Excellent overview of the issue of the costs vs. benefits of spending to deal with combined sewage outflows. As Chris so clearly covers, if people would have known 20 years ago what they know now about Low Impact Development (LID) standards, we might have gotten these projects done for much less money.
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Filed under: Around the Sound | Comments Off on Following the money on raw sewage discharge – Kitsap Sun
If you are living in Jefferson County, and care about the environment, you owe it to yourself to come to the annual Democrats Fish Feast. This isn’t about being a loyal democrat, but our county is currently run by a group of successful Democrats. If you want your voices heard, it’s an excellent way to meet the leaders and candidates of our county in a low key way.
Independents are welcome. And having gone as a representative of the environmental community, rather than a partisan supporter, I would have to recommend going. I’ve always enjoyed the conversations I’ve had there. Yes, you’ll get some political messaging, but it’s almost impossible to avoid that if you are involved in trying to change things.
Tickets are $41 for the meal. Ages 12 – 18 are $15.00 There are comp tickets for low income folks.
Hope to see you there.
http://jeffcodemocrats.com/fish-feast-tickets/
Filed under: Around the Sound, Events, Government, Jefferson County | Comments Off on Jefferson County Democrats Fish Feast Sunday
7/14 Green Acre Radio
Martha Baskin
As oceans absorb ever more carbon dioxide, pH levels of the world’s seas have been dropping. Biologists at the National Marine Fisheries Service in Seattle are doing some of the most sophisticated work anywhere to see how the marine world responds to a major side effect of fossil fuel emissions, increasingly corrosive seas. Martha Baskin recently joined scientists on a research vessel in Puget Sound.
Listen at
http://greenacreradio.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-14-2011-carbon-saturated-seas-food.html
Filed under: Around the Sound | Comments Off on Carbon Saturated Seas, The Food Web and the Future of Marine Life
Next time you are going to pay extra for King or Copper River, ask your server if it’s really what they say it is. Interesting facts out of this: Big chains of supermarkets passed 100% true to label. So those packages of fresh frozen wild salmon at Costco are what they claim to be. 40% of restaurants surveyed multiple times failed. Some restaurants failed 100% of the time. Sounds like a fraud investigation should be in the works. Kudos to UW Tacoma teachers for a great real world class lesson in a relevant biology use.
7/7 Tacoma News Tribune
JOHN GILLIE; Staff writer
Just because the menu says the fish you’re eating is wild-caught king salmon doesn’t necessarily make it so, even here in the heart of salmon country, a new study from the University of Washington Tacoma shows.
The study, conducted over three years by students in UWT biology classes using DNA detection methodology, shows salmon sold in Puget Sound-area restaurants is mislabeled surprisingly often. Salmon called wild-caught Pacific salmon on the menu was found, in multiple cases, to be less-expensive farm-raised Atlantic salmon. And even when the menu promise of serving wild-caught fish was fulfilled, the species wasn’t always the same as the restaurant advertised. What might be called king salmon, for instance, was in fact the more common coho salmon.
More than 38 percent of restaurant samples tested by students in the UWT’s introductory biology classes were mislabeled, said Erica Cline, assistant professor in the university’s environmental program.
More at
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/07/07/1735663/salmon-often-mislabeled.html
Filed under: Around the Sound | Comments Off on University of Washington Tacoma study: Salmon often mislabeled
6/11 Seattle Times
Canadian oil boom may bring many more tankers to Northwest waters
By Craig Welch
Seattle Times environment reporter
In the icy oil fields of Alberta, gargantuan machines traverse open-pit mines to access one of the greatest oil deposits on Earth: Canada’s oil sands.
That massive store of energy has touched off political feuds in the U.S. over a proposed 1,700-mile pipeline to funnel crude oil to the Gulf of Mexico.
But fights over Canada’s oil sands could have an impact much closer to home. One company is hoping to boost oil-sands shipments to Asia through Northwest waters — plans that would quadruple tanker traffic through Vancouver, B.C., and dramatically increase the amount of oil traveling through the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
More at
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015297007_tanker12m.html
Filed under: Around the Sound | Tagged: canada, oil spill, strait of juan de fuca | 1 Comment »
– This supports the work People For Puget Sound and others did a few years back to help get inspections for septic (even self inspections). – editor
4/12 Kitsap Sun
Study confirms septic systems as prime suspect in Hood Canal fish kills
By Christopher Dunagan
SEATTLE — Septic systems in Southern Hood Canal appear to play a pivotal role in the massive fish kills that plague the waterway, according to a long-awaited report by a team of scientists.
