Earth Share of Washington

Victory for Children's Health!

Seattle School Board Adopts Strong Pesticide Reduction Policy

- By Angela Storey of Earth Share organization Washington Toxics Coalition

Last month, the Seattle School Board unanimously adopted a policy to protect students from exposure to hazardous pesticides at school. This is an important step for Seattle and a great model for other districts to follow in creating healthy environments in our schools.

“Seattle Public Schools takes our commitment to the health of our students, staff, and the planet very seriously,” said district Board President Dr. Brita Butler-Wall, who advocated for adoption of the policy. “We have embraced the concept of healthy learning environments through a strong policy preventing possible exposure to toxic chemicals such as pesticides.”

The policy is a result of years of work by dedicated school district employees, board members, community members, and Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) staff members. In fall 2004 the school board began a Community Advisory Committee, chaired by WTC, to review the existing policy and make recommendations for updates or changes. Groundskeepers, district management, union representatives, and teachers worked alongside parents, doctors, toxicologists, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) experts, and community groups to forge a proposal to the board that reflects the best policies, science, and practices available today.

“I think the success of the committee was due to a commitment to create an environment that improves the health of the students and staff by reducing unnecessary exposure to hazardous pesticides,” said Steve Gilbert, Seattle toxicologist and committee member.

WTC has worked for several years with the Seattle schools to help identify ways to reduce pesticide use and advocate for adoption of a strong policy. “Parent and community involvement in this process were essential in order to draft a policy reflecting concerns about children’s health and the environment,” said Angela Storey, Healthy Schools Coordinator for WTC and chair of the Seattle committee. “This policy sets a high standard for other districts to meet.”

The new policy and procedures include:

• Use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at all school sites, with a focus on pest prevention and use of only least-toxic pesticides.
• A clear set of criteria for evaluating pesticides before their use in order to ensure that pesticides that can contribute to cancer, nervous system damage, reproductive harm, hormone disruption, or damage to the environment are not used. Exceptions to the criteria are evaluated for emergencies or persistent problems.
• A more thorough public notification and posting system when pesticides are used.
• Creation of an ongoing IPM committee consisting of district staff and community members to assist with implementation.

Seattle joins several other districts in Washington with strong pesticide-reduction policies, including the Vancouver, Bainbridge Island, and Sedro-Woolley districts. The policy will now go into effect at all of Seattle’s 100 sites.

WTC works with districts and communities around the state on reducing the use of hazardous pesticides. For more information about the Seattle policy or to work on pesticide reduction in your school or city, contact Angela Storey, astorey@watoxics.org or 206-632-1545 ext. 111.

Posted in the November 2005 Earth Page

Coalition Created to Bring Clean Marina Program to Washington State

- By Chris Wilke of ESW organization Puget Soundkeeper Alliance

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, a Seattle-based Earth Share organization, has embarked on a Clean Marina program, designed to reduce pollution from recreational boating in Washington State. Puget Soundkeeper Alliance is partnering with Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) and the EnviroStars Cooperative to implement this project. The Clean Marina program focuses on hazardous waste management, pollution prevention and environmental leadership within the marine industry and the greater community. The Clean Marina Washington program was formally announced on August 13, 2005 at a National Marina Day celebration at Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle. The event also honored Elliott Bay Marina’s 10-year history as an environmentally responsible marina.

A Clean Marina designation indicates that a marina is in compliance with environmental regulations, has voluntarily adopted additional environmental practices, and has passed an extensive certification inspection by a county hazardous waste investigator. In Washington, a Clean Marina certification indicates that the facility has also been certified as an EnviroStars business. The EnviroStars program, an incentive-based pollution prevention certification program administered by County governments, rewards businesses that take voluntary steps to reduce pollution, with particular focus on hazardous waste management and reduction. The EnviroStars Cooperative currently serves Jefferson, Whatcom, King Pierce and Kitsap Counties. Over 600 businesses of different types are currently certified as EnviroStars.

Boaters and marinas have the opportunity to reduce spills and other environmental impacts from boating and boat maintenance activities by instituting Best Management Practices (BMPs). Many marine-grade products are highly toxic to the environment and handling these products near the water requires special prevention measures, detailed in the BMPs. Marinas are motivated for the Clean Marina award in order to become better stewards of the waters, and by the prestige of being recognized as an environmentally responsible business. Washington will follow 21 other states that have Clean Marina programs in place.

“The Clean Marina program represents a 3-way partnership between the recreational boating industry, non-profit environmental advocates, and government, in order to safeguard our waters and shoreline environment. This is long overdue, I’m very excited.” Says Michael Campbell, president of Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA). The NMTA produces the Seattle Boat Show each January.

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance was instrumental in recent Clean Marina certifications of Stimson Marina, Bell Harbor Marina and Harbor Island Marina. The Alliance is spearheading a campaign to reach every marina in both King and Kitsap Counties and hopes to eventually expand the program statewide.

Posted in the September 2005 Earth Page

Pesticide Free Zone

By Philip Dickey, Washington Toxic Coalition Staff Scientist

Do you have a pesticide-free yard or garden? If so, the Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) has a great deal for you! You can get a free, attractive metal yard sign to mark your landscape as pesticide free.

Over the past two years, Washington Toxics Coalition have been working with local businesses and individuals to distribute our Pesticide Free Zone signs, encouraging people who do not use toxic chemicals on their landscape to be proud of their efforts and post a sign, letting others know that their lawn is safe for children, pets, and beneficial insects. Landscapes that have posted the signs include Seattle University, Evergreen State College, the Good Shepherd Center, and thousands of individual homes.

So far, WTC has distributed over 2500 signs. Through a grant awarded to them by the Department of Ecology, they now have 1,000 free signs to give away. All Washington state residents are eligible to receive one of these free signs by taking a four-part pledge. The pledge asks that you:

• put up the sign in your yard;
• choose the least-toxic method to maintain your landscape (while trying your best to avoid using synthetic pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides);
• talk about pesticide-free yard care to at least three other people; and
• respond to a brief follow-up questionnaire about six months after receiving your sign.

For those who live out of state, do not want to commit to the pledge, or would like more than one sign, WTC has regularly priced signs available for $7.50 each including shipping and Washington State sales tax. The eight-inch diameter aluminum signs are permanent and have two mounting holes that allow them to be attached to a stake, fence, or wall or hung from a wire. Some retail stores in the Seattle area are also selling the signs. The sign comes with three fact sheets: What’s Wrong with Using Pesticides?, Talking to your Neighbor about Pesticides, and the Pesticide Free Zone Sign Owners Manual. In addition, purchasers of the sign will receive a one-time discount on our popular Home Safe Home fact sheets.

