is Sept. 14. Grantees will be named this fall.

New green group holds forum Thursday

SEATTLE — Sustainable Development Advocacy Committee hosts a forum with Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish), on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sellen Construction, 227 Westlake, in Seattle. Dunshee chairs the state House capital budget committee and will hear what attendees have to say about sustainable building.

The Sustainable Development Advocacy Committee was formed by sustainable design professionals who met through the AIA Committee on the Environment and the U.S. Green Building Council's Cascadia chapter.

The group's goal is to increase communication on green design at the policy level. The forum will be the committee's first event. Attendance is free, but limited. Anyone planning to attend should RSVP to allisonc@eboxwood.com.

4,000 TVs recycled through pilot program

SEATTLE — Good Guys stores in Lynnwood, Southcenter, Bellevue and Puyallup collected and recycled 4,042 TVs, more than twice what had been anticipated, as part of a recent electronics waste recycling campaign. Small electronics can still be recycled for free through Sept. 6 at Office Depot stores (see http://www.officedepot.com/recycle). Items can be PCs, digital cameras, cell phones or small televisions.

Electronics waste contains lead, cadmium and mercury that can pollute air, land and water. More than two-thirds of heavy metals in landfills comes from discarded electronics. Consumer electronics account for 40 percent of lead in landfills. King and Snohomish counties run a year-round network to reuse and recycle computers, TVs and household electronics. See http://dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/takeitback/index.htm.

New class for green building advisors

SEATTLE — Certificate programs in sustainability begin this fall in Seattle and Portland. A "Sustainable Building Advisor" certificate program starts in October at Seattle Central Community College. Cost is $1,950. Graduates are expected to be able to advise clients or employers on strategies for sustainable design.

For more information, visit http://www.cityofseattle.net/light/conserve/sustainability/cv5_scc.htm or contact Seattle Central Community College's office of continuing and professional education at (206) 587-5476.

Portland State University will offer a similar certificate for working professionals. Community experts will instruct on sustainability strategies for business, government and nonprofits, as well as share ways that they can set up sustainability programs. Cost is $1,000. For more information, contact Jennifer Allen, associate program director, at (503) 725-8546 or e-mail jhallen@pdx.edu.

Idaho Water Center to be research hub

BOISE — Four agencies that will become the first tenants of the new Idaho Water Center will host a free public tour and panel discussion, "Working on Water," on Sept. 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The center is at 322 Front St.

Idaho Water Center is expected to become a hub for research on water and ecosystems. The six-story facility will house state, federal and university research. Occupants will include the University of Idaho Boise, Idaho Water Resources Research Institute and the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Laboratories will include a high-elevation flume for river simulation, hydro-informatics and computing to analyze lab results and field tests. Satellite technology will be used to transmit field data.

Clean Air Northwest seminar Sept. 9

SEATTLE — Law Seminars International will present a workshop, "Clean Air Northwest," at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel in Seattle on Sept. 9. The workshop provides an update on the region's air quality since the New Source Review reform package was released one year ago.

Topics covered include greenhouse gas emissions, air toxins, transportation and indoor air quality.

Law Seminars International presents continuing education programs in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, call (206) 567-4490 or (800) 854-8009. Also e-mail registrar@lawseminars.com or visit http://www.clenews.com/LSI/04/04airwa.htm.

Firms pay $56M for Indiana cleanup

GARY, Ind. (AP) — Eight companies have agreed to pay $56 million to help clean up several miles of a polluted river near a rare habitat of sand dunes, prairie and swamp, officials said.

The deal over pollution in the Grand Calumet River, which flows into Lake Michigan, follows years of investigation by environmental regulators, Gov. Joe Kernan said.

U.S. Steel Corp., which operates North America's largest steel mill in Gary, will pay $21.5 million, with chemical company DuPont Co. paying $10.5 million and steelmaker Ispat Inland Inc. paying $8.3 million. The five other companies will pay smaller shares over the next five years.

Toxic algae shuts down Oregon lake

SELMA, Ore. (AP) — A Southern Oregon lake contains the highest levels of toxic algae ever found in Oregon, tests show. Park officials were scheduled to close Lake Selmac to the public last week after discovering a bloom of green algae. The lake hosts about 400 campers each week, said Michael Strahan, parks superintendent for Josephine County.

Water tests showed the highest concentration of algae cells — two million per milliliter of water — since tests on Oregon lakes began, said Ken Kauffman of Oregon's department of health and safety. Hot, stagnant air warming shallow water causes algae outbreaks. It dies in cooler weather, releasing harmful toxins. Exposure can cause liver or nervous-system damage for humans or kill pets.

Making landowners liable for fire costs

BEND, Ore. (AP) — Deschutes County is poised to become the first county in Oregon to implement a new law requiring property owners to secure their homes against wildfires, if they live in fire-prone areas.

State and county officials are expected to approve a map this week categorizing the wildfire risk for homes within the so-called wildland-urban interface, or developed areas adjacent to forests, in Deschutes County.