The scientists’ general findings about what causes oxygen to reach deadly levels in Hood Canal vary little from a description they provided in 2008. Since then, the group has conducted an extensive analysis, offering more precise estimates about the sources of nitrogen entering the waterway.
Their final conclusion is that roughly 20 percent of the nitrogen in Southern Hood Canal during summer months comes from septic systems. That is enough nitrogen to push oxygen levels into a critically low range and set up conditions for a massive fish kill in the fall.
More at
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/apr/12/study-confirms-septic-systems-as-prime-suspect/
Filed under: Around the Sound, Jefferson County, Olympic Peninsula | Tagged: fish kill, Hood Canal, hood canal, Olympic Peninsula, septic | 1 Comment »
A great opinion piece by Billy Frank Jr. the chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. He makes some excellent points. Read the whole piece, it’s pretty short.
Tribes and orcas have a lot in common. Together, we have always depended on the salmon for food.
The last 100 years have been hard on the tribes, the orcas and the salmon. Habitat loss and damage has pushed some salmon populations to the edge of extinction, threatening the orcas, tribal cultures and our treaty rights.
But instead of looking at the main causes for a weak local population of orcas, the federal government is asking us yet again to reconsider how we fish. We just spent several years working with our salmon co-managers to develop a five-year plan to manage our Puget Sound chinook fisheries in light of the recovery needs for fish listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Now, a half-step away from final approval, the federal government is asking us to go back to the drawing board and quickly produce a new two-year harvest plan that addresses how our fisheries might affect orca populations.
The rest of the story is at
http://nwifc.org/2011/04/whats-good-for-orca-is-good-for-fishermen/
Filed under: Around the Sound, First Nations | Tagged: fishing, orca, Salmon, tribes | Comments Off on What’s good for Orca is good for fishermen – Billy Frank
The conservation group People For Puget Sound will honor Helen Engle, Terry Williams and The Seattle Aquarium as 2011 Warren G. Magnuson Sound Legacy Award winners at the group’s “New Day For Puget Sound” Spring Luncheon on Wednesday, April 6, at the Seattle Four Seasons Hotel.
A special Puget Sound Hero Award will be given to the many people and organizations that worked to save the shorelines and marine waters of Maury Island from a gravel mine and shipping operation.
Helen Engle of Tacoma is a member of Tahoma Audubon Society and recognized for her 40-plus years of working on behalf of the environment and environmental organizations. She helped galvanize support for oil spill prevention, for cleaning up Commencement Bay in Tacoma, and for saving the Nisqually Delta. Her support and enthusiasm have inspired and motivated generations of younger people to step up and be a part of the environmental movement.
Terry Williams is Fisheries and Natural Resources Commissioner for the Tulalip Tribes and recognized for his many years of serving on numerous boards and commissions dealing with water quality, habitat and salmon resource issues. Terry is distinguished by his willingness to listen, and the knowledge, patience, cultural and moral commitment he brings to his life’s work.
The Seattle Aquarium received the organization award for its leadership in educating the public about the marine environment and demonstrating its commitment to protecting and restoring the health of Puget Sound. Its mission to inspire conservation of our marine environment becomes a reality for tomorrow’s conservation leaders and for all of us through its programs and its partnerships in the community.
The special Puget Sound Heroes award recognizes the 13-year effort that concluded with Maury Island now having a King County park on shore and an Aquatic Reserve that is a true reserve in adjacent waters. This special award recognizes extraordinary persistence, creativity, passion, cooperation and effectiveness in the long battle to protect Maury Island and the orcas, salmon and people who call it home.
The Warren G. Magnuson Puget Sound Legacy Awards honor the late Washington senator who, in the 1970s, passed historic legislation protecting marine mammals and keeping supertankers out of the Sound, among other important bills. The awards are given to individuals, projects, groups or businesses nominated for their outstanding work on behalf of the marine life in Puget Sound.
