Category Archives: Other Community Events

Duwamish Superfund Comment Period Extended

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Aerial View of Duwamish River

The deadline for comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cleanup plan for the Duwamish River Superfund Site has been extended to Friday, January 14. Click here to learn more & comment on the Duwamish River Superfund cleanup.

The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/Technical Advisory Group (DRCC/TAG), the EPA, and other local governments hosted two very successful public meetings for the Superfund Feasibility Study (Cleanup Alternatives) on December 7th and 9th

DRCC and EPA worked with Concord International School for the December 7th meeting, and provided information in Spanish and English, with hands-on, small-group activities using Legos to illustrate the different cleanup choices.

December 9th was a more “traditional” public meeting, but also included a powerful video produced by local youth from the International District Housing Alliance’s Project WILD about their experiences interviewing Duwamish River fishermen. View their video here.

After hearing from the community representatives at workshops, through surveys, online, and in person, DRCC/TAG is proposing an additional cleanup alternative: #7

  • Cleanup Alternative #7 would clean up more of the river – it would aim to reduce chemical concentrations to “natural background” and provide better health protections for tribal and subsistence fishermen.
  • Cleanup Alternative #7 would include ongoing pollution source control, both along and upriver of the cleanup site, as an integral part of the alternatives described in the Feasibility Study.
  • Cleanup Alternative #7 would include an environmental justice assessment, to evaluate what the impact of chemicals left in the river would be on fishermen and others, and make that assessment part of the cleanup decision.

To view or download DRCC/TAG’s assessment of the cleanup alternatives, to to http://www.duwamishcleanup.org/uploads/FSassessment.pdf to download the PDF with the various options.

Background on this project: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a draft study of cleanup alternatives for the Duwamish River. Past and present activities have left a legacy of chemical pollution in the river and in the sediment (mud) at the bottom. This pollution comes from many sources, including industries along the river and stormwater runoff from upland activities, streets, and highways.
The Draft Feasibility Study describes a range of river cleanup options. It is being prepared by the Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (LDWG) – Boeing, King County, the City of Seattle, and the Port of Seattle. Click here to visit the EPA’s web site for an overview of the Duwamish Superfund site and link to their 8-page Fact Sheet on the cleanup alternatives.

You have a voice in determining how our river gets cleaned up. Please share your comments with us by Friday, January 14th: bj@duwamishcleanup.org or call 206-954-0218. Comments can also be sent directly to EPA at r10lowerduwamish@epa.gov

Legislative Workshop for Environmental Issues @ SPU

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Interested in making a difference with the Legislature?

Fortunately, the 2011 Legislative Session is near and as we prepare for the upcoming session, the Environmental Priorities Coalition invites you to join them for the annual Environmental Priorities Coalition Legislative Workshop. The workshop is a fun way to come learn about the 2011 Environmental Priorities and how you can take action to help get them passed.

Here’s the details:

  • Environmental Priorities Coalition Legislative Workshop
  • When: Saturday, January 8th, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
  • Where: Seattle Pacific University, Gwinn Room
  • Cost: $20 with lunch, $10 without lunch, and $10 for students with lunch
  • environment

Experts will be on hand and a panel of our state legislators will be able to answer your questions about this year’s Environmental Priorities. There will also be break-out sessions on how to use social media to get your voice heard and be your own citizen lobbyist. Also, new this year, there will be a session on Activism 2.0, for folks who are ready to take their activism to the next level to help build the environmental movement.

Space is limited and already beginning to fill up. Register online today.

For more information contact Craig M. Benjamin, Communications Director, Environmental Priorities Coalition.