One of the questions frequently asked is, “what does pesticide free mean?” Ideally, pesticide-free means that no chemical pest controls at all are used. However, WTC considers the use of organically certified materials and EPA-exempt pesticides to be compatible with their philosophy because they want to encourage manufacturers to develop safer products. Signs are distributed on the honor system. Nobody monitors what materials you use. If you feel that the sign accurately reflects your practices, you should display it. Should you have questions about the suitability of any products, please feel free to call the Toxics Coalition for more information at 206-632-1545.

To order a free sign, you can contact WTC by mail, telephone, or e-mail. Their address is Washington Toxics Coalition, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue N, Suite 540, Seattle, WA 98103, telephone 206-632-1545, e-mail: info@watoxics.org. Or you can visit their website – www.watoxics.org

Posted in the September 2005 Earth Page

Citizens Monitoring of Columbia River Radiation

- submitted by Aaron Crowell of ESW organization Government Accountability Project

As the Columbia River winds its way through the high desert of eastern Washington, its life-giving waters flow by the largest environmental remediation site in North America – the Hanford Nuclear Waste Reservation. Citizens of the Pacific Northwest know that the Columbia is sacred lifeblood to our ecosystems and economies. And we know that the Hanford site, hosting tanks that have already leaked millions of gallons of radioactive, toxic liquids into the ground, is a lingering danger to this region. Our passion to protect the Columbia River for future generations was heard loud and clear last November when nearly 70% of Washington voters approved Initiative 297 – insisting that Hanford be cleaned up before any more waste is brought in.

Hanford has already affected the ecosystems of eastern Washington, however, and we must honestly and bravely face this legacy from the plutonium production era. Currently, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) spends millions of dollars to monitor the extent of radioactive and heavy metal contamination around the Hanford site. Again and again, the public has been told that historical contamination is not very widespread and poses little risk. Thankfully though, monitoring and stewardship of the mid-Columbia region does not only emanate from the DOE budget – the citizens of Washington State have the power to improve the scientific accuracy regarding Hanford’s legacy.

Several weeks ago, the Government Accountability Project (GAP) and Boston Chemical Data Corporation issued a report about radioactive contamination in public areas surrounding Hanford. The $50,000 study includes the first reports of plutonium ever found in clams and fish, a contaminant for which the DOE no longer tests. Additional findings include evidence that radiation levels in mulberry trees are higher than previously reported, strontium-90 has entered the ecosystem at higher levels than other reports have shown, and that contamination is much more geographically widespread than previously thought.

For example, an area of the Columbia River 20 miles upstream from the Hanford site contained high uranium readings. Possible explanations could include that the uranium comes from natural sources, from a source upstream of Hanford, or that contamination was either windblown or carried upriver by aquatic organisms. Recent court cases involving people who became sick with cancer after growing up downwind of Hanford have also set a precedent showing the site’s widespread effect on the region.

Fortunately, relatively inexpensive citizen monitoring efforts such as the GAP study can effectively hold the Department of Energy accountable for better science. The GAP study indicates that the Hanford cleanup efforts by the DOE are based on science that is incomplete at best. In order for the DOE to provide justice to the people of the Columbia River region, federal environmental monitoring must fully and accurately reflect the degree of Hanford’s contamination. When it comes to cleaning Hanford and protecting the Columbia River, the public and environmental watchdog organizations can continually lead the government in the direction of better science.

The GAP study and related articles can be found at www.whistleblower.org.

Posted in the July 2005 Earth Page

Big Wins for a Healthy Washington - A legislative wrap up

- By Tom Geiger from Earth Share organization Washington Environmental Council

For the third year in a row, leading conservation groups working at the state level have successfully advocated for new and improved laws to better protect people, land, air and water in Washington.

A new law to promote green building, as well as a law to clean our air by limiting auto emissions, will help people and nature breathe a little easier. Progress was also made on helping promote the health of Hood Canal and Puget Sound, and eliminate some very toxic chemicals from our household products.

The conservation community’s development of four common-sense Priorities for a Healthy Washington for the 2005 session was crucial to this success. (To learn more, go to www.environmentalpriorities.org) Instead of going to the Capitol with a laundry list, the short list made a splash from the get-go. The Seattle P-I’s editorial on December 27th called our proposals “a smart approach that should help lawmakers of both parties focus on a few areas where action can make a difference.”

Now we are celebrating some great success. After lots of hard work by the conservation community, all our partners and key legislative supporters, the Seattle Times opined: “Give the environmental community credit as well. For the third session, asking for less has meant more success.”

We are making progress and are being successful in getting real improvements to the laws that will help millions of people live healthier lives.

Here is a summary of what happened to each of the four 2005 Priorities for a Healthy Washington.

High Performance Green Buildings

On April 8th, Governor Gregoire signed this bill into law. The new law requires state buildings, schools, and universities to be built and certified as high performance, green buildings. This will result in buildings that save energy and water, are cheaper to operate, and improve student learning and employee performance.

Cleaner Air - Cleaner Cars

The Governor signed Cleaner Air - Cleaner Cars into law on May 6th. We’ll all breathe easier with cleaner cars - that’s a win worth smiling about! Cleaner Air - Cleaner Cars will reduce cancer-causing emissions and global warming pollution from new cars, increase consumer choice, and save consumers a bundle at the gas pump.

Sound Solutions - Saving Hood Canal and Puget Sound

While major bills did not pass, the conservation community secured over $6 million dollars for local clean water projects, including funds to clean up Hood Canal, and a grant and loan program to help homeowners fix failing septic systems. A bill to prioritize tax incentives for habitat buffers did pass. And a key bill that would reduce water pollution from septic systems passed the House but came two votes shy of going to the full Senate for a vote.

Phasing out Toxics

The Priority to phase out a particularly toxic set of flame-retarding chemicals failed to pass the legislature. However, the legislature did provide funding to the Department of Ecology to develop a plan for banning the most widely used form of toxic these chemicals. The department will report back to the legislature with recommendations in December.

