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Finally, This May be the Year for Wild Olympics
In February, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (H.R. 999). The bill, which was introduced by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and passed the House with bipartisan support as part of a package of bills called the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, would permanently protect more than 126,000 acres of public land as Wilderness and 19 rivers and their major tributaries as Wild and Scenic Rivers. U.S. Senator Patty Murray will introduce a companion bill in the Senate.
More than 800 local area-businesses, farms, faith leaders, sportsmen groups, elected officials, conservation, outdoor recreation, and civic groups have endorsed Wild Olympics, and more than more than 12,000 Peninsula residents have written letters or signed a petition in support.
After languishing for nearly a decade, prospects for passage appear especially good with pro-environment Democrats in leadership positions in both houses of Congress.
Say thank you to Congressman Kilmer and Senator Murray for persistently championing this legislation over the years.
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Commissioners Approve Military Training in State Parks Despite Widespread Opposition
On January 28, The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, in a close vote, approved the Navy's request to conduct military training in our state parks.
The Sierra Club North Olympic Group was disappointed by the ruling, especially given the outpouring of public opposition to the Navy’s proposal. At the January 26th hearing, the Park Commissioners appeared to be caught off guard by the overwhelming public opposition, with public testimony running 9-1 opposed.
Community members had numerous concerns about this project, among which was the fear for public safety and the protection of public lands. Many raised concerns that women wouldn’t feel safe using our parks with men hiding in the bushes in camouflage, and that it would be impossible to distinguish Navy personnel from extremist paramilitary groups. The use of simulated weapons invites disaster if these are mistaken for the real thing, and that the Navy owns more than enough shoreline in Washington in which to conduct this training. And, the most compelling argument was just this—our parks are for recreation and are a sanctuary for many, particularly now during the pandemic.
A legal appeal of this misguided and inappropriate decision has been filed. Contact Governor Inslee to say "keep our parks free of military training."
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New Reviews in Store for Industrial Shellfish Operations
Citizens have been trying for decades to limit the environmental harm to Washington's shorelines by industrial shellfish operators. Two landmark federal decisions have concurred. Both the Seattle District Federal Court and the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, after reviewing the environmental damage and lack of oversight by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) by awarding general permits to an estimated 900 commercial operations, vacated these permits. This means that the operators now have to apply for individual permits and adhere to a public participation process. Thus, citizens will have a voice in deciding how and whether the permits should be allowed, as well as an appeal opportunity. This applies to the recently proposed 50-acre shellfish operation in Dabob Bay. See the press release for further information.
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The Uncertain Future of Port Townsend’s Water Supply
The pipeline supplying Port Townsend’s water was constructed in 1927-28 in cooperation with the Port Townsend papermill. The City issued a bond and the majority of the payments were covered by the mill. The 30 mile pipeline delivers approximately 10-14 million gallons of water per day (MGD) from the Quilcene watershed, of which the mill uses 10-12 MGD and all other city businesses and residents, combined, only use 1-2 MGD.
Climate change has dramatically affected the Olympic snowpack, allowing it to melt earlier in the spring and summer, leaving less water during the dry summer months. Finding ways to incentivize water conservation is key to ensuring adequate water for all in a water scarce future.
Currently, the paper mill pays nothing for its water but, under the existing agreement, must provide for the pipeline’s operating expense. The city has reported that the mill values this at just over $400,000/year. However, if the mill were to be charged what city residents currently pay, its true cost for the water it uses would be in the millions.
The city has set up a civic engagement site. Click here for updates and how to make your voice heard:
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Local Students Are the Next Environmental Leaders
The North Olympic Group has long supported developing the next generation of environmental leaders by supporting outdoor education scholarships. Notching this up a bit, we're now actively seeking to partner with student environmental activists in our local schools. Port Townsend High School students have long been active in working for environmental awareness and action, forming Students for Sustainability and traveling to Washington DC a few years back to lobby for climate action. We're hoping to host the students for a virtual, all-hands membership meeting next month. Until then, enjoy this video from the Students for Sustainability and get inspired!
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Growler Noise is Bad for Humans and Orcas
The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee and the Salish Sea Institute at Western Washington University invite you to learn about navy jet noise and impacts to humans and wildlife in the region. Lauren Kuehne and Rob Williams will present from recently published scientific research and a moderated panel discussion will follow. There will be opportunities for questions from the audience.
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Environmental Book Group Forming
The North Olympic Group is starting a virtual book group. Our first book is "A Life on Our Planet," David Attenborough's look back at a career bringing the Earth's wild places into our living rooms. When Attenborough was born, the world's population was at 2.3 billion, atmospheric carbon was at 280 parts per million, and 66% of the Earth's wilderness was intact. Today, the world's population is 7.8 billion, atmospheric carbon is 415 parts per million, and only 35% of the earth's wilderness remains. After presenting this stark assessment of the state of our environment, Attenborough then goes on to describe what we can do about it. Join other Sierra Club members to find out how to turn despair into hope for the future. Mark your calendar for April 11, 7PM. Invitations to RSVP will be sent shortly.
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Time to Think About Planting a Garden
Gardening time usually means trips to commercial vendors for compost and fertilizer. Commercial composts could contain wastes from sewage processing plants. These wastes can contain a toxic brew of contaminants, pharmaceuticals, plastics, hazardous wastes and pathogens that have concentrated in the sewage solids and effluent and able to be sold for compost and fertilizer. Plants can take up some of these toxic constituents. Unfortunately, labels only need to cover nine heavy metals, phosphorus, potassium and nitrates. To delve more deeply into the contents of the compost you plan to purchase, contact the compost companies to see if their products include sewage wastes.
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Looking for a Few Good Volunteers
What do these have in common--Growler Jet Noise, Improved Air Quality Monitoring on the Peninsula, Protecting and Expanding Wilderness, Working to Save Endangered Orcas, Salmon, and Murrelets, Supporting Pro-Environment Candidates for Public Office, Getting People Outdoors? They're all issues Your North Olympic Group has worked on over the years. But none of it could have been done without volunteers--in fact, we're all volunteers. Eager to help protect our Olympic environment for future generations? Drop us a line at the email below and we'll be in contact with you:
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This is our premier email-based newsletter. We hope you enjoyed it and found it informative. Questions and comments are always appreciated.
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