Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts

Shoreline’s Climate Action Plan: fewer cars; more trees and sidewalks

Saturday, May 18, 2024

A graph from the 2022 Climate Action Plan shows 56% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Shoreline come from transportation (mostly gasoline-powered vehicles).

By Oliver Moffat

On May 13, 2024 after hearing public comments from school children asking for safer streets, and tree activists calling for narrower sidewalks on 175th street, the city council reviewed how much progress was made on Shoreline’s Climate Action Plan.

The city’s first Climate Action Plan in 2013 set a goal to reduce emissions by 25% between 2009 and 2020; but by 2021, the city had reduced emissions by only about 6% for the entire decade.

In 2022, the city set a new goal to reduce emissions 60% between 2019 and 2030; meaning the city will need to reduce emission 6% per year on average for every year this decade.

The city also wants to reach net zero emissions by 2050 by offsetting all emissions with sequestration.

According to the city’s plan, Shoreline’s tree canopy covers 37% of the city and currently sequesters about 13,890 metric tons of CO2 each year; while Shoreline’s cars emit ten times that much CO2 each year: 139,782 metric tons.

At 56% of the total, by far the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Shoreline comes from transportation (mostly gasoline-powered vehicles).

Getting people to give up their cars will require safe sidewalks and bike lanes that people actually want to use, so the city’s plan lays out a long list of actions to make the city more walkable and bike-able.

But adding sidewalks and bike lanes on 145th street while preserving the wide, five-lane road for cars has required removing trees - angering tree activists who are now calling for narrowing the proposed sidewalk on 175th to save trees.

Councilmember John Ramsdell
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline 
Councilmembers Scully, Pobee and Ademasu promised more trees would be preserved on 175th street; councilmember John Ramsdell highlighted the challenges of balancing tree preservation with the need to get people out of their cars.

“Believe me, I love trees,” he said, “But I think there’s a really important statistic to be aware of: … a mature tree can absorb about 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. 
"If we can remove one car from using our roads… according to the EPA, a typical car emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. That’s over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide greenhouse gasses per year.”

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Visit the Tempestry Project at Spartan Rec Center

Friday, April 19, 2024

Tempestry photo courtesy City of Shoreline

In honor of Earth Day come visit the Shoreline Tempestry Project.

It is a collaborative effort of 11 local fiber artists to represent global warming data in visual form. 

The project spans the years 1950 to 2022. Patterns were created from National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data for Seattle Tacoma Airport. 

The project is a collaborative effort of local fiber artists to bring attention to Shoreline’s Climate Action Plan

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State Parks co-hosts Washington Coast Cleanup on April 20, 2024

Friday, April 12, 2024

Coast Cleanup April 20, 2024 on
ten ocean beaches
OLYMPIA – April 10, 2024 – As a proud member of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will co-host the annual Washington Coast Cleanup on April 20, 2024

This year’s event will take place at ten state parks: Cape Disappointment, Fort Flagler, Fort Townsend, Fort Worden, Grayland Beach, Mystery Bay, Ocean City, Pacific Beach, Shine Tidelands and Twin Harbors.

In partnership with Washington CoastSavers, Parks puts on three beach cleanup volunteer events a year – and there is always more work to be done. 

In 2023, 1,923 volunteers picked up 133,249 pounds of marine and firework debris off our beaches. That’s equivalent to the combined weight of 10 adult elephants.

During the Washington Coast Cleanup, Parks also works with Washington Surfrider and the Grassroots Garbage Gang to bring in volunteers to support this effort.

On arrival, participants volunteering at a Washington state park will check in at one of these locations:
  • Long Beach: 
    • Bolstad Ocean Beach Approach (OBA), 
    • Seaview OBA
  • Central Coast: 
    • Ocean City OBA, 
    • Chance A La Mer OBA, 
    • Bonge Ave OBA
  • Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca: Shine Tidelands 
    • Chimacum Corner Farmstand: Fort Flagler, Mystery Bay
  • Port Townsend Marine Science Center: 
    • Fort Townsend, 
    • Fort Worden
Volunteers should dress for variable weather conditions, wear sturdy footwear and pack a lunch with plenty of water. Upon check-in, participants will receive supplies to help them pick up debris. However, volunteers are encouraged to bring reusable gloves. The check-in station also serves as the dumpster location for marine debris after collection.