Other Good News

Some other good bills that passed include: Oil Spill Prevention; improvements to the state’s approach to transportation funding; a new program for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program; and programs to increase solar power, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Priorities for a Healthy Washington is a combined effort of Earth Share organizations American Rivers, Audubon Washington, Center for Environmental Law and Policy, Climate Solutions, Futurewise, NW Energy Coalition, People for Puget Sound, Sierra Club, Transportation Choices Coalition, Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation, Washington Environmental Council, and Washington Toxics Coalition and includes other non-Earth Share members League of Women Voters of Washington, Northwest Ecosystem Alliance, Washington Conservation Voters, and WashPIRG.

Posted in the June 2005 Earth Page

Can You Say “Phthalates”?

- By Heather Trim from Earth Share organization People for Puget Sound

Phthalates (pronounced “thal-ates”) are industrial chemicals used to make plastics soft and as solvents in cosmetics and other products. Phthalates are found in common products like hair conditioners, hand lotion, perfume, car wax, cigarette butts, and in some tires, brake pads, and automotive belts. They are even in Styrofoam peanuts!

Phthalates pose a health risk, as they interfere with the development of reproductive organs. When fish ingest phthalates, these toxins can interfere with proper reproduction. More studies are needed to get the complete picture on human health effects.

Phthalates have been found in almost half of our nation’s more than 1600 Superfund sites, the most toxic cleanup sites in the country. Locally scientists have found phthalates in the mud in the Duwamish River. Phthalates enter the river in stormwater and urban runoff, which flows from neighborhood streets and drains into the river. City of Seattle and King County scientists are trying to track down areas with the highest levels of phthalates in and around the Duwamish River Superfund site. The City of Tacoma is conducting similar studies for the drainages to the Commencement Bay Superfund site. Phthalates are hard to trace and are elusive because they occur in so many of everyday products that we use from cosmetics to car parts. Tacoma, Seattle and King County staff are testing products, such as car waxes, automobile fan belts, asphalt and sealants, and detergents to determine potential sources. Next steps include taking air samples from the Duwamish Basin.

In March 2005, the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition and People For Puget Sound initiated an outreach campaign to raise awareness about phthalates in our environment. In partnership with Project Wild, high school students are going door-to-door in targeted areas of the Duwamish watershed to educate residents about phthalates. They conduct informal surveys to find out what household and beauty products are used by residents and provide postcards for people to mail to manufacturers to inquire if their products contain phthalates and other toxic chemicals. Contact People For Puget Sound for postcards to send to the companies whose products you use and ask them about phthalates!

You can help keep phthalates out of Puget Sound!
Seven things you can do to prevent pollution in Puget Sound

1. Keep litter off your streets. Cigarette butts, plastics and Styrofoam often contain phthalates and other pollutants that may runoff to local waterways.
2. Use public transit when possible, or carpool or bike to reduce the impacts of cars, such as oily runoff from streets.
3. Avoid using products with phthalates. Check these phthalate-free products guides: Environmental Health Network (www.ehnca.org) and Health Care Without Harm (www.noharm.org or www.nottoopretty.org).
4. Properly dispose of household products such as paints and soaps. Do not put these products into city storm drains. For information on hazardous waste disposal, call your local county hazardous waste program or your city utility department.
5. Don’t wash cars in the street where dirty soap and water can enter a storm drain; go to a professional car wash where the water is treated and recycled.
6. Keep your car maintained to reduce leaks that could enter storm drains and flow into local waterways.
7. Minimize or eliminate home and garden chemicals, and use them according to instructions. Overuse can harm your lawn and garden, as well local waterways.

Posted in the April 2005 Earth Page

The Pollution in People: Toxic Chemicals in our Bodies

- by Kristina Logsdon from Earth Share organization Washington Toxics Coalition

In the past year or so, you may have seen stories about a very disturbing new development- scientists are finding rising levels of legally-used but damaging toxic chemicals in our breast milk, our bodies, and in wildlife.

Toxic flame retardants called PBDEs are perhaps the best example of legally used chemicals that are finding their way into our lives. PBDEs are flame retardants that have been added to many everyday products, from carpets to computers to couches. Unfortunately, science is discovering very disturbing trends about these chemicals. Toxic flame retardants persist in the environment, build up in the food chain, and are toxic at very low levels.

About a year ago, Northwest Environment Watch released a report that found high levels of PBDEs in the breast milk of Puget Sound mothers, levels 20 to 40 times higher than those found in European and Japanese women. More recent studies have found levels of PBDEs in the household dust in people’s homes across the country. And other scientific studies have found PBDEs in salmon, orcas, osprey, and other wildlife. Bottom-line, everywhere that scientists are looking, they are finding rising levels of PBDEs.

On March 1, Earth Share organization Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) and our many allies in the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition introduced a series of exciting new tools to educate and activate Washingtonians about PBDEs and what they can do to get involved. We launched a new website, www.BanToxics.org, with great information about the issue, including fact sheets and reports. We also placed educational advertisements in leading Washington newspapers. The new ad is running in The Olympian, The King County Journal, and the eastside edition of The Seattle Times at least three times each the month of March. The ad is also running in the March edition of Seattle’s Child. Finally, we created a short flash video, which is available on the website.

These new tools by themselves won’t help us to eliminate PBDEs or the other toxic chemicals that are contaminating our bodies. Much more is needed, including convincing policymakers of the need to take strong action to protect our health. The Toxic Free Legacy Coalition is a broad-based network of groups including Washington Toxics Coalition, WashPIRG, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Healthy Building Network, The Breast Cancer Fund, Healthy Building Network, and 50 other organizations. Together, we are working to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals including mercury, dioxin, and PBDEs.

Please visit www.BanToxics.org to learn more and get involved with our growing movement to protect our health.

Posted in the April 2005 Earth Page

Priorities for a Healthy Washington

- submitted by Tom Geiger from ESW organization Washington Environmental Council

My son Isaiah was born about the same time as the Legislative Partnership between Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters was established - the Fall of 2002. This partnership, working with the broader conservation and public interest groups, has worked to develop a list of winning priorities for the 2005 Legislative Session beginning January 10th.

Isaiah's future, and the legacy for all kids in the next generation will be improved because we are pushing priorities that will change people's lives for the better. At the same time, we all recognize that this work goes hand-in-hand with the creation of good jobs and a strong economy.

Recent legislative sessions have produced positive gains for old-growth forests, restoring streams and shorelines, attacking pollution, and reducing greenhouse gases. These ongoing achievements reflect the conservation ethic embraced by a majority of Washington voters. And they suggest our state's elected officials are paying more attention to their constituents.

Action on this year's Priorities for a Healthy Washington (listed below) will enhance our health and help preserve the treasures of the wonderful state we all call home.