The Environmental Priorities Coalition consists of the following organizations:

  • American Rivers
  • Climate Solutions
  • Conservation NW
  • Earth Ministry
  • Environment Washington
  • Fuse
  • Futurewise
  • Heart of America Northwest
  • The Lands Council
  • League of Women Voters of Washington
  • Lutheran Public Policy Office
  • National Wildlife Federation
  • NW Energy Coalition
  • People for Puget Sound
  • Sierra Club Cascade Chapter
  • Surfrider Foundation
  • Transportation Choices Coalition
  • Washington Conservation Voters
  • Washington Environmental Council
  • Washington State Audubon
  • Washington Toxics Coalition
  • Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition
  • Zero Waste Washington
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Park Opportunity Fund Recommendations Published

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The Parks and Green Spaces Levy Citizens Oversight Committee finalized their project recommendations for Opportunity Funding at a meeting held last week. In the first cycle of the Opportunity Fund, $7 million will be awarded to community initiated projects.

The Committee’s recommendations will be forwarded to Parks and Recreation Acting Superintendent Christopher Williams, who will forward his recommendations to the Mayor and City Council. Seattle City Council is expected to approve project funding recommendations in March 2011. The project list is below.

The Parks and Green Spaces Citizens Oversight Committee developed the criteria for evaluating projects with guidance from the Levy Ordinance, and has gone through an extensive public process to recommend funding to the final projects located throughout the city.

Seattle voters approved the $146 million Parks and Green Spaces Levy in 2008. It includes a $15 million Opportunity Fund for community initiated development projects and land acquisition opportunities.

Highland Park Spray Park, Norhtacres Spray Park and 14th Avenue NW Park Boulevard are three additional community-initiated projects that will receive funding from other Levy sources. An estimated $1.5 million in 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy acquisition funds will be reallocated to the 14th Avenue NW Park Boulevard project. The goal is to convert two blocks on 14th Avenue NW (currently street right of way) from existing roadway and parking median into a community park with green infrastructure and safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. The community has prioritized this development project in lieu of acquiring additional property.

The two spray park conversion projects will receive a total of $905,000 in additional funding. This will allow for full water re-circulating systems which will provide better play experience and greater water conservation.

For more information please contact Susanne Rockwell at Susanne.rockwell@seattle.gov or 206-684-0902 visit the web at http://seattle.gov/parks/levy/opportunity.htm

First Round Opportunity Fund

2010 Levy Oversight Committee – Recommendations

(Project information is in the form of 1)District, 2)Project Name, 3)Budget Allocation, 4)Notes

CE – 19th & Madison Neighborhood Park – $473,000 -The intent of this project is to create a beautiful, tranquil green oasis in an urban setting, including a sensory garden and a community gathering space on what is currently a vacant lot.

CE – James Court Woonerf – $500,000 – The goal is to convert an existing street and sidewalk into a green, pervious space which invites and accommodates uses by people on foot instead of only cars. It would be adjacent to the newly acquired12th Ave Park which is in the planning stage.

CE – John Street Enhancement Project – $260,000 – This proposal enhances the new park and P-patch by adding a bioswale, planting area and providing better pedestrian connections.

CE – McGilvra Place Green Infrastructure – $364,000 – The project proposes closure of 15th Ave between E Madison St and E Pike St and modifications to the existing park for the creation of bioretention cells and rain gardens to accept runoff from the Cascadia Center’s new building to the east.

CW – Lower Kinnear Park Enhancement Plan – $750,000 – The project goal is to create enhancements that improve trails and signage, restore the native vegetation and make connections to other trails in the Seattle Parks system.

NE – Naturalizing Northgate – $500,000 – This project will refine and complete all remaining channel work in this park, thereby creating a healthier watershed with more controlled flow and plentiful native plants.

NE – University Heights, South Lot Park, Playground Gardens – $747,000 – The project goal is to produce a cost effective operation of a playground, open space, performance area, gardens and a plaza area for the public.

NW – Park Enhancements for Bitter Lake Reservoir – $287,000 – The project goal is to create additional open space and park-like atmosphere enhancements around the reservoir.

NW – The Troll’s Knoll – $685,000 – The goal is to create a model design of a sustainable park space. Proposed sustainable design features include the use of recycled materials, native plants, minimal earth movement, tree retention, storm water management, solar panels and wind turbines.

SE – Jimi Hendrix Park Development – $500,000 – The goal of this project is to complete the development of the park, bringing to life an open green space that is welcoming and provides an unique experience which clearly defines its namesake.