Filed under: Around the Sound, Events | Comments Off on People For Puget Sound awards Magnuson Awards
BELLEVUE – The Washington Supreme Court has declined to consider a unanimous state appeals court ruling that upheld every aspect of a 2007 Department of Ecology (Ecology) penalty against Pacific Topsoils Inc. for illegally covering wetlands on Smith Island, near Everett. The high court’s decision lets stand the August 2010 decision by the Washington Court of Appeals, Division Two, upholding Ecology’s regulation of wetlands under the state Water Pollution Control Act. Ecology fined the company $88,000 and ordered the firm to remove the 12-acre, 10 to 30 feet deep fill and to restore the land to its original condition. Pacific Topsoils appealed the fine and order to the Pollution Control Hearings Board, and then to the Court of Appeals. Snohomish County also issued Pacific Topsoils an order – affirmed by a county hearing examiner on appeal – to remove the illegal fill.
“Our courts have affirmed that the company knew it was destroying wetlands, had knowledge about the extent and quality of these wetlands, and knew this fill was against the law,” said Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant. “This decision affirms the efforts of a majority of businesses who work cooperatively to follow environmental laws, and should serve as a wake-up call to those few who seek to skirt the law and harm the state’s natural resources.”
“This case is a sad reminder that we can’t always count on individuals and companies to do the right thing,” said Puget Sound Partnership Executive Director Gerry O’Keefe. “Environmental enforcement to protect wetlands, shellfish beds and other high value natural assets remains an important last resort. Ecology deserves credit when it takes decisive action to protect Puget Sound’s natural infrastructure.”
“This case has cost Ecology at least $100,000 and diverted staff time from other environmental protection actions,” said Gordon White, who manages Ecology’s program overseeing wetland protection efforts. “Ecology staff and Attorney General’s Office counsel met their obligation to the citizens and brought a strong and convincing case.” Wetland penalty payments go toward a special account that funds grants for environmental restoration projects in Washington.
### Case numbers:Court of Appeals Cause Number 39691-2-II Supreme Court Cause Number 85415-7
News release on 2008 Hearings Board decision: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2008news/2008-172.html News release on original penalty: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2007news/2007-053.htmlWashington Supreme Court petitions for review: http://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/supremecourt/?fa=supremecourt.petitions#A1
Our Living Shorelines web portal: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/livingshorelines/index.htmlMore about wetlands: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/index.htmlMedia Contacts: Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 206-920-2600, larry.altose@ecy.wa.gov
Curt Hart, Ecology media relations, 360-480-7908, curt.hart.@ecy.wa.gov
Filed under: Around the Sound, Government | Comments Off on Appeals court upholds Ecology wetland protection efforts – Win for our shorelines
News today in the New York Times that the U.S. aircraft carrier, Ronald Reagan, stationed 100 miles offshore from Japan had to be moved to because it was in the plume of radioactivity from the failing reactors on the Japanese coast. The questions now that have to be answered honestly by our government officials are, ““Is nuclear fallout from this disaster now in the jetstream? What is the real threat to us here on the coast from nuclear fallout that may be traveling in the jetstream? Can the fallout reach us if it does not go into the jetstream?
These are not theoretical questions posed by some niche anti-nuclear coalition. The very fears that anti-nuclear protestors of the 70s had, have come to pass. Three plants, being run in what appears to be questionable ways (from reports on the number of accidents that they were having prior to the tsunami), are now in what can only be called an “out of control” situation, with the likelyhood, again according to this mornings New York Times, that we may be exposed to radiation for months to come. The statements from Japanese government officials and nuclear power plant representatives have been confusing and contradictory. The things they optimistically stated were either wrong or outright inaccuracies.
On the other hand, a phony map of a supposed nuclear fallout plume from the plants is circulating on the Internet. It is most definitely a hoax, as it contains spelling errors and the organization who’s logo is on it has disavowed any knowledge of it. http://www.australian-radiation-services.com.au/
What appears to be an accurate forecast map of the Pacific Jetstream appears to be at http://www.stormsurfing.com/cgi/display_alt.cgi?a=npac_250
This seems to show the jetstream mainly south of Washington state at the present time of this writing (Monday, 14 March 2011). You will need Adobe Flash to view this map as an animation, so those with iPad’s will need to move to a computer that supports Flash. Stormsurfing is a group using NOAA data to run forecast simulations, and has been around for a number of years. They are NOT making any predictions on radiation fallout from these maps. They are simply informative on the jetstream in general.
This web site will continue to follow these stories and ask our government officials about steps being taken, and we are hoping our local news organizations on the Peninsula will take this story extremely seriously.
Filed under: Around the Sound | Comments Off on Fallout from Japanese nuclear reactors…heading our way or not?
3/1 KPLU-FM
By Austin Jenkins and KPLU News Staff
Last summer, we brought you a story about gaps in the system that’s supposed to keep Washington shellfish safe to eat. Now state lawmakers appear ready to get tougher with shellfish operators who violate food safety laws.
