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Recent event protesting the clearcutting of the Elwha's legacy forests.
Photo by John Gussman
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Remove Dioxins in Port Angeles Harbor--Now!
The train derailment in East Palestine Ohio caused evacuation of citizens from their community because of vinyl chloride releases. Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen causing cancers in the liver, brain and the blood. It is associated with breast cancer. In this contaminant mix of air releases was dioxin. Dioxin is one of the most toxic-known chemicals.
Residents in Clallam County are no strangers to dioxin. It spewed from mills along Port Angeles Harbor for decades. The Port Angeles Harbor sediment studies by Region 10 USEPA and by the Washington State Department of Ecology identified dioxins. These were also found by Ecology in the soils of Port Angeles residential properties. It remains in the Harbor sediments and in the soils piled up on the Rayonier property. Yet three years ago Ecology recommended these toxic soils and the toxic sediments be covered up rather than removed.
The community responded: “No coverups. We want cleanups.” But, we have not heard back from Ecology in three years.
Write Laura Watson, Director, Washington State Department of Ecology. Tell her you want the dioxins and other chemicals in Port Angeles Harbor region removed NOW.
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Legislative Session Moving Along
We are about halfway through this legislative session. Things are moving so fast! Two important cutoffs have passed, and we are approaching a third.
There has been quite a flurry of voting on the house and senate floors on bills that survived the last two cutoffs, and voting will continue until March 8. To get a vote, a bill must both move out of the Rules committees and be put onto the floor agenda. This March 8 cutoff is the last day a bill can pass out of its house of origin and move on to the second chamber.
On March 9, hearings begin on bills that have passed into the other chamber.
The Sierra Club has been actively lobbying for legislation that would protect our environment and against legislation that would cause harm.
Among the many environmental bills before the legislature this session were ones to: modernize and fully fund the Trust Land Transfer process; use Climate Commitment Funds to protect legacy forests; allow DNR to directly enter into carbon markets; ensure sufficient water in our streams to protect salmon; and modernize our recycling system to hold producers responsible for the massive amounts of packaging they're happy to have us, as consumers, dispose of despite the fact that the overwhelming majority is non-recyclable.
Stay informed and get the latest action alerts here:
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Port Townsend Students for Sustainability lobbied Senator Kevin Van De Wege in Olympia recently.
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Ask DNR to Protect Dabob Bay
Thanks to all who attended the recent Department of Natural Resources (DNR) public hearing in Quilcene. What a great experience to hear from so many people who love the bay and want to see its rare forests, slopes and critical habitats protected. Testimony from area citizens, long-time landowners in the area, conservation groups, and the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe was nearly unanimous in support of DNR's proposal for protection of 826 acres of state forests within the Dabob Bay Natural Area boundaries.
DNR mentioned at the hearing that they have already received 46 email comments--all in support. If you haven't sent an email yet, please do so now - they do count them! Let's show overwhelming support! Please comment by Wednesday March 15. Here's some suggested language to use:
I support DNR's proposed protection of all 826 acres of state forestlands within the Dabob Bay Natural Area boundaries as soon as possible! Protection will ensure water quality and preserve the wildlife habitat and rare forests of Dabob Bay for future generations.
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Stop Pesticide Use on Forestlands
The "plantation" style of forestry, with harvests on 30-year cycles, utilizes an enormous amounts of toxic herbicides that enter our streams and groundwater. This is a problem throughout the Pacific Northwest, not just here on the Peninsula.
On March 9 at 6PM via Zoom, the Sierra Club's Oregon Chapter Forest Team invites you to learn about the impacts of aerial spraying of toxic herbicides on Oregon's industrial forestlands, the history of the fight to end these harms, and what we can do to keep this work moving forward.
The presenter will be Lisa Arkin, Executive Director of the Eugene, Oregon-based environmental justice nonprofit Beyond Toxics and a leader in the movement for pesticide reform. Lisa has provided innovative policy leadership for this statewide environmental justice organization since 2006. Following her career in higher education at both Stanford University and the University of Oregon, Arkin became dedicated to placing social justice at the forefront of all environmental protection policies. RSVP here:
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Other March Events
Keep Plastics and Disposables Out of Port Townsend High School's Cafeteria: Port Townsend Students for Sustainability is planning to have a fork and plate drive on Saturday March 11th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Port Townsend high school. We are especially looking for dinner plates and forks because those are what is needed most in our cafeteria. Students will direct you to the drop off point on campus.
Legislative Town Hall: Our representatives in Olympia are planning a 24th legislative district telephone Town Hall on March 28th at 6PM. Put this on your calendar and watch for details in local papers and legislative e-mails.
Protect the Peninsula's Forests: April 2, the Olympic Unitarian Fellowship will hold its 3rd Climate Forum featuring Ed Chadd, Olympic Climate Action Forestry Chair. Ed will present his view of "Conservation Efforts in Washington's Forests." The Forum is from 12:30 -1:30 PM, at the Fellowship, 1033 N. Barr Rd. Sequim. Parking is available and the event is free and open to the public.
Make Energy, Save Money: How to Save Energy and Money at Home is a special Olympic Climate Action webinar by David Large, whose Sequim home makes more energy than it consumes! Join us to learn about the various incentives and assistance available to make your home more energy efficient. David will also talk about major points to consider when undertaking new construction. The program is Thursday, March 16, 2023 6:30-8 PM via Zoom. RSVP here:
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Don't Throw it Out, Repair It!
Right-to-Repair Legislation was introduced in Washington this year. Let our representatives know it's time to stop filling our garages with old printers, appliances and sundry electronics.
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Not So Fun Facts
- Did you know over 50% of recycled items in Washington end up in landfills? That’s over $100 million in valuable consumer packaging.
- Less than 6% of plastic is recycled in the U.S. Much of the rest — hundreds of millions of tons of it — is dumped in the oceans each year, killing marine mammals and polluting the world. Plastic does not fully decompose; instead it eventually breaks down into tiny bits, some of which wind up inside our bodies.
- Due to light pollution, one-third of the world’s people cannot see the Milky Way on even the clearest night. “Losing the connection to the night sky and to the stars is losing our connection to nature,” Zoologist Johan Eklof, quoted in The New York Times 2/15/23
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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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