August 3, 2004

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.