Visit CoastSavers.org to learn more about the Washington Coast Cleanup, view a list of all participating beaches and pre-register for the event.  A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access on state-managed lands on April 20.


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Dept of Ecology: A record year for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Washington

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Photo courtesy Dept of Ecology
According to the Washington state department of Ecology, 2023 was a record year for electric vehicles.

Registrations jumped 43% and sales accounted for about 20% of all vehicles sold

Manufacturer data and newly available industry sales data show EVs and plug-in hybrids accounting for about 20% of all vehicles sold in Washington last year-- the highest percentage to date! That's more than double the national sales average of 9.5%.

In 2023 Washington had the second-highest rate of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales in the nation, right behind California. Which state came in at number three? Oregon. The West Coast is way ahead of the rest of the nation when it comes to plugging into zero-emission transportation.

Since nearly 40% of Washington's greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector, these stats are welcome news. And we're adding to the momentum with a policy that requires increasing sales of zero-emissions vehicles


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Celebrate Earth Day all month long in Lake Forest Park

Monday, April 8, 2024

Celebrate Earth Day all month long in Lake Forest Park


Climate Town Hall

Saturday, April 13, 10-12
Third Place Commons stage

Meet with the state legislators from the 1st District
A panel discussion on the climate initiatives and the upcoming challenges with Q&A to follow.

Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries
Saturday, April 20 10m am-3pm


Drop off batteries at Lower Level of the Town Center
17171 Bothell Way NE

Recycling Styrofoam and plastic bags
Saturday April 20, 10 am to noon


Drop off Styrofoam and plastic bags 
at Lake Forest Park City Hall
17425 Ballinger Way NE

Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation Community Parks Clean up
Saturday April 20, 9am-2pm

Meet at Whispering Willow Park. 

Teams will go out to community parks. Pick up trash, pull invasives 

For more Info: Contact organizer, Brian Saunders or the Stewardship Foundation at info@lfpsf.org

LFP in Action Book Club

Wednesday. April 24, 5:30-7pm 

Meet near the stage at Third Place Commons 
Everyone welcome. 

This month the group is reading section 1 of At Home on an Unruly Planet by Madeline Ostrander. The book is available at Third Place Books in the book club section. 

Twenty percent off if you mention the book club.

Lake Forest Park Tree Board Ivy Out
Saturday April 27, 9-noon


Learn how to remove ivy and then join the removal party. Celebrate Arbor Day by helping trees. For more information click here.


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Washington Department of Ecology and Coast Guard respond to sunken vessel in Lake Union

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Sunken tugboat in Lake Union
Photo courtesy Dept Ecology
SEATTLE, WA – The Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology continue their response Monday to a sunken tugboat in Lake Union in Seattle, Washington.

The vessel, a tugboat converted into a residence, partially sank Saturday afternoon.

Red-dyed diesel escaped from the vessel into Lake Union. There were reportedly no people aboard the vessel at the time of the sinking.

Responders from the City of Seattle and the Washington Department of Ecology placed boom around the vessel to contain the spill. A response contractor was hired to clean up the spill and salvage the vessel. 

Contractors have pumped off 400 gallons of oily water from the vessel’s tanks and cabin and removed fuel from inside the boom surrounding the vessel as well.

Professional wildlife response efforts are underway. Responders with Focus Wildlife have found several oiled birds and are taking steps to recover those animals for treatment. 

Responders are on scene assessing further risk to animals in the area. If you see oiled wildlife, report it at 1-800-22BIRDS. Do not to attempt to rescue oiled birds or other wildlife on your own.

Oil spill responders are investigating sheens reported in other parts of Lake Union. Anyone may report a spill or potential spilled material to 1-800-OILS-911.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.


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1st Legislative District Climate Town Hall April 13, 2024

Monday, March 25, 2024


Town Hall on Climate—Saturday, April 13, 2024. 
Third Place Commons 10am to noon


Get updates on what happened in the 2024 Legislative session. 
  • Are we reducing Greenhouse Gasses? 
  • What's  happening with the Carbon Markets?
  • Will we have electric school busses?  
  • What's happening with Initiative 2117?
Hear from State Sen. Derek Stanford, State Rep. Davina Duerr, State Rep. Shelley Kloba


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Ecology proposes new and updated limits for toxics in water

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

After three years,"Hope" the salmon returned to her home stream
in Lake Forest Park and died there before she could spawn.
(See previous article)
Comment period open through April 17, 2024

OLYMPIA – Washington’s waters could soon see more protective limits for dozens of toxic chemicals, meaning cleaner water and a healthier environment for all creatures that call our state’s rivers, streams, and Puget Sound home.

