January 25, 2005

Environmental Watch: Landau Associates promotes seven

Wright

Briggs

EDMONDS — Landau Associates promoted employees in its Edmonds headquarters: Steven R. Wright is associate geotechnical engineer; Brian E. Christianson is senior project geologist; Charles "Chip" Halbert is a senior engineer; Clinton L. Jacob is a senior engineer; and Paul S. Ford is a senior consultant.

In Tacoma, Jennifer W. Olson was promoted to senior staff scientist. Thomas D. Briggs was promoted to senior hydrogeologist and office manager in the company's Spokane office.

Landau Associates is an 80-person environmental, geotechnical and natural resources consulting firm.

Funds offered for drainage, habitat work

SEATTLE — Nominations are due Jan. 31 for projects to restore small habitats and improve drainage in unincorporated King County.

King County's Department of Natural Resources will fund design, permitting and construction of small habitat restoration and drainage projects in streams and wetlands.

Among the projects funded last year were: a fish passage restoration at Ober Creek, culvert replacements on Vashon Island and at Struve Creek near Redmond, and removal of non-native vegetation along a Sammamish River tributary.

Projects were proposed by county staff, private landowners, and community and environmental groups.

To nominate a project, see http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/cposa/shrp/suggest.htm.

For more information on the Small Habitat Restoration Program, contact Mason Bowles at (206) 296-8736. For information on the Drainage and Habitat Improvement Program, contact Doug Brown at (206) 296-8318.

NEBC meeting on enviro liability Feb. 2

PORTLAND — The Northwest Environmental Business Council's Olympic chapter presents a talk in Seattle on environmental liability on Feb. 2.

"Environmental Liability Transfers: A Growing Phenomenon" takes place at McCormick & Schmick's Harborside on Lake Union, 1200 Westlake Ave. N. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Speakers are Edward M. Belsky of Marsh Environmental Practice and David McMurtry of Shaw Environmental Liability Solutions.

NEBC says there has been more attention on financial accountability, and companies are trying to determine what their environmental liabilities are. Clients are transferring their liabilities in exchange for fixed-fee payments, or are arranging fixed-price "guaranteed" cleanups.

The seminar will look at how these projects are being done, legal structures, insurance packages and examples. Cost is $35, $48 for nonmembers. For more information, contact NEBC at (503) 227-6361 or visit www.nebc.org.

Seattle seeks BEST applicants

SEATTLE — Resource Venture and its partners are seeking applications for their BEST, or Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow, awards. Applications are due Feb. 18.

BEST Awards are given in order to recognize companies doing pollution prevention or conservation work. Past winners include Lake City Florist and the University of Washington.

For more information, see www.resourceventure.org/best.htm or call Resource Venture at (206) 389-7302.

Tacoma training conservation volunteers

TACOMA — The city of Tacoma is offering 40 hours of free training for volunteers through its resource conservation stewardship program.

The program covers natural lawn care, composting, household hazardous waste, recycling and waste reduction.

Classes run on Tuesdays from March 1 through April 26 at the Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler St.

Program Coordinator Tom Voigt says people are more likely to change what they do after talking with someone they know, rather than hearing or reading about what they can do. Program graduates spend 40 hours teaching Tacoma citizens how they can change their behavior to help the environment.

Volunteers can apply before Feb. 22. For more information, call (253) 573-2415, or see www.cityoftacoma.org/envirosteward.