Earth Share of Washington

Earth Share Notes - October 2004

Monthly perspectives from Earth Share of Washington staff members on activities and trends.

Dear Reader:

Vehicle donations are an increasingly popular way to support a charity, and because of that, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has stepped up its review of such donations.

This is the time of year when people often think about replacing their cars and trucks. Consider donating a used vehicle to a charity. It's a win-win situation: great opportunities for a tax deduction, to recycle your vehicle and to help the planet. Just make sure you report the fair market value of the vehicle. The IRS won't accept a $20,000 deduction on a '92 Volvo.

The IRS offers guidance on vehicle donations at its web site, www.irs.gov. Type "vehicle donation" in the search box.

Vehicle donations contribute to protecting our water and air, our communities, our food, our lands, and our wildlife. We're very grateful that many people choose to contribute to Earth Share of Washington in this fashion, and we want to make sure everyone, including the IRS, is happy with the result.

Information about Earth Share of Washington's vehicle donation program is available at the "How You Can Help" section of its web site - www.esw.org.

- Dave Manelski
Program Coordinator

EarthCorps announces 2005 EarthCorps Sullivan Award recipients Dennis Madsen and Jan Hunt

Dennis Madsen is CEO of Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI). He is an EarthCorps Advisory Board member, donor, and advocate. Dennis is involved with many environmental nonprofits including Bicycle Alliance of Washington, IslandWood and Earth Share of Washington. Dennis actively encourages friends and colleagues to support organizations fostering youth environmental stewardship and promotes environmental service among REI employees. His leadership, sense of humor and hard work are an inspiration to all who meet him.

Jan Hunt spent the last 18 years teaching at Dearborn Park Elementary on Seattle's Beacon Hill. Jan inspires environmental stewardship among her students through an environment-based curriculum that takes students out of the classroom and into forested school grounds where they work to restore native forest. Jan and the entire Dearborn staff team up with EarthCorps to run an annual Earth Day event that engages more than 500 elementary and middle school students on environmental service projects.

EarthCorps is thrilled to acknowledge Dennis and Jan for their contributions to environmental education, youth leadership and community service. They both have played an important role in creating opportunities for low-income and at-risk youth to participate in outdoor activities, fostering an ethic of environmental stewardship and participation in the next generation. Jan Hunt had this to say about her work with EarthCorps:

"Through your work, these kids, many of whom are at risk (74% of whom are on free and reduced lunch), have something in their lives that is stable, and always there: the forest. When we first start the year's program with a new group of students, it seems as though they do not know a tulip from a maple and why it is important to know the difference. At the end of the year, they are proud to have the knowledge of what is native and what is invasive. They love to maintain their area. Your program has instilled in them responsibility for caring and nurturing something that they can have control over."

The Sullivan Award is named in honor of past King County Councilwoman, Cynthia Sullivan, for her leadership as one of the founding partners of EarthCorps and to recognize her commitment to restoring our local environment for the citizens of King County. The Sullivan Award presented annually to individuals or organizations that advocate for and support environmental stewardship in King County. Past Sullivan Award honorees are: John Barber, Open Space Advocate; Ann Knight and Jerry Arbes, Friends of Seattle's Olmsted Parks; and Doug Schindler, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

The Sullivan Award is presented each year at the EarthCorps Annual Auction, which will take place on Saturday, October 16th, 2004 from 5:30-9:30pm at St. Demetrios Church in Seattle. Please see the upcoming events calendar for more information.

Time Frame to Comment on Roadless Rule Repeal Extended

- submitted by Kay Crider from Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics

On September 8, 2004, the U.S. Forest Service extended its public comment period two months, partly in response to action by Earth Share of Washington organization - Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics (FSEEE). Comments were to be received by Sept. 15--the new deadline is now November 15.

Under the current Roadless Area Conservation Rule, road building, and most logging and development, is banned in national forest roadless areas. In July, the Forest Service announced its intention to revise the Roadless Rule. Under the proposed revision, the roadless ban would be lifted. State governors would then be allowed to petition the Forest Service to establish specific roadless areas within their state.