SE – John Muir Elementary PG Improvements – $270,000 – Construction of a new play area to replace existing one, including rain gardens, permeable surfaces and planting beds, native plant restoration.

SE – Lewis Park Reforestation – $260,000 – The project goal is to restore the steep slope area of the urban forest, increase the native plants and tree restoration.

SE – Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands – $500,000 – The goal of the project is to establish a unique green infrastructure development project transforming the Atlantic City Nursery into a working organic urban farm and demonstration wetlands restoration site.

SE – Santos Rodriguez Memorial Park – $350,000 – The project goal is to revitalize and make more effective use of the available space and to increase public awareness and access to the park.

SW – Puget Ridge Edible Park – $520,000 – The vision of Sustainable Puget Ridge is to create an urban community farm which is a neighborhood meeting place, a community food garden and a test site for environmentally conscientious sustainability.

The total funding for this round is $6,966,000.

Help Clean Up Duwamish: Cleanup Proposal Workshops Scheduled, Citizen Input Needed

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The Environmental Protection Agency and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition invite your participation and need your help in reviewing the Draft River Cleanup Alternatives (Feasibility Study) prepared for the Duwamish Water Way Superfund site.  The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition is also the Technical Advisory Group to the EPA for this site.

Click here to visit the EPA’s web site for an overview. View or download the EPA Fact Sheet about the 2nd Draft Duwamish River Cleanup Alternatives (Feasibility Study). If you’d like to peruse the entire cleanup plan, please start with the Executive Summary!

DRCC/TAG Technical Advisors have created an quick assessment of the cleanup alternatives, and will develop an environmental justice review and fact sheet for the public.

  • Preliminary Assessment of the cleanup alternatives (Available now!)
  • Fact Sheet (Coming at the end of November)

Learn more, and have your voice heard!

Community Public Meetings on Cleanup Alternatives

  • Help develop alternatives that protect human health.
  • Public meetings include Superfund cleanup alternatives overview presentation as part of the open house and public comment at the presentation stations and on paper; Spanish language translation will be available; Childcare will be available and there will be food provided.

Schedule for Public Meetings

  • Tuesday, December 7 – 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm: Concord International Elementary School in South Park at 723 S Concord St.  Spanish translation, childcare and food provided.
  • Thursday, December 9 –  5:30 pm to 8:30 pm:  South Seattle Community College Georgetown Campus at 6737 Corson Avenue S.  Spanish translation, childcare and food provided.

Solar Washington Forum Focuses on Solar Hot Water

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The Solar Washington November forum has been rescheduled because of snow.  The rescheduled date is Wednesday, December 1, 7:00 pm at REI.

Solar Washington, the Washington Chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, is featuring Solar Hot Water Systems for its November Membership Forum, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, this Monday, November 22 coming Wednesday, December 1, at the Seattle REI, 222 Yale Ave N.

At the November meeting Solar Washington will be reviewing the upcoming Legislative Session, and taking nominations for the Board elections at the annual meeting in January.

Last month the Solar Washington panel presented the facts of solar rlectricity in the Northwest. Now back by popular demand is the Solar Washington integrator panel v2.0 to tackle Solar Hot Water in Washington State. Join the experts from Puget Sound Solar, NW Mechanical, and A&R Solar as they walk us through the technology.

This panel presentation and discussion will cover the history of solar hot water, how it works, and how effective it is for radiant and space heating versus solar electric. Attendees will leave with a basic understanding of the different solar hot water technologies, as well as how to calculate the energy a solar hot water system can produce and the system payback period.

For more information on Solar Washington and it’s programs,  email Solar Washington.  To learn more about membership visit the membership page on the ASES website. Please direct any membership questions to our Membership Director Brian Allen via email or at 206-973-7374.

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Combined Sewer Overflow Meeting @ Fauntleroy

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Join King County Wastewater Division Monday, November 1, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Avenue SW, for a Special Community Meeting to discuss the possibility of using the  Lincoln Park South Parking Lot as a location for Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control.

