Jan 26, 1999

Flying biologists have a risky occupation

SPOKANE (AP) -- To protect wildlife species, biologists routinely count and catch critters from the air. But what's good for the animals may not always be good for their human advocates. A series of aircraft accidents has spurred scientists to question whether the low-level flights over dangerous terrain are worth the risk. "I'm tossing that one around," said frequent-flying Woody Myers, a Spokane-based biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. On Nov. 7, two federal biologists conducing a waterfowl survey died when their plane hit a power line and crashed into the Columbia River in south-central Washington. Three days later, Gary Beck, a helicopter pilot Myers greatly trusted, died on his way to pick up Colville tribal biologists. On Dec. 17, two Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists had a near-miss when their chopper went down. And last Tuesday, three people were injured when their helicopter crashed along a hillside outside the northern Idaho town of Tensed. The crew had been surveying the winter elk population for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. After the latest accident, Myers sent colleagues an e-mail message.

Cost of exotic species: $123 billion annually

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Scientists have known for a long time that foreign plants and animals are invading and damaging various parts of the U.S. ecosystem. They just didn't know it's costing the nation about $123 billion a year. Now they know, thanks to a new study by David Pimentel, an ecologist at Cornell University. His damage assessment estimates that alien weeds such as purple loosestrife are costing Americans $35.5 billion annually, introduced insects such as fire ants are costing $20 billion more and disease-causing organisms are costing $6.5 billion. The remaining economic costs are spread over causes ranging from rats and plant diseases to non-native fish. "It doesn't take many troublemakers to cause tremendous damage," Pimentel said. Even animals as familiar as dogs and cats cause huge problems. The nation's 63 million domestic cats and 30 million feral cats are estimated to kill about 200 million birds each year -- birds that would otherwise eat many insect pests. At an estimated $30 per pest-eating bird, that amounts to $6 billion in damage by cats alone. Dog bites send 800,000 people to emergency rooms annually, resulting in about $30 million in medical costs. Wild dogs running in packs in Florida, Texas and other states cause an estimated $10 million a year in livestock losses. Gypsy moths, elm disease, fire ants and zebra mussels are among other damaging organisms listed in the study. The study confirmed what many Oregon ranchers, farmers and fishermen already feared. In a state that stretches from ocean to desert, and relies on agriculture as its largest single industry, the threat from non-native plants and animals is serious. Biologists say many non-native species, including purple loosestrife, cheatgrass, bullfrogs and European green crabs have invaded Oregon. The colorful loosestrife takes over native aquatic species in wetlands and along streams, removing hiding cover and food for birds and other animals. Cheatgrass on rangelands accelerates the spread and frequency of wildfires. Bullfrogs are killing off native turtle species, and the green crabs pose a threat to clams, oysters and Dungeness crabs. In addition to the economic costs, Pimentel said, nonindigenous species are responsible for more than 40 percent of the plants and animals that are on the nation's endangered or threatened list. Yet Pimentel points out that 98 percent of the nation's food supply comes from introduced species such as wheat, rice, domestic cattle and poultry. Those have a value of about $500 billion a year.

It's logging vs. eco-tourism in B.C.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- A proposal to log an island smack dab in prime killer whale-watching country is pitting a forestry company against eco-tourism companies, aboriginal groups and environmentalists. TimberWest Forest Ltd. has submitted a five-year plan to log about 308 acres on Hanson Island in Johnstone Strait, a narrow passage separating northern Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland. The harvesting would encompass 11 cut blocks of 25 to 75 acres on the 3,450-acre island, company spokesman Steve Lorimer said. The blocks would include buffers to minimize the visual effect, he said. "I can't make any guarantees on what will or won't happen with blowdown (wind-felled trees) and that sort of thing," Lorimer said. "But we can guarantee that we will manage the area to the best of our abilities, we will practice good-quality forestry, which will include rapid re-forestation ... and rapid green-up of those areas." About 70 percent of the island was logged up to the 1960s. But logging opponents say that logging was selective. Besides, times and values have since changed, they say. They also doubt the company's ability to preserve any natural vistas once logging begins. According to a statement by more than 20 eco-tourism companies, the area was visited by 7,000 kayakers and more than 15,000 whale watchers last year. Jon Savelle is the Journal's environment editor. He can be contacted at (206) 622-8272.

Kibble & Prentice

Ed Fugo has joined the property casualty division of Kibble & Prentice, a Seattle-based financial services firm, as a senior vice president. Alice McCall has joined the company as an account executive and Tammy Powers has joined as an account manager. Fugo, McCall and Powers were both formerly with Sedgwick James.

Virginia Mason Medical Center

Kenneth M. Gross, M.D., has been added to the endocrinology and metabolism at Virginia Mason Medical Center. Deborah Abrams, Ph.D, M.Ed., has been added as director of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation section. Abrams formerly served as CEO for Vencor Hospital in Seattle. John W. Rieke, M.D., an oncologist, was recognized as a newly elected Fellow of the American College of Physicians - American Society of Internal Medicine.

University of Washington Business School

The University of Washington Business School has appointed Ann C. Lightbody assistant dean and director of executive programs. Lightbody formerly worked at the University of California, Irvine.

Magna Design Inc.

Erland F. Russell has joined Magna Design Inc., a Lynnwood-based designer and manufacturer of office furniture systems, as vice president of manufacturing.

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank recently opened a new branch office in the North Auburn Albertsons, located at 1347 Auburn Way North.

Seattle Times Company

The Seattle Times Company recently launched NWAutoSpace, nwautospace.com, a Web site devoted to automobiles and other forms of transportation. The entire private party and dealer listings from the Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer transportation classifieds will be accessible online.

Opus Northwest

Opus Northwest has made some personnel changes. Dave Kessler and John Gordon have been promoted to senior project managers and Harvey Nelson has been hired as a senior project manager. Kessler, a former project manager, is responsible for overseeing the development and construction of office and industrial projects in the Puget Sound area. He also is overseeing design and feasibility of new projects under development. Gordon, also a former project manager, is now responsible for the company's projects in the south Puget Sound region. He is in charge of Emerald Corporate Park and Fife Landing. Nelson is overseeing construction of the Sammamish ParkPlace project being built for Vulcan Northwest in Issaquah.

Valley Electric

Valley Electric has promoted Darlene Zook as the Seattle office's construction manager. In her new role, Zook will oversee construction projects within the Metro Seattle and Puget Sound regions. She has 22 years of experience in the construction industry, including estimating, project management and pre-construction consultation. The company also announced it has hired Jim Long as electrical services specialist and Gary Whitt as senior project engineer. Long has 38 years of experience in the electrical construction industry, including estimating and project management. Whitt has 33 years of electrical experience, including a background in electrical consulting.

Rafn Co.

Walt Smith has joined Rafn Co.'s commercial project team as a project manager and Greg Skelton joined Rafn's multi-family housing team a project manager. Smith brings 25 years of experience in commercial and residential construction. His background includes seven years with Skillingstad Construction and two years with Kiewit Construction. Skelton has 25 years of experience in multi-family residential, mixed-use and assisted living projects. Over the previous 14 years, he owned and managed Skelton Construction.

Evergreen Partnership

The Evergreen Partnership has changed its name to The Evergreen Building Products Association. The name was changed to better reflect the association's membership. The association also is expanding its membership beyond Washington state to become regional in scope.