Earth Share of Washington

What the orcas are telling us

- By Heather Trim of Earth Share organization People For Puget Sound

We lost four orcas this summer. When People For Puget Sound was launched in 1991, there were about 90 Southern resident killer whales. Their numbers peaked to 97 in 1996, declined to 79 in 2001, and stood this year at 90. But sadly the four that died - a 20 year-old male, a 34 year-old female mother of three, a 12 year-old new mother and her four month-old calf – leave us with just 86.

Factors in their decline include their capture for animal parks, food and habitat reductions, toxic contamination, underwater noise, and vessel interactions. People For Puget Sound took on orca recovery as a keystone issue and, along with other orca advocacy groups, succeeded in petitioning the National Marine Fisheries Service to list orcas as an endangered species. As a result, almost all of Puget Sound except for military installations, Hood Canal and near shore waters has been designated as critical habitat for orca protection and the process is underway to adopt an orca recovery plan.

Especially troubling in this decline of orca health are scientific findings of how toxic pollutants, like flame retardant PBDEs, build up in orcas’ fat and how pollutants like PCBs affect their immune and reproductive systems. Because orcas are long-lived mammals just like humans, accumulation of these chemicals come from years of eating food that is contaminated with these pollutants, sometimes in only small amounts. Scientists speculate that the four orca deaths this year were due to malnutrition from low salmon supplies, leading to a reliance on their fat, which in turn drew out toxics and reduced their ability to fight off infections.

What are the whales telling us? By looking at the root factor, it becomes apparent that we also consume from the same food supply, Puget Sound. And, we are sharing persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs), like PBDEs and PCBs, chemicals that build up in the food chain, accumulate in animal fat, and are extremely toxic even in very small quantities.

A study by Sightline Institute found levels of toxic flame retardants in milk samples in Puget Sound women at levels 20 to 40 times higher than levels found in European and Japanese women. A March 2005 study found 35 hazardous industrial chemicals, including PBTs like PCBs, dioxin and toxic flame retardants, in household dust from 10 homes in Washington. The Pollution in People study in May 2006 reported on tests for six groups of chemicals conducted on 10 Washington residents; the tests showed that toxic pollutants are rampant in their bodies.

This fall, Puget Sound residents were warned by state health officials to limit their consumption of local wild Chinook and other fish because of toxic chemical in these fish.

Earlier this year over 500 people attended a conference on Toxics in Puget Sound and over 400 attended safe cosmetics workshops held in Bellevue, Seattle and Tacoma in November. People are increasingly concerned that our state and federal governments have failed to prevent the use of harmful chemicals in consumer products, manufacturing processes, and food production. In 2006, most chemicals are virtually unregulated, and Washington State needs a new comprehensive approach to protect our health from toxic chemicals.

Elected officials have a great opportunity in the 2007 legislative session to truly make a difference, both for the orcas and for the people by passing legislation banning the use of the flame retardant PBDE and by supporting strong measures to reduce stormwater pollution and to clean up polluted sediments in the Sound.

Caribou and Snowmobiles

- By Tania Ellersick and Mike Petersen of Earth Share organization The Lands Council

When people think of caribou, they often picture the herds of barren ground caribou in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. But much closer to home a small herd of mountain caribou still live in the old forests of the Selkirk Mountains of north Idaho and northeast Washington. This fall, conservation groups won a temporary injunction against snowmobiling and snowmobile trail grooming on the only occupied winter habitat of caribou in the lower 48 states. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Whaley for the Eastern District Court of Washington ruled in favor of The Lands Council and five conservation groups protecting the recovery area of the last remaining Selkirk caribou. The groups asked that the snowmobile trails and play areas in the mountain caribou’s last habitat be closed until a comprehensive winter recreation plan that includes the needs of the caribou is developed.

Unrestrained motorized recreation endangers the animals, which like elk and other wildlife are particularly vulnerable in the winter, when animals are stressed by cold weather and deep snows. The spring 2006 survey estimated that there are only 35-40 caribou left in the southern Selkirk herd, which spends part of its time in northern Idaho and northeast Washington and the rest in southeast British Columbia.

Consequently, snowmobile and conservation groups presented a joint proposal in Federal Court that intends to protect critical winter habitat, while allowing snowmobiling in non-controversial areas. The arrangement allows snowmobiling in areas along the edges of the designated recovery area, while protecting core habitat for the endangered caribou of the Selkirk Mountains. The agreement also establishes funds for signs and monitoring to ensure that the closure area is secure. Approximately ninety percent of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is outside the recovery zone and is not impacted by this accord.

