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Nov. 2, 2005

Quote of the Week
"Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative,
a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger."
Franklin P. Jones

Born Today
Daniel Boone, Marie Antoinette, James Polk, Warren G. Harding,
Burt Lancaster, Pat Buchanan, k.d. lang, Nelly.

On this day in 1947:
The largest aircraft ever built — the Spruce Goose — is piloted
by designer Howard Hughes on its first and only flight.

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WASHINGTON LINKS

State of Washington

Counties
Benton
Chelan
Clallam
Clark
Cowlitz
Grant
Grays Harbor
Island
King
Kitsap
Lewis
Mason
Pierce
Skagit
Snohomish
Spokane
Thurston
Walla Walla
Whatcom
Yakima

Cities
Aberdeen
Auburn
Bellevue
Bellingham
Everett
Federal Way
Kennewick
Kent
Kirkland
Lakewood
Olympia
Redmond
Renton
Richland
Seattle
Shoreline
Spokane
Tacoma
Vancouver
Yakima

Dept. of Health, Division of Environmental Health: Office of Drinking Water

Dept. Of Ecology Water Quality Program

Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Dept. of Natural Resources

Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team

Water Resources of Washington

Washington

— Water Supply

E. coli detected in North Spokane water
(KXLY Spokane, 10/29) "About 4,500 people are under a boil order after E. coli was detected in the water in some areas of North Spokane."
Group proposes recharging Odessa aquifer
(Salem Capital Press, 10/28) "A recently formed group is offering a plan it says could help ease a groundwater supply crisis in the Odessa Sub-area, in Washington state’s Columbia Basin, at least in the near term."
Bellingham divided over adding fluoride to city water
(Western Front Online, 10/28) "Initiative 1, which would add fluoride to Bellingham’s water supply, has Bellingham residents deeply divided. The city’s voters will decide on the initiative in the Nov. 8 election."
Yakima County will replace well at Eschbach Park
(Yakima Herald Republic, 10/28) "Yakima County has committed to spend $40,000 to replace the shallow drinking-water well at Eschbach Park, an assurance that the South Naches Road park will stay open next year, county commissioners say."
Columbia Basin irrigators need to speak with one voice
(Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 10/28) "Gov. Christine Gregoire is committed to seeing completion of the million-acre Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, but there are many obstacles, the director of the state Department of Ecology has told farmers."
Funding urged for Brightwater reclaimed water system
(King County News, 10/26) "Building a reclaimed water-delivery system as part of the Brightwater regional wastewater treatment plant's initial construction phase makes good fiscal and environmental sense, particularly in light of expected shrinking water supplies resulting from global warming, said King County Executive Ron Sims."
Coalition seeks quick fix to depleting Odessa aquifer
(Columbia Basin Herald, 10/26) "The rattle coming out of Sammy Stahl's sprinklers is a combination of water and air. A farmer in the area for about 20 years, Stahl said his wells are at their maximum depth, going down to about 1,000 feet. The declining levels of the Odessa Sub-area Aquifer are taking their toll on Stahl's business, as well as his neighbors'."

— Water Resources

Tacoma forum will focus on cleaning up region's air, water
(Tacoma News Tribune, 11/01) "Conservation groups will host a community forum in Tacoma next week to get residents and state legislators to talk about promoting cleaner air and water."
Shellfish farm feels threat of waste
(Olympian, 10/30) "Roy Iwai gestured to a stretch of shoreline and the wooded hills on the other side of Henderson Inlet, an oyster in one hand. This weekend, he and dozens of other volunteers are harvesting the Henderson Inlet Community Shellfish Farm's first — and possibly last — crop, if pollution continues to creep into the inlet."
New Clean Water Ale helps beer lovers protect water quality
(GreenBiz.com, 10/30) "Beginning this week, local residents will be able to help protect water quality in Puget Sound by knocking back a glass of beer that's arriving at bars and restaurants around town."
Bainbridge Island residents to sound off on wetlands
(Kitsap Sun, 10/30) "Residents can sound off Wednesday on proposed revisions to Bainbridge Island's Critical Areas Ordinance, which regulates land use affecting wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, geologically hazardous and other sensitive areas."
Updated feedlot permit up for review
(Salem Capital Press, 10/28) "A series of hearings beginning in November will outline what some animal feeding operations must do to protect water quality under a new general permit being proposed by the Washington Department of Ecology."
Groups gather to aid ailing Hood Canal
(Kitsap Sun, 10/28) "Several public and private agencies are off and running from north to south to help solve Hood Canal's water-quality issues."
King County celebrates final major clean water project
(King County News, 10/26) "After more than three years of construction, King County today celebrated with the Rainier Beach community completion of its last major clean water project to control overflows of untreated stormwater and sewage into Lake Washington."