The proposed rule is on the web at www.roadless.fs.fed.us. Comments on the proposal can be made by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and asking for your congressperson. Direct numbers for congressional representatives can be located at www.congress.org. Written comments may be mailed to: Content Analysis Team, ATTN: Roadless State Petitions, USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 221090, Salt Lake City, UT 84122; faxed to (801) 517-1014; or e-mailed to statepetitionroadless@fs.fed.us.

Roadless Rule Act Provides Protection of Crucial Habitat
- submitted by Terry Turner, President of Washington Council of Trout Unlimited

A recent proposal to overturn the Federal Roadless Rule will put at great risk the 58 million acres of the nation's forests and grasslands, roadless areas that are presently protected under the Roadless Rule Act established in January, 2001, by the U.S. Forest Service. Washington State alone contains more than 2 million acres of these roadless areas.

The new proposal would result in increased pressure from the timber and mining industries to operate in roadless areas that provide necessary habitat for fish and wildlife that is so vital for their survival.

With so many Northwest stocks of steelhead, salmon and trout already listed as either threatened or endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act, the habitat within the roadless areas is critical to their very existence, to say nothing of countless other species of endangered birds and mammals. The following are but a few examples of potential impacts on fish habitat, of which there are many:

• 61 percent of Idaho's historic steelhead habitat has been lost, but 74 percent of the remaining habitat is in roadless areas.
• Oregon's Lahontan cutthroat populations have been reduced from eight watersheds to just two, and both are within roadless areas.
• 83 percent of bull trout spawning and rearing habitat in Oregon is found in areas with roadless lands.
• 74 percent of Idaho's chinook salmon habitat is roadless.
• Oregon's remaining westslope cutthroat trout populations are found in roadless areas of the John Day River Basin.

Millions of dollars have been spent and are presently being spent on recovery efforts to restore the Northwest's weakened stocks of fish. The results of those efforts will be greatly compromised if the rollback of the Roadless Rule occurs.

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance Patrol Update

- submitted by Chris Wilke from Puget Soundkeeper Alliance

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (PSA) is the only "on-the-water" organization monitoring for pollution and enforcing the Clean Water Act. Soundkeeper Sue Joerger and Patrol Skipper Paul Fredrickson frequently patrol the shorelines of Puget Sound -- in addition to a crew of citizen soundkeepers, who patrol on foot and by kayak -- to keep Puget Sound safer from polluters.

The water pouring from the pipe into the Duwamish River was a rusty-orange and smelled foul. The pipe was discharging water from a Duwamish shipyard's graving dock where a gray barge with a crane was docked.

As Skipper Paul Frederickson backed the Soundkeeper vessel into the discolored pool forming in below the pipe, Soundkeeper Sue Joerger called Department of Ecology inspector and took photos to document the incident. After Paul handed the helm to Sue, he filled more than a dozen water bottles with samples of the discharge. The water samples are being analyzed at the King County Environmental Lab and the results are expected next week. Once documented, the Washington State Department of Ecology will follow-up with enforcement of clean water regulations.

In addition to the Soundkeeper vessel, volunteers patrol the shorelines of Puget Sound by kayak and on foot. On July 27th PSA volunteers and staff photo-documented 3 separate environmental incidents on the North Shore of Seattle's Lake Union in kayaks. Led by their nose, the kayakers followed a strong chemical odor as they moved in for a closer look. They documented uncontrolled spray painting over the water, a sanding operation right next to the water (also, with no tarping in effect) and a floating paint and chemical shed that was completely unsecured without so much as a rail or lip in place to prevent the many gallons of paint, epoxy, and other chemicals from potentially spilling into the lake. Immediately after the patrol, PSA's Chris Wilke filed a report to the Department of Ecology, which triggered an investigation by Ecology staff.

"Most people want to do the right thing to protect Puget Sound," remarks Puget Soundkeeper Sue Joerger. "The challenge is educating those who want to do a good job, while enforcing the law with those who know better and are hoping no one notices."

An Otter Beats the Odds

- submitted by PAWS Wildlife Naturalist, Kevin Mack

On June 26th, 2004, a railroad maintenance worker discovered what appeared to be a dead river otter lying on the train tracks in Edmonds. Upon closer inspection, it was apparent that the otter was still breathing. Although it was only about 9 am, the day was already uncomfortably warm, and the otter was lying in direct sunlight. Fearing that the animal would overheat, the railroad worker parked his maintenance vehicle over the otter to shade him from the sun. He then contacted Edmonds Animal Control, and the responding officer retrieved the otter and brought him to the PAWS Wildlife Center. Upon admission, he was entered into the PAWS database as case #04-2345.

