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The environment and economy — when both are healthy we all thrive. So why are workers from around the Puget Sound, some driving nearly an hour one way to work, polluting the air and accelerating climate change, when there are hundreds of Seattle residents that could fill those jobs living near construction sites right in the city? The Sierra Club is teaming up with Got Green? (a local community organization working to ensure the green economy benefits low-income communities of color) to pass a Seattle City Council ordinance aimed at targeting local hiring. This ordinance will cut down on pollution, reduce commute times and make it easier for Seattle’s hard working low-income workers to find good-paying jobs leading to greater economic freedom. Tell the Seattle City Council to pass a targeted local hiring ordinance now and keep Seattle’s environment and economy healthy! Over the next six years Seattle will spend more than $6 billion public tax dollars improving our city‘s infrastructure and building public facilities. A Targeted Local Hire Ordinance will insure that our city’s public investments result in living wage jobs and paid apprenticeships for area residents. Wages earned by local workers typically are reinvested in neighborhoods and area businesses, boosting our economy and creating additional jobs. It will also promote public transportation as many city-funded projects are accessible by bus and or light rail. Additionally it will reduce trip commutes as local workers will have shorter distances to travel and will be able to stay in Seattle and afford the rising costs of living in our city. Tell the Seattle City Council to pass a targeted local hiring ordinance and help Seattle’s economy and environment thrive. Thanks for all you do for the environment, Robin Everett P.S. After you take action, be sure to forward this alert to your friends and colleagues! |
Tag Archives: Puget Sound
Protect Seattle from dangerous coal exports!
RSVP for Seattle‘s Waterfront Business Appreciation Event and protect Seattle from dangerous coal exports!  |
We all love Seattle’s waterfront because of its great restaurants, entertainment, art and culture — but mostly for views of our beautiful Puget Sound. It is part of why we choose to live here.
But imagine up to 18 coal trains, each a mile and a half long, rumbling through the waterfront daily — disrupting this vital economic tourist engine, polluting our water with toxic coal dust and making already-congested traffic worse.
That is what we will face if coal companies’ proposed 50-million-ton coal export terminal in Whatcom County gets built.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Join Mayor McGinn and Seattle waterfront businesses at a Seattle Waterfront Business Appreciation event and protect Seattle’s waterfront from dirty coal exports!
Here are the details:
WHO: Mayor Mike McGinn, Kyle Griffith, Pier 57 and Great Wheel owner, and Cary Moon, Co-Founder of People’s Waterfront Coalition
WHAT: Waterfront Business Appreciation Event
WHEN: Saturday, May 4from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Waterfront Park, 1301 Alaskan Way in between the Great Wheel and the Aquarium [Map]
Questions: Contact Robin Everett at robin.everett@sierraclub.org
NOTE: We will be giving out free prizes so that you and your family can enjoy the waterfront. Wear red and get ready to have some fun!
Seattle’s waterfront businesses and economy will bear the cost of coal exports. It’s a bad deal for us and we need to stop it.
Join us on Saturday for our Waterfront Business Appreciation Event with Mayor McGinn, have fun with your family and learn how you can help protect Seattle from dangerous coal exports!
Thanks for all you do to protect the environment,
Robin Everett Beyond Coal Campaign
Sierra Club
P.S. After you take action, be sure to forward this alert to your friends and colleagues!
State wolf recovery still on track, wildlife managers tell commission
NEWS RELEASE Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/
Contact: Commission Office, (360) 902-2267 Wildlife Program, (360) 902-2515
State wolf recovery still on track, wildlife managers tell commission
OLYMPIA – Gray wolves are quickly re-establishing themselves in Washington state, despite the elimination of seven members of one pack that systematically preyed on a rancher’s cattle, state wildlife managers told the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission at a public meeting last Friday (Oct. 5).
Speaking to a room packed with ranchers and wolf advocates, wildlife managers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) outlined wolves’ recovery since 2007 and the department’s decision to remove the so-called Wedge pack in Stevens County late last month.