The Department of Ecology is proposing a major update to the state’s aquatic life toxics criteria

As part of the state’s rules for how clean state waters need to be, the aquatic life toxics criteria are designed to protect aquatic life, such as fish and invertebrates, from the effects of toxic chemicals in the water. 

The criteria include limits for marine and freshwater, and limits to protect aquatic life from both immediate (acute) effects, such as death, and long-term (chronic) effects, such as changes in growth and reproduction.

Currently, Washington has aquatic life toxics criteria for 28 toxic chemicals. 

Ecology is proposing to update the criteria for 16 these chemicals and add 14 more chemicals to the list for a total of 42. Well-known chemicals already on the list such as arsenic, copper, nickel, silver, zinc are receiving updates to better protect aquatic life from these chemicals. 

Proposed new additions to Washington’s list include PFOA and PFOS (part of the PFAS chemical group), aluminum, and the emerging chemical of concern 6PPD-quinone, the chemical that comes from tires and is toxic to salmon.

Washington’s last major update to these criteria was 30 years ago. Ecology is proposing these updates now based on updated science and new research, new methods and modeling tools, recommendations from EPA and Tribal governments, and public input encouraging Ecology to prioritize this work.

Once finalized by Ecology and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the updated criteria will become part of water quality permits and used to identify polluted waters that need cleanup plans.

Provide input

Ecology is accepting public comments on this rule through April 17, 2024. All rulemaking documents are available on the aquatic life toxics criteria rule webpage.

Submit comments online, by mail, or at a public hearing:

Mail to:
Marla Koberstein
Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
P.O. Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696

Public hearing
Ecology will hold virtual public hearings at:
Ecology will provide an overview of the proposed rule and hold a question-and-answer period, followed by public comment.

Learn more

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Drought-proofing starts with soil - free class in The Savvy Gardener series April 10, 2024

Friday, March 15, 2024

THE WATER-FRIENDLY GARDEN: Drought-proofing starts with soil

Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 6:30–8:00pm at North City Water District 1519 NE 177th St in Shoreline

Water plays a critical role in how our gardens grow, particularly in the dry summers. Water is also critical for living soil organisms to stay active and abundant, the true foundation of healthy gardens and a living planet. 

The steps we take to grow healthy living soils are the same steps we take to mitigate and even help our gardens thrive during dry conditions. By starting with growing healthy soil, any gardener can drought-proof their garden to grow more with less water.

Learn how to plant a water friendly garden, catch and keep the water that’s available, and maximize the benefits of organic matter to grow healthy living soil and plants all year round.

Class is free, but you must register to attend.
About the presenter:

Ea (Elizabeth) Murphy is a soil scientist and author of Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth Approach (Cool Springs Press, 2015). Her passion for growing food led to a master’s degree from University of California, Davis, where she researched the fundamentals of soil organic matter and sustainable ways to improve it. 

She has worked on farms, with urban gardens, in environmental restoration, in agro-ecological research, and for Oregon State University Extension Small Farms Program. 

With twenty years of hands-on practical experience and the latest research in soil health to back her up, she shares the simple truth that to grow more, we need to do less. Based in Tacoma, Washington, Ea spends her time digging in community gardens, enjoying the year-round harvest of a living soil, and empowering others to bring soil to life, wherever they are.

Follow Ea:

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Here Comes the Train! Sound Transit update at CityLearn - in person and on Zoom Wednesday March 13, 2024

Monday, March 11, 2024

Photo courtesy Sound Transit
Sound Transit Update
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 7 - 8:30 pm

In-person in Council Chambers at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133
or online on Zoom

After many years of planning, two light rail stations open in Shoreline in 2024. What can residents expect in these last months of construction and testing?
 
City of Shoreline staff Juniper Nammi, Lynnwood Link Extension Light Rail Project Manager, is joined by a representative from Sound Transit to share project updates and answer questions.

Test run through Shoreline at NE 195th overpass
Photo by Steve Treseler

Also on the agenda: Walk, Ride, and Roll thru Shoreline

The State of Washington enacted the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Law in 1991 to encourage less fuel-consumption, less congestion, and more breathable air. 