This is a public meeting to discuss the new alternative proposed by the Murray Community Advisory Group for CSO control in West Seattle. King County has been working with the community in West Seattle since 2007 to develop a plan to control combined sewer overflows in Puget Sound. The Murray Community Advisory Group, or CAG, has recommended a water storage tank under the Lincoln Park south parking lot. King County needs to hear from the community as part of the process to evaluate this alternative.

King County has evaluated a number of alternatives for CSO control in West Seattle including upstream Green Stormwater Infrastructure, storage under the old Fauntleroy School or under Upper Fauntleroy Way near ferry dock, and several options near the Murray pump station: including private property across the street from Lowman Beach Park, under Beach Drive, and under Lowman Beach Park. This new alternative developed by the Murray CAG would directly impact Lincoln Park users and nearby neighbors. Come to this meeting to learn more and tell us what you think.

For more information and to learn more about King County’s proposals for CSO control in the Barton and Murray basins visit the project Web page at www.kingcounty.gov/CSOBeachProjects. You can also access the Community Advisory Group’s recommendation at that website.

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SPU Is Recruiting Community Advisory Members

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Seattle Public Utilities is seeking diverse community members for their Community Advisory Committees.  More detail is online here.

SPU is seeking diverse candidates, especially from the HUB/WMBE businesses as well as community members from the Central and SE and SW sectors of the City.  Download the application form here.

SPU has three City-wide committees:

  • Creeks, Drainage and Wastewater Advisory Committee (CDWAC) (stormwater management, water quality, pollution prevention, creeks, wastewater systems, other topics)
  • Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) waste management systems policy: recycling, food/yard waste, collection contracts, transfer stations, garbage systems, waste prevention)
  • Water System Advisory Committee (WSAC) (drinking water system, water conservation, supply/demand, Cedar and Tolt Watersheds management, other topics)

Each of these committees is chartered by Seattle Public Utilities and reports directly to the Director, SPU.  For more information contact the program manager, Sheryl Shapiro, at 206-615-1443 or email at Sheryl.Shapiro@Seattle.Gov

Parks & Rec To Offer Red Cross Lifeguard Training

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Starting Monday, October 25, Seattle Parks and Recreation begins offering an eight-week Red Cross Lifeguard Training course, the training needed to become a lifeguard.

The class, which includes First Aid, CPR, and more, takes place on Monday evenings from October 25 through December 13, 2010, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Queen Anne Pool, 1920 1st Ave. W (see map).

For more information about the requirements for becoming a lifeguard, please go to http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Aquatics/employment.htm. For more information about the upcoming class, please call 206-386-4282.

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Boeing Company, EPA Sign PCB Cleanup Agreement

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On September 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed an agreement with The Boeing Company to construct a new stormwater treatment system at North Boeing Field in Seattle. The treatment system will greatly reduce the amount of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are an on-going source of pollution to the Duwamish River.

The North Boeing Field storm drain system carries stormwater to the Duwamish River through more than seven miles of catch basins, drains, inlets, and oil-water separators. Studies by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), the City of Seattle, and Boeing showed the North Boeing Field storm drain system is the biggest source of PCBs to the river sediments in Slip 4, one of the most highly contaminated sites on the lower Duwamish waterway.

Goal is to reduce PCB discharge to Duwamish River

According to Lori Cohen, Associate Director of EPA’s Superfund cleanup office in Seattle, Boeing’s stormwater treatment work will significantly reduce PCBs discharge to the Duwamish River and better protect Puget Sound.

“Boeing’s investment in stormwater treatment will pay dividends in cleaning up the lower Duwamish River and Puget Sound,” said Cohen. “By reducing the volume of PCBs released to the river from North Boeing Field, we’re taking a major step forward in controlling one of the biggest PCBs pollution sources on the Duwamish and allowing us to move forward with our cleanup work.”

With the installation of this stormwater treatment system, cleanup of Slip 4 – one of several hot spot cleanups on the waterway – will proceed in 2011. Several acres of contaminated sediments in Slip 4 will be cleaned up under an EPA settlement agreement with the City of Seattle and King County.