The certification program is the result of a law passed by the Oregon Legislature in 1997, and intended to protect the urban interface from wildfire and reduce the rising costs of fire suppression.

Homeowners will have two years from the time they receive notification to make sure their properties comply with wildfire-safety recommendations.

If a wildfire ignites on a property that the owner has not certified as "fire safe," the owner could be held responsible for up to $100,000 of fire suppression fees, according to the law.

Firms pay $56M for Indiana cleanup

GARY, Ind. (AP) — Eight companies have agreed to pay $56 million to help clean up several miles of a polluted river near a rare habitat of sand dunes, prairie and swamp, officials said.

The deal over pollution in the Grand Calumet River, which flows into Lake Michigan, follows years of investigation by environmental regulators, Gov. Joe Kernan said.

U.S. Steel Corp., which operates North America's largest steel mill in Gary, will pay $21.5 million, with chemical company DuPont Co. paying $10.5 million and steelmaker Ispat Inland Inc. paying $8.3 million. The five other companies will pay smaller shares over the next five years.

Environmental Watch: Susan Hanf new NEBC director

PORTLAND — The Northwest Environmental Business Council appointed Susan Hanf as its new executive director. Hanf succeeds David Welsh, who has a new job collaborating with the University of Arizona after 11 years with the council.

Hanf has worked on economic development, international trade and legislative advocacy, and has more than 12 years of association management experience.

The council is a Northwest regional trade association for the environmental technology and service industry, with 150 member companies in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. It provides members with networking opportunities, referrals and information on the environmental industry. For more information, visit http://www.nebc.org or call (888) 609-NEBC (6322).

Anchor adds East Coast staff

SEATTLE — David Haury, Chris Leuteritz and Paul LaRosa join Anchor Environmental in new East Coast offices.

Haury, who specializes in contaminated sites and oil spills, will lead the Philadelphia office. Leuteritz will head the Boston office. He has 15 years of experience in environmental engineering, construction management and remedial design, and has worked on due diligence and environmental claims support projects. LaRosa, an ocean and geotechnical engineer, will also be based in Boston.

Anchor is an environmental science and engineering firm that focuses on shoreline projects. Other offices are in Seattle, Portland, San Diego, Oakland and Irvine, Calif., and Ocean Springs, Miss.

State contracts for hybrid SUV

OLYMPIA -- The Department of General Administration recently awarded a contract to Columbia Ford of Longview for a hybrid SUV. Ford set aside 50 vehicles for the state, and the General Administration's motor pool program placed the first order.

Those eligible to buy the 2005 Ford Escape include: state agencies, universities, community colleges, local governments and some nonprofits. The manufacturer has suggested a retail price of about $27,000, but the state contract price is $24,271.

Hybrid vehicles can be powered by a gasoline engine, electric motor or both. Ford says the hybrid produces 97 percent less hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen emissions than comparably sized gasoline-powered vehicles, and that it gets more mileage per gallon. For more information, visit http://www.ga.wa.gov/Vehreq/VehAcq.html.

Estuary conference in Seattle Sept. 12-15

SEATTLE — Restore America's Estuaries, a national nonprofit based in Arlington, Va., hosts its second national conference on coastal and estuarine habitat restoration at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle from Sept. 12-15.

Denis Hayes of the Seattle-based Bullitt Foundation will speak on lessons learned from 30 years of restoration attempts. Restore America's goal is to ensure that policies, laws and funding are in place for restoration projects.

Estuaries are coastal waters formed when fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean. When fresh river water is blocked by mainland, peninsulas, barrier islands or fringing salt marshes, it mixes with ocean water. This results in an ecosystem with nutrients from the land and from the ocean. Restore America says estuaries provide habitat for more than three quarters of the nation's commercial fish catch. Commercial and recreational fishing, boating and tourism also provide more than 28 million jobs. For more information, visit www.estuaries.org.

‘Ecycling' Saturday at Sand Point

SEATTLE — Computers, monitors and TVs that are no longer useful can be unloaded at an "ecycling" event on Saturday. Three groups are hosting the event: Sand Point Magnuson Park, nonprofit InterConnection, and Seattle youth leadership organization EarthCorps.

They will accept used electronics from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sand Point Magnuson Park, 6310 N.E. 74th St.

InterConnection works to provide computer and Internet training to underserved communities worldwide, so working computers and monitors will be allocated locally and abroad. The event will also help youths training with EarthCorps gain experience. No VCRs, microwaves, stereos or household appliances will be accepted. Donations are tax deductible.

For more information, contact (206) 310-4547 or info@interconnection.org. Or visit http://www.computers.interconnection.org/ecyclesandpoint.

Snohomish PUD offers help with bills

EVERETT — The Snohomish County Public Utility District recently set aside $4.6 million to help senior and low-income customers with electric bills through next year. The utility's assistance programs are expected to help nearly 13,000 customers. Programs offer rate discounts of up to 60 percent and start in October.

