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We are Snohomish and Island County volunteers collaborating on local environmental issues.
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Toxics That Go Down The Drain Can End Up On Your Plate
Third Thursday Meeting & Social
Aug. 18 from 7 to 8 pm on Zoom
Wastewater treatment effluent contains toxins from homes and industry. They can contain 90,000 contaminants, plus pathogens, and most are not regulated. The regulated contaminants list has not changed since it was started 30 years ago! The USEPA ruled these wastes have “beneficial use” and can be applied to food crops and animal grazing lands. In some states, the toxic effluent is used as potable water!
Presented by Darlene Schanfald. Join us to learn what Sierra Club is doing to change the current “sewage environment” and how you can help.
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Join the Rally to Save our Forests
Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 8:30 am in Olympia
Tell the state Department of Natural Resources that we want our forests to be managed for climate change and biodiversity, not just for timber profits. The rally to protect mature legacy forests begins at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Department of Natural Resources, 1111 Washington St. SE in Olympia. RSVP brel@c4rf.org if you can attend, and if you are with an organization that would like to sign the "Call to Action." |
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| Update the Snohomish County Comprehensive Plan |
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Healthy Forests, Economic Development, Climate Change, Population and Employment are just a few of the issues driving policy updates being considered in the 2024 plan, which will guide decisions for the next 20 years.
Please explore the Update website for more information on the current Comprehensive Plan, the Update process, and opportunities to provide your input.
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Support State Clean Fuel Standards
Comment deadline Aug. 31
Tell the Department of Ecology you support the proposed rule for a Clean Fuel Standard for transportation fuels. Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas statewide; this rule would reduce the carbon intensity by 20% and decrease greenhouse gas emissions in Washington by 4.3 million metric tons a year.
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LWV Field Trip to Kruckeberg Gardens Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 11 am 20312 15th Ave. NW, Shoreline If it appeals to you to stroll through a botanic garden containing a blend of native plants and unusual exotics in a naturalistic, wooded setting, you will be interested in this event. Join League of Women Voters of the Snohomish County's Natural Resources Committee to explore these gardens, followed by lunch out if you wish. Entrance fee $10. To register contact joan.a.smith@gmail.com
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| Swifts Night Out with Pilchuck Audubon Society |
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Saturday, Aug. 20 from 4 pm to dusk
Wagner School, 639 W. Main St. Monroe
Enjoy the spectacular sight when thousands of migrating Vaux's Swifts come to roost in a brick chimney preserved for their use by Audubon groups. Swifts prefer hollow trees, but are willing to use a chimney when trees aren't available. Our local Audubon Society makes it into a family friendly fun event while waiting for the swifts to appear, with children's activities, vendor booths, and a presentation in the school auditorium.
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Interested in birds? It's time to register for Bird Fest Sept.10-11. Pugetsoundbirdfest.org
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Swifts diving into chimney. Photo by Olivia Vannie for the Daily Herald
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Update on Everett Climate Action Plan
Monday, Aug. 22 at 7 pm, check-in 6:30
Join 350.org Everett to hear Everett Councilmember Liz Vogeli provide the latest news on the status of the Everett Climate Action Plan update. The city has been working for over 20 years to reduce its carbon footprint. Where are we now?
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Walking Ebey's Trails with Land Trust
Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 10 am in Coupeville
More opportunities in September
The Whidbey Camano Land Trust invites you to enjoy the panoramic pastoral and mountain views in a 2 mile guided walk through lands protected by the Trust. Hear about how this land has been protected.
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Super Low-Tide Beach Walks
Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island
Meet at the break in the seawall south of the cabins. Bring your Discover Pass for parking.
- Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 9:30 am
- Thursday, Aug. 11 at 10 am
- Friday, Aug. 12 at 11 am
- Saturday, Aug. 13 at 11:30 am
Sound Water Stewards are teaming up with the Cama Beach Foundation to lead these minus-tide walks.
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Logging Public Lands Is Not Required
Pathways for more sustainable and holistic management of our State Forests are now open, thanks to a recent State Supreme Court decision. The decision clarified that the Department of Natural Resources is not required to generate revenue from timber harvests, but instead may choose to maintain the ecological integrity of our state forestlands. The September 6 rally described in the "Action" section of this newsletter is aimed at encouraging DNR to prioritize the environment over profits.
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Department of Natural Resources
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Judge Rules For Residents vs. Navy Expansion of Jet Training |
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Congratulations to the Citizens of Ebey's Reserve who challenged expansion of the training by extremely noisy Growler jets. State Attorney General Bob Ferguson joined citizen activists in proving that the Navy violated the National Environmental Policy Act by ignoring impacts of the jet noise on student learning and bird species as well as the effect of greenhouse-gas emissions.
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| Electric Vehicle Sales Tipping Point Reached |
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Last year, U.S. sales of new, fully electric vehicles reached 5%, and are expected to accelerate quickly. Rapid increases have been recorded in 18 other countries that have met this mark. Norway passed the 5% threshold in 2013. Their EV share is now 83%.
In 2025, U.S. electric new car sales could reach 25%. Electric vehicle sales are up by 66% compared to the same time last year, while the overall U.S. market is down by 18% from last year. Worldwide sales for the month of June set a record of more than 900,000 electric plug-in vehicles sales, a 54% increase from last year.
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Photo by Bill Truitt
Snohomish County Ecletric Vehicle Association
Drive Electric Event
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Transitioning Away from Gas Furnaces
Environmental journalist Julie Titone has published another informative article in the Everett Daily Herald. The focus this time is transitioning away from gas furnaces to electric heat pumps in order to reduce the impact of gas on the climate crisis.
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Installing a Heat Pump
Photo by Ryan Berry for The Herald
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Support Group for Transition to Electric
by Sno-Isle Sierra Club Chair Nancy Johnson
Are you waiting with bated breath for Congress to pass the Schumer-Manchin update to the Build Back Better Act so you can start electrifying your home? If yes, it's time to get some pre-planning done to make sure you are ready to go as soon as the effective dates are known. Join our "support group!" Check out some great resources and share your questions and/or expertise using our spreadsheet.
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Clean Energy Induction Cooking
Photo by National Renewable Energy Laboratory
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Sierra Club Leader Nominations Open Do you, or do you know someone who has an interest in helping direct our future activities to protect our environment and promote social justice? Nominations for leaders are now open for Island and Snohomish counties. Help build a diverse leadership team. Self-nominations are encouraged. Contact our nominations committee at Sno-Isle@Washington.SierraClub.org
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Join Beach Clean Up Crews
Taking a low tide beach walk may inspire you to join weekly beach cleanups sponsored by WSU Extension. Some upcoming opportunities on Whidbey Island:
- Windjammar City Beach
- Tuesday, August 16 at 1 pm
- Ebey's Landing
- Tuesday, August 30 at 1 pm.
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The most difficult thing is the decision to act,
the rest is mere tenacity.
Amelia Earhart
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