“No one wants to see a repeat of the situation that led to our action against the Wedge pack,” said Dave Ware, WDFW game manager. “But the fact remains that wolves are recovering more quickly than expected, and we have to anticipate there will be some conflicts along the way.”
WDFW Director Phil Anderson described how members of the Wedge pack – one of eight confirmed packs in the state – killed or injured 16 cows from the Diamond M ranch near the Canadian border from mid-July through late September. The department took lethal action only after a series of non-lethal measures employed by the rancher and state wildlife biologists failed to “break the cycle of predation,” he said.
“Killing wolves is definitely not our preferred option, but in this case we saw it as a last resort to address a bad situation,” Anderson said.
Many of the 41 members of the public who spoke at the meeting criticized WDFW’s use of lethal measures, while others said the department should do more to protect ranchers’ livestock.
For their part, members of the nine-member citizen commission that sets policy for WDFW credited Anderson and other state wildlife managers with keeping them – and the public – apprised of the situation.
“They kept us informed every step of the way,” said Commissioner Rolland Schmitten from Chelan County.
Since then, state and tribal biologists have confirmed the presence of another pack – the Strawberry pack – on the Colville Indian Reservation, said Donny Martorello, WDFW’s carnivore manager. The department is also working to confirm the presence of four other suspected packs in eastern Washington, he said.
Martorello said rapid in-migration of wolves from neighboring states and British Columbia is moving the state closer to reaching recovery goals established by the Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, adopted by the commission last December after five years of public review.
That plan establishes a goal of 15 breeding pairs of wolves distributed among three regions of the state for three years – or 18 pairs in one year – before the state can consider delisting gray wolves as an endangered species.
Martorello noted that Washington’s wolf management plan, like those in effect in all states with gray wolf populations, allows wildlife managers to use both lethal and non-lethal means to control wolf predation on cattle.
“Wolves are highly adaptable, prolific animals,” Martorello said. “Thousands of wolves have been killed to protect cattle in other states in recent decades, yet wolves continue to thrive.”
To minimize conflicts, Ware said WDFW will be working with ranchers to take additional steps to protect their cattle when they turn them out to pasture next year. Ranchers who enter into new cost-sharing agreements can qualify for assistance to pay for electric fencing, guard dogs, “range riders” and other protection measures.
“The success of wolf recovery in our state depends on social tolerance for these animals – especially among ranchers and others most affected by them,” Ware said.
In addition to wolf management, the commission considered several other issues at its Oct. 5-6 meeting in Olympia, including:
- Columbia River fisheries: The commission heard public comments on initial options developed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and WDFW to restructure salmon and sturgeon fisheries on the lower Columbia River. Those proposals, developed at the request of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, are posted on WDFW’s website at http://1.usa.gov/Q8EzHR. A workgroup consisting of three commissions from both Oregon and Washington will continue discussion of the proposals Oct. 18 in Portland. The Washington commission is schedule to take action on a final plan in December.
- Puget Sound shrimp policy review: The commission heard public comments on options proposed by WDFW to update the Puget Sound shrimp policy and potentially reallocate catch shares between commercial and recreational fishers. Those options are posted at http://1.usa.gov/OOyQKh. The commission is scheduled to make a final decision at its December meeting.
- Land acquisition: The commission approved a request by WDFW to purchase 80 acres of prime waterfowl habitat on Ephrata Lake in Grant County. A number of environmental groups and duck-hunting organizations have supported the acquisition.
Sustainable Living and Wildlife
One day while I was minding my own business, I received an email from the fish and wildlife department. I signed up to get them but not out of malice or some secret plan to track the actions but I gotta say reading it gave me chills sadness and great disappointment… and that was my first reaction then it made me remember the elk kill that happened in December 2011; for a little background. I was reading local online news when I saw an article about an elk kill that was going to happen that following Monday. It went on to say that there was a golf course built in the area and after two years the course was suffering from damage so a request for containment was obviously put in and approved. This story just gets worse as the silly and ugly of it all becomes known and the obnoxious takes over; I read for more information.