Seniors, those 62 years of age and older, with a combined household income of $21,000 or less each year are eligible. Low-income participants can receive help if household incomes are less than 125 percent of the federal established poverty level. For more information, call (425) 783-1000.

New system tracks Columbia salmon

PORTLAND (AP) — A new tracking system at the mouth of the Columbia River is allowing scientists to study how dams are affecting threatened and endangered salmon.

Until now, no one has been able to track what happens to salmon during their final migration to the sea once they pass Bonneville Dam, almost 150 miles upriver.

The federal government spends more than $700 million a year in the Columbia River Basin to sustain and rebuild salmon runs. The spending, however, has not turned things around for many stocks, particularly those bound to the farthest upriver reaches of the Snake River, past eight large hydropower projects.

The Corps of Engineers, which runs the Columbia's extensive system of hydroelectric dams, spent close to $2 million to develop the new tracking system.

Biologists suspended two rows of automated electronic sensors, called hydrophones, to listen for baby salmon passing by. The sensors pick up recorded pinging signals sent from transmitters implanted in a thousand smolts.

Based on a preliminary analysis, juvenile chinook take about three days to make the trip. The trial run also shows its possible to pinpoint where in the river channel fish migrate, and how tides and daylight affect their entry into the ocean.

Assuming funding comes through, the researchers expect to place a larger set of hydrophones next year and complete a full survival study on juvenile chinook salmon from Bonneville Dam to the ocean.

Prospects dim for Calif. solar effort

SACRAMENTO (AP) — A legislative committee last week defeated a $1 billion proposal to run half of new California homes on solar energy by 2020, in part because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet to sign on to the proposal advanced by his own Environmental Protection Agency.

The vote came hours before the governor met privately with senior aides to decide how to fulfill an ambitious campaign pledge, and a day after he renewed a promise to help put the state on a par with world leaders like Japan and Germany in offering solar incentives.

One senator said this is "a holding pattern" until Schwarzenegger arrives at his plan.

Supporters fear lawmakers are unlikely to adopt a new tax in an election year, though the EPA estimates homeowners would more than offset the increase by selling solar electricity back to utilities.

The EPA's draft proposal was built on raising $100 million for each of 10 years from a new monthly utility bill surcharge of about 25-to-30 cents per household.

Environmental Watch: Whitman buys Blue Sky energy

WALLA WALLA — Whitman College bought 90 blocks per month of Pacific Power's Blue Sky renewable energy, becoming the state's first higher education renewable power customer.

The city of Walla Walla launched the "Blue Sky Community Challenge," which aims to sign up five percent of the community to the program by September. Walla Walla already has 432 homes and businesses enrolled.

Blue Sky's wind energy comes from new farms such as the Stateline Wind Farm. For more information, call Pacific Power at (800) 842-8458 or visit http://www.pacificpower.net/bluesky.

BetterBricks seeks award nominations

PORTLAND — Nominations for the second Oregon/Southwest Washington BetterBricks Awards are due Sept. 10. Awards are granted to recognize architects, engineers, developers, consultants and other commercial building industry professionals for design of sustainable, high-performance buildings. Entries will be judged on points such as materials, energy savings, daylighting and climate design. An awards presentation will be held in Portland on Oct. 28.

The BetterBricks is part of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a non-profit supported by electric utilities. It is targeted to design professionals in Oregon, Southwest Washington and Idaho. For more information, call (503) 241-1124 or e-mail vanessa<@>coateskokes.com.

Puget Sound Council members appointed

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke appointed three new members to the Puget Sound Council. New council members are: David Herrera, fisheries manager for the Skokomish Tribe; Doug Mah, city council member for Olympia; and Naki Stevens, program director for People for Puget Sound. Bill Dewey, public affairs manager for Taylor Shellfish Co., was reappointed.

Outgoing council members are Tom Putnam of Puget Soundkeepers Alliance and Fran Wilshusen of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. Council members serve four-year terms.

Puget Sound Council works to protect and restore the region's marine and fresh waterways. It has 11 members who represent business, agriculture, the shellfish industry, environmental organizations, local and tribal governments, and the legislature. The council advises the Puget Sound Action Team. For information, visit: http://www.psat.wa.gov/Who_we_are/Council.htm.

Lamps get Energy Star certification

PORTLAND — Two reflector compact fluorescent lamps recently passed performance criteria for the U.S. Department of Energy's "Energy Star" certification. Both models are manufactured by Philips Lighting Co.

Many homes and businesses use recessed fixtures for lighting, almost all of which use reflector incandescent lamps. Energy use could be cut significantly with energy-efficient lamps, which the Alliance and DOE encouraged manufacturers to develop.

Five manufacturers submitted ideas for 12 models in response to DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's request for proposals two years ago. DOE will continue to test and identify other lamps.

