January 11, 2005

Environmental Watch: New enviro firm in Bellingham

Burns

Burns was an environmental planner with David Evans and Associates, where she managed residential development projects around the north Puget Sound region.

She is accredited under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program and works on master planning for parks, native landscape design, natural stormwater plantings and Endangered Species Act compliance.

Common Ground will target public and private clients for environmental permitting, natural resource assessment and sustainable development. For more information, call (360) 647-8021 or e-mail aburns@cgenvironmental.com.

Gig Harbor basin plan update Jan. 18

TACOMA — Pierce County Water Programs will host a public meeting on the Gig Harbor Basin Plan on Jan. 18 at Peninsula Light Co.'s office, 13315 Goodnough Dr. N.W. in Purdy at 6:30 p.m. Topics covered will be construction projects scheduled and those completed, as well as an update on floodplain habitat acquisition.

Pierce County is also starting groundwater studies for Muck Creek basin.

In response to citizen concerns during the Muck Creek basin planning process, the county has asked 700 property owners in the Graham area for permission to use their wells to monitor groundwater levels. The purpose of the study is to see how groundwater moves between the Muck Creek and Clover Creek basins.

Pierce County Water Programs is working with the environmental consulting firm Brown and Caldwell, and will use the data to design and locate a regional stormwater facility to reduce flooding. For more information, contact senior planner Janine Redmond at (253) 798-7569.

Basin plans are used to prioritize where capital improvements can be made to reduce flooding problems and protect water quality and habitat. For more information, contact Water Programs Senior Planner Barbara Ann Smolko at (253) 798 6156 or outreach coordinator Gloria Skinner at (253) 798-4688.

Groups honored for saving energy

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke recently presented awards for energy management to state and education groups.

The Department of General Administration reports energy-efficiency improvements and better construction by state agencies, school districts and colleges have cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 111,000 tons and taxpayer expenses $7.5 million each year. Electricity use among state agencies is down 10 percent and natural gas use is down 21 percent since 2000.

Locke recognized the departments of General Administration and Social and Health Services; Washington State School for the Blind; University of Washington, Central Washington University and South Puget Sound Community College; and the Kent and South Kitsap school districts.

Pierce County seeks farm advisers

TACOMA — Pierce County has extended its deadline for Farm Advisory Commission applicants to Jan. 31.

The commission's 11 members represent the agricultural economy and agricultural operations in Pierce County. The commission makes recommendations to the county executive and county council on agricultural policies and programs. Commissioners serve four-year terms.

For more information, contact Planning and Land Services at (253) 798-2785. Applications should be returned to Pierce County Department of Planning and Land Services, 2401 S. 35th St., Room 228, Tacoma, WA 98409-7490.

Ecology restores "clean" soil definition

OLYMPIA — When the Associated General Contractors of Washington and other groups opposed a change in the way the state Department of Ecology defined clean soils in a new rule for solid waste management, Ecology restored the original definition.

Ecology Solid Waste Manager Cullen Stephenson said the opposing groups questioned how "clean" and "contaminated" soils would be distinguished. Reclassifying soils for roadside projects, for example, could lead to extra costs for testing and possible delays.

"The issue has gotten to be too contentious, and people are getting more polarized," said Stephenson. But if stakeholders aren't on board as Ecology tries to create a new solid waste management rule, he said, "Ecology won't get there."

Reverting to original definitions is part of an effort to bring the groups back to the table.

New clean soil definitions were adopted in 2003, but Ecology is reverting to the previous definitions. It's taken five years to work with stakeholders to come up with a rule for handling solid waste.

Ecology says it expects to file another rule proposal in the spring. Public comment will be taken through March 2 on the regulations to differentiate between clean soils, contaminated soils and dredged materials. A public hearing will be held Feb. 23 at Ecology’s headquarters, 300 Desmond Dr. in Lacey at 1 p.m. To comment, see http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/304Revcommentform.html.

Comments can be e-mailed to rama461@ecy.wa.gov or sent to Randy Martin, Department of Ecology, Solid Waste & Financial Assistance Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.

Ecology OKs Everett barge facility

EVERETT — The state Department of Ecology has approved the city of Everett's shoreline conditional use permit, bringing the city a step closer to constructing the Port of Everett's rail barge pier.

There will have to be further approvals from state and federal groups, but the Port of Everett's executive director John Mohr says construction is set to start this summer, timed to coincide with an in-water construction allowance window.

The rail barge pier would be used to move oversized containers from the port to The Boeing Co.'s plant in Everett, at the same time reducing delays. The project includes public access improvements and beach restoration, and is intended to serve as a model for other shoreline developments within Puget Sound.

The Port of Everett's John Klekotka says $15.5 million in state legislative funds were approved in late 2003 for the project.