April 15, 2003

Environmental Watch: Senior scientist joins staff of Herrera

SEATTLE -- Amanda Azous has joined Herrera Environmental Consultants' natural resources group as a senior scientist specializing in aquatic resources and ecological restoration, including marine and estuarine enhancement and permitting.

Azous ran her own company in the San Juan Islands before joining Herrera. She is co-editor and primary author of the reference textbook, "Wetlands and Urbanization," that CRC Press published in 2001. It presents an integrated approach to evaluating the impact of landscape urbanization on wetland functions.

At Herrera, she will assist with freshwater and marine environmental and engineering projects, including transportation improvement projects for the Federal Highway Administration in Alaska and projects along Washington shorelines.

New book offers stormwater ideas to developers, planners

OLYMPIA -- The state has published a book that outlines ideas to help protect Puget Sound from the effects of development.

The Puget Sound Action Team has compiled examples of what it says are innovative projects, programs and ordinances in "Natural Approaches to Stormwater Management, Low-impact Development in Puget Sound." The book emphasizes a natural approach to clearing, grading and paving sites as opposed to conventional techniques, such as building retention ponds.

Low-impact designs include rain gardens; natural drainage systems; sidewalks and driveways made of permeable pavements; and other projects that filter oil and other pollutants from stormwater runoff.

For an online copy, see www.wa.gov/puget_sound and click on Natural Approaches to Stormwater Management. Free copies also are available by telephoning (800) 54-SOUND.

Fish and Wildlife Service says it lacks cash

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it does not have enough money to meet court-ordered deadlines to develop habitat protection plans for endangered species, MSNBC reports.

The plans could limit logging, farming and urban development in certain areas. The agency aims to meet targets for high-profile species, such as the bull trout, Rio Grande silvery minnow, California gnatcatcher and San Diego fairy shrimp, said Fish and Wildlife spokesman Chris Tollefson.

The agency will ask judges for extensions in about two dozen cases. If extensions are not granted, the agency will run out of money for critical habitat and endangered species listings by July, he said.

Environmentalists counter that the agency refuses to ask Congress for enough money to do its job.

Northwest hydropower projects win honors

WASHINGTON -- The National Hydropower Association has recognized three Northwest entities as exceptional river stewards. For one winner, Avista Corp., the news comes at an opportune time.

Other Northwest winners were Seattle City Light and Tacoma Power.

Spokane-based Avista was honored for fishery improvements to protest habitat and provide passage over natural and human-made barriers on the Clark Fork River in Montana and Idaho.

The award was announced about the same time as news reports stated Avista's proposed settlement with federal regulators over allegations it helped Enron manipulate power prices in California will be reviewed in light of new evidence. In a news release, Avista officials stated they believe the issues raised in a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission report already have been addressed.

City Light won for adjusting minimum flows on the Skagit River to mimic the river's natural state. Tacoma Power's wildlife habitat improvements on the Nisqually River were honored.

The 2003 Outstanding Stewardship of America's Rivers report is at www.outstandingrivers.org.

Feds consider boat quotas for Glacier Bay

SEATTLE -- The number of cruise ships and other motor vessels allowed into Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve could be limited, according to a draft environmental impact statement.

The National Park Service will conduct a hearing on the document April 29 at Seattle's Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, 117 S. Main St. An open house begins at 4 p.m., a presentation will be made at 7, and the hearing commences at 7:15.

The draft EIS has five alternatives. Three would set vessel quotas and operating requirements for Glacier Bay proper, and two call for quotas and operating requirements for Glacier and Dundas bays. Besides cruise ships, tour, charter and private boats could be affected.

The Seattle office of Ecology & Environment, is the lead consultant on the draft EIS.

The public can comment either at the hearing or in writing. The comment period runs through May 14.

Copies of the draft EIS and the executive summary are available at http://www.nps.gov/glba. They also can be viewed at the downtown Seattle Public Library. Hard copies and compact disks of the documents can be picked up at Ecology & Environment's office in Suite 1900 at 2101 Fourth Ave. They also can be obtained by writing the National Park Service, 2525 Gambell St., Anchorage, AK 99503; or by calling Nancy Swanton at (907) 257-2651.

Northwest energy alliance takes EPA honor today

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today is naming the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance as a leader in energy efficiency.

The alliance is being honored for publicizing the Energy Star program by encouraging customers to use energy-efficient products.

The market share of these products has continued growing in the Northwest. During the first half of last year, for instance, the number of Energy Star clothes washers sold in the region was 34 percent. That was more than double the national average. The washers use half the water and 40 percent of the energy compared to conventional washers, according to the EPA.

The Northwest alliance is a group of electric utilities, state governments, public interest groups and energy-efficiency industries. The alliance estimates that by 2010, its programs will save enough electricity to offset the need for two new power plants.

Environmental services from a client's perspective

SEATTLE -- The topic of the May 7 Northwest Environmental Business Council's lunch is "Environmental Services: A Client's Perspective."

The 11:30 a.m. event is at McCormick and Schmick's Harborside Seafood Restaurant, 1200 Westlake Ave. N., in Seattle.

Speakers are Jennifer Anderson of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, Wayne Grotheer of the Port of Seattle and Jim Parvey of the city of Tacoma. They will discuss what they look for in environmental expertise, how they handle contracts with the environment industry and what they will be needing in environment services.

The cost is $30 for NEBC members and $45 for others. Reservations can be made by telephoning (888) 609-6322.