Join Our Monthly Meeting to Hear From U.S. Climate Alliance Executive Director Casey Katims
September 15th at 6 pm on Zoom, RSVP Required
A bipartisan coalition of governors, the U. S. Climate Alliance represents 23 states and Puerto Rico working together to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and keep temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Centigrade.
Casey recently served as Deputy Associate Administrator for Intergovernmental Relations at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a key member of the EPA leadership team and directed the agency's work with state and local governments. In this role, he built coalitions across government to advance the Biden-Harris Administration's environmental priorities and forged partnerships with governors and mayors to protect vulnerable communities from pollution. Prior to his work with EPA, Casey was Director of Federal and Inter-State Affairs for Washington Governor Jay Inslee, serving as the governor's primary advisor on federal policy issues and directing the state of Washington's engagement with Congress, the White House, federal agencies, and fellow governors' offices.
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Forest Products Industry Opposes Jefferson County Commissioners' Efforts to Protect Old Growth Legacy Forests
Legacy growth forests were last logged prior to World War II and the start of industrial clear-cutting. Jefferson County Commissioners have voiced support for protecting these forests that sequester carbon at remarkable rates.
The Commissioners' support for protection hasn't gone unnoticed by the forest products industry, which recently mailed postcards to county residents, asking them to oppose the Commissioners' efforts. The mailing came from a well-funded lobbying organization called Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities that has no paid staff, and identifies in its public records just one person as a principal--and that person is also the executive director of a Portland-based group called the American Forest Resource Council, a trade association whose members include the Port of Port Angeles (a major log exporter), Hermann Brothers Logging, and the wood products company Interfor.
Don't let oodles of cash and slick mailers drown out your voice. Send a note of support to our Commissioners thanking them for their efforts and asking them to continue working to preserve our legacy forests.
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And, please join Center for Sustainable Economy, Center for Responsible Forestry, and the Emergency Conservation Committee PNW on September 17th, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Port Townsend Community Center (right next to Farmers Market) for a panel discussion on the climate impacts of industrial logging activities and what decision makers at the federal, state, and local level can do to scale up climate smart alternatives that represent a win-win-win for climate, communities, and workers. The panel will feature former Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. |
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Recycled Municipal Sewage Effluent Coming to Your Tap?
Thursday, September 15, 2022 3 PM
The reuse of municipal sewage effluent (treated wastewater) is being promoted by the EPA and some states as a solution to water shortages caused by droughts related to our changing climate. But is it? In this webinar we will look closely at the kinds of pollutants found in sewage effluent, how they are detected, and their impacts on human health and ecosystems.
The featured speaker is Dr. Rob Hale, Professor, Dept. of Aquatic Health Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), William & Mary. To attend send an email message to the organizer here:
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And here's a fact sheet on the topic:
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Food Waste in Home Garbage=Major Source of Methane=A Hotter Planet Still! Learn How to Compost Instead
Join your fellow Jefferson County citizens for an engaging interactive workshop on how to create and maintain a healthy compost system with food and yard waste. Create compost to amend your soil, retain moisture, provide essential nutrients for your plants, & more! Workshop cost is $25 and participants will receive a $125 Earth Machine compost bin. Additional family members and/or friends may attend at no charge with one paid registration. Available to Jefferson County residents only (sorry Clallam residents) who have not attended a previous class. Call Laura Tucker at Jefferson County Public Works for further information: 360-379-4491.
You have a choice of three workshops: Tuesday, September 27 at 10AM via Zoom; Wednesday, September 28 at 7PM via Zoom; or Saturday, October 1 at 10AM at Finnriver Cidery in Chimmicum.
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What Are Our Volunteers Working On
(And Don't You Want to Volunteer Also?)
Here's just a partial list of some ongoing projects:
- Keeping development out of Miller Peninsula State Park.
- Supporting Jefferson Commissioners and others seeking to preserve old-growth, legacy forests.
- Providing camp scholarships at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and the Fiero Marine Life Center.
- Supporting Students for Sustainability at PTHS.
- Getting toxics out of municipal compost.
- Supporting development consistent with local growth management plans and opposing development that isn't.
- Advocating for all industrial users to pay their fair share for water from the Quilcene watershed.
- Endorsing and working for the election of environmental champions for local office.
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Let us know how if you have any suggestions or if you want to volunteer to help protect the Olympic Peninsula's environment. We promise to keep you busy!
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The North Olympic Group's website contains a blog that's updated to reflect current environmental issues and events. Members are encouraged to periodically check it out.
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