It is time for the City to update its CTR Plan. City staff will explain the overall program with goals to encourage fewer “drive-alone” trips. 

Find out how you can be an instrumental part of this plan update and provide feedback on this as well as specific programs such as scooter/bike-share, shared-use mobility hubs, and EV car share all of which will be coming soon to Shoreline.


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Live performance at Mountlake Terrace Library Saturday: Rachel Carson and the Silent Spring

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

The book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson is credited with starting the environmental movement.

Join Edmonds SnoKing AAUW for Debbie Dimitre’s live performance as Rachel Carson - American scientist, marine biologist and author of Silent Spring. 

This is a free event, open to the public.

Saturday March 9, 2024 from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace, WA


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Rotary District 5030 to hold Lithium-Ion battery recycling collection event on April 20, 2024

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Since 2022, Rotary clubs across the United States have been collaborating with Redwood Materials, the first U.S.-based battery recycling plant, to host collection drives yielding tens of thousands of pounds of cell phones, laptops, power drills, electric toothbrushes, and other rechargeable electronics. 

If materials are recovered from old products, society’s reliance on newly mined materials is significantly reduced.

Rotary District 5030 of the Greater Seattle area is holding an Electronics Waste Recycling Event for disposal of lithium-ion batteries and devices that contain them.

When:
April 20, 2024 from 10:00am to 3:00pm

Where:
Town Center at Lake Forest Park
17171 Bothell Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

Popular items to bring:
  • Cell phones
  • Electric toothbrushes
  • Laptops
  • Power tool batteries
  • Tablets
  • Wireless headphones
  • Any other rechargeable device with a lithium-ion battery
You may bring the entire item if it's difficult to remove the battery. Before dropping off personal devices, be sure to delete your data


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Owner of fish tender fined for fuel spill into Lake Washington Ship Canal

Coastal Navigator spilled diesel fuel into Lake Washington 
On February 2, 2023, the fish tender, Coastal Navigator, was receiving 35,000 gallons of diesel. 

Oil spill boom surrounded the operation, as required by Ecology’s regulations. 

An hour after the transfer started, crews observed fuel spilling from a starboard-side tank vent onto the main deck. 

The transfer was halted and crews deployed additional absorbent boom. 

By that time, some of the fuel had reached the water in the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

Subsequent investigation found the crew left a valve open to a tank they did not intend to fill, did not successfully close the scupper, and failed to test a high-level alarm. The company also failed to fill out and follow its oil transfer procedures, fueling checklist, and other documents.

Based on the investigation, Ecology is holding the company accountable for the spill and negligence for not following procedures.

This is the third time since 2001 that Coastal Transportation has had a spill. Each of those was caused by failing to close valves to tanks not intended to be filled. Ecology issued negligence penalties at the time of those prior events, which the company paid.

The Washington Department of Ecology is issuing a $22,000 penalty to Coastal Transportation Inc. for negligence in operations during a fuel transfer that led to diesel spilling into the Lake Washington Ship Canal in Seattle. The penalty may be appealed to the Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.


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Lake Forest Park Green Fair scheduled for March 30

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Save the Date – the LFP Green Fair is Back…on March 30!

All are welcome and invited to attend this free event! Local organizations and businesses will be there to answer your questions regarding composting, recycling, reducing waste, natural yard care, water conservation, environmentally safe products, and more!

The fair is hosted at Third Place Commons (top floor) from 10:00am to 2:00pm March 30, 2024. 

Bring your friends, neighbors, and family and come on down for some fun, learn something new, and take home some giveaways!


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Salomon bill to protect salmon from toxic chemical passes House, Senate

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Sen. Jesse Salomon - 32nd LD
OLYMPIA – Legislation to protect salmon populations from a toxic chemical passed the House Thursday.

Senate Bill 5931 would designate all 6PPD containing motor vehicle tires a priority consumer product under the Safer Products for Washington Act, empowering the state Department of Ecology to do a review of tires containing the chemical and develop regulatory action.

6PPD is found in most, if not all, car tires. It has been used for over six decades to make the tires more flexible and slow their degradation. 

In 2020, research funded by the Environmental Protection Agency showed 6PPD-quinone — created when 6PPD reacts with ozone in the air — is the most common killer chemical for coho salmon. 

Studies have shown it can kill the salmon after only a few hours of exposure. The chemical makes its way into waterways through roadway runoff and has been found in many Washington rivers, streams, and the Puget Sound.