— Wastewater

Belfair sewer plans should be expanded
(Kitsap Sun, 10/29) "Don't think small. That's the message that Mason County officials need to keep in mind when they're planning for a Belfair area sewer treatment plant."
Ruptured sewer line sends discharge into Liberty Bay
(Kitsap Sun, 10/29) "The city of Poulsbo has reported a sewer line break with discharge into Liberty Bay near Dogfish Creek. The size of the spill is unknown at this time."

— Everything Else

Four water districts electing officers
(Everett Herald, 10/31) "Larey McLaren and Carol Gilbert of Mountlake Terrace come into the Nov. 8 race for Alderwood Water District Commissioner Position 3 from different perspectives."

OREGON LINKS

State of Oregon

Counties
Benton
Clackamas
Deschutes
Douglas
Jackson
Josephine
Klamath
Lane
Linn
Marion
Multnomah
Polk
Umatilla
Washington
Yamhill

Cities
Albany
Beaverton
Bend
Corvallis
Eugene
Grants Pass
Gresham
Hillsboro
Keizer
Lake Oswego
McMinnville
Medford
Oregon City
Portland
Salem
Springfield
Tigard
West Linn
Woodburn

City of Portland: Environmental Services

City of Portland: Water Bureau

Columbia River Gorge Commission

Dept.of Agriculture

Dept. of Energy

Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Dept. of State Lands

Fish And Wildlife Department

Forestry Department

Geology And Mineral Industries

Land Conservation/ Development Dept.

Marine Board

Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council

Oregon Water Resources Dept.

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

Parks And Recreation Dept.

USGS Water Resources of Oregon

Water Resources Dept.

Pacific Northwest Hydrological Observatory

Watershed Enhancement Board

Clean Water Services

Oregon

— Water Supply

Water-line break floods Capitol streets
(Salem Statesman Journal, 10/30) "An underground water line broke late Saturday on the east side of the Oregon Labor & Industries Building, causing water to run down into the parking garage beneath the Capitol Mall."
Water 2025 grants target hot spots in West
(Salem Capital Press, 10/28) "When agricultural landscapes, urban landscapes and natural landscapes rub up against one another, there’s bound to be some friction."
Klamath officials say rules will limit groundwater impacts
(Klamath Falls Herald & News, 10/28) "Tapping into aquifers below the Klamath Basin is a Band-aid, but not a long-term solution, leading Oregon water officials said Thursday. But, they said, permits for pumping will flow."
Irrigation taxes surprise suburban dwellers
(Salem Capital Press, 10/28) "Urbanites moving to new subdivisions built on former farmland sometimes find an unexpected bill in their mail about this time of year, taxing them for irrigation water they may not be using or even be aware of."
Applegate: Vineyard irrigator wants to take on the government
(Salem Capital Press, 10/28) "Standing 15 feet above the Applegate River on a point undercut by past flood waters, Bob Kerivan dreamed the dream of taking on the federal government and winning."

— Water Resources

Murkier waters to flow with new rules
(Oregonian, 10/31) "The state's environmental agency is moving to let factories and plants pour dirtier water into Oregon rivers, in a change partly paid for by one of the industries that would benefit from the looser rules."
Environmentalists protest gutting of water clarity standards
(OSPIRG, 10/27) "Representatives of a number of environmental organizations held a press conference today to protest an effort by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to radically weaken Oregon’s water clarity standards."
Big pipe project causes Willamette River to look green
(KGW Portland, 10/30) "No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, and no, it's not a Halloween prank. The Willamette River in Portland may look green for the next few days because maintenance workers are dye testing sewer connections on the East Side of the river between the Morrison and Burnside brides."
Groups saving streams for threatened chinook
(East Oregonian, 10/30) "Zigzagging between jagged Wallowa Mountain peaks, the Lostine River beckons salmon with some of the finest habitat in Oregon. But in dry summers, ranch irrigators reduce miles of the river to a trickle."
Geologist keeps ear to ground
(Salem Capital Press, 10/28) "Solutions to some of the Klamath Basin’s water problems may require help from geologists like Margi Jenks. Jenks, a geologist with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Resources, looks for water by studying rocks."
Douglas County pays portion of Diamond Lake poison
(Roseburg News-Review, 10/27) "Douglas County commissioners agreed on Wednesday to provide $200,000 to help pay for the poison that will be used to clear Diamond Lake of the tui chub."