While the Idaho Panhandle National Forest refused to endorse the joint proposal, all conservation and snowmobile groups involved endorsed the agreement. The Lands Council appreciates that the snowmobiling community was willing to work towards a solution and protect the last remaining habitat for these endangered animals. Although lesser protections won out in this instance, the spirit of collaboration between snowmobilers and conservationists bodes well for the last remaining Selkirk caribou.

Working in a toxic environment

- By Natalie Troyer of Earth Share organization Heart of America Northwest Research Center

It started with the midnight sweats and fevers.

But then came the chronic fatigue, chest pains and painful swelling of his feet. Putting on his shoes even became a dreaded task.

"It hurt so bad I’d almost cry," said Hall, an electrician at the Hanford nuclear reservation for almost 26 years.

Five years after the onset of initial symptoms, in 1996, Hall, now 54, was diagnosed with a rare and potentially lethal condition caused by exposure to toxic beryllium.

As the first Hanford worker to be diagnosed with chronic beryllium disease, Hall has become instrumental in fighting to protect his fellow coworkers from exposure to beryllium in the workplace. He also had to fight for medical coverage for his workplace-caused illness.

Hall suspects he contracted chronic beryllium disease while doing maintenance work in a contaminated area where reactor fuel had been fabricated. Beryllium, a silvery metal, was used at Hanford in uranium fuel rods, science experiments and equipment.

Similar to asbestosis, beryllium disease occurs when particles of the metal are inhaled. The disease can take years to manifest itself.

He's had to miss days at work and cut back his hours because of the disease. But he's stayed at Hanford because he wants to help others.

In 2004, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) received 17 Hanford workers’ compensation claims for Beryllium exposure, according to a report from the Government Accountability Project (GAP). Yet at least 46 diagnoses of Beryllium exposure were made that year.

"You'd think that if one person has the same diagnosis as someone else, it should automatically become a claim," Hall said. “But that’s not the way things work... A lot of workers give up because they can't fight the system."

A key problem with the system is that onsite medical services at Hanford are contracted through the DOE, Hall said. The current contractor must act like the workers' attending physician and aim to maximize the worker's health. But at the same time, it must act in the role of the employer aiming to minimize costs and liabilities and get people back to work as soon as possible. These conflicting roles have the potential to reduce the quality of the medical services that workers receive, the GAP report stated.

When asked what he’d like to see changed, Hall said, "We need a doctor close by, in the Tri-Cities, to work for us... And Hanford workers need to work claims through the State of Washington, not through a contractor paid for by the DOE and taxpayers' money."

Heart of America Northwest Research Center works with Hanford employees and whistleblowers to promote safer working conditions and to make sure that sick workers receive treatment.

Alternative Holiday Gifts from Washington Native Plant Society

The Washington Native Plant Society now offers three beautiful ways we each may contribute to the conservation and protection our native flora and habitats.

• A 2007 calendar of stunning photos of Washington's remarkable native plants.
• A limited edition botanical print of the state threatened yellow lady's slipper orchid, Cypripedium parviflorum.
• A photo contest where winning pictures will help create expanded awareness of our state's special flora in the media, a Native Plant Appreciation Week poster, and the next WNPS calendar (deadline 1/16/07).

For details and ordering, please visit www.wnps.org under "What's New".