Early last year, Washington Fish and Wildlife cops shut down a Hood Canal shellfish harvesting operation. They allege G&R Seafood poached $500,ooo worth of oysters and clams from state and private beaches.
But Fish and Wildlife police say even after the business was raided, the company’s owner – who denies any wrongdoing – was spotted selling shellfish at fairs and other public gatherings. But Chief Deputy Mike Cenci says there was nothing his officers could do since it was G&R’s harvesting license <http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/> that had been yanked:
More at
http://www.kplu.org/post/washington-poised-get-tougher-shellfish-operators
Filed under: Around the Sound, Government, Jefferson County, Puget Sound, Shellfish, Straits of Juan de Fuca | Tagged: Hood Canal, Puget Sound, Shellfish | Comments Off on Washington poised to get tougher with shellfish operators
The board of directors of People For Puget Sound is happy to announce the hiring of Tom Bancroft as the organization’s next executive director.
Bancroft, who holds a PhD in ecology, has had a distinguished career as an environmentalist and leader. Most recently he was Chief Scientist and Vice President of the National Audubon Society. Prior to that he was Vice President of The Wilderness Society. While he will be new to the Puget Sound region, he is well-acquainted with our challenges. Just last year, he headed up National Audubon’s scientific evaluations of the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf. He has worked for many years on restoration and management of the Everglades, and he is familiar with Puget Sound and its watersheds from his work with The Wilderness Society.
He will be relocating to Puget Sound from the Washington, DC area, and will be introduced at People For Puget Sound’s April 6 “New Day for Puget Sound” luncheon in Seattle, featuring speaker Sylvia Earle.
“It’s great to have an internationally-known scientist lead our organization and to carry on speaking the truth based on the best available science,” said Board President Bill Derry. “I am confident that he will take us to new levels, grow the organization and make us even more successful at protecting Puget Sound.”
“I am excited to be joining the People For Puget Sound team,” said Bancroft. “I am looking forward to working on the conservation of Puget Sound, a world-renowned estuary system. It’s a great time to be part of this effort.”
“I had the pleasure of meeting Tom during the selection process, and I am delighted that he will be the new leader of People For Puget Sound,” said Martha Kongsgaard, chair of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council. “People For Puget Sound is one of our key partners in the effort to restore the Sound’s health, and I look forward to working with Tom as he moves into this new role.”
Tom will be succeeding founder and Executive Director Kathy Fletcher who will be retiring at the end of June 2011.
“I am thrilled and confident about People For Puget Sound’s future under Tom Bancroft’s leadership,” said Fletcher. “He has the outstanding background and personal qualities we were looking for.
Filed under: Around the Sound, Jobs | Comments Off on Dr. Tom Bancroft to direct People For Puget Sound
Puget Sound Partnership steadfast in science-based solutions to environmental threats
By Christopher Dunagan
*2/5/11 Kitsap Sun
Puget Sound Partnership has suffered some serious “growing pains” through its first three years, yet the agency retains widespread support from many political, business, environmental and tribal leaders.More than a few people are questioning why the partnership has taken so long to provide a basic road map for restoring Puget Sound to health. And some question whether the agency’s complex organizational structure may be hindering its progress.
But the partnership’s guiding principle of allowing science to point the way continues to generate optimism, as the agency moves forward under acting Director Gerry O’Keefe.
…. Kathy Fletcher, executive director of People for Puget Sound, serves on the Eco Board. Before she started People for Puget Sound 20 years ago, Fletcher chaired the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority — the first entity to tackle pollution issues in Puget Sound.
Fletcher said she supports the science-based goals of the partnership, but the agency has spent an inordinate amount of time setting up systems of accountability.
“They have spent far too long establishing the basic stuff they set out to do,” she said. “I would rather see them put their energy into getting things done. The good news, when you look back over this period of time, is that a lot of good things have happened that are going to benefit Puget Sound.”
For example, the recession brought in federal stimulus dollars to remove “ghost nets” and other derelict fishing gear throughout Puget Sound, she said. Massive restoration projects include the Nisqually estuary renovation near Olympia and the upcoming dam removal on the Elwha River near Port Angeles.
Fletcher said the partnership has a “really good shot” to prove itself this year, as a multitude of reports and recommendations focus attention on what needs to be done for Puget Sound.
