September 11, 2001

Environmental Watch: Palmisano joins Hart Crowser

PORTLAND -- John Palmisano, a widely recognized and accomplished fisheries expert, has joined Hart Crowser's Portland office.

Palmisano has 25 years of experience, a doctorate in fisheries ecology and has published extensively on marine mammals and salmon.

He has also taught at the University of Washington's College of Fisheries and Western Washington University's College of Biology and worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Palmisano, along with Hart Crowser's Jon Houghton, and many others at the firm, worked together 10 years ago assessing the impact of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Hart Crowser's Connie Taylor, manager of the Portland office, said that in particular the firm's port and natural resources clients will benefit from Palmisano's expertise.

Livable Communities Fair set for Tacoma

TACOMA -- Pierce County will hold its first Livable Communities Fair in February 2002.

The fair, an initiative of County Executive John Ladenburg, seeks to address quality of life issues in the county through education. County officials project that 200,000 more people will be living in Pierce County by 2017.

"It's an opportunity for individuals, companies, developers, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to bring together ideas for making our community the kind of place we want it to be for our families today and in the years to come," said Ladenburg.

Likely topics include parks, salmon recovery, recycling and resource conservation, transportation issues and other environmental services.

Thermal imaging begins on the Yakima

YAKIMA -- The state Department of Ecology is taking its efforts to improve water quality into the sky.

Beginning today, Ecology-sponsored helicopters will fly the path of the Yakima River with thermal imaging equipment on board to measure water temperatures.

According to Ecology, increasing water temperatures a major problem in Washington state's waterways. Cold water is necessary to the success of fish spawning and overall fish health.

"From these pictures, we should get a better picture of the health of the Yakima River and many streams and tributaries," said Ecology Water Quality Specialist Chris Coffin. "We will identify hotspots as well as naturally cool areas, and look to make improvements where we can."

The data will be made available to state and local agencies as well as watershed planners and community members working on water quality improvements.

Those wishing to review the data when complete can contact Coffin at (509) 454-7860.

AIA presenting 'Green Water'

SEATTLE -- The Seattle chapter of the American Institute of Architects will hold "Green Water: Incorporating Environmental Aspects in Storm Water Management" next month.

The seminar will focus on how architects, clients and consultants interact to achieve environmentally sensitive architecture.

Three case studies will be presented: Pierce County government's Environmental Services office building, the Evergreen State College's Seminar II building and the Tracon-FAA building in King County.

Architects and planners from the respective case studies will be on hand to participate in a moderated discussion.

"Green Water" will be held Thursday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the AIA Seattle office, 1911 First Ave. The fee is $20 for members, $10 for students and $40 for others. The seminar can be applied to continuing education requirements.

NEBC to hold Oktoberfest Oct. 11

SEATTLE -- The Northwest Environmental Business Council's annual Washington Oktoberfest will be held Oct. 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Northwest Brewhouse and Grill in Redmond.

The event costs $20 for NEBC members. Sponsors include Severn Trent Services, Frontier Geosciences, Inc. and Med-Tox Northwest.

The Northwest Brewhouse and Grill is located at 7950 164th Ave. N.W. in Redmond. Admission includes semi-hosted beer and hors d'oeuvres. For more information call the NEBC at (888) 609-NEBC or visit the Web site at www.nebc.org.

Wanted: bug counters

SEATTLE -- Seattle Public Utilities needs volunteers to help monitor the insects that live in Seattle's urban creeks.

Creek-dwelling insects are good indicators of the biological health of creeks, and monitoring them is part of SPU's stewardship of the city's creeks, which also serve as drainage systems in many parts of Seattle.

Two-part training workshops are as follows: Pipers Creek, Sept. 12 and 19 (Wednesdays) 6-9 p.m., at the Carkeek Park Environmental Education Center, 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd.; Sampling date: Saturday, Sept. 22.

Thornton and Ravenna Creeks, Sept. 20 and 25 (Thursday and Tuesday) 6-9 p.m., Meadowbrook Community Center, 10517 35th Ave. N.E.; Sampling date: Saturday, Sept. 29.

There will also be a follow-up workshop when the analyzed results come back from the lab, showing how to interpret the results of the sampling.

To participate, call or e-mail Bob Spencer at (206) 684-4163 or bob.spencer@ci.seattle.wa.us.

$200M papermill energy project proposed

DULUTH, Minn. -- In a move that's becoming more common at paper mills throughout the country, Minnesota Power and Blandin Paper Co. have proposed a state-of-the-art energy facility adjacent to Blandin Paper in Grand Rapids, Minn.

The project is expected to cost more than $200 million.

The new plant will meet all steam requirements of Blandin Paper. In addition, the facility will provide approximately 225 megawatts of electric generation capacity to help meet the area's power needs.

The combined heat and power plant will use state-of-the-art technologies in efficiency and environmental controls.

It will be capable of utilizing up to 40 percent renewable bio-fuel, mostly wood waste. The operation plans to partner with local producers and government agencies to maximize the use of bio-fuels. Low-sulfur coal and natural gas will also be used to fuel the plant.

Idaho area critical for sturgeon

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 11.2 miles of the Kootenai River in northern Idaho as critical habitat for the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon.

Critical habitat refers to specific geographic areas that are essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and which may require special treatment. Activities requiring federal funding or permits would trigger a Fish and Wildlife Service consultation.

The designation is not expected to affect recreational fisheries on the river. It also is not expected to affect activities of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, including the tribe's sturgeon aquaculture program.

Flow recommendations for Libby Dam, upstream from the critical habitat, are expected to remain the same. Nearly a year ago limits on rapid spill fluctuations from the dam were put in place.

The Kootenai River white sturgeon was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1994.

The primary threat to the Kootenai River white sturgeon is believed to be altered river flow, which strands and scours its eggs and larvae.