PCBs are toxic pollutants that stay in the environment for a long time and can build up in fish and shellfish. PCBs are found at unsafe levels in the sediments and fish of the Lower Duwamish River. Concerns about PCBs in fish prompted the state to issue a health advisory warning people not to eat any crab, shellfish, or fish (except salmon) from the Lower Duwamish River.

Earlier this summer, Boeing agreed to design an initial stormwater treatment system with EPA oversight during the negotiation of today’s agreement. The initial system began operating last week treating stormwater from the most highly contaminated areas of North Boeing Field. The initial system will be managed under today’s agreement, and over the course of the next year, a long-term system will be put in place at the site. The treatment system is part of a broader effort to locate and contain or treat contamination in the North Boeing Field drainage area that flows into the stormwater outfall at Slip 4.

Background on Slip 4 & Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund site:

Today’s stormwater treatment agreement enables the cleanup of Slip 4 to proceed while Ecology’s overall site investigation and cleanup continues at North Boeing Field. The Slip 4 cleanup was delayed when Ecology found high levels of PCBs in North Boeing Field storm drains discharging to Slip 4. The agencies agreed to delay cleanup until the on-going sources of PCBs were reduced, lessening the potential for recontamination of clean areas.

Slip 4 is part of the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund site, which was added to EPA’s National Priorities List in 2001. The contaminants in the river sediments include PCBs, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mercury and other metals, and phthalates. Sediments (mud and sand on the river bottom) in and along the lower river contain a wide range of contaminants from years of industrial activity and from stormwater pollution.

EPA and Ecology jointly oversee the Lower Duwamish Waterway cleanup. EPA is the lead agency for the investigation and cleanup of contaminated sediments throughout the lower river. As the lead agency for controlling the sources of pollution to the lower river, Ecology works with the City of Seattle and King County to investigate and control sources throughout the Duwamish drainage basin.

EPA’s investigation of the contamination and cleanup options for the Lower Duwamish Waterway sediments, the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study, is moving toward completion. The Remedial Investigation was completed earlier this year, which identified the contaminants, where they are located, and which are the most dangerous.

A second draft of the Feasibility Study, which looks at alternatives for cleanup, will be available for public review on Oct. 12. EPA and Ecology will host public meetings on Dec. 7 and Dec. 9. EPA expects the cleanup plan to be completed by 2012.

For more information about the Slip 4 cleanup, visit: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/cleanup.nsf/ldw/slip+4

For more information about the Lower Duwamish Waterway cleanup, visit: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/cleanup.nsf/ldw/

Become A Salmon Watcher & Help SPU, King County

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Salmon Watcher Training A Unique Northwest Experience

On Wednesday, September 29th, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the  Northgate Community Center, 10510  5th Ave. NE, Seattle Public Utilities and King County Department of the Environment will present a training course for would-be Salmon Watchers.

The Salmon Watcher Program trains volunteers to collect important information about returning salmon in creeks in and around Seattle. Dedicated volunteers spend 15 minutes twice a week, from September through December, watching for fish on their assigned creek site.

The information helps local jurisdictions know where salmon are spawning in our streams, and sometimes where barriers exist to salmon migration. Volunteers act as “eyes and ears” in the watersheds and give SPU a heads up when things go awry in our neighborhood creeks. No experience necessary. The data collected are used by agencies and groups working to help restore endangered salmon runs and improve habitat for all salmon. Your work as a Salmon Watcher is invaluable!  For more information check the “Salmon Watcher website” or call 206-263-6533

How can I become a Salmon Watcher?

Attend the classroom training to learn about salmon identification. Choose a place to watch from among hundreds of established creek sites in and around Seattle. No experience necessary.

For more information contact Beth Miller, Seattle Public Utilities, Stormwater Education and Outreach, 700 5th Avenue , or by email at beth.miller@seatttle.gov or visit the King County Restore Our Waters website at  www.seattle.gov/util/restoreourwaters.

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