Clean Air Through Clean Cars
Smart new technology allows cars to pollute less and save fuel. Eight states have Clean Car standards that provide a wider choice of cleaner cars, trucks, and SUVs than we have. Why shouldn't Washingtonians have those same choices? Clean Car legislation will ensure that new cars sold in Washington after 2008 use proven technology that reduces cancer-causing air toxics and global warming pollution.

Better Building for Sustainability and Efficiency
Facilities constructed with state money should be safe, healthy, and support our environment. That means using non-toxic and sustainable materials and design concepts. These buildings will save taxpayer money because the buildings are cheaper to operate; help conserve water and keep our air clean; and provide healthy environments that help students learn better and government workers be more efficient.

Sound Solutions: Saving Hood Canal and Puget Sound
Puget Sound is in trouble; much of it fails to meet basic clean water standards. The "dead zone" in Hood Canal represents a much larger problem. Unchecked development is polluting our marine waters and forcing many shellfish beds to close. Restoring and protecting our vital marine waters and ecosystems will provide safe recreational opportunities, promote clean water-dependent business in such areas as shellfish, fishing, and tourism, and enhance our quality of life.

Banning Toxic Flame Retardants
Scientists are finding chemical cousins of PCBs, the toxic flame retardants PBDEs, everywhere they look. PBDEs are in orca whales, ospreys, and even the breast milk of Puget Sound moms. Developing babies are most at risk, being exposed to PBDEs when they leach out of products and contaminate our home, food chain, and bodies. The legislature can protect our children's health and prevent the next PCB tragedy by banning all forms of PBDEs by 2006.

Washington State's environmental community is building bipartisan support for these essential priorities. The public overwhelmingly supports a new generation of protections for our health and this place we call home, and our elected leaders are starting to respond. Working together, we can create a model for the nation and true legacy for generations to come.

To learn more about how to become more involved supporting the 2005 legislative priorities, please see the upcoming events section below, which includes the 2005 Legislative Workshop on January 8 and Citizen's Lobby Day on February 17.

Posted in the January 2005 Earth Page

In Brief: Safe and Active Routes to School, ShoreWatch Program at Raab's Lagoon

Safe and Active Routes to School - Volunteers Needed
One priority of the Bicycle Alliance, a statewide advocacy organization, is to get more children in Washington State biking and walking to school. Fewer automobiles heading towards and queuing up in school drop off zones would significantly improve the air quality in any neighborhood with a school. Additionally, the more active the mode of transportation taken (think biking and walking), the more health benefits accorded to the children. That said, the Bicycle Alliance has been able to partner with a few state agencies on a project to assist schools in their efforts to encourage parents and others to stop driving children to school.

With support from the Department of Health and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the Bicycle Alliance has begun a Safe and Active Routes to School program at schools around the state. The project will mean more children will be able to choose the healthier - for themselves and the environment - habit of actively getting to and from school.

The Bicycle Alliance is fortunate to have "safe routes" financial partners but it will also need help from people with the time and energy to make this happen. Volunteers are needed! Would you like to help a school near you develop a Safe & Active Routes to School program? Available to interested schools is technical assistance as well as mini-grants. For more information and to sign up to help, contact Dave Janis at davej@bicyclealliance.org or 206.784.7176.

ShoreWatch Program comes to Raab's Lagoon
Maury Island residents gathered in a neighbors living room on a late summer morning, for a passionate conversation about living on Raab's Lagoon. Earth Share of Washington organization People For Puget Sound gathered the neighborhood together to discuss preserving the natural shoreline of Raab's Lagoon, and protecting the wildlife that call it home.

When asked "What is your favorite wildlife sighting on Raab's Lagoon?" residents shared stories demonstrating their love for their home on the water. The conversations included a desire to care for the lagoon's health, including questions about best approaches for saving the lagoon and preventing tidal erosion of the dam at the lagoon's outlet to Quartermaster Harbor.

The neighborhood gathering was held as part of People For Puget Sound's ShoreWatch Program. Based on the successful "Block Watch" program, ShoreWatch involves neighbors working, learning (and playing!) together to address shoreline protection and restoration. If you live on or near shorelines and would like to host stewardship events in your neighborhood please contact Mary Beth Dols or Daoud Miller at 206-382-7007, visit www.pugetsound.org/shorewatch, or email shorewatch@pugetsound.org.

Posted in the December 2004 Earth Page

Survey finds widespread use of hazardous pesticides in Washington Public Schools

- submitted by Angela Storey from Earth Share organization Washington Toxics Coalition

A majority of Washington's children attend school in districts using pesticides that could cause serious long-term health problems such as cancer and nervous system damage, finds A Lesson in Prevention, a new report by the Washington Toxics Coalition. The report documents pesticide use by 50 of the state's largest school districts.

The report finds that:

• 96% of Washington's largest school districts use high hazard pesticides linked to cancer, reproductive or developmental harm, nervous system damage, or endocrine (hormone) disruption.
• Many districts are not tracking pesticide use as required by state law.
• Some school districts are breaking the trend, successfully reducing and eliminating the use of hazardous pesticides.

Since these districts are the state's largest, these findings mean that a majority of Washington's children (67%) attend school in districts using high hazard pesticides.

"It is unconscionable to me as a parent, and as a physician, that we continue to risk exposing our children to chemicals that could seriously impact their health and development," says Dr. Liliane Bartha, a parent in the Olympia School District.

Since children's bodies are still developing, they are more susceptible to the risks from pesticide exposure than adults. At the same time, their exposures are greater. Children have more skin surface and breathe more air than adults relative to their body weight, contributing to their higher rates of exposure to pesticides. Contact with lawns and playgrounds, and the tendency of kids to put their hands and objects into their mouth, also dramatically increase the risk of exposure.

Fortunately, several districts in Washington are showing that schools can be maintained without the use of high hazard pesticides. The Vancouver School District, one of the state's largest, has drastically reduced their use of pesticides, and has even incorporated their safer pest management principles into science curriculum for the district. Vancouver's school board adopted a policy in 2002 that lays out clear criteria for pesticide use, focusing on safer solutions first and using least-toxic products only as a last resort. Six districts in the state have adopted policies that eliminate the use of all high hazard pesticides, putting the protection of children's health first.

"Thankfully we have a School Board and district staff that prioritize our children's health and have embraced this move to least-toxic pest control," says Elizabeth Koch, a parent in the Vancouver School District and a member of the district's IPM committee.

