September 21, 2004

Environmental Watch: EnviroIssues turns 15, adds staff

Pelley

Galano

SEATTLE — Now in its 15th year, Seattle consulting firm EnviroIssues recently added new staff. Suanne Pelley joined as a senior project manager. Chelsea Galano works on environmental planning. Kristy Laing was a community outreach coordinator at the University of Washington's health sciences program. Kristine dos Remedios rejoins after earning her master's degree in urban and regional planning from Portland State University. Alexa Miller was an account executive for Microsoft. Angie Thomson-Buldis was a communications liaison for the University of Washington's college of ocean and fishery sciences. Marlies Wierenga worked at the Washington State Department of Transportation on soil bioengineering cost and benefit analysis. Hadley Greene was promoted to project manager and will manage the Washington State Ferries' Colman Dock master plan.

The company works on public outreach for clients, most of whom are in the public sector. EnviroIssues creates publications and Web sites, facilitates meetings with decision-makers and organizes meetings for public comment. The firm has offices in Seattle, Richland, Portland and Boise.

Learn how to harvest rainwater Thursday

SEATTLE — Northwest architects, engineers and developers will share their expertise on rainwater harvesting in Seattle on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Olympic Room at Seattle Center.

They will join installers and government regulators in presentations on how rainwater harvesting can be part of the region's sustainable community development. Cost is $35. See the schedule and register at http://www.engr.washington.edu/epp/arcsa. For more information, contact Dick Lilly, Seattle Public Utilities, (206) 615-0706, or dick.lilly@seattle.gov

October workshops on shorelines, regulations

SEATTLE — Workshops on shorelines and environmental regulations will be held in Seattle next month.

Law Seminars International hosts a workshop Oct. 1 on shorelines regulation and permitting at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel. Led by Thomas R. Bjorgen of Bjorgen Bauer and T. Ryan Durkan of Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson, it will cover how to use new guidelines to manage aquatic lands and is targeted to developers, city planners, property owners and lawyers. To register, contact (206) 567-4490 or (800) 854-8009. Or visit http://www.clenews.com/LSI/04/04showa.htm.

Lion Technology will present an environmental regulation workshop on Oct. 11 and 12 at the Seattle Airport Hilton. It will cover systematic compliance, the safe drinking water act, pesticides and toxic substances. Training will be provided on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rules and 40 CFR. To register, call (973) 383-0800 Ext. e835 or visit http://www.lion.com/e835.

County council meets on farms, forests

ISSAQUAH — King County Council holds its next town hall meeting on Sept. 27 at Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W. in Issaquah. The topic will be why working farms and forests are part of the county's agricultural heritage.

Town hall meetings are regularly held around the county so residents who may not be able to travel to Seattle can give public comment. For more information, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/council/townhall.

King County hosts farm tour Oct. 2

SEATTLE — King County will host a tour of farms on Oct. 2. This is the sixth year of the tour. It gives county residents a chance to learn about local food systems. The public tour of 23 county farms will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can visit corn maze fields, buy produce and pumpkins, and talk with farmers.

Maps are available at farmers markets around the Puget Sound and Seattle Public Libraries. Admission is free. For more information, call (206) 205-3206.

Donations sought to replace Green Pages

SEATTLE — The Environmental Home Center, a supplier of sustainable building materials, is calling for donations to help the non-profit NW EcoBuilding Guild replace its stock of the Green Pages, which was lost in the Home Center's August fire.

The fire destroyed offices, a showroom and a warehouse. In storage were 5,000 copies of the Green Pages, a directory of sustainable professionals and services in the Northwest. Donations can be sent to: NW EcoBuilding Guild, P.O. Box 58530, Seattle, WA 98138-1530, Attn: EHC fire/Green Pages. For details, contact membership@ecobuilding.org.

Since the fire, the Home Center has received support and offers for financial assistance from some of its SoDo neighbors and customers. It uses a call center to sell products to customers in all 50 states.

Products are low-toxic paints and finishes, wool and plant-fiber carpets, sustainably harvested wood for flooring and cabinets, tiles, energy-efficient insulation and decking. To order, call (206) 682-7332 or (800) 281-9785. Also visit http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com.

NW ports win environmental awards

SEATTLE — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presents the port of Seattle with a Phoenix Award this week for redevelopment of Terminal 18 on Harbor Island, a Superfund site.

Years of industrial activity polluted the island with oils, metals and PCBs. Thousands of cubic yards of contaminated soil were removed. Other polluted areas were capped during a $300 million, eight-year expansion.

Vehicle and rail access was improved and a waterfront park created. Port officials say redevelopment resulted in 2,000 new jobs.

The Port of Portland won an award from the American Association of Port Authorities for environmental management. Using what's called the Environmental Management System, the port sets goals and targets each year based on statewide environmental initiatives, trends, stakeholder concerns and business needs. The port then evaluates impacts and decides how resources should be allocated next. For more information, visit www.portofportland.com/environ_programs.htm.