Earth Share of Washington

The Clean Water Act Turns 30

- Submitted by Pam Johnson from ESW member group People for Puget Sound

In 1972 the U.S. Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) to ensure "fishable and swimmable waters for all Americans." 2002 is the 30th Anniversary of that Act, yet more than 600 water bodies in Washington State still do not meet water quality standards established by the Act. Not meeting the goals of the Clean Water Act has resulted in devastating effects to the Puget Sound ecosystem. Orca, salmon, and marine fish populations are all on the brink of extinction. Together, we must act to bring the importance of clean water to the forefront of public debate. We cannot let another 30 years go by with lawmakers virtually ignoring the goal of "zero discharge of pollutants."

The 30th Anniversary is a chance to redefine what it means to be "for" clean water, especially since so many lawmakers have embraced that phrase without acting on those words. While People For Puget Sound and other organizations have worked to protect the Sound's ecosystem, prevent oil spills, and restore habitat for salmon and forage fish populations, the state has failed to strengthen permits, revise standards, or set goals of zero discharge to protect Washington State's waters. After 10 years of building a constituency for Puget Sound - its orcas, salmon and marine fish - People For Puget Sound is uniquely poised to raise the banner of the Clean Water Act to remind the public of the Act's clear and strong language for eliminating pollution, and to hold lawmakers and regulators accountable for its enforcement.

Join People for Puget Sound as they work with dozens of partner organizations to launch their campaign to put the "clean" back into the Clean Water Act. For more ways to participate in this campaign in the coming months please visit their website at http://www.pugetsound.org/.

The Survivor

- submitted by naturalist Kevin Mack from ESW member group PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center - http://www.paws.org/wildlife

On September 28th, 2002 the door to a large animal carrier was opened near the Carbon River just west of Mt. Rainier National Park. The eagle that was contained within took two quick hops and launched himself into the air. He quickly gained both speed and altitude, putting distance between himself and the 5 human spectators that watched in breathless silence. There is good reason for any wild animal to want to distance itself from humans, but this bird in particular had a strong motivating factor for his haste. Although the majority of the wild animals that PAWS receives are harmed directly or indirectly by human activity, the injuries they suffer are generally not the result of malicious intent. The eagle that flew free on September 28th, however, had survived an encounter with a member (or members) of our species that had made a deliberate attempt to end his life.

Bald eagle 02-2587 was admitted to the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on July 6th, 2002. He had been found in a pasture near Wilkeson, WA and was disoriented and unable to fly. Radiographs showed that the eagle had been shot multiple times and had suffered a fractured humerus, tibiotarsus (leg bone), and several fractured ribs as a result. These injuries, however, were several months old and had healed. The humeral fracture had healed out of alignment, but it was assumed that the bird was still capable of flight since he arrived at the center in excellent body condition. The old injuries did not account for the bird's disoriented, weakened condition. Blood samples were taken and they were found to contain toxic levels of lead. Apparently, the fragments that were left behind by the bullets that had passed through the eagle's body were leaching lead into his bloodstream.

The eagle was treated for lead poisoning and gradually regained his strength. The assumption that he was still capable of flight proved to be correct as the bird flew beautifully once he was placed in a large flight pen. He spent several weeks in a flight pen rebuilding his stamina before returning to the wild on September 28th.

How this bird managed to survive in the wild long enough for his gunshot wounds and fractured bones to heal is a mystery. Had the lead not leached into his bloodstream he would not have needed any additional assistance. As it turned out, PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was there to provide him with the extra help he needed to return to his wild, free life.

Devil's Lake Gets Protection

- Submitted by Amy Zarrett, from ESW member group Washington Environmental Council - http://www.wecprotects.org/

In a state with spectacular wildlife areas and magical wild places, chalk up one more of them that your grandchildren will have the chance to experience. Earlier this year, Washington Environmental Council (WEC) succeeded in its long-term effort to get permanent protected status for the wonderful Devil's Lake wetland system.

Located on the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula, on the east side of Mt. Walker, Devil's Lake is a pristine wetland system containing superb examples of forest, bog, shrub and marsh wetland types and approximately 12 acres of open water. At the south end of the lake is a five-acre forest stand with 300-year-old trees and old growth characteristics. Also well established as a fishing and day use recreational spot, Devil's Lake contains exceptional habitat and botanical values. The state land is contiguous with National Forest land to the west, and together, the two ownerships encompass the entire Devils Lake basin.

WEC's Policy Associate, Jerry Gorsline, was instrumental in the success of the transfer. He originally proposed the transfer to deflect a state timber sale proposed in 1992, and then tracked and advocated the transfer process of Devil's Lake from that time to its enrollment as a Natural Resources Conservation Area under the Trust Land Transfer Program in May 2002.

About The Trust Land Transfer Program:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages nearly 3 million acres of state-owned trust land to provide revenue for specific trust beneficiaries and benefits for the public. However, not all of the trust lands are best suited for income production. Some have high ecological and/or recreation values of statewide significance that render them inappropriate for harvesting timber. Such is the case with the Devil's Lake property, with its pristine and highly sensitive wetland system. The Trust Land Transfer Program provides an innovative way to put money into trust beneficiary accounts while protecting properties with significant natural, park or recreation attributes and better manage trust assets for income production. Contact WEC's Jerry Gorsline for more details at jerry@wecprotects.org

Another Opportunity For New Washington Wilderness!

- Submitted by ESW member group Washington Wilderness Coalition

Within a one-to-two hour drive of the Puget Sound region, the backcountry wonders of the scenic roadless forests along the Cle Elum River help form the southern border of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. These areas are known for cathedral-like groves of ancient forests, secluded lakes, and wild, rushing rivers. Families can take small children to walk along an incredible network of popular trails through giant Douglas firs and cedars, picnic along the refreshing waters of the Cooper River, and watch the bull trout break through the surface as they swim their way upstream.

In 1998 the Forest Service was directed to study these 15,000 acres and make a recommendation as to the suitability of these lands for permanent protection as Wilderness. Congress is required to make a decision on their protection by December 31, 2002. This fall, the Forest Service may recommend to Congress that this set of small National Forest roadless areas - left out of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area when it was established in 1976 - should receive formal Wilderness designation. The Forest Service is expected to release their proposed recommendations (Draft Environmental Impact Statement, or DEIS) shortly. Following the release of the DEIS, the public will have 45 days to submit comments about the need for permanent protection of the Cle Elum Additions as Wilderness.

Greg Wieting of Washington Wilderness Coalition has more information: (206) 633-1992, x 103 or email him at greg@wawild.org

Cool Website

Washington Conservation Voters
http://www.wcvoters.org/

Washington Conservation Voters works in the public interest to elect and support environmentally responsible candidates. It's the only organization educating voters on a statewide level. Current legislative priorities include air and water pollution, salmon restoration, suburban sprawl, transportation, and toxic waste. On its website you can review a scorecard for your legislators to see how they voted on important environmental issues. Check it out!