Bennett honored for Green Idea Home

SEATTLE — Bennett Homes was recognized for recycling and cutting waste on construction of the Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home in Issaquah Highlands, completed in February. Bennett used 100 percent recycled-content materials in construction, including finger-jointed studs, cellulose insulation, composition roofing and gypsum board. Partially recycled-content products such as ceramic tile, floor and roof sheathing were also used and Bennett recycled 85 percent of its waste on the jobsite.

Contractors interested in the program can contact: Kinley Deller at (206) 296-4434 for jobsites in King County or Karen Price at (206) 389-7281 for jobsites in Seattle. For more information, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/greenworks.

Making sustainability pay off: Sept. 26 - 29

SEATTLE — The first "Profitable Sustainability: The Future of Business" conference will be held from Sept. 26 to 29 at the Westin Hotel in Seattle.

The conference will include forums and workshops on sustainable strategies, and keynote addresses by executives from Future 500, Portfolio 21, Nike, Hewlett-Packard, Boeing, Russell Investment Group and WorldWatch Institute. Sponsors include Starbucks Coffee Co., the Russell Investment Group, REI, Nordstrom and Boeing. For more information or to register, contact Mary Rose at (425) 828-0982 or maryr<@>nbis.org.

Sustainable option for car washes

SEATTLE — Many groups that hold car washes to raise money don't realize that the polluted wastewater is directly discharged into waterways through storm drains. A professional car wash association is offering a sustainable solution.

Nonprofits now can raise money by selling basic car wash tickets that can be redeemed at more than 30 facilities around Puget Sound. Wastewater will be channeled into the sanitary sewer for treatment. Qualified groups can buy tickets for $1.50 and sell them for up to $8.

Andy Berg of the Puget Sound Car Wash Association, said to date the association's charity wash program has helped nonprofits raise more than $200,000. For more information, contact (800) 509-WASH (9274) or visit http://www.charitycarwash.org.

AWB/NEBC conference Oct. 19-20

SEATTLE — The Association of Washington Business has partnered with the Northwest Environmental Business Council to put on the Environmental Conference of Washington trade show, to be held October 19 and 20 at Washington State Convention & Trade Center. The conference is for environmental mangers, engineers, consultants, lawyers and planners.

There will be a policy roundtable and workshops. Topics to be covered include: permitting, pollution prevention, industrial lands, hazardous waste, incentives and lean manufacturing.

For more information, contact Cara Bergeson, NEBC, at (503) 227-6361 or cara<@>nebc.org.

Yakama Nation to study wild horses

TOPPENISH (AP) — Wildlife officials from south-central Washington's Yakama Indian Reservation are seeking grants to study wild horses. Several thousand — too many — are displacing native species on habitat in Dry Creek, a desert scrubland.

Wildlife manager E. Arlen Washines said that inbreeding, overgrazing and lack of range management on the reservation's 1.4 million acres has displaced deer and elk. "But we don't know what's needed to fix that," said Washines, "to create a balance."

That's why the Yakama Nation is seeking grants to study migration, genetic makeup and the diet of wild horses. Native species such as pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep and sage grouse could then perhaps be restored. Tribal officials aim to have a wild horse population management plan in place by 2006.

Environmental Watch: Shockey/Brent adds planner

Shepherd

EVERETT — Andy Shepherd joined the Everett-based consulting firm Shockey/Brent as an associate planner. Shepherd was an intern with Shockey/Brent and with Whatcom County Planning and Development Services.

He will work on an expansion for the Providence Everett Medical Center and a wetland analysis along Mountain Loop Highway. Shepherd received a B.A. in planning from Western Washington University this year. Shockey/Brent provides land use, environmental and permitting services for clients throughout Washington.

Golder adds eight in Redmond

REDMOND — The environmental and engineering consulting firm Golder Associates added and promoted staff in its Redmond office. Rens Verberg was named principal. Ryan Vannier is a project hydrogeologist and Scott Zajac is a project engineer. Kristin Salzsauler and Robert Frazer are staff geophysicists. Lisa Dally Wilson, Bryan Rawson and Cathy Smith are associates.

Golder is a global group of consulting companies specializing in ground engineering and environmental services. The company has more than 3,000 employees in Africa, Australia, Europe, North and South America.

Ecology looks at Lake Union cleanup options

SEATTLE — Metro and Chevron Products Co. are talking with the Washington State Department of Ecology about cleanup options at the three-acre site of the former Chevron Bulk Fueling Terminal, on the north shore of Lake Union at 1602 N. Northlake Place in Seattle. Cleanup in deep soils and groundwater has been ongoing since 1999, but some pockets still remain. Options under consideration are: excavating contaminated soil pockets, or a deed restriction that would require Ecology's approval if subsurfaces are disturbed.

Standard Oil of California constructed the facilities in 1925, operating a diesel and bulk fueling and storage facility. In 1982 Metro bought the property, operating a fueling station before closing the tanks in 1989.

Seattle wins $100K for natural drainage

SEATTLE — Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government presented an "Innovations in American Government" award to the city of Seattle for its natural drainage program. A $100,000 grant will be used to help expand the program.