Input and support from parents and community members have been vital to these districts changing their practices. Information on pesticide use at schools is public information, and you can contact your district to find out what products are being used and encourage your school board to adopt a strong pesticide policy. For assistance in reducing pesticide use in your local district, or with questions about pesticides and kids, contact Angela Storey at Washington Toxics Coalition, 206-632-1545 ext. 11 or astorey@watoxics.org.

Full text of the report, including information on pesticide use by local districts and on safer alternatives, can be found at: www.watoxics.org.

Posted in the November 2004 Earth Page

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."

Posted in the October 2004 Earth Page

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance Clean Boating Program for 2004

- submitted by Chris Wilke from ESW member Puget Soundkeeper Alliance

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (PSA), an Earth Share of Washington member, is weighing anchor for the 2004 boating season with Pollution Prevention Education for boaters and marinas.

With 2,000 miles of shoreline, Puget Sound is world-renowned as a boater's paradise. Featuring narrow fjords, rugged rocky coasts, high bluffs, shallow eelgrass beds and sensitive estuaries where fresh water and salt water meet, Puget Sound is a national treasure. It is also an important part of the Washington state economy drawing tourists, recreational and commercial fishing, as well as an estimated $76 million shellfish industry. There are approximately 50,000 recreational boats permanently moored on Puget Sound.

Boating sewage, oil and fuel spills, bilge water discharges, boat maintenance and damage from vessel operation all threaten the sensitive marine ecosystem in Puget Sound. PSA has a long history of involvement with boaters through the regularly produced 68-page Sound Information: A Boaters Guide, clean boating seminars, oil spill demos at boat shows and pollution prevention outreach to marinas. PSA's Pollution Prevention Director Chris Wilke is a member of the Pacific Oil Spill Prevention Education Team (POSPET), which seeks to minimize the effects of small oils spill up and down the west coast.

The next free Clean Boating Seminar hosted by PSA is June 15. For more information please see the Upcoming Events section below or call 206-297-7002 for a free Boaters Guide.

Posted in the June 2004 Earth Page

Washington Leads Other States in Eliminating Toxins

- submitted by Kristina Logsdon from ESW member Washington Toxics Coalition

In the first national tests for PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in household dust, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found high levels of the neurotoxic compounds in every home sampled, including one in Seattle. Consumer products such as computers, TVs, furniture, carpets and drapes, not industrial releases, are the most likely sources of the rapid buildup of PBDEs in people, animals and the environment.

PBDEs can be found in Deca, Penta, and Octa - commonly used fire retardants. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to Penta and Octa, Deca is still largely unregulated. This is due, in part, to strong industry support.

Governor Locke recently announced a program to phase-out persistent toxic chemicals. Six other states have passed or are considering bans or regulation of PBDEs, but only New York's proposed law and Washington's phase-out, which does not set a deadline, address Deca.

To learn more about these toxins, visit the Washington Toxics Coalition website at www.watoxics.org.

Posted in the June 2004 Earth Page

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."

Posted in the April 2004 Earth Page

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.

Posted in the April 2004 Earth Page

Salmon Victory - Pesticides Restricted Near Streams

- submitted by Kristina Logsdon from ESW member Washington Toxics Coalition

On January 22, 2004 Judge John Coughenour issued a ruling that restricts the use of 38 pesticides near salmon streams and requires retailers to post warnings that read "Salmon Hazard" on products containing pesticides deemed harmful to salmon.

The ruling followed Judge Coughenour's 2002 decision that found EPA out of compliance with the Endangered Species Act for failing to protect salmon from harmful pesticides. The judge ordered EPA to consult with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to establish permanent restrictions needed to protect salmon from 54 pesticides, over a two-and-a-half year timeline. After the 2002 ruling, environmental and fishing groups, including Earth Share of Washington member Washington Toxics Coalition, supported reducing contamination of salmon streams while EPA and NOAA Fisheries developed permanent restrictions.

The ruling puts in place no-spray buffers of 100 yards for aerial applications and 20 yards for ground applications, with exceptions for certain uses that are unlikely to pollute water. The court order also requires this warning for products containing seven pesticides that have polluted urban salmon streams:

SALMON HAZARD This product contains pesticides that may harm salmon or steelhead. Use of this product in urban areas can pollute salmon streams.

The warnings may be purchased in urban home and garden stores throughout Washington, Oregon, and California.

The interim measures imposed in the court's ruling will protect salmon from these pesticides. The judge found "with reasonable scientific certainty, that the requested buffer zones will, unlike the status quo, substantially contribute to the prevention of jeopardy" to salmon. He further found that the evidence "demonstrate[s] that pesticide-application buffer zones are a common, simple, and effective strategy to avoid jeopardy to threatened and endangered salmonids."

The buffer zones will become effective in early 2004 and will apply to salmon streams that support threatened and endangered salmon throughout the three West Coast states.

Posted in the March 2004 Earth Page

Orcas, Oil Spills and Oysters: The State of the Ocean in our Backyard

- submitted by Liz Banse, board member, Washington Foundation for the Environment

Washington State is defined as much by its mountains and fertile farmland as it is by the ocean that laps up against its western border. While millions of locals and visitors alike explore the treasures of our land-based wilderness areas each year, few people have access to the "wilderness" below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

Knowing what lies below the surface is more important than ever now that researchers are uncovering very real and imminent threats to the biodiversity of our salt water ecosystem. America's marine systems - oceans, coasts, and the web of life they support - are on the verge of collapse, according to authors of "America's Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change." The 2003 study, a three-year long research project of the independent Pew Oceans Commission, concluded that marine management has slipped through the cracks of the dozens of agencies charged with caring for the sea's health. The result is that overfishing, harmful coastal development, pollution, and other wasteful practices are threatening fish and fisherman alike.

This is critical information for Washingtonians to digest, both from an environmental and an economic standpoint. In 2001, commercial fishing in Washington yielded more than 163 million pounds of fish, valued at more than $138 million. Recreational anglers pulled in nearly 600,000 fish from Washington's coastal waters in the same year. Coastal health is also at stake. In 1999, Washington's beaches drew more than 2 million visits, including 850,000 visits from birdwatchers and 1.2 million by photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.

What can we do to ensure that Washington's own ocean wilderness is brought back to health? Conservation groups advocate for three important steps:

• Establishing a system of fully protected marine reserves to help restore important ecosystems and fisheries by giving fish and wildlife safe places to feed, breed, and rest;
• Protecting coastal habitat that supports the marine food chain, from orcas to the salmon they depend on, by better controlling development and its impacts including water quality problems; and,
• Revising, strengthening and expanding pollution laws that protect shellfish beds, fish and wildlife, and people from harmful pollution.

