December 6, 2005

Environmental Watch: Tacoma port picks enviro manager

TACOMA — Kathleen Fendt was recently selected by the Port of Tacoma as environmental program manager.

"Kathy brings the Port additional expertise in environmental permitting, project planning design and construction compliance," said Suzanne Dudziak, the Port's acting director of environmental affairs.

Fendt worked as senior environmental program manager for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, was lead environmental engineer with the King County Road Services Division and was a land use/environmental planner with the Tulalip Tribes.

She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association.

Intertox hires senior toxicologist

SEATTLE — Erin M. Snyder, Ph.D. has joined Seattle-based Intertox, Inc. as a senior toxicologist. She has 10 years of experience in environmental and human health toxicology and is an expert on endocrine disrupting chemicals and personal care products as contaminants in the environment.

Intertox Director Dr. Richard Pleus said the hire "confirms our commitment to provide the same rigorous scientific standards and expertise to ecological toxicology that we apply to human health toxicology."

Her research has focused on EDCs and pharmaceuticals in the environment, ecotoxicology of perchlorate, and effects of chemicals in municipal sewage effluent on fish.

New staff added at Shockey/Brent

EVERETT — Brent Koos, Briana E. Lawrence and Melissa Phillips have joined Shockey/Brent. Reid Shockey, president, said the new staff reflects transition within the firm and a response to growth for the 25-year-old Everett-based firm.

Lawrence is a wetland scientist and a natural resource consultant. She will work on EISs, environmental assessments and environmental permitting applications. Koos is an AutoCAD design planner who brings large-scale construction management skills to Shockey/Brent. He will work with clients to take plans from the concept/schematic phase through construction. Phillips is an environmental specialist. She has previous experience in the public sector working with Skagit and Pierce counties, the Federal Highway Administration and the cities of Renton and Sumner. She will work on permitting, research and environmental fieldwork.

The firm is a multi-disciplinary consulting firm providing land use, environmental and permitting services to public and private clients.

Insurance group to hold mold meeting

SEATTLE — The PIA Western Alliance, an independent association of insurance agents, has organized a summit on moisture management/mold control Jan. 12 at the Doubletree Suites Southcenter in Seattle from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free.

The group says the goal is to build awareness among the insurance industry, Realtors, contractors and lenders about steps that can be taken to reduce their exposure to losses from moisture damage.

PIA says technology can be used to evaluate buildings and address issues that could become claims in the future. Properties that have experienced previous water or mold problems also can be evaluated to determine if the problem has been properly eradicated, according to PIA.

PIA says the series of tests can be applied to any structure and cost about $500. They were designed by Mold Technologies and Core Environmental Corp.

To make a reservation, call Gary Wolcott, director of communications for PIA Western Alliance, at (888) 246-4466 or by e-mail: garywolcott@piawest.com

USGBC now offers Web-based training

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Green Building Council has partnered with Turner Construction on its first Web-based training course, designed to educate more building industry professionals about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation.

The three-hour course, "Essentials of LEED Professional Accreditation," includes case studies, interactive exercises and a practice exam.

Peter Templeton, vice president of education and research at USGBC, said the program will help educate a broader audience about green building.

Topics include the LEED rating system, coordinating during design and construction, managing the certification process and verifying compliance.

To take the course, go to http://www.usgbc.org. Cost is $150 for USGBC members and $200 for non-members.

County wins national wastewater award

SEATTLE — The King County Wastewater Treatment Division will receive one of seven national awards in 2005 for excellence in management from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

NACWA is a 300-member trade association representing publicly owned wastewater treatment utilities in the United States. King County was chosen for its efforts in five areas: