Earth Share of Washington

Environmental Gains Achieved in 2004 Legislative Session

- submitted by Tom Geiger from ESW member Washington Environmental Council

Olympia, WA -- The 2004 Legislative Session was marked by environmental gains and no losses, making a successful year in the state capitol for Washington's environmental community. Progress was made in the areas of toxics reduction, old growth protection, water clean up and stream flow restoration.

"This is the second consecutive year in which bi-partisan support was essential to passing environmental priorities," said Clifford Traisman, state lobbyist for Washington Environmental Council/Washington Conservation Voters. "Lawmakers from both parties increasingly understand that clean air, land and water are important to all Washington citizens."

At the outset of the 2004 Session, the environmental community elevated four Priorities [featured in the February 2004 Earth Page]. Results included the following:

• Toxics: Funding for the state's Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics (PBTs) program was restored, ensuring that the most harmful chemicals in our society, such as mercury, dioxin and PBDE (the fire retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers), will ultimately be reduced in our environment.
• Forests: An important study to look at certifying state forests--which would have delayed the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from increasing logging state forests until the study was completed--was not included in the final capital budget, but a provision was included that requires the DNR to inventory and map old growth in state forests and notify the public before it is logged.
• Water: A bill to restore and protect stream flows (SHB 2396) did not make it through the legislative process, but neither did other water legislation, which would have eliminated the state's law aimed at preventing the hoarding and speculation of the public's water. However, $1 million was included in the supplemental budget to improve stream flows and water management.
• Energy: Although legislation to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy development did not pass the full legislature, the bill did pass two House committees. Fortunately, the legislature did pass a bill requiring new power plants to mitigate 20 percent of their emissions of carbon dioxide, the principle pollutant responsible for global warming (SHB 3141).

Other important environmental bills included oil spill prevention (SSB 6641), electronic recycling (ESHB 2488), and significantly, improved safeguards for stormwater management (ESSB 6415). Governor Locke is expected to sign all of the bills and support the proposed funding.

"This is the first time in memory that the legislature provided all wins and no losses for the environment," said Joan Crooks, WEC Executive Director. "The environmental community intends to continue this record of success in the 2005 Session with a new governor and new legislature."

The Smell of CO(-2) in the Morning

- submitted by Allison Riese from ESW member EarthCorps, originally published in the Seattle P-I

Carbon dioxide is one of the by-products of coffee roasting.

For environmentally conscious David Schomer, who has run Espresso Vivace on Capitol Hill for 15 years, it's a vexing matter. So to mitigate some of the effects of his coffee roasting, Schomer is donating 2,000 trees - Western red cedar, Western hemlock and Sitka spruce - for planting this week in Interlaken Park.

There are 3,700 acres of publicly owned forests in Seattle, said Pieter Bohen, lands stewardship director for Seattle-based Cascade Land Conservancy, which is working with the Mayor's Office on a project to restore the city's urban forests. Of those, about 85 percent are in rapid decline and 60 percent are covered with tree-killing ivy.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and emit oxygen, improving air quality. One acre of mature trees sequesters 16 tons of carbon a year, Bohen said. The 3-year-old trees planted this week will cover about 10 acres of the Capitol Hill park.

It is uncertain how long it will take those trees to absorb the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted from Espresso Vivace's roaster. But the business is taking a positive step, Bohen said.

"I'm really impressed with David. I think his heart is really in the right place," he said. "If, for instance, all the small coffee businesses in the city alone decided to sequester their carbon, we could probably restore the entire urban forest just on that. That's a remarkable thought."

Schomer, who is donating $10,000 for the trees, and his staff will plant trees along with volunteers from Cascade Land Conservancy and EarthCorps starting Wednesday. He acknowledged being "a little bit hyperaware" of air pollution; he commutes from Fremont to Capitol Hill by bicycle. Interlaken Park is on his route.

"It's going to be really sweet to go by the trees," he said. "It's just going to be great."

Those wishing to patronize Schomer's establishment will find Espresso Vivace at 901 E. Denny Way (at Broadway) in Seattle.

The Future of Seattle's Waterfront and Elliott Bay

- by Heather Trim from ESW member, People for Puget Sound

The Seattle waterfront along the shores of Elliott Bay is long overdue for an update. While the state and city are in the process of determining the future of the viaduct, the seawall and the waterfront, People For Puget Sound has teamed with other local environmental groups and Jones & Jones Landscape Architects to create the Elliott Bayshore Opportunity Zone (E-BOZ).

