October 19, 2004

Environmental Watch: Chinese group at conference here today

OLYMPIA — Twenty Chinese delegates are scheduled to attend the Environmental Conference of Washington today at the Washington State Trade & Convention Center. They were invited by the Washington State China Relations Council.

Organizers say they hope the event will help strengthen ties between Chinese environmental groups and Washington's business community. Delegates will have an exhibit on the environmental landscape in China and the country's regulatory system. They will be part of a panel discussion on strategies to maintain water quality.

The conference is hosted by the Association of Washington Business and the Northwest Environmental Business Council as part of an effort to keep the business community informed about environmental policy issues and laws. For more information, call Amy Johnson at (360) 943-1600 or see http://www.ecwashington.org.

Outdoor Rec committee appoints Chapman

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke appointed Mercer Island resident Bill Chapman to the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, which issues grants for recreation and conservation projects around the state.

Chapman is a partner with Seattle law firm Preston Gates Ellis and a founding board member of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, a nonprofit that raises money for grants so local communities can acquire land for outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat protection.

The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation was formed in 1964 to help finance recreation and conservation projects around the state, such as parks, trails, beaches and recreational facilities.

Bulkhead removal at Luna Park this week

SEATTLE — Seattle Parks and Recreation was set to start removing old bulkhead walls at Luna Park yesterday.

Weakened by storms and heavy waves from fast ferries, the bulkhead walls were failing. Bainbridge Island contractor Caicos Corp. will remove the seawall. Most of the work will be done during low tide.

A superstructure is now in place for the park's new pier. The new park will have a grassy area. Parks plans to keep historical elements such as the anchor, plaque and artwork. For details about the reconstruction of Luna Park, see http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/maintenance/luna.htm.

DNR seeks comment on access rules

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on its rules for recreation and public access, and is hosting meetings around the state in the next three weeks.

Public meetings are scheduled in Lacey today, Mount Vernon tomorrow, Port Angeles on Thursday, Vancouver on Oct. 26, Spokane on Oct. 27, Seattle on Oct. 28, Okanogan on Nov. 3 and Ellensburg on Nov. 4. All meetings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. DNR staff will make presentations and participants can comment on proposals for recreation facilities, organized events, and road use and access.

Written comments can be sent to: DNR SEPA Center, P.O. Box 47015, Olympia 98504-7015 or by e-mail to sepacenter@wadnr.gov. Comments will be used to prepare an environmental impact statement, which will then undergo public review and comment.

Existing rules were written in 1970 as part of the Washington Administrative Code, but there has been an increase in population and changes in the ways people use DNR-managed lands since. DNR manages more than three million acres of state-owned trust forest, agricultural, range lands and commercial properties. Income earned from the lands is used to build schools, universities and other state institutions.

Water resource conference Oct. 28 at SAM

SEATTLE — A conference on "The Impact of Climate Change on Pacific Northwest Water Resources" will take place Oct. 28 at Seattle Art Museum from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Scientists predict warming temperatures in the Northwest will lead to: warmer winters, more flooding, shorter ski seasons, more frequent droughts and chronic water shortages.

This year's American Water Resources Association Washington Section conference will explore causes of climate change and its impact to the Pacific Northwest's water resources.

Attendees will represent government, business, academia and tribal communities. Scientists and policy makers will speak on climate change and ways to plan and adapt to changing conditions. For more information, call Lisa Vaughn, conference registrar, at (425) 425-883-0777 or see http://www.wa-awra.org

Vashon heavy metal symposium Oct. 30

VASHON — Residents on Vashon Island can attend a free symposium on how to protect pets and children from arsenic, lead and cadmium contaminants in soils.

The Heavy Metals Remediation symposium will be held on Oct. 30 at the Chautauqua Elementary School in Vashon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Arsenic, lead and other potentially toxic heavy metals contaminate much of the soil on Vashon Island and other areas that were under the Asarco smelter plumes. Contaminants originated in Ruston and Everett.

Soil contamination and remediation experts will provide information that families can use to protect pets and children from the effects of heavy metals in soil. It is free to everyone and includes free childcare. Sponsored by the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council, the symposium is paid for by a public participation grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. For more information, call May Gerstle at (206) 463-0974.

Polygon proposes to fill wetlands

PORTLAND — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating a permit application from Polygon Northwest to fill irrigation ponds and wetlands next to Johnson Creek in Beaverton, Ore.

The applicant is proposing a residential, commercial and industrial mixed-use development, which would require filling 1.31 acres of jurisdictional waters of the U.S., including four irrigation ponds and 0.14 acres of wetland fringe. Polygon has also proposed a new sewerline connection.

To mitigate the impacts, Polygon proposes restoring 0.26 acres and enhancing part of a wetland next to Johnson Creek. A public notice is posted at: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/notices/200400564.pdf.

Written comments must reach the Corps by Oct. 22 and should be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CENWP-OP-GP Attn: Corrie Veenstra, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946. Or call (503) 808-4378.

King County gives $230K for projects

SEATTLE — King County recently announced it will give nearly $230,000 for community projects around the county. Funds are the latest round in the county's Grant Exchange program.

The program offers six grant types: watershed protection, habitat restoration, reforestation, salmon conservation, natural resource stewardship and education. Community groups, schools, and local governments apply. Projects must be located either in King County or in South Snohomish County watersheds that flow into Lake Washington or Sammamish River.

Ten projects won grants: Boys and Girls Club of King County, $15,000; Denny Middle School, $15,000; Friends of Madrona Woods, $60,000; Interim, $6,000; Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, $15,000; Salish Sea Expeditions, $15,000; Seattle Audubon, $28,350; Seattle Public Schools TV, $15,000; Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation, $36,640; Delridge Neighborhood Association, $15,000.

Information sessions on how to write grants will be Nov. 6, Nov. 13 or Dec. 4. Call Linda Vane at (206) 296-8042 or Elizabeth Loudon at (206) 263-6014 for more information.