February 28, 2006

Environmental Watch: USGBC to develop minimum standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Green Building Council, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America will co-sponsor development of a minimum standard for high-performance green buildings.

It is intended to balance environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, occupant comfort and community sensitivity. The goal is to provide a baseline that will bring green building into the mainstream.

Scheduled for completion in 2007, the proposed standard will apply to new commercial buildings and major renovations. It will address siting, water use, energy efficiency, impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor air quality.

The ANSI-accredited standard can be incorporated into building codes. It is intended that the standard will eventually become a prerequisite under LEED.

Comments due on small boiler permit

OLYMPIA — The state Department of Ecology is inviting comments until March 17 on a general permit regulating air emissions from small natural gas fired boilers.

The new permit provides an alternative to the individual permits required for small natural gas and liquefied natural gas fired boilers. The primary pollutants of concern are nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

For a copy of the proposed order or to make comments, contact Tom Todd, Department of Ecology, Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600; phone, (360) 407-7528; e-mail, ttod461@ecy.wa.gov. The proposed order and fact sheet are also available online at Ecology's Web site.

OSU to study sagebrush ecosystems

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State University has received a $3.6 million federal grant to study ways to restore sagebrush ecosystems across the West.

The five-year project will study the plants and wildlife that make up the huge stretches of Western lands called "steppes" that feature large, dry, open areas with few trees.

The West contains 100 million acres of sagebrush steppe. Because of the invasion of non-native plants, sagebrush ecosystems have become one of the most threatened land types in the United States, researchers say.

Bird researcher speaks on global warming

SEATTLE — Dr. George Divoky, who has researched arctic seabirds for 30 years, will give a talk on "Birds on Ice: Arctic seabirds and global warming" at REI Seattle at 7 p.m. Thursday. He will look at how global warming affects seabird populations and how what he's learned could be applied to Puget Sound.

For reservations, call People For Puget Sound, (206) 382-7007. Cost is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For information or reservations call (206) 382-7007 or see http://www.pugetsound.org.

Expo for 'absentee' forest landowners

AUBURN — Washington State University Extension, Washington Dept. of Natural Resources and Green River Community College are sponsoring the Eastern Washington Family Forest Expo on March 11. It is intended to provide stewardship advice and assistance to the owners of forestland in Eastern Washington who reside in the Puget Sound region.

About 1.3 million acres of forestland in Eastern Washington are owned by private individuals or families.

Classes and demonstrations will cover fire risk reduction, tree planting, forest health, wildlife, noxious weeds and property management. Equipment vendors, contractors and agency personnel will answer questions.

The event starts at 8 a.m. at Green River Community College in Auburn. Cost is $40 per family or $60 at the door. To register see http://capps.wsu.edu/conferences/forestexpo or call (253) 445-4631. For information contact Amy Grotta at amy.grotta@metrokc.gov or (206) 205-3132.

'Green Materials 101' Wednesday at EHC

SEATTLE — People interested in home improvement projects can learn about green building materials at a free workshop Wednesday, sponsored by King County and the Environmental Home Center in Seattle.

The workshop is part of the launch of EcoDeals.org, a Web site hosted by King County Solid Waste Division that shows King County residents how to save money by purchasing environmentally sound products.

The workshop starts at noon in the EHC showroom, 4121 First Ave. S., in Seattle. Matt Freeman-Gleason, founder of EHC, will give an overview of green building and demonstrate green materials.

WSU ecologist helps fight invasive species

PULLMAN — Richard Mack of Washington State University's School of Biological Sciences is on a panel that will report on invasive species Friday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The panel will announce a set of recommendations to combat biological invaders. Nationwide, invasive species do an estimated $137 billion of environmental and economic damage each year.

Mack said measures to detect and control invasive species will require international coordination.

New members for Puget Sound Partnership

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire announced four new charter members and an additional co-chair for the Puget Sound Partnership. The public-private group is charged with boosting efforts to clean up, protect and restore Puget Sound.

The new members are: Sam Anderson, executive director, Seattle-King County Master Builders Association; Michael Bogert, regional administrator, EPA Region 10; Jim Darling, executive director, Port Of Bellingham; and Patty Lent, Kitsap County Commissioner.

The governor asked Billy Frank, Jr., chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, to serve as a co-chair with her and Bill Ruckelshaus.

The partnership will organize public forums throughout Puget Sound between March and October to help involve more citizens, businesses, conservation groups, scientists and governments.

The public forum schedule will be announced in March.

For information see http://www.pugetsoundpartnership.org.