Aug 25, 1998

Fish blockade mulled in B.C.

CAMPBELL RIVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Marine traffic trying to use the Inside Passage along the British Columbia coast may run into a blockade by native fishermen. Chief Ralph Dick of the Cape Mudge First Nations said the protest would be against what natives feel is mismanagement by the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The chief said he plans to contact other tribes to rally support for a blockade designed to bring attention to the plight of people affected by the poor shape of the West Coast fishery. The threatened blockade has support from the fishermen's union. "It doesn't surprise me that people are reaching out in desperation," said John Radosevic, head of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union. Such a blockade in Seymour Narrows would halt traffic between the Strait of Georgia and Johnson Strait, affecting ferries, cruise ships and any commercial traffic.

Artichoke farmers fight the sea

CASTROVILLE, Calif. (AP) -- After decades of inaction, Monterey County has a plan to save its fresh water, which has been under attack from the sea as thirsty farms and growing towns drain the area's aquifers. Now all they have to do is persuade farmers and other taxpayers to accept the plan, which involves recycling used water for irrigation and pumping winter rainfalls into the ground for use in the summer, at a cost of at least $115 million. Seawater has already contaminated a 180-foot-deep aquifer and has begun to intrude in the 400-foot-deep aquifer that feeds towns such as Salinas, Marina, Seaside and Castroville, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday. Salt water is now underlying 22,000 acres of northern Monterey County. Castroville farmers, who call their town the "Artichoke Capital of the World," are worried because their water has proved too brackish even for artichokes, which are known for their salt tolerance. "The sea water intrusion problem in Monterey County is probably more severe than anywhere else in the state," said Ed Anton, chief of the division of clean water programs for the state Water Resources Control Board. For now, the state has agreed to stand back and let local officials forge a solution. Monterey County's two-part plan is designed to protect the freshwater supply and the region's $2.2 billion agriculture industry until 2030. In April, the county's $75 million water reclamation program started pumping treated wastewater from towns to farms on the Monterey peninsula. The project is designed to process nearly 20 million gallons of water daily, enough to irrigate 12,000 acres of artichokes, broccoli, lettuce and cauliflower. It's the most ambitious use of recycled water on food crops in California. "This project will address 50 percent of the seawater intrusion problem," said Mike Armstrong, general manager of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency. A $40 million project to be unveiled next month will deal with the other half: proposals include storing winter rain water more efficiently by modifying a local dam and injecting the rain water into aquifers. County officials haven't figured out just how they are going to pay for the projects, and that concerns some residents who suspect that all this water may go to more housing in the former Fort Ord and other areas. "We still wonder if there really is a crisis with seawater intrusion," said Mike Weaver, who unsuccessfully ran for county supervisor in June. "We wonder if this is not a way for them to get the taxpayers to pick up the tab to pump a whole lot of money for development." Others argue that they need a solution soon to keep state officials from imposing draconian limits on water use. "I predict with a return of normal winter rainfall we will see seawater intrusion continue," said Leo Laska, general manager of the Marina Water District. "And if that happens, we will see saltwater roll right through the county, followed by state officials taking over like a Mongol horde." Above-average rainfall over the last three years because of El Nino has slowed the seawater incursion, Laska said. Heavy rain recharges the aquifers and decreases the demand from farms, which need to irrigate crops less.

Northwest Environmental Conference set

PORTLAND -- The 1998 Northwest Environmental Conference and trade show will be held Nov. 17 and 18 at the DoubleTree Hotel Jantzen Beach, in Portland. The event will be presented by the Northwest Environmental Conference, Associated Oregon Industries and the American Electronics Association. During the event information will be offered on hazardous waste management, air and water quality, environmental cleanup, data management, pollution prevention, endangered species, and the effect of federal and state actions on local businesses. The governors of Washington and Oregon have been invited to present their views of the region's future. On Nov. 16, the Monday prior to the conference, an eight-hour HAZWOPER refresher course will be offered by Marine and Environmental Testing. The trade show has been organized by the Northwest Environmental Business Council. Exhibitors so far include a broad range of companies, from drilling contractors to testing laboratories, engineering firms and manufacturers. Exhibit space is available; booths are $485 before Sept. 15, $550 after. Call (503) 227-6361 for an exhibitor application. Jon Savelle is the Journal's environment editor. He can be contacted at (206) 622-8272 or jon@djc.com.

Merrill

Merrill Contractors Inc. of Vancouver has hired Darryl Olson as controller. Olson is working in the company's finance department and has implemented an accounting-based reporting system that allows the company to provide stronger customer support. He majored in business administration at Montana State University.