More at
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/feb/05/puget-sound-partnership-steadfast-in-science-to/
Filed under: Around the Sound, Government | Tagged: partnership, Puget Sound | Comments Off on Puget Sound Partnership steadfast in science-based solutions to environmental threats
2/3/11 Vancouver Sun
Canada, U.S. may restrict chinook salmon harvest to benefit killer whales
By LARRY PYNN, Vancouver Sun
Fishermen in Canada and the U.S. may have to give up part of their lucrative chinook salmon catch to help the recovery of endangered resident killer whales.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a news release Wednesday it plans to hold a science workshop with Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the spring to discuss potential catch restrictions.
The federal agency said that “killer whales depend to a substantial degree on large chinook salmon as a high-calorie food source” and that “killer whale productivity is affected by chinook abundance.”
As a result of the workshop, both countries will be “better able to determine whether and to what extent additional constraints on salmon fishing may be necessary,” it said.
Filed under: Around the Sound, Salmon | Tagged: canada, orca, Salmon | Comments Off on Canada, U.S. may restrict chinook salmon harvest to benefit killer whales
Washington Sea Grant (WSG) requests proposals for one- to two-year research projects from investigators at academic and research institutions throughout the state of Washington. Approximately $2.4 million will be available over the next funding cycle (February 1, 2012 – January 31, 2014) to support an estimated 10-15 projects that are selected on an open, competitive, peer-reviewed basis. Proposed projects must align with the WSG strategic plan and a minimum of six projects will be funded from those that focus on the WSG critical program area of changing oceans and coastal communities.
All investigators must use eSeaGrant, the WSG online proposal submission system.
Preliminary Proposal Deadline: 5:00 p.m., March 7, 2011
Full Proposal Deadline: 5:00 p.m., May 23, 2011
The full 2011 Request for Proposals document, and other funding opportunities, are available from the WSG homepage:
Filed under: Around the Sound | Tagged: grants, research | Comments Off on Washington Sea Grant 2011 Request for Proposals
I understand that this bill is co-sponsored by State Representative Steve Tharinger of the Peninsula as well. – editor
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1/21/11 Skagit Valley Herald
Ranker sponsors bill to create more green jobs for vets, youth
by Staff Report
State Sen. Kevin Ranker has introduced a bill that would create about 150 green jobs for young adults and veterans in Washington. Many of these jobs could potentially come to Skagit County.
“It will be competitive,” said Ranker, D-San Juan Island. “Communities will go for federal money. Many of those restoration jobs are in Skagit County and Whatcom County.”
The legislation was sponsored by 11 state senators from both parties and would consolidate and improve the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC). The bill was requested by the commissioner of Public Lands and Department of Ecology.
Currently, veterans in the Veterans’ Conservation Corps (VCC) receive job training voluntarily and without pay. The legislation would partner the VCC and WCC to create jobs that would help clean up Puget Sound. Five percent of incoming federal dollars for the WCC would now go to the VCC so that it can create jobs.
More at
http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/ranker_sponsors_bill_to_create_more_green_jobs_for_vets_youth/
Filed under: Around the Sound, Puget Sound | Tagged: jobs, Puget Sound | Comments Off on New State Conservation Corps for Puget Sound
I would caution the reader about drawing conclusions like Liam did in this article. While malfunctioning septic systems *would* contribute to this problem, and probably *do* contribute, I have not yet seen scientific evidence that they *are* the root causes in Hood Canal. And I have been watching for them for years now. It’s still good to be having septics checked (which most aren’t currently). Additionally the notion that blaming a few random spills off West Point in Seattle where billions of processed sewage is dumped into the Sound is absurd on it’s face. It’s the elephant in the room, as they say.
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1/24 KPLU FM
Marine “dead zones” detailed in interactive online map
By Liam Moriarty
Growing populations and increasing pollution are contributing to more and more “dead zones” in bays and oceans around the world.
Now there’s an interactive online map pinpointing more than 760 spots across the globe—including 22 in Washington – that either are dead zones or are in danger of becoming one.