Seattle Public Utilities has worked on five natural drainage projects in the past four years. The most recent is the Broadview Green Grid in northwest Seattle's Piper's Creek watershed, which covers 15 city blocks and is set to be complete in September.

Natural drainage systems take a different approach to standard American street design, creating an inviting streetscape that encourages neighbors to interact. Other benefits are reduced flooding, better water quality, calmer traffic and enhanced landscaping. The same approach is being used at the High Point housing redevelopment in southwest Seattle's Longfellow Creek watershed and as part of development of the south lot at Northgate Mall. Another natural drainage project is planned for the Pinehurst neighborhood. For more information, visit http://www.seattle.gov/util.

Wang named Dredger of the Year

SEATTLE — The Western Dredging Association named engineer Thomas Wang Dredger of the Year. He is a partner with Seattle consulting firm Anchor Environmental and works on marine engineering, construction and marine environment projects. Anchor concentrates on shorelines, sediment management, environmental review and coastal engineering.

Wang was recognized for leadership on high-profile projects across the country and abroad. He worked on a Superfund remediation for Sitcum Waterway in Tacoma and East Waterway deepening projects for the Port of Seattle. He also worked on pilot studies for managing dredged material for the Los Angeles Corps of Engineers and on dredging design for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Meadowbrook Pond cleanup begins

SEATTLE — Seattle Public Utilities crews will begin the annual cleanup this month of northeast Seattle's Meadowbrook Pond to prepare for the rainy season. Stormwater detention facilities will be readied for fall storms, with removal of organic matter, maintenance upstream of the dam, and dredging of rock and sediment deposits that accumulated over the winter.

Work is expected to last two months. Work will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. During maintenance, the south side of the forebay will be closed, as will the pedestrian bridge. For more information, contact Gary Lockwood, project manager, at (206) 684-7750 or by e-mail at gary.lockwood@seattle.gov.

WSDOT takes a shot at knotweed

BURLINGTON — Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will inject herbicides into stalks of knotweed, an invasive non-native plant, on Whidbey Island. Work begins Wednesday along state Route 525 near Clinton. Crews will reseed the area with grass after knotweed is removed.

Knotweed is an aggressive and noxious weed that spreads quickly. It shades out native plants, which results in loss of habitat. Left unchecked, knotweed spreads into wetlands and river areas, as it has in the eastern U.S. and Europe, causing what is often irreversible loss of fish and wildlife habitat.

Ray Willard, a WSDOT roadside maintenance manager, said directly injecting herbicide into the plants is more efficient than spraying because it doesn't require as much herbicide and cuts the risk of drift. Willard said in other parts of the state, the method has been 100 percent effective in controlling the weed with a single treatment.

Earlier this year, the department issued a draft plan to manage vegetation on Whidbey Island, calling for reduced use of herbicide on the island's highways. A summary of the plan is posted at www.wsdot.wa.gov/maintenance/mgmt_plans.htm. For more information, call the herbicide hotline at (360) 848-7238.

Courses on stormwater and toxic waste

SEATTLE — Contractors can take a Department of Ecology approved course on Aug. 18 and 19 on stormwater management practices. The course will be held at the AGC Building at 1200 Westlake Ave. N.

Topics include how to monitor stormwater runoff, best construction site management practices, and erosion and sediment control. Participants can be certified as erosion and sediment control experts. Cost is $399. To register, call Cathy Feole at (206) 284-4500 or visit www.constructionfoundation.org.

Lion Technology hosts a certification workshop on hazardous and toxic waste management at the Seattle Airport Hilton on Sept. 13 and 14. The workshop is for hazardous waste managers and covers how to identify solid waste, standards for solvent-contaminated rags and security regulations for shipping waste. Cost is $795. For more information, call (973) 383-0800, e-mail register@lion.com or visit www.lion.com/w827.

Environmental Watch: Portland group wins oil spill honor

PORTLAND -- The Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force recently presented several awards for oil spill prevention and preparedness.

The Portland group of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office was recognized for investigating and prosecuting waste oil dumping. The group led a multi-agency partnership seeking evidence of this illegal practice by vessels. Also recognized for prosecuting dumping was MSO Portland, which has been invited to provide training in the U.S., Australia and Europe on ways to find and prosecute offenders.

John Devens, executive director of a citizens advisory council for Prince William Sound, nominated the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Trade Shipping Companies. "We view a spill-free year as a significant milestone," he said.

For more information, contact Jean Cameron, oil spill task force executive coordinator, at (503) 392-5860 or JeanRCameron@oregoncoast.com.

Electronics recycling in Pierce County

SEATTLE -- Computers, scanners, TVs, digital cameras and cell phones are among the items Pierce County residents can recycle for free through Sept. 6 at Office Depot stores. Electronics contain lead, mercury and cadmium that need to be disposed of properly.