CSI

Eric A. Peterson has been elected 1998-99 president of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute. Peterson is vice president of Anderson Specialties LLC, a dealer of roof hatches, floor doors, entrance mats and expansion joint covers. Since joining CSI in 1990, Peterson has served as chairman of the ProSpec trade show and has held various board positions. Other officers include: David Axt of GGLO, vice president; Marc Chavez of Kimball Partners, treasurer; Bill Pavitt of L&M Partners, secretary; and Ron Niemi of Callison Architecture, past president. The organization's board of directors includes: Jeremy Wilson of Allan Block Northwest, Bill Coady of Anderson Windows, Paul Wu of Puget Sound Energy and Don Schuman of NBBJ.

Chehalis Basin meeting set for Friday

OLYMPIA -- The Chehalis Basin Partnership will hold a public meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at the Lucky Eagle Casino conference room, on Route 12 near Oakville. Mike Harris and Kirk Sinclair from the Department of Ecology will present information about ground water, stream flow, and water rights in the Chehalis Basin. During summer months, low-flow conditions lead to higher water temperatures, which stress salmon stocks. The Chehalis Basin Partnership received funds from Ecology to gather information about present and projected water use and about water needs for fish and wildlife. This information will be used to develop a plan that meets the needs of agriculture, future growth, and fisheries. Also at the meeting, Bill Kier of William Kier Associates will demonstrate a computer-based information system for integrating information about watersheds. This could be used as a model for the Chehalis watershed. The Chehalis Basin Partnership is made up of county, city, tribal and state-agency representatives as well as others with an interest in Chehalis River basin water issues. For information about the council, contact Ecology's watershed team leader Brian Walsh at (360) 407-6310 or Sandy Howard Rudnick, public information manager, at (360) 407-6239.

Aug 24, 1998

Pacifica Bank (In Organization)

John Kennedy, executive director of the World Trade Center Tacoma, has joined Pacifica Bank's board of directors. Pacifica Bank plans to open in downtown Bellevue in the Skyline Tower lobby at 10900 NE 4th St. in September.

CivilTech Corp.

William D. Arrighi has recently joined CivilTech Corp. of Bellevue as a civil/structural engineer. Arrighi specializes in major urban highway and bridge designs, traffic engineering and planning, and construction management. Arrighi formerly served as an engineer with HDR Inc. of Bellevue.

Safeco Life Insurance Companies

Scott Bartholomous, assistant vice president of retirement services, was appointed vice president; Jennifer Davies, assistant vice president of individual life operations, was appointed vice president; Michael E. Madden, manager of new business for Safeco Life Insurance Companies' individual product line was appointed assistant vice president for Safeco Life Insurance Company and American States Life Insurance Company; and Philip Winkel, marketing director of financial services division, was appointed assistant vice president for Safeco Life Insurance Companies.

LandAmerica Financial Group Inc.

LandAmerica Financial Group Inc. has appointed Peter H. Ostrander vice president of sales for the company's national commercial services division in Seattle. Ostrander formerly served as vice president/commercial sales manager for Transnation Title Insurance Company's King and Snohomish county operations.

King County Library System

The King County Library System is soliciting NetMaster volunteers for the 40 libraries offering computers with web access. The NetMaster Program offers volunteers a one-day orientation session on teaching others about the Internet. To learn more, call (425) 226-0522 and ask about the Netmaster volunteer program, or look online at http://www.kcls.org.

Hazardous Materials Management

The National Academy of Hazardous Materials Management has awarded Eric Chapman, an independent environmental consultant in Issaquah, the 1998 Young CHMM of the Year for outstanding contributions to the profession, the local chapter, and the community.

WHaM Communications

Seattle public relations agency WHaM Communications has added two game manufacturers to its roster: USAopoly Inc., the Hasbro licensee of Monopoly games; and Cranium Inc.

U.S. Department of Transportation

Clyde J. Hart, Jr. was recently appointed administrator of the maritime administration for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Hart formerly served as the senior Democratic counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine.

Stevens Hospital

T. Stephenson Holmes, MD, has joined Stevens Hospital as its new associate director of geropsychiatry. Holmes will implement the Edmonds hospital's newly developed protocol for evaluating and treating psychiatric inpatients who are over 60 years of age. Holmes formerly served as a psychiatrist at Compass Health in Everett.

Barran Liebman

A new specialty practice law firm focusing exclusively in labor and employment law will be organized from lawyers and staff of Lane Powell Spears Lubersky in Portland. As of Sept. 1, the new firm will be known as Barran Liebman, and will continue to operate from present offices at 520 SW Yamhill in Portland. Lawyers at the new firm include: Paula A. Barran, Richard F. Liebman, Nelson D. Atkin II, Akin Blitz, Robert Lane Carey, Edwin A. Harnden, Richard C. Hunt, Bradley F. Tellam, Alison Adair, Caroline Marnock Carey, Julie Cobb Martel and Kurt Nath Tandan.