December 2, 2003

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.