The city of Tacoma is member of the Northwest Product Stewardship Council, a group of government organizations working on pilot recycling programs with retailers. For more information, visit http://www.officedepot.com/recycle or http://www.productstewardship.net

PNNL recognized for research

RICHLAND -- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory recently won awards for its research, work that is among the world's 100 most important scientific and technical innovations, according to R&D Magazine.

PNNL was honored for:

The Millimeter Wave Holographic Body Scanner for Custom Fitting Apparel, a holographic imager that creates a 360-degree, high-resolution, 3-D scan of a body in less than 10 seconds.

BSP3 Polymer, a polymer coating that can be used in chemical detector systems to detect airborne chemical agents that might be used in terrorist attacks.

The Single-Chain Antibody Library, a library of over one-billion artificial antibodies that can be used in creating antibodies for medical and biological research. Four PNNL researchers shared an R&D 100 award with Columbus, Ohio-based researcher Battelle for their work on non-toxic, biodegradable fluids that can be used to remove and prevent ice formation on aircraft and runways, and on roadways or pavement.

Water cycle exhibit opens in North Bend

NORTH BEND -- Interactive water cycle exhibits were recently opened at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, located in the Cascade mountain foothills near North Bend. Videos and lasers show a model of the Cedar River watershed, highlighting where water is diverted, screened, disinfected and delivered.

"The new exhibits will help people understand the importance of protecting our water supply and using water wisely," said Seattle Public Utilities Director Chuck Clarke.

The center is a gateway to the Cedar River Watershed, a protected watershed that provides almost 70 percent of the drinking water that Seattle Public Utilities delivers in King County.

Hazy Rainier blamed on diesel fuel

TACOMA (AP) -- On cloudless summer days, the sight of Mount Rainier from the Puget Sound area can be breathtaking -- or shrouded in a brownish haze that sullies the base of the mountain.

Experts say fuel consumption from diesel vehicles is the most significant source of the pollutants that obscure views of the iconic peak and create health hazards.

Pollutants scatter and absorb light as it passes through the atmosphere. Haze typically begins to obstruct visibility long before the pollutants come close to exceeding federal air quality standards. But because even low levels of pollution can be harmful to vulnerable people, visibility serves as an early warning system.

"Mount Rainier serves as a sentinel to represent clean air," said Barbara Samora, a biologist at Mount Rainier National Park.

Prompted by the Clean Air Act, federal officials adopted a regulation several years ago requiring national parks and wilderness areas to be free of airborne pollutants by 2064.

Leaders of National Parks Conservation Association say that 2064 deadline is too far away. "We can do more now," said Jill Stephens, who coordinates the group's clean air campaign.

Wasp enlisted in western beetle battle

BEND, Ore. (AP) -- An exotic beetle that masquerades as a slug, then emerges to ravenously feed on grain fields throughout the West, may have met its match.

The state of Oregon is introducing a tiny wasp that hatches and develops inside the larvae of leaf beetles, then devours the pests' innards and kills them off.

The wasps, which don't sting humans, have nearly eradicated the leaf beetles from other parts of the country -- but it takes time, and farmers need to be willing to forgo spraying pesticides.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has just brought the wasp to Central Oregon, hoping farmers there will embrace insect biological control -- fighting bugs with bugs, said to be an eco-friendly and cheap way to combat pests.

The cereal leaf beetle first migrated to the country from Europe and Asia in 1962, when it landed in Michigan, and quickly spread through eastern states. A strong flier, the beetle easily travels long distances. It touched down on Oregon soil in 1999 and is now in 19 counties.

Statewide, nearly 38,000 acres of grains were sprayed last year at a cost of $421,000 to guard against the beetle.

It will take at least two years before researchers can tell if the wasps take to local soil, but the prognosis is good.

Klamath Basin fish won't be delisted

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) -- Two species of fish at the heart of battles over water in the Klamath Basin will remain on the endangered species list, but their protected status will undergo a comprehensive review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said last week.

A petition to take the Lost River sucker and shortnosed sucker off the endangered species list submitted two years ago by the group Interactive Citizens United did not contain any persuasive new information, the agency said from its regional office in Sacramento, Calif.

Meanwhile, the agency will embark on a five-year review of the suckers to assemble new information and evaluate whether the fish still need to be protected under the Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife said.

A fish screen has been built to keep young suckers from being sucked into irrigation canals to die, and the government is working toward removing a dam on the Sprague River that closes off miles of spawning habitat.

Environmental Watch: Recycle that old TV for $10

SEATTLE -- For $10, area residents now can recycle televisions at Good Guys retail stores in Bellevue, Tukwila, Lynnwood and Puyallup. A drive to recycle old sets through Aug. 7 is supported by King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg said illegally dumped televisions on private properties next to fish habitats have become a problem. Televisions contain lead, cadmium and mercury, and can contaminate air, land and water.

Current recycling programs, which reclaim resources such as copper and lead, cost up to $50 per unit.