The article says about 30 Elk were noted encroaching, creating a mess for the owners and that a schedule of Elk Kills …I am becoming more upset and decided it is time to call. The contact person was great but he said that there were only about three Elk. The dept. had arranged with the Owners of the golf course, but between you and me, it did not sound kosher because the kill had not been announced, the community did not know and the area’s tribes seemed to be left out as well. I am not against sport fishing or hunting but this is not the definition of it… it seems more like legalized poaching, which is wrong on so many levels. My dad hunted and fished but in the good way. Anyway, I decided to put the original article and mine out into the airwaves to see what happened. Apparently, the story was already getting the dept. many phone calls. Thank goodness the community heard about the upcoming kill, demanded the kill be stopped. While the area’s tribe stated they did not know about the kill they stated some of the land where the kills would take place were on sacred l
and, which made me relax because unless or until a mutual agreement is made the Elk just may be safe. If they needed the meat, far be it from me to obstruct as long as the tribe and that area’s food banks are filled for the local communities. I cannot say that was on their minds though as one of the employee’s stated if they had just kept it quiet the commotion would be less… there is more but I will spare you…
Now, in a different part of the Pacific NW, not only are they hiring to help with the elk kill they have a wait list of volunteers and paid for helpers to “round” up the elk which is sickening . Why? Because not too long ago the number of Elk was reduced almost to zero and five years later WA state decides to thin out the Elk again. My inquiry is below
Hello:
I just had to respond to an email, which I guess I subscribed to on a regular basis. First, I want to state that I have nothing against hunting but I really do not understand why these elk kills not hunts are put on if the elk are truly not harming anyone. If someone could explain to the public who decides the kills are needed and why and how many and what could be done other than the every 5yr plan or so. I have to ask because the available habitat seems to be shrinking. At one point, the number of elk was very low with humans building roads and or homes in wildlife land, I assure you that I am not the only Washington resident that misunderstands, and some object to the kills. I am no expert but who is invading whom. I received an email looking for volunteers, who included the following: “The department’s management plan calls for reducing the herd size to bring the number of animals into balance with available habitat,” Jonker said. This seems like a legal poach and bringing the number in balance with the available habitat is only as big as the next golf course or family center or housing development. I just do not understand who gets the meat, hopefully to ALL Native American Tribes … who, should be the “hunters” by the way or the areas food banks but the whole “Volunteers” needed to facilitate access for elk hunts “sounds the opposite of what hunting is all about.
Their response:
Thank you for contacting the Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am forwarding your e-mail to our Wildlife Management Program, so they can address your concerns.
If you have, any questions please feel free to contact us at360-902-2464 or email us atlicensing@dfw.wa.gov.
Nicole
**************************************************
Like I said, I have nothing against hunting and fishing but what we have is nothing close and poaching on wildlife that already is dealing with humans that have decided to spread out at whatever cost.
Then we have issues with Whales beaching themselves with the possibility of sonars being the only thing those in the know seem to be pointing toward as more and more die. I may not know quite as much about the Puget Sound’s orca nor the gray whale. I do feel that our Navy should cease and desist with all the sonar or at least tell the public what are the sonars being used against and why the grey whales washed up on our beaches. The organized elk kill, taking whales off the endangered list are all beyond sad but to hear that Wyoming has planned a massive wolf kill has us all gasping…
… Why? Because there is no announcement no explanation and this leaves some of us wondering what new development is about to shrink the habitat even more.
Sustainable living with Wildlife
just another rant …
One day while I was minding my own business, I received an email from the fish and wildlife department. I signed up to get them but not out of malice or some secret plan to track the actions but I gotta say reading it gave me chills sadness and great disappointment… and that was my first reaction then it made me remember the elk kill that happened in 12/11; for a little background. I was reading local online news when I saw an article about an elk kill that was going to happen the following Monday.