Restoring our oceans to productive health is possible if we commit to it. Not only will the orcas, salmon and shorebirds thank us, but so will all the fishermen and beachcombers we know.

Thanks to Earth Share of Washington members People for Puget Sound and the Surfrider Foundation for information included in this article.The Washington Foundation for the Environment supports environmental education and innovative projects focused on environmental awareness. (www.wffe.org)

Posted in the February 2004 Earth Page

2004 Environmental Legislative Priorities - Forests, Streams, Energy and Toxins

Groups stress need to protect current safeguards

OLYMPIA, Wash. - At the start of the 2004 Washington legislature, 14 conservation organizations representing tens of thousands of residents joined together to encourage elected representatives to pass important new measures and to continue safeguards of our health and the environment.

The groups have given highest priority to four issues involving forests, streams, power and toxic pollution, and made "No rollbacks" a special priority for this legislative session.

The four main priorities are:

• Certified stewardship for state-owned forests, including the preservation our remaining old growth.
• Safeguarding water levels in Washington streams for vital fish habitat, water quality, irrigation, power and recreation.
• Fostering more reliable and sustainable energy by encouraging electric utilities to include energy-efficiency savings and reasonable amounts of renewables such as wind, biomass and solar in their mix of power sources.
• Funding to eliminate and clean-up persistent toxic chemicals such as mercury, dioxin and PCBs.

In addition, the state's environmental community will encourage legislators to keep Washington "a national leader on environmental health and stewardship," said Bruce Gryniewski, executive director of Washington Conservation Voters.

Groups backing the priorities are Earth Share of Washington members 1000 Friends of Washington, American Rivers, Audubon WA, Center for Environmental Law and Policy, NW Energy Coalition, People for Puget Sound, Sierra Club, Transportation Choices Coalition, Washington Environmental Council, Washington Toxics Coalition and other Washington environmental groups -- NW Ecosystem Alliance, League of Women Voters, Washington Conservation Voters, and WashPIRG.

Posted in the February 2004 Earth Page

Neighborhood Stormwater Stewards - Protecting Puget Sound One Block at a Time

- submitted by Jim Dawson from ESW member People For Puget Sound

Have you ever wondered how you can help protect Puget Sound on your own property? It just so happens that the largest new source of pollution into Puget Sound is from stormwater, which is rainwater that runs off of rooftops, landscaped areas, and pavement. This runoff picks up all kinds of pollutants left on the ground, such as dog poop, pesticides, and oil, and is then piped (often completely untreated) either directly into Puget Sound or into a water body that drains into Puget Sound. So even if you live 50 miles from the Sound, fertilizers applied on your lawn could end up in Puget Sound.

Which is why People for Puget Sound has developed a new program, with the City of Olympia, to educate citizens about simple steps they can take to reduce their stormwater pollution. The program, Neighborhood Stormwater Stewards, includes workshops on topics such as least toxic gardening methods, landscaping with native vegetation, and building your own rain barrels. Not only are these approaches good for Puget Sound they can also save you time and money, reducing the amount of water used on your landscape and the need to purchase expensive chemicals.

During the first year of the program we will be focusing most of our efforts in Olympia. We are able to make presentations throughout the region. If you would like to learn more about the program or about setting up a presentation in your neighborhood contact Jim Dawson in the South Sound Office of People for Puget Sound at 360-754-9177 or jdawson@pugetsound.org.

Posted in the November 2003 Earth Page

Living with Toxins - Real Stories

- submitted by Kari Mosden from ESW member Washington Toxics Coalition

Washington Toxics Coalition intern Kari Mosden is a graduate student in the Environment & Community Program at Antioch University. She has been traveling around the state this summer to talk to folks about their experiences with toxic pollution and chemicals. The Stories Project, sponsored by the Washington Toxics Coalition, is aimed at putting names and faces on the pollution problems facing Washington State by telling the stories of people who have suffered health impacts from toxic chemicals and pesticides, and highlighting successful and innovative alternatives to chemical use and toxic pollution. Washington Toxics Coalition promotes alternatives, advocates policies, empowers communities, and educates people to create a healthy environment through the elimination of toxic chemical use. Go to www.watoxics.org to learn more.

Pesticide Free Zone
As a Pastor in south Seattle's Georgetown, Leroy Hedman has his hands full. Years of industry and its pollution have left the Duwamish basin a hodge-podge of toxic chemicals and health hazards. The soil is contaminated with the heavy metals like lead and arsenic, indicative of years of industry pollution and constant jet traffic. This is the kind of stuff that the EPA measures in parts per billion and warns us to stay far, far away from. The pollution in the soil hasn't stopped Leroy, though. It has just made him work harder and smarter. He built raised-bed gardens, added compost and soil, and started planting.

Today, the simple raised-beds have turned into beautiful, lush gardens covering every available space on the property around the chapel. "We 'graze' on Sunday mornings," he tells me with a chuckle as we wander through the gardens.

A "pesticide free zone" sign hangs prominently in one of the beds, and Leroy is a champion of not using pesticides on his plants. There are enough chemicals in the soil around him, he tells me, and he knows he does not need to use pesticides to have beautiful, healthy gardens. Seeing the health effects of toxic pollution, Leroy does what he can to help others learn to reduce their use of chemicals in the garden. He tells folks, "do the best you can with as few chemicals as you can."

One of Leroy's favorite activities is giving a tour of the garden, much like the one he gave me. He's proud of the garden, but he's not showing off--he just likes to share, and he understands that sometimes it's best to show people what can be done, rather than tell them how they should do it. "We started a planting program; we had 45 pots along the wall here. And [the kids] took them home, and the neat thing is that they [come to see me, and] say 'hey, we've got cilantro growing... and peppers! For most of them, it's the first time they've ever planted anything. It gets them involved, and they learn."

Leroy picks a gorgeous ripe, red tomato and plops it into my hand. It is warm from the sun, and it is delicious. One of the greatest things about Leroy is that he does not preach. He uses common sense to get around problems that he cannot solve, he shows how instead of telling, and he leads in the best way possible -- by example.