Listen at
http://www.kplunews.org/post/marine-%E2%80%9Cdead-zones%E2%80%9D-detailed-interactive-online-map
Filed under: Around the Sound, Jefferson County, Olympic Peninsula | Tagged: dead zones, Hood Canal, Olympic Peninsula, Pollution | Comments Off on Marine “dead zones” detailed in interactive online map
The next Puget Sound Georgia Basin Research Conference (renamed Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference) has the date set and the call for sessions is out:
Many Voices, One Sea
The Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference is the largest, most comprehensive scientific research and policy conference in the region. The 2011 conference, co-hosted by Environment Canada and the Puget Sound Partnership, presents the latest scientific research on the state of the ecosystem. The conference also shares information on recent management actions and best practices to protect and restore the Salish Sea Ecosystem. Through these dialogues, the conference emphasizes the importance of collaboration among scientists and policymakers to solve complex environmental issues that cross political borders.
Join us in furthering our collective understanding of the unique and precious ecosystem that is the Salish Sea. Together, we will explore the state of the science, build our management capability, and reinforce our strong foundation of research of policy. The exciting, dynamic program creates opportunities for peer-to-peer interactions, cultural celebrations, knowledge transfer, and practical collaborations. Enjoy workshops, special sessions, field trips, keynote speakers, and other engaging events throughout the conference.
For more information, please visit www.salishseaconference.org
Call for Sessions
The Conference Steering Committee is inviting proposals for sessions for panel presentations, interactive sessions, and facilitated panels that will encourage interdisciplinary and transboundary collaboration and networking among scientists, policy-makers, students and other stakeholders. For more information, please click here.
Filed under: Around the Sound | Tagged: conference, education | Comments Off on Call for sessions – Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference
Registration’s Open for the 2011 LID Technical Workshop Series
Posted: 03 Jan 2011 07:00 AM PST
Registration is now open for the next round of Puget Sound LID Technical Workshops!
This workshop series, brought to you by WSU Extension and the Puget Sound Partnership, covers all aspects of LID, including:
§ Bioretention siting, sizing, design, modeling, performance and maintenance
§ Permeable paving specifications, installation, performance and maintenance needs for pervious concrete, porous asphalt, interlocking pavers, and grid systems
§ Vegetated roof design, construction, modeling and performance
§ Rainwater harvesting design and construction
§ Low impact foundation design and construction
§ Site planning and preparation
§ Site assessment
§ Plan review
§ Erosion and sediment control, LID construction sequencing, and inspection
Workshop Dates
May 3-4, 2011 – Bioretention
May 17-18, 2011 – Permeable Paving
May 31-June 1, 2011 – Vegetated roofs, low impact foundations, and rainwater collection
June 14-15, 2011 – Site planning, erosion and sediment control, plan review, and inspection
Cost
The workshop series consists of four 2-day classes. Best of all (or at least really, really good): Each class costs only $110. And that includes all materials and food and beverage.
Why so cheap? Thank the Puget Sound Partnership, which is subsidizing registration to keep it really inexpensive and accessible to as many professionals as possible.
Puget Sound Action Agenda
This technical workshop series helps implement a key near-term action in the Puget Sound Action Agenda, which is to continue to transition the region to the LID approach and provide assistance to make it happen.
Location
As in 2010, all workshops will be held at the new LID Research Center on the campus of WSU Extension in Puyallup. Holding the classes there allows us to show students the wonderful array of bioretention and permeable pavement that’s being meticulously monitored there. (If you’ve not visited WSU Puyallup yet, you’ll be impressed by all of it – trust me.)
LID Certificates
WSU Extension, WSU Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Puget Sound Partnership will again offer LID certificates to those who attend all four classes and pass a series of tests. This certificate program has value – it demonstrates that the holder has a good understanding of the LID approach and techniques.
Registration
You do need to pre-register, and classes do fill up. Register at: http://conferences.wsu.edu/lidworkshops
Hope to see you there!
Filed under: Around the Sound | Tagged: class, LID, workshop | Comments Off on LID Technical Workshop
While not directly happening here, this event involves us, as our seabird populations are pretty much the same as the ones they are discussing. Another ‘canary in the coalmine”, pun intended…
1/17 Bellingham Herald
ISABELLE DILLS / THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
BELLINGHAM – A discussion about seabird populations and mortality trends will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at The Sustainable Living Center.
The discussion will be led by Julia Parrish, a nationally known seabird and conservation biologist and director of the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team.
The program is free and open to the public.
The Sustainable Living Center is at 2309 Meridian St., above the RE Store.
Parrish also will lead a hands-on workshop on bird identification and data collection from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22. To register, contact RE Sources at 360-733-8307.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/01/17/1821083/discussion-about-seabird-populations.html
Filed under: Around the Sound, Events, Sea Life | Tagged: Birds | Comments Off on Discussion about seabird populations to take place in Bellingham