“6PPD is killing salmon and other aquatic wildlife at a concerning rate,” said Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline), who sponsored the bill. “We’re spending billions of dollars to remove culverts, restore habitats, and protect our salmon populations; we need to ensure we aren’t sabotaging our restoration efforts by ignoring this clear threat.”

6PPD is the second most deadly toxin to aquatic creatures ever studied. The Institute for Fisheries Resources and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s Associations filed a lawsuit against tiremakers in 2023, alleging manufacturers violated the Endangered Species Act by using a known toxin.

The EPA also responded to a petition submitted by several Native American tribes calling for regulation, writing it is “necessary to initiate” risk management rulemaking under the Toxic Substances Control Act to “address the risk to the environment from 6PPD-

“Salmon have immense cultural, commercial, and economic importance to our tribal communities,” said Sen. Claudia Kauffman (D-Kent), a member of the Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee and the Senate’s first Indigenous woman. “Tribes have already called on the EPA to address the deadly risk posed by 6PPD. We need to do our part in Washington to protect our salmon populations from this toxin.”

“In partnership with tribes and the USEPA, Washington state is doing groundbreaking research on 6PPD’s impact on salmon, installing stormwater retrofits to reduce its impact and developing safer alternatives to the chemical so we can ultimately end its use,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “I’m thankful to Sens. Salomon and Kauffman for their leadership on this important issue.”

“The progress we’ve made on salmon restoration has taken a lot of effort and a lot of funding. Now, the ubiquity of 6PPD threatens to undermine that work,” Salomon said. “Tiremakers have agreed to work with us to find a non-toxic alternative. With passage of this bill, we will be able to act quickly when a safe alternative becomes available.”

Having been slightly amended in the House, the bill now returns to the Senate for concurrence.

Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, represents the 32nd Legislative District, which includes Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Seattle, Shoreline, Woodway, and unincorporated Snohomish County.


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Volunteers needed for LFP Tree Board and Climate Action committee

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Would you like to help shape the future of the City of Lake Forest Park? 

If so, consider applying for a position on one of our advisory bodies. 

In addition to partial-term vacancies on the Tree Board and Climate Action Committee, there are also two alternate member positions available on the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and Tree Board.

Tree Board - terms are for three years and there are two partial term vacancies; one expires February 28, 2025 and the other expires February 28, 2026.

Please email Assistant Planner Elizabeth Talavera with questions.

Climate Action Committee - there are two college / high school student positions available on the Climate Action Committee. Both are partial terms that expire on February 28, 2025.

Please email Environmental and Sustainability Specialist Cory Roche with questions.

If you would like to apply, please complete the online application. More information about our advisory bodies is available here.

If you are interested and would like to watch meeting videos for the advisory bodies, they are available here.


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Honoring Christie True’s decades of achievements for environmental stewardship

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Christie True and County Exec Dow Constantine
Photo courtesy King County

Current and former employees celebrated the achievements of Director Christie True, who recently completed her 39-year career at the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks.

Executive Constantine led a celebration at Brightwater Treatment Plant where staff renamed the Environmental Education Center in her honor, recognizing her contributions to protecting and restoring King County’s natural environment and inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards.

In this photo, Christie True is center. 2nd from left is Gunars Sreibers, who oversaw construction of the Brightwater Tunnel from what is now Kayu Kayu Ac Park on Puget Sound along the length of Shoreline, through Lake Forest Park to Woodinville

The Education Center is located at 22505 WA-9, Woodinville, WA 98072.


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What's with all the dumped tires?

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Tires dumped in the Bsche’tla Creek ravine
Photo by Brian Saunders
By Diane Hettrick

In The Untold Story of Bsche’tla Creek, Brian Saunders and Chip Dodd talked about climbing down into the ravine holding Lake Forest Park's largely unknown third stream.

At the base of the ravine, I was left speechless with the sheer volume of debris, garbage, and used tires that had been discarded there. At first glance it is not recognizable as a stream but more resembling an effluent ditch in an industrial zone. I counted 20 old tires within a 30-foot stretch of the creek!

Kim Josund reported that on January 31, 2024 80-100 tires had been dumped at the entrance to Grace Cole Park (Old tires dumped at Grace Cole Park - do you know anything about it?)

Kim pointed out the environmental damage caused by tires.
Old tires contain chemicals, including known carcinogens and salmon killing 6-PPD- quinone, and heavy metals that leach into the environment as the tires break down. 