Elliott Bay is anchored by two lighthouses, Alki and West Point, with 13 miles of shoreline between them. E-BOZ includes this shoreline area and extends out in the water to a depth of 100 feet, and up from the waters edge, to create a zone approximately a quarter mile wide.

The vision of E-BOZ is for waterfront development occurring in the next 50 years to have an environmental focus, with connections between an array of new buildings, outdoor green spaces, native vegetation, public art, a continuous waterfront walkway, habitat restoration areas, and a healthy Elliott Bay.

Currently, Elliott Bay is one of the most highly-degraded areas of Puget Sound. Contaminated sediments in the Duwamish, and along the Seattle waterfront, contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other toxics, and fish and other marine creatures are contaminated with these substances. Additionally, the natural shoreline and wetlands have been largely eliminated.

In spite of this degradation, Elliott Bay is home to a vast array of wildlife. At Bell Street Marina, you can see sea stars and urchins on the pilings. Below the Seattle Aquarium reside giant octopi. Great Blue heron, the city's new emblem, are often visible nearby. There is potential to recreate a shoreline that would delight and amaze residents and tourists alike.

E-BOZ goals for the central waterfront area include:

Habitat for continuous fish migration along the shoreline
Juvenile salmon emerge out of the Duwamish into Elliott Bay and migrate along the nearshore out to Puget Sound. Small fish need time to acclimate to saltwater before heading into marine water and juvenile fish need shoreline areas for resting, refuge and feeding.

The existing vertical seawall along the Seattle waterfront is not salmon-friendly. An alternative seawall with bevels, terraces or artificial habitat structures would provide needed shallow water areas. Cutouts in the seawall for pocket beaches and other created features would provide refuge.

Habitat creation and preservation
E-BOZ has a goal of restoring no less than 30% of the Elliott Bayshore to a natural state. This includes wildlife habitat areas for feeding, nesting and resting. It is essential that Elliott Bay, the last stop for salmon on their way to Puget Sound and the Pacific, provide habitat for migrating and resident species.

Controlling stormwater and eliminating contaminated sediments
It is time to clean-up the water and sediment of Elliott Bay. Stormwater to the bay must be treated to remove pollutants, and quantities need to be managed to reduce flashflows that kill juvenile fish and other wildlife.

Greenways, green roofs and other natural features can treat and reduce flows of stormwater, while at the same time providing wonderful park space and places of refuge for downtown visitors and residents. If these features are incorporated into new building projects at the outset, they are simple, inexpensive and highly effective ways to manage stormwater.

Improve public access
Residents and tourists lack continuous, uninterrupted public access along the Elliott Bay shoreline. A waterfront walk- and bike-way, pocket beaches, and other interactive points are needed to create a diverse, accessible new waterfront where people can touch, smell and sense the water.

Elliott Bay is paramount to our city's health. The city's unfolding waterfront plan is a key part of the Elliott Bayshore Opportunity Zone. It is the first chance to create a nearshore environment that redefines the way the city meets the bay. It is our best chance to create a healthy Elliott Bay.

Earth Day 2004

Earth Day was established in 1970 at a time when social activism was at a high. U.S. senator Gaylord Nelson (D-Wis.) recognized a growing environmental concern that had barely been addressed by the legislature. In setting aside April 22 to recognize human impact on the environment, Nelson hoped first and foremost to raise the awareness of politicians. He recruited a Harvard law student, Denis Hayes, to organize Earth Day observances nationwide. (Hayes now presides over Seattle's Bullitt Foundation.)

Nelson and Hayes achieved their goal. More than 20 million Americans participated in this first Earth Day celebration, causing voter-hungry politicians to take notice. The overwhelming response helped generate a new political focus on the environment. As that focus has become increasingly global, more people than ever are celebrating Earth Day around the world.

Earth Day is as important today as it was in 1970.

To get involved in helping our planet, consider attending one of many volunteer events this month (listed below and on the ESW website), hosted by Earth Share of Washington members. Or signup on our website for Volunteer Alerts, and we will notify you via email every time a new volunteer opportunity is posted to our site. The address to signup is http://www.esw.org/help/signup.html. Get involved this Earth Day!

Cool Website(s)

Earth Day Network - Earth Day Events 2004
http://www.earthday.net/g&e/searchNetwork.asp
Search hundreds of Earth Day events all over the country and right here in Washington.

Earth Share of Washington Volunteer Events
http://www.esw.org/help/

History of Earth Day
http://earthday.wilderness.org/history/