It went on to say that there was a golf course built in the area and after two years the course was suffering from damage so a request for containment was obviously put in and approved. This story just gets worse as the silly and ugly of it all becomes known and the obnoxious takes over; I read for more infor
mation. The article says about 30 Elk are encroaching and that a schedule of Elk Kills would happen on Mondays…I am becoming more upset and decided it is time to call. The contact person was great but he said that there were only about three making life miserable for the owner of the golf corse owner. The dept. had arranged with the Owners of the golf course and between you and me, it did not sound kosher because it had not been announced so that the community might know and the area’s tribes seemed to be left out as well. I am not against sport fishing or hunting but this is not the definition of it…more like legalized poaching, which is wrong on so many levels. My dad hunted and fished, but in the good way. Anyway, I decided to put the original article and my entry out into the airwaves to see what would happen. Thank goodness some in the community heard about the upcoming kill, demanded the kill be stopped. The area’s tribe stated they did not know about the kill, they also stated some of the land where the kills would take place were on sacred land, which made me relax unless or until a mutual agreement is made the Elk may just be safe. If they needed the meat, far be it from me to obstruct as long as the tribe and that area’s food banks are filled for the local communities. I cannot say that was on their minds though as one of the employee’s stated if they had just kept it quiet the commotion would be less… the Elk kill was delayed and the story obviously is not over.
Now, in a different part of the Pacific NW, not only are they hiring to help with an elk kill they have a wait list of volunteers and paid for helpers to “round” up the elk which is sickening . Why? Because not too long ago the Elk were reduced to questionable numbers and five years later WA state decides to thin them out again. My inquiry is below:
Hello:
I just had to respond to an email, which I guess I subscribed to on a regular basis. First, I want to state that I have nothing against hunting but I really do not understand why these elk kills not hunts are put on if the elk are truly not harming anyone. If someone could explain to the public who decides the kills are needed why how many and what could be done other than the every 5yrplan or so. I have to ask because the available habitat seems to be shrinking. At one point, the number of elk was very low with humans building roads and or homes in wildlife land, I assure you that I am not the only Washington resident that misunderstands, and some object to the kills. I am no expert but who is invading whom. I received an email looking for volunteers, who included the following: “The department’s management plan calls for reducing the herd size to bring the number of animals into balance with available habitat,” Jonker said. This seems like a legal poach and bringing the number in balance with the available habitat is only as big as the next golf course or family center or housing development. I just do not understand who gets the meat, hopefully to ALL Native American Tribes … who, should be the “hunters” by the way or the areas food banks but the whole”Volunteers” needed to facilitate access for elk hunts” sounds the opposite of what hunting is all about.
Their response:
Thank you for contacting the Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am forwarding your e-mail to our Wildlife Management Program, so they can address your concerns.
If you have, any questions please feel free to contact us at360-902-2464 or email us at licensing@dfw.wa.gov.
N.
Like I said, I have nothing against hunting and fishing, but what we have is nothing close and poaching on wildlife that already is dealing with humans that have decided to spread out at whatever cost just is wrong. If that wasn’t enough, let us talk about the Puget Sound’s Orca. I know even less about them scientifically, but grew up hearing one side of the story of Namu’s capture and Ted Griffith and the stories aren’t good. Consequently, I have a lot opinions thougthts and feelings. I feel that our Navy should cease and desist with all the sonar or at least tell the public what are the sonars being used against and why the grey whales washed up on our beaches. The organized elk kill, taking whales off the endangered list are all beyond sad but to hear that Wyoming has planned a massive wolf kill has us all gasping … Why? Because there is no announcement no explanation and leaves some of us wondering what new development is about to shrink the habitat even more.
To Be Continued … Hey, call your states Fishing & Wildlife dept. and Ask Questions!
THE Plastic Bag Ban STORY by City Council Member Mike O’Brien
first posted - Nove.2011
What’s the Problem?