Next year, northwest Washington residents are forecast to generate more than 1 million units of obsolete electronics. For more information, visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/takeitback or http://www.piercecountywa.org/recycle.

WWU prof on POP panel in Beijing

BELLINGHAM -- Wayne G. Landis, professor and director of the Institute of Environmental Toxicology at Western Washington University, moderated panel discussions at an environmental workshop last month in Beijing.

Sponsored by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the workshop addressed the need for science-based decision making in order to reduce risks of persistent organic pollutants, or POPs. Landis' panel considered risk assessment and adding new substances to the list of chemicals specified by the Stockholm Convention.

Landis chairs the department of environmental science at Huxley College of the Environment, has two patents, and is a board member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

New satellite to track pollution

PULLMAN -- Environmental scientists will soon be able to more clearly see air pollution in the earth's atmosphere, thanks to the upcoming launch of NASA's Earth Observing System Aura satellite.

Four high-tech instruments on board will collect data on the upper and lower atmospheres. An ozone monitoring instrument, constructed and largely funded by the Dutch, uses U.S. measuring and analysis expertise. With funding from NASA, Washington State University's George Mount, a geophysicist and engineering professor, has worked on the project since it started nearly eight years ago.

"We're interested in urban air pollution," said Mount, "which is a very, very hard problem to do from space." Mount was part of a team selected by NASA in 1997 to design, test and calibrate the ozone monitoring equipment.

Most pollution chemistry occurs in the lowest atmosphere. The ozone monitor is expected to supply what will be the best available satellite-gathered data on formation and dispersion of weather-borne pollutants in the troposphere, which extends to an altitude of 14 kilometers.

EOS Aura will study the earth's ozone, air quality and climate from a near-polar orbit every 100 minutes. A five-year mission will capture images from almost every point of the globe, tracking airborne transport of aerosols and chemical pollution.

Scientists can then measure and map pollutants in 64-square-mile segments, covering 1,600-mile geographical areas the size of the Pacific Northwest. Earlier satellite imaging could not give scientists true high-resolution views.

Bush plan would OK more logging

BOISE (AP) -- The Bush administration on Monday proposed a new plan to open up national forests to more logging, confirming a draft plan published two weeks ago.

Under the plan, announced by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman at the state Capitol, governors would have to petition the federal government to block road-building needed for logging in remote areas of national forests.

The rule replaces one adopted by the Clinton administration and still under challenge in federal court. It covers about 58 million of the 191 million acres of national forest nationwide.

Vestas supplying wind mills to TVA

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (AP) -- Railroad cars loaded with 135-foot-long windmill blades bound for the Southeast's largest wind farm on Buffalo Mountain are arriving.

The $30 million, privately financed project will add 15 turbines by year's end to the Tennessee Valley Authority wind farm, increasing its capacity more than tenfold.

Invenergy LLC, a Chicago-based energy development company, will own and operate the windmills under a 20-year deal supplying TVA's successful Green Power Switch alternative energy program.

In 2001, TVA built and continues to operate three smaller windmills on the former strip mine, about 30 miles west of Knoxville. Together they generate about 2 megawatts, enough to power 400 homes.

The Invenergy units, rising more than 360 feet in the air and expected to be on line by December, will generate 27 megawatts.

TVA, the nation's largest public utility, has more than 7,200 residential customers and 300 businesses in the Green Power Switch program. They pay a few dollars extra each month for clean renewable energy.

Foundations 30 feet deep are being prepared for each windmill, while their foreign-made bases, each weighing 95,000 pounds, are en route by train from Longview, Wash. Vestas Americas of Portland, is supplying and installing the windmills.

Some worried that hauling the windmill parts up the steep, rutted mountain road would be impossible. But the 5-mile route has been reworked. Curves were widened, switchbacks eliminated and portions repaved.

Weed Mapper helps fight invasive plants

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Dozens of undesirable weeds have displaced native plants throughout Oregon, threatening ecosystems and forcing wildlife to search out new areas for food.

Weeds can be costly for the agriculture and horticulture industries, and can also blight recreation opportunities, officials said.

Now, members of a variety of agencies, nonprofits, universities, soil and water conservation districts, as well as private landowners, are forming a network to fight back against weeds. They'll use tools like a database called Weed Mapper, created at Oregon State University.

"Over the last 10 years or so, the importance of invasive species as a threat to conservation and good economics has really risen to people's attention as we've learned more and more about the true costs of failure to act on these things," said Jonathon Soll of the Nature Conservancy of Oregon.

Tom Forney, projects coordinator with the noxious weed control program at the Oregon Department of Agriculture, said some weeds have now invaded riparian areas and spread particularly well during floods.

According to the agency, 21 weeds cost the state $83 million annually. The total cost of all invasive weeds is many times that, Forney said.

Environmental Watch: Landau makes staff changes

Ramos

EDMONDS -- Landau Associates, an engineering and environmental consulting firm has added and promoted members of its staff.

Michelle Ramos is a senior project geotechnical engineer, Shannon Moore is a project environmental scientist and Evalyn Albright is an environmental scientist.