— Wastewater

Clackamas County sewer dispute goes to court
(Oregonian, 10/28) "A dispute over Clackamas County's plan to consolidate sewer plants has moved into court, with the county taking legal action that would prevent voters from deciding the issue."
Group forms to press for cleaner G-P wastewater
(Newport News-Times, 10/28) "Approximately 20 people from around Newport met Wednesday at the Nye Beach Hotel to compare notes on what they believe to be problems with Georgia-Pacific's wastewater pollution emissions permit and the wastewater the Toledo pulp and paper mill sends into the Yaquina River and the ocean under that permit."

— Everything Else

Lincoln water, sewer line replacements begin
(Lincoln News Guard, 10/26) "Work will soon begin on a Lincoln City Public Works project to replace water and sewer lines from Southwest Bard Street to Southeast 35th Street."

IDAHO LINKS

State of Idaho

Counties
Ada
Bannock
Bingham
Blaine
Bonner
Bonneville
Canyon
Cassia
Elmore
Kootenai
Latah
Madison
Nez Perce
Payette
Twin Falls

Cities
Blackfoot
Boise
Caldwell
Coeur d' Alene
Eagle
Garden City
Idaho Falls
Jerome
Lewiston
Mackay
Meridian
Moscow
Mountain Home
Nampa
Pocatello
Post Falls
Rexburg
Twin Falls

Falls Water Co.

Idaho Conservation League

Idaho Dept. of Environmental Quality

Idaho Dept. of Water Resources

Idaho Fish and Game

Idaho Ground Water Association

Idaho Operator Certification and Training

Idaho Public Utilities Commission

Idaho Rivers United

Idaho Rural Water Association

Idaho Soil Conservation Commission

Idaho Water Resources Research Institute

United Water Idaho

University of Idaho Water Quality

USGS Water Resources of Idaho

Idaho

— Water Supply

Shoshone-Bannock tribes end objections to water settlement
(KTVB Boise, 10/31) "The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are ending their legal objections to a massive water rights settlement between the state of Idaho and the Nez Perce Tribe."
Protecting vital resource: Steps aim to preserve area aquifers
(Pocatello State Journal, 10/31) "Maurice Grady's farm on West Hildreth Road, where he raises cattle on irrigated pastures, has been in the family since 1929. But the true value of his land, which happens to be located above the heart of the municipal aquifer, is the gravel below the surface."
DEQ awards water grant to New Plymouth
(DEQ, 10/27) "The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today announced the award of a drinking water planning grant in the amount of $27,500 to the city of New Plymouth."

— Water Resources

Lake Pend Oreille will be kept at high winter pool
(Bonner County Daily Bee, 11/01) "Lake Pend Oreille will be kept at an elevated pool level this winter to aid in the restoration of its struggling kokanee population, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game."
Settlement talks fail over Snake dams
(Twin Falls Times News, 10/28) "Idaho Power Co. is asking federal regulators to resume a review of a new license for its Hells Canyon dam complex, after yearlong negotiations with state and federal agencies, Indian tribes and environmental groups failed to result in a settlement over issues including whether the company should erect fish ladders for migrating salmon."

— Wastewater

DEQ to host meeting to review wastewater-land application
(DEQ, 10/31) "A meeting to review proposed revisions to the wastewater-land application technical document will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at DEQ's state office, Conference Rooms C & D, 1410 N. Hilton, Boise."
Bellevue voters to decide $6 million sewer bond
(Idaho Mountain Express, 10/26) "Bellevue's wastewater treatment facility is currently unable to treat wastewater sufficiently enough to meet the standards set by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality."
Buhl hears wastewater treatment options
(Twin Falls News Times, 10/26) "The people and businesses of Buhl are producing more sewage than the system can handle, and improving it may cost up to $17 million."

— Toxic Waste

ISU researchers explore cool uses for heat-loving bacteria
(Pocatello State Journal, 11/01) "Idaho State University researchers are studying how single-celled bacteria living in Pacific Northwest geothermal areas may eventually be used to assist in the cleanup of metal contamination, nuclear waste and other hazardous materials."

— Air Quality

Board consideration postponed pending EPA action
(DEQ, 10/27) "Consideration by the Board of Environmental Quality of a federal rule regulating mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants has been postponed pending reconsideration of the rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)."