Leaching affects the soil around the old tire, which at first may not seem like a big problem. But even after the tire is moved, the soil could still contain toxins. If toxins get into any water in the soil, the water can transport them to other locations, potentially harm to any animals that come in contact with the poisoned water.

Tires were dumped in front of the Cascade K-8 school just a few days after the Grace Cole dumping. Photo by Brian Holt

Brian Holt sent a photo a few days after Kim's story about a pile of tires dumped in the parking lot of the Cascade K-8 school 

Christie Becker found a tire in her back yard
Christie Becker, who lives in the vicinity of Grace Cole Park, found a tire deep in her back yard.
tire Christie

Michael Price reported that he "noticed around 4 tires on the side of the road on 25th Ave NE just north of Grace Cole on morning of Feb. 1. They were still there the morning of Feb. 2.

Today a reader reported another dump site: "Yesterday I noticed yet another load of illegally dumped tires along Bothell Way east of 5330 Bothell Way NE on the North side of Bothell Way in a small gully."

People who get away will illegal dumping tend to continue doing it.

If you have camera footage or leads, contact LFP Police 206-364-8216.


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Stanford bill to protect solar power consumers heads to House

Monday, February 12, 2024

Sen. Stanford in the Washington Senate
Photo courtesy LSS

OLYMPIA – People planning on installing solar panels at their homes or businesses would receive added consumer protections under legislation passed unanimously yesterday by the Senate.

SB 6256 would prevent deceptive sales tactics, ensure that contracts are clear and contain all necessary provisions, require work be done by licensed electricians, and provide for enforcement under the state Consumer Protection Act.

“The solar industry is one of the cornerstones of a greener future in Washington state,” said Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), the bill’s prime sponsor. 
“As solar installations continue to grow, we need to ensure that consumers can be confident that the information they’re receiving is accurate and that the work they’re paying for is high quality.”

The Department of Commerce has heard complaints from customers who were promised unrealistic savings, said Stanford, and there is little that the department can do under current law. SB 6256 would give consumers protections against deceptive practices and ensure dependable installation.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Sen. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, represents the 1st Legislative District, which includes Bothell, Brier, Kirkland, Mountlake Terrace, Alderwood Manor, Cathcart, Clearview, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Maltby.


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Hope the Salmon returns to Lyon Creek

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Bringing Hope back to her found resting spot so that she could regenerate the creek
and surrounding environment.

By Sarah Phillips

On Sunday February 4, about 60 people stood on the edge of Lyon Creek and carefully placed juvenile salmon in a remote site incubator for the fourth time since 2021.

Juvenile salmon ready to be released into an
incubator in Lake Forest Park, Lyon Creek
Over 1000 coho salmon from the Issaquah hatchery will live in the gravel bottom tank until they leave the tank for Lyon Creek. 

The coho were raised by Jeff Jensen, a Lake Forest Park resident and UW faculty member. 

Dr. Jensen built the remote site incubator in collaboration with the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation and Trout Unlimited, and supported by a grant from King County.
LFP resident and UW prof Jeff Jensen, 
shares the life cycle of salmon, and the
potential for the return of kokanee (the
little red fish) to our creeks and streams.
The remote site incubator collects water from McKinnon Creek, passes it through a series of settling tanks and the gravel containing the eggs. 

Once the eggs have developed into fry, the fish can exit the incubator on their own through an exit pipe which extends to Lyon Creek.

Three years ago, when first releasing eggs into the incubator, the gathered group named a newly released egg, Hope. 

Last fall a local streamside family found a returning adult salmon in the stream. 

Jensen found it was in fact three years old -- Hope returned to Lyon Creek, her spawning ground. 

Her long journey in the stream, Lake Washington and after about a year and a half in the ocean was completed. She made her return.

A Coho Salmon named “Hope” returned to her
spawning site in October 2023. She was
three years old and 18” long.
Unfortunately, Hope when found, was dead and all of her beautiful eggs were unable to spawn. 

This is the fate of many returning salmon. 

Lately scientific research has told us that there is a chemical that leaches into the streams from the wear and tear of tires. 

Coho returning to streams have mortality when in contact with the chemicals. Fish that have been impacted swim in erratic patterns and then die.

How can we all protect salmon? Make our streams and creeks safer by reducing fertilizer. Encourage tire makers to change the chemical makeup of tires.


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