April Wallace was promoted to assistant environmental scientist in the Edmonds office, Jennifer Olson to staff environmental scientist in Tacoma and Robert Bennion to assistant geotechnical engineer in Portland. Julie Bohm was named marketing proposal manager.

Landau Associates is headquartered in Edmonds and has offices in Tacoma, Spokane and Tigard, Ore.

EPA grants $200K for Harborview cleanup

SEATTLE -- King County recently won a $200,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for cleanup at the Harborview Medical Center's future expansion site, which is contaminated with dry cleaning fluid.

Funds came from the EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Environmental Response.

The site will be redeveloped into research facilities for Harborview, Public Health Seattle-King County clinics and the King County Medical Examiner. A cleanup schedule is set from July 2005 to September 2005.

For more information, contact Lucy Auster, senior planner, King County Solid Waste Division at (206) 296-8476 or lucy.auster<@>metrokc.gov.

Stevens Pass wins water treatment award

STEVENS PASS -- Stevens Pass Ski Area and the Stevens Pass sewer district recently won a water conservation award from the publishers of Ski and Skiing magazines.

Stevens Pass and the sewer district spent $7.5 million to install new membrane bioreactor technology for the wastewater system, in order to ease reliance on the aging Cascade Treatment Facility in Skykomish.

The new system's effluent exceeds all Washington Department of Ecology requirements, officials claim. It simplifies operations and accommodates variable flows.

Resort officials say Stevens Pass is testing the technology in a high elevation. Other mountain resorts may consider using the membrane bioreactor systems.

Canada funds clean technology efforts

OTTAWA -- Sustainable Development Technology Canada approved $32.4 million (Canadian) to fund 11 new clean technology demonstration projects, three of which will take place in Vancouver, B.C. Demonstration projects focus on greenhouse gas emissions.

Lignol Innovations Corp. of Vancouver, B.C., will demonstrate a cellulose-biomass biorefinery process that it says uses forest industry waste to create marketable products such as ethanol.

NxtPhase Corp. will use optical current and voltage sensors to control and monitor large-scale electricity electric power grids.

Sacre-Davey Engineering of North Vancouver, B.C., will demonstrate hydrogen fuel refining and distribution, showcasing fuel cells.

Wetlands conference and seminars in July

SEATTLE -- The 25th Society of Wetland Scientists conference will be held from July 18 to 23 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. A separate seminar on wetlands regulation takes place on July 27 in Tacoma and July 28 in Seattle.

The Society of Wetland Scientists conference is expected to attract 1,000 scientists, policy makers and regulators. Wetland research, implications of ecosystem management and effectiveness of mitigation are topics for discussion. Speakers include Dr. Mark Sudol, chief of the regulatory program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Dr. David Goode, an expert in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Global restoration efforts, including the cultural significance of the "Eden Again" project, which aims to restore Mesopotamian marshes in Iraq and Iran, are also on the agenda.

There will be field trips to area wetlands. For more information, visit http://www.sws.org/seattle2004.

Lorman Education Services presents a separate seminar on wetlands regulation on July 27 in Tacoma, and on July 28 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Representatives from GeoEngineers, Hidden Spring Consulting, Ecological Solutions, King County Department of Development and Environmental Services and other groups will speak on state and federal legislative and regulatory developments.

Lawyers, contractors, real estate agents, architects and environmental professionals are invited to attend. Cost is $309 for Tacoma, $329 for Seattle. For more information, call Lorman at (888) 678-5565 or visit http://www.lorman.com.

Mold prevention seminar July 28

SEATTLE -- Lorman Education Services will offer a seminar on how to solve water intrusion and mold problems on July 28 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The seminar covers strategies on how to handle water intrusion and mold problems in buildings. Experts will speak on ways to approach building envelope systems that are failing.

Other topics include mold sampling and analysis, regulations and effective design. Lawyers, construction and project managers, architects, and maintenance managers are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Lorman at (888) 678-5565 or visit http://www.lorman.com.

Port OKs $14.7M for environment work

SEATAC — The Port of Seattle Commission has authorized staff members to award a series of open-order outside professional service agreements with environmental companies worth up to $14.75 million.

Commissioners voted last Tuesday to spend up to $3 million through 2009 for design and preparation of environmental review documents under the state and national environmental policy acts. Consultants will help the port obtain permits.

Up to another $11.75 million could be spent on environmental investigation and remediation services. This appropriation also was authorized through 2009.

The intent of the open-order contract mechanism is to provide more rapid responses to internal customer requests in the Economic Development, Seaport and Aviation divisions.

Port officials say the agency's current method of processing environmental service agreements can sometimes take three months from advertisement to execution. Using the open-order system will shave two months.

Under the open-order process, the port's Health, Environmental and Risk Services division and Aviation Environmental Programs department will select several consulting firms or teams and put them on a list to provide services. Being on the list is not a guarantee of work, according to a port memo.