Posted in the October 2003 Earth Page

Partnership Leads to Hood Canal Shoreline Protection

- submitted by Reed Waite from ESW member Washington Water Trails Association

Earth Share of Washington members Washington Water Trails Association (WWTA) and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) opened a Cascadia Marine Trail campsite on the eastern shore of the Hood Canal on Thursday, September 11. It was the third public campsite opened this year by WWTA on the Hood Canal, the 44th site for the 10-year-old Cascadia Marine Trail, and the first with a non-governmental owner. WWTA and TPL have worked previously on protecting many natural Puget Sound sites.

Laughlin Cove is a secluded, 20-acre waterfront property with a nearly 1,200 feet long shoreline and tidelands. The new camping site is located strategically between Guillemot Cove Nature Preserve and Dewatto Bay, on an 11-mile stretch of Hood Canal that currently has no public pullouts. It is a fine spot for camping and picnicking. The property has spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and is protected by nearby Chinom Point. WWTA will handle reservations for campers arriving in non-motorized boats for overnight stays and perform light maintenance.

The value of protected shoreline for the public and the environment is becoming more and more apparent. Recent reports of diminished oxygen levels in Hood Canal waters highlight the impact of human development in the watershed. Preserving open space is of vital importance for TPL, WWTA, and everyone in the Puget Sound estuary.

For more information visit www.wwta.org/trails/laughlin.html.

Posted in the October 2003 Earth Page

Governor and Legislature Act to Secure Long-Term Funding for Rescue Tug

- by Bruce Wishart from ESW member People for Puget Sound

On May 14th, of this year, Governor Locke signed SB 6072, which guarantees long-term funding for an oil spill prevention tugboat stationed at Neah Bay, where ships come into Puget Sound and the Northwest Straits from the Pacific Ocean.

"This bill represents a major victory for Puget Sound communities," said Pam Johnson, People For Puget Sound's field director.

The most significant threat to Puget Sound's resident orca population is a catastrophic oil spill, according to a recent National Marine Fisheries Service analysis of orca whale declines. And orca whales are not the only species that would be affected. A large spill could decimate the Puget Sound ecosystem.

The challenge of preventing an oil spill disaster has been a high priority for People For Puget Sound since the organization's inception 12 years ago, shortly after the Exxon Valdez spill. Experts have stressed for years the key to preventing such a catastrophe here is the placement of a rescue tug at Neah Bay to save vessels in trouble, before they run aground and spill the oil they carry as cargo or fuel.

"A major oil spill in our precious waters is unthinkable," said Rhea Miller, San Juan County Commissioner, who has traveled tirelessly to Olympia to advocate for the tug. "Yet we’ve had to struggle for years to do this one simple thing to prevent a disaster. Congratulations to the governor, legislators and citizens who made this happen."

The newly-guaranteed funding will cover about 200+ days per year, and it will have to be re-enacted in five years. "The big breakthrough is that we finally achieved a dedicated funding source," said Bruce Wishart, People For Puget Sound's legislative lobbyist. "Even though we still have work to do, the years of argument are over."

According to state Department of Ecology officials, mechanical failures and other problems leading to loss of propulsion occur on an alarmingly frequent basis in our waters. After reviewing years of "incident data," the Department of Ecology determined that these "drift groundings" of crippled ships pose the greatest risk of causing a catastrophic spill in our waters.

Fortunately, in the Inner Sound, there is usually a commercial tug operating nearby that can be dispatched to "rescue" a vessel before it runs aground. Along the 80-mile stretch of the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Neah Bay and Port Angeles, however, and along the fragile beaches of the Outer Coast, there are few ports and, consequently, few commercial tugs in operation. In this area, which contains some of the most pristine and ecologically sensitive shorelines in the United States (including the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary), a ship in trouble could wait many hours for assistance, without the Neah Bay tug.

The track record for the tug is impressive, helping to convince even the most skeptical legislators that it was a good investment, with 22 "saves or assists" from 1999 to 2003. Activists correctly pointed out that, even if the tug was responsible for preventing only one spill during this time period, the investment of public funding was well worth it. The costs of a single spill would dwarf the cost of keeping the rescue tug at Neah Bay.

Posted in the August 2003 Earth Page

Low Impact Development: A Promising Stormwater Strategy

- submitted by Jim Dawson from ESW member People For Puget Sound

The beauty and bounty of Puget Sound has attracted millions of people to make this region their home. This continuing population growth, accompanied by suburban sprawl, has been the driving force in the urbanization of watersheds throughout the region. Stormwater, runoff from streets, parking lots, roofs, and other surfaces, is a major threat to stream habitat and the health of Puget Sound.

In pristine watersheds the forest floor acts like a sponge, absorbing rainwater, and either the roots of plants and trees suck it up or it slowly trickles into the ground, feeding wetlands and streams such that water levels rise and fall slowly.

As the land is cleared of trees, the soil is compacted and covered with impervious surfaces, such as rooftops and pavement. Stormwater quickly runs off the land and into wetlands, lakes, and streams. These large volumes of fast moving water can power-wash streams of critical salmon habitat and erode stream banks. As more water runs off the land, less is filtering into ground water, causing streams to dry up in the summer and threatening our drinking water supply. As water runs off impervious surfaces it picks up pollutants such as pesticides, animal waste from lawns, oil, grease, heavy metals, dirt and dust. This runoff has emerged as one of the largest sources of pollution in Puget Sound, contributing to restricted shellfish harvesting, un-swimmable waterways, and dwindling fish and orca whale populations.

Low Impact Development (LID) is a blend of measures that includes conservation, minimization of impacts, maintaining historic, pre-developed runoff rates, integrated management practices, and pollution prevention techniques. Together, these form a holistic approach to site design and stormwater management that better protects the environment, often costs less, and improves our quality of life.

While you may not be in the market for a new LID home, the beauty of low impact development techniques is that there are opportunities, big and small, to get involved both in your home and in your community:

In Your Home:

• Landscape with native plants, or re-plant partly with native evergreen trees.
• Add soil amendments to your lawn: www.soilsforsalmon.org.
• Install a rooftop rainwater harvesting system: www.rdrop.com/users/krishna/rainwatr.htm
• Consider re-roofing with a green roof: www.greenroofs.com

In Your Community:

• Participate in your local land use planning process at the county and city level.
• Propose a stormwater ordinance to your city or county council that removes barriers to Low Impact Development. (For a draft ordinance contact Jim Dawson at (360) 754-9177 jdawson@pugetsound.org)

Posted in the June 2003 Earth Page

King County Bans Mercury Thermometer Sales

- submitted by Brandie Smith from ESW member Washington Toxics Coalition

On March 21, 2003, the day was gray and cloudy, but spirits lit up Council Chambers as the King County Board of Health unanimously passed a regulation to ban the sale of mercury thermometers in King County. By taking this action, King County became the first local government in Washington to take this important step in reducing mercury pollution. Earth Share of Washington member Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) and coalition partners are very excited about this victory and hope that more cities and counties around the state will work to pass similar regulations.