Apparently having been hit by a train, otter 04-2345 was comatose when he arrived at PAWS. He was bleeding from his nose and mouth, and his breathing was labored. A large area of swelling was evident on the back of his head and neck. PAWS Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. John Huckabee placed an IV catheter in the otter's leg, and administered fluids and medications to help stabilize his condition. X-rays that were taken to determine the cause of the head and neck swelling revealed that the otter had suffered a fractured skull and a fractured neck vertebra.

For the six days following his admission to PAWS, otter 04-2345 remained unconscious. He suffered several seizures, but these eventually ceased. He began to exhibit involuntary "swimming" motions with his legs when handled, and he also began to swallow fish that were placed in his mouth; thus allowing PAWS staff a way to deliver food. By July 2nd the otter began to struggle and bite during handling, and on July 5th he showed signs of awareness and coordination. He regained his feet, but he walked in circles, bumping into the walls of the small enclosure in which he was being housed. He was placed in a small pool daily to give him some exercise, and to keep his fur in good condition. He continued to improve, and he graduated to a larger, outdoor cage on July 14th.

By late August, the otter had returned to full function. He was exhibiting normal behavior, and catching live fish that were placed in his pool. At 6:45 am on August 31st, he was successfully released along the Edmonds waterfront, very close to spot in which he was found.

PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is located in Lynnwood. Visit www.paws.org/wildlife to find out more.

Transportation Choices Coalition Weighs in on Viaduct Debate

- submitted by Melissa Briody of Transportation Choices Coalition

The safety and maintenance of existing roadways is one of the major policy initiatives of the Transportation Choices Coalition, and the roadway in most dire need of immediate improvements is certainly Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct. Recently, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was released that outlines the five major options that have been developed to replace the Viaduct and adjoining seawall. Of the five, none include adequate alternatives to solo driving.

Transportation Choices joined with other interested groups and individuals including Allied Arts and People for Puget Sound in a group called the "Urban Environment Stakeholders" to develop a better alternative for the Viaduct fix. It was time to create an option that city officials and community leaders would take a close look at--both for its much more realistic price tag and its focus on creating a better waterfront that is a destination for everyone.

The plan developed from this group calls for a four-lane Alaskan Way on top of a four-lane tunnel. This contrasts with the DOT's current favorite alternative that calls for a six-lane tunnel and a four-lane road above.

There are some very key differences between the Urban Environment's alternative and the DOT's tunnel alternative mentioned above. For one, the four-lane street in U.E.'s alternative would not be a wide, unfriendly speedway but rather a street where cars and transportation choices share the road. It includes a series of improvements for better bike, pedestrian and transit connections for accessing key points along the waterfront, downtown Seattle and SoDo.

The tunnel in the Urban Environment's plan would be also be tolled the smart way--the more crowded the tunnel is at a certain hour the more it would cost to enter. A chunk of the dollars generated would go towards the Urban Environment's alternative, which is a whopping $700 million cheaper than the DOT's tunnel alternative! Overall, this "4 over 4" option would provide for safer, faster and more reliable movement of freight, and would meet demand for additional north-south trips.

Transportation Choices submitted a formal public comment as part of the DEIS process expressing support for their tunnel alternative provided that our recommendations above were implemented as part of the alternative. They have also been working with the City of Seattle and encouraging the DOT to look at innovative strategies to make arterial and intersection improvements to allow downtown Seattle to absorb much more traffic if the Viaduct needed to be closed or was taken down.

Fixing the Viaduct is going to take a long time. Transportation Choices Coalition will continue to track and inform this important issue through the coming months.

Want to stay informed? Transportation Choices Coalition, recently launched a cool new year-long project with funding from the Washington State Transit Association. The project is a monthly e-newsletter called "Transportation Now!" It brings to readers information and stories about achievements, issues and events related to public transportation in Washington. It also highlights different transit agencies (bus systems) around the state, what their struggles and successes are, and what they're doing to help expand choices in transportation in communities across Washington - including stories of individuals who are making a difference on improving public transportation in their community. Please visit their website to subscribe - www.transportationchoices.org.