Washingtonians use more than 2 billion single-use plastic bags each year, and Seattle alone uses approximately 292 million plastic bags annually and only 13% are recycled. Too many plastic bags end up in Puget Sound where they do not biodegrade. Plastic bags break down into smaller and smaller pieces that remain hazardous as they are consumed by filter-feeders, shellfish, fish, turtles, marine mammals, and birds. PCB levels in Chinook salmon from Puget Sound are 3- to 5-times higher than any other West Coast populations. In 2010, a beached gray whale was found to have 20 plastic bags in its stomach!
Data source: Keeping Plastics Out of Puget Sound, Environment Washington Report, November 2011
How would the plastic bag ban work?
It’s simple – retailers are prohibited from offering plastic carryout bags to customers. Paper bags may still be provided to customers for a minimum of five cents – stores keep the nickel to help cover the cost of providing bags. Everyone is encouraged to bring, sell and use reusable bags.
What bags?
- Banned Bags Include: plasticbags provided at checkout of all retail stores (bags less than 2.25 ml thick and made from non‐renewable sources).
- Exclusions: bags used by shoppers in a store to package bulk foods, meat, flowers, bakery goods or prescriptions; newspaper, door hanger bags and dry cleaning bags.
What stores?
- Where the policy applies: all retail stores including but not limited to grocery stores, corner and convenience stores, pharmacies, department stores, farmers markets, restaurants and catering trucks.
- Where it’s not applicable: for take‐out food where there is a public health risk if a bag is not provided.
What about paper?
- Retailers may provide paper bags made of at least 40% recycled paper for a minimum 5 cent pass through cost that retailers keep to offset the cost of providing bags.
- Low income customers who qualify for food assistance programs shall be provided paper bags at no charge.
Joining cities on the West Coast and around the world
Seattle would join cities along the West Coast, hundreds of cities across the country and twenty nations worldwide that have already taken action to reduce the use of single use plastic bags.
- San Francisco, CA – Banned plastic bags in 2007.
- Los Angeles County – Banned Plastic bags November 2010; includes a 10 cent fee on paper bags.
- Portland, OR – Banned plastic bags in summer 2011.
- Edmonds, WA - Banned Plastic Bags in 2009; law was implemented in August 2010.
- Bellingham, WA - Banned plastic bags in 2011, in the model outlined in this document; legislation to be implement in summer 2012.
- Washington DC – Implemented a 5 cent fee on paper and plastic bags in 2009; reduced disposable bag use by 80% citywide in first year.
Background in Seattle
Approximately 292 million disposable bags are used in the City of Seattle annually. In 2008, the City Council passed an ordinance that would have placed a 20 cent fee on disposable plastic and paper bags at grocery, drug and convenience stores in an effort to reduce waste. The ordinance passed the Council in a 6-1 vote and then opposing parties collected enough signatures to refer the ordinance to the ballot, where it was over-turned by the voters (53%-47%) in the November 2009 primary election. The American Chemistry Council spent over $1.4 million opposing the law during the ballot measure campaign.
Senator Patty Murray responds to pending legislation in the Senate:the Gray Wolf
Thank you for writing to me regarding the priority you place on the protection of the gray wolf. It was good to hear from you.
I have consistently supported robust laws to protect endangered species, including efforts to protect Pacific salmon and Puget Sound orcas. Rest assured, I oppose rolling back important environmental protections like the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and support funding to protect endangered species and enhance habitat in Washington State. Thank you for alerting me to legislation regarding endangered species currently pending before the Senate.
Throughout my tenure in the Senate, I have been a strong supporter of protection for endangered species and their critical habitats. Please know that I will work with my colleagues in the Senate and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to see that endangered species programs obtain proper funding, and as the Senate addresses issues related to conservation and protection of wildlife during the 112th Congress, I will keep your thoughts in mind.
If you would like to know more about my work in the Senate, please feel free to sign up for my weekly updates at http://murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=GetEmailUpdates. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
EMAIL.BEGINHIDE.MERGE
Sincerely,
A
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Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