International and National News

— Water Supply

California's water system vulnerable to long overdue quake
(Water World, 11/01) "According to David Wanetick, managing director of The Wall Street Transcript, 'California is long overdue for another significant earthquake. The impact of a 1906-magnitude earthquake could have catastrophic ramifications for California's water purity and deliverability.'"
China faces 'world's worst water crisis'
(CNN, 10/31) "China is struggling to overcome what a minister called the world's worst water crisis caused by widespread drought, pollution, rapid economic growth and waste, the China Daily has said."
Wilma hands battle-hardened Florida a maximum challenge
(AWWA, 10/31) "By Friday evening, four days after Wilma hit on Oct. 24, all of the major water systems were back up, but only half of the more than 6 million customers had power restored, according to Scott Kelly, director of water, wastewater and reuse treatment for JEA in Jacksonville, Fla. 'FlaWARN played a valuable role. It worked real well,' he said."
Texas projects water shortage
(Waterindustry.org, 10/31) "At a public leadership forum Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs told those attending that Texas is going to run out of water unless it does something quick."
Africa Lakes under strain as populations rise
(ENN, 10/31) "Africa's 600-plus lakes are under unprecedented strain from rising populations and must be managed better if demand for fresh water is not to stir instability, a U.N. report published on Monday said."
Bills aim to limit export of Great Lakes water
(Detroit Free Press, 10/26) "Protecting Michigan's water is the goal of a package of bills introduced Tuesday by Democrats in the state House of Representatives."

— Water Quality

Time magazine tackles fluoride debate
(AWWA, 10/30) "A recent article in Time outlines the debate about fluoride in drinking water. The article focuses on Bellingham, Washington, where the fight has become intense over a ballot initiative to add fluoride to the drinking water."
$600 million Legionnaires' lawsuit filed in Toronto
(CBC Toronto, 10/27) "A $600 million class action lawsuit was filed this week on behalf of the victims of a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at a Toronto nursing home last month."
Bad water results in evacuation of Indians in Toronto
(Buffalo News, 10/27) "Government authorities began an emergency airlift Wednesday to move more than 1,000 residents from an impoverished Indian reserve where drinking water was contaminated by raw sewage."
Calcium-enhanced bottled water available in 2006
(Business Wire, 10/26) "Fitness Water will build on its continued success as the enhanced water category leader with the introduction of the first national enhanced water to be considered a good source of calcium per serving (10% DRI per eight ounce serving)."

— Water Resources

U.N. warning on world's shrinking lakes
(Financial Times, 11/01) "Lakes around the world are shrinking and becoming less productive because of climate change, pollution, poor irrigation practices and neglect, the United Nations warned yesterday."
California's vast delta nearing collapse
(MSNBC, 10/31) "Biologists aboard the research vessel Scrutiny sounded the alarm a year ago when their nets came up with the fewest young striped bass and delta smelt since annual surveys began in 1959."
Scientists unsure of how to protect Colorado River
(ENN, 10/31) "Scientists say they still don't know how to protect the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon without disrupting water and power production upstream."
New atlas details damage to Africa's lakes
(Independent Online, 10/31) "Satellite images show alarming deterioration to Africa's lakes that must be reversed to prevent the continent's precious water resources becoming a new source of conflict and instability, experts said Monday."
Sea of studies doesn't help restoration of Great Lakes
(NRDC, 10/29) "From the algae blooms in Lake Erie to the invading zebra mussels in Lake Michigan, threats to the Great Lakes ecology stretch from A to Z. That would include B for bacteria, M for mercury and T for toxic spills."
New Orleans levee team runs into wall
(Times Picayune, 10/26) "A team of engineering experts rushing to complete a preliminary report on the reasons behind levee failures that flooded much of the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina said it has been hampered by the Army Corps of Engineers' failure to provide documents and access to local corps employees."

— Ocean News

Higher ocean acidity seen as threat to food chain
(Cape Cod Times, 10/30) "In 50 to 100 years, rising ocean acidity levels might reach a point where the shells of some marine organisms could dissolve or fail to grow altogether."
Researchers seek early-warning signal for toxic algal blooms
(Newport News-Times, 10/28) "Harmful algal blooms that have closed shellfish harvests in the Pacific Northwest and caused "red tides" elsewhere appear to be increasing, scientists say, and the likely suspects are global climate change and increased human impact in coastal zones."

Half of coral reefs could be destroyed
(ENN, 10/28) "Nearly half of the world's coral reefs may be lost in the next 40 years unless urgent measures are taken to protect them against the threat of climate change, according to a new report released Tuesday by the World Conservation Union."

— Wastewater

EPA cedes wastewater