Mercury is an extremely toxic substance that can have devastating impacts on human health and wildlife. Mercury contamination is of particular concern to pregnant women, women of childbearing age and young children. On January 31, 2003, the Centers for Disease Control released a report that confirmed that up to 10% of women has enough mercury in their bodies to pose a risk of neurological damage to their developing babies. Mercury attacks the central nervous system and can result in developmental deficits during fetal development, hearing and visual problems and learning disabilities.

In addition to passing the mercury thermometer sales ban, the Board of Health took further action by voting unanimously to pass a motion to brief the Board of Health on the issue of including mercury blood pressure devices (manometers) in the sales ban. Mercury blood pressure devices are one of the largest mercury sources in the hospital environment. One mercury blood pressure device contains from 80-100 grams of mercury. Considering it only takes about 1 gram of mercury to contaminate a 20-acre lake to the point where fish are unsafe to eat, these products represent a considerable hazard.

"We are very excited the King County Board of Health took this step forward to protect the public," says Brandie Smith from WTC, "especially children from the devastating effects of mercury pollution. We urge the Board to take another step forward by revisiting the manometer issue and banning the sale of manometers in September." If you are interested in working on similar initiatives in your community please contact Brandie Smith at the Washington Toxics Coalition, bsmith@watoxics.org.

Posted in the May 2003 Earth Page

Washington Environmental Council Collaborates on a New Shoreline Management Act

- submitted by Kathy Malley from Earth Share of Washington member Washington Environmental Council

The Washington Environmental Council (WEC) proudly announces a major victory for the environment. Overcoming seven years of bureaucratic gridlock, WEC successfully negotiated a proposal for new guidelines to protect and restore shorelines throughout the state under the Shoreline Management Act (SMA).

"This important agreement will help us move forward to protect our shorelines," says Governor Gary Locke. "By bringing businesses and environmentalists together, we have proven that we can achieve consensus on even the most controversial issues."

The SMA establishes a cooperative program between state and local government. Each local government in the state is responsible for developing a local Shoreline Master Program to protect its shoreline resources. The SMA guidelines adopted by the state are critical because they establish the standards and criteria that each of these local Master Programs must meet.

The proposed new SMA guidelines promise significant benefits for the environment. They will require local governments and developers to prevent any further net loss of ecological functions along freshwater and marine shorelines. And they will require local governments to develop and implement a plan to restore degraded shorelines.

First, public hearings on the newly proposed guidelines will be conducted and it is possible that changes will be made. Once the guidelines have been formally adopted into a rule, local governments will need funding to update their shoreline plans. The legislature will need to be persuaded to provide this support. And once the guidelines are finalized and funding is secured, it is imperative that citizens participate in their own local government's Master Program update process to ensure that the strong statewide standards and criteria WEC negotiated are translated into real on-the-ground protections at the local level.

WEC worked with other Earth Share of Washington members to achieve this victory including People for Puget Sound and Audubon Washington.

"We've accomplished something good for our kids and grandkids. Improved guidelines will help protect the rivers, lakes and marine waters that make Washington so amazing," said Jay Manning of the Washington Environmental Council.

Take a moment to celebrate this important victory, but don't celebrate too long - there's more work yet to be done!

Posted in the February 2003 Earth Page

Hazardous Nuclear Waste Coming to Washington State?

The federal government announced last week that it will begin shipping extremely radioactive plutonium waste (called Transuranic or TRU waste) from California and Ohio through Oregon to the Hanford, Washington nuclear waste site starting Wednesday, December 18, 2002. In exchange, the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) has promised to renegotiate the timetable for cleaning up Hanford.

Two Earth Share of Washington member groups - Heart of America Northwest Research Center (HOANW) and Government Accountability Project (GAP) have voiced concerns over safety and precedence. The TRU waste shipments, according to the groups, are as radioactive as the High-Level Nuclear Waste to be shipped to Yucca Mountain (Nevada), but are transported in trucks that are much less protective of radiation than the Yucca-bound trucks will be. Potentially harmful radiation from these trucks may reach cars stuck in traffic as the trucks wind their way along Interstates 5 and 90. HOANW and GAP prefer the USDOE live up to its pre-existing legal requirements to clean up the nuclear waste already threatening the soil and Columbia River at Hanford before adding even more. In addition, public interest groups are concerned about the legality of such a transport, claiming that there is a rigorous permitting process in place for this type of proposal.

The USDOE counters that Hanford will benefit by exporting twice as much nuclear waste as it will import under this plan.

To learn more about these nuclear shipments and Hanford cleanup plans, you can attend one of two public hearings scheduled in Washington this January.

Posted in the January 2003 Earth Page

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/.

Posted in the November 2002 Earth Page

People For Puget Sound's New Stewardship Program for Shoreline Homeowners and Neighbors

Shorelines are dynamic ribbons of life -- a place where land and water meet to create valuable habitat for all life in Puget Sound. People For Puget Sound is helping shoreline homeowners and neighbors spread the word about protecting shorelines through the ShoreWatch program.

The ShoreWatch program is based on the successful "Block Watch" program and involves neighbors -- working, learning, and playing together under the leadership of a "Pod Leader." Pod Leaders are champions for shoreline health who are willing to invite their friends and neighbors to share their beach and learn more about their unique backyard resource. "The environmental health of our shorelines depends on broad public knowledge and concern. In the role of Pod Leader, I expect to help expand and strengthen that awareness," said Sidney Brinckerhoff, one of the first members to join this program.

People For Puget Sound helps Pod Leaders craft entertaining and educational events at their home or beach. The first event is a colorful thirty-minute "Meet the Beach" slide show to introduce shoreline residents to natural beach processes and the creatures that live within this critical habitat. Afterwards, a People For Puget Sound beach naturalist leads a low tide beach walk for the group that may culminate in a potluck or cookout. Educational Beach Field Guides are provided for guests to help them identify what they see on the beach.

People For Puget Sound is planning Pod Leader events now! To find out more about this new and exciting program go to http://www.pugetsound.org/. If you are interested in learning more about being a Pod Leader, please call Anne Dalrymple at (206) 382-7007 or email adalrymple@pugetsound.org.

Posted in the October 2002 Earth Page