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities - December 2006

• December 2 - Moonlight Beachwalk & Bonfire at Seahurst Park - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Seahurst Park, Meet in the lower parking lot, Burien, WA - Imagine you're on the shoreline at a lovely low tide. Rocks that are covered all year now lie exposed to view while the sea denizens remain happily cold and wet in the dark. All around you, people waving flashlights are intently studying the amazing sea life as local naturalists help you discover the wonders of your Puget Sound shoreline. Bundle up against the weather and be sure to bring a bright flashlight and wading boots. (You’ll be in ankle-deep water.) Free and family friendly! Stick around awhile and enjoy the bonfire and some stories on the beach. For more information or to sign-up, contact Daoud Miller at DMiller@pugetsound.org or call 206-382-7007.
• December 2 – Interlaken Park Restoration Work Party - Help Volunteers for Outdoor Washington remove invasive plants and make the hiking trails safer and more comfortable for park visitors. Interlaken Park is a beautifully wooded park set in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle. Volunteers will Meet at 19th E. and Galer E. at 9:30 AM and plan on working until 2:30 PM. For more information contact Todd Jennings at todd@trailvolunteers.org or call 206-517-3019.
• December 3 - Mercerdale Hillside Restoration Work Party - 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Join EarthCorps, Mercer Island Parks and Recreation and community members in working to save this forested park. Community members have been working since 1998 to restore this local park that is threatened by the spread of invasive plants. These invasive plants, if uncontrolled, cover and kill trees, carpet the forest floor, and prevent the sprouting of tree seedlings. This project is part of a larger effort to restore Mercer Island Parks. This winter, volunteer work is focused on planting native trees and continuing stewardship on previously restored areas. Even working for just a few hours contributes greatly, and because you are working in a local park, you can revisit your work for years to come. For more information, contact Ashley Adams, Project Manager at (206) 793-4813 or email ashley@earthcorps.org
• December 7 - 2006-2007 Speaker Series: King of Fish and the Environmental History of Puget Sound Rivers - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - REI Flagship Store, 222 Yale Ave. N., Seattle, WA - Professor David Montgomery discusses his recent environmental history of salmon, King of Fish: The Thousand-Year Run of Salmon, and his research group’s work into the co-evolution of the Pacific salmon and the topography of the Pacific Northwest and his research on the environmental history of Puget Sound rivers. Admission: $6 People For Puget Sound members, $8 non-members. For more information, contact Lynne Jordan at (206) 382-7007 or email ljordan@pugetsound.org
• December 9 - Glacial Heritage Prairie Restoration Work Party - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM - One of the rarest ecosystems in the country, these open savannas were created by retreating glaciers 15,000 years ago, then were sustained by the fires of Native Americans for thousands of years. Today, conservationists maintain our prairies through active management and restoration. Join the friendly volunteers who help the Nature Conservancy restore remnants of our rare and beautiful prairie landscape and learn about our natural heritage in the process. New faces are always welcome! Volunteers will work to replant native fescue grasses and pull invasive Scotch broom, followed by a potluck and the chance to cut down your own Christmas tree. Bring a lunch/water and they’ll provide the rest. If you’d like to stay for the potluck or Christmas trees, bring a saw and dish to share. Where: Glacial Heritage Preserve. For more information, email Grace Diehl, Volunteer Coordinator, at gdiehl@tnc.org.
• December 11 - Priorities for a Healthy Washington Bellingham Community Forum - 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM - Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Avenue, Bellingham, WA - Learn about the environmental priorities for Legislative Session 2007. Senators and Representatives from the 40th and 42nd district will be participating in a moderated forum to address the 5 priorities and local issues. The invited Senators and Representatives will also address additional questions from the audience. Learn more about Priorities for a Healthy Washington by visiting their website: http://www.environmentalpriorities.org/ or contact Britta Eschete at beschete@pugetsound.org or by calling 360-336-1931.
• December 16 - Hamm Creek Habitat Restoration - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM - 10000 W. Marginal Pl S., Seattle, WA - Join People For Puget Sound and the Sound Stewards for another fun-filled habitat restoration event. Volunteers will be working together to remove pesky invasive weeds that threaten to overtake native plants. These events will take place rain or shine, so put on sturdy footwear, protect your legs and arms, and dress for the weather. Also, make sure to bring plenty of water and pack a sack lunch. Tools and gloves provided if you don't have any of your own and no experience is necessary. Children 10 and under must have one-to-one adult supervision. For more information or to sign-up contact Brian Craig at briancraig609@hotmail.com
• January 6 - Priorities for a Healthy Washington Legislative Workshop - 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM - Seattle Pacific University, Gwinn Room - Attend the annual Priorities for a Healthy Washington Legislative Workshop as the state’s leading conservation groups prepare for the upcoming legislative session. Attendees will hear from legislators, environmental leaders, and members of the media regarding the community's Priorities for a Healthy Washington. These priorities include legislation to Save our Sound, eliminate toxic flame retardants, promote clean air and clean fuels, and invest in Washington's parks and wildlife. All attendees have a chance to win an amazing black-and-white photo of the first repatriated totem by photographer David Adam Edelstein. Space is limited, so for more info and to register online go to http://www.wecprotects.org/join/legworkshop_reg.cfm or contact Kerri Chehovic, Organizer for Washington Environmental Council, at 206-622-8103 ×212 or kerri@wecprotects.org with any questions.