September 2, 2003

Environmental Watch: NW energy collaborative names director

SEATTLE -- State Rep. Jeff Morris (D-Anacortes) was named director of the Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative.

NWETC brings together businesses, government agencies, nonprofits and educational institutions that want to make the Northwest a world leader in energy research and technology. It was organized last year by the Washington Technology Center, a statewide science and technology organization.

Morris is chair of the state House of Representatives' Technology, Telecommunications and Energy Committee. He previously worked for Apco Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs firm, and for U.S. Congressman Al Swift, who was on the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee.

Green River habitat may get $1.7M rehab

AUBURN -- King County and Tacoma Water are working together to try to restore habitat along 30 acres of riverfront property at the Auburn Narrows Natural Area in south King County.

The agencies proposed wetland mitigation, salmon habitat enhancement and recreation improvements for part of the Green River, which the county and Trust for Public Land consider crucial to wildlife preservation and salmon habitat recovery.

Tacoma Water said it will contribute $1.1 million to restore and enlarge wetlands at the site, and King County will contribute $570,000 for side channel habitat improvements. Tacoma Water will contribute $230,000 to buy new land.

King County Executive Ron Sims recently sent the King County Council legislation that would authorize a partnership with Tacoma Water. Tacoma's Public Utility Board will consider the proposed restoration project on Sept. 10. The Tacoma City Council will consider the project Sept. 23.

Marine scientists to converge on Seattle

SEATTLE -- Fifteen hundred scientists from 28 countries will convene at a marine research conference at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center this month.

Researchers, managers, teachers, consultants and others will take part in the 17th annual Estuarine Research Federation International Conference Sept. 15-18.

Scientists from Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, United States and other countries will discuss research and management of estuaries and coastal areas. The scientists will devote special attention to the convergence of ocean forces, land influences and human activities that can change and harm estuaries.

City Council forum on sustainability Sept. 9

SEATTLE -- Business, community and environmental leaders will discuss recent state and local sustainability efforts at a forum in the Seattle City Council chambers at 600 Fourth Ave. on Sept. 9.

Discussion topics at the noon to 1:30 p.m. forum, hosted by Seattle City Council member Heidi Wills, will include "A New Path Forward: Action Plan for a Sustainable Washington"; "Measuring What Matters: Toward a Sustainability Index for the Pacific NW"; "Sustainability and the City: Seattle's Experience"; and "Sustainability and the Corporation: Microsoft's Experience."

Moderators will include Alan Durning, executive director of Northwest Environment Watch; Mark Murray, director of corporate affairs for Microsoft; Rich Feldman, a member of Gov. Gary Locke's Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel; Cynthia Figge, a member of the Sustainable Seattle board of directors; and Steve Nicholas, director of Seattle's Office of Sustainability and Environment.

The city and Locke's panel recently released reports on local and regional environmental initiatives. Northwest Environment Watch is developing a "sustainability scorecard" for the Pacific Northwest.

NEBC holding Portland mixer Sept. 16

PORTLAND -- The terrace of a LEED-certified historic building in Portland's revitalizing Pearl District will be the site of the Northwest Environmental Business Council's Second Annual Cascade Chapter Summer Mixer Sept. 16.

Ecotrust's Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center -- a restored 1895 warehouse now used as a base for eco- and socially conscious groups -- won Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-gold status from the U.S. Green Building Council.

NEBC invites members and guests to chat over drinks and hors d' oeuvres from 5 to 7 p.m. on the outdoor terrace at 721 N.W. Ninth Ave. The cost is $30 for members and guests, and $45 for non-members. For information call NEBC at (888) 609-6322 or visit www.nebc.org.

Salmon forum Sept. 11 at Bell Harbor

SEATTLE -- Conference workshops, keynote speakers and Native American groups will discuss salmon recovery at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center at Pier 66 on the downtown waterfront Sept. 11.

The 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. forum will focus on changes in salmon populations and habitat conditions, and on opportunities to work with tribes to achieve salmon recovery. A reception will follow at the Seattle Aquarium from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

The forum will precede the 11th Annual Salmon Homecoming Celebration Sept. 18-21 at piers 62 and 63 and at Waterfront Park. The events are organized by the Salmon Homecoming Alliance, an affiliation of the Treaty Indian Tribes with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, King County and the city of Seattle.

For information, call the Salmon Homecoming Alliance at (206) 381-9063 or visit www.salmonhomecoming.org.

People for Puget Sound hosts four events

SEATTLE -- People for Puget Sound will host four events this month to give participants a chance enjoy sun and fresh air while learning about and helping the environment.

The Seattle-based environmental advocacy organization invites novice and expert birders to join a bird-watching session at the Duwamish River restoration site from 8 to 10 a.m. Sept. 7. At 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 7, the organization invites adults and children to hunt for sea creatures at Alki Constellation Park.

A Bellingham adventure trek Sept. 13 will combine kayaking, biking and running on a route simulating the journey of salmon. From noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 27, the agency is holding a weeding and habitat restoration session. For information visit People for Puget Sound at www.pugetsound.org.

Audit: Boise Cascade fiber sustainable

BOISE (AP) -- An independent audit shows the tree fiber Boise Cascade Corp. obtains from the Northwest's forests for its paper and wood products comes from sustainable sources.

Certifying forests started in the mid-1990s as environmental groups and consumers sought proof that the wood they were buying came from forests that had been managed to encourage sustainable forestry.

In 1995, the American Forest & Paper Association created the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The program from the timber industry sets standards for logging operations. Companies plant or grow more trees than are harvested each year.

The audit by PriceWaterhouse Coopers certifies that Boise Cascade's fiber procurement in the Northwest conforms to the initiative. It also recertified the Boise-based company's forest management practices on more than 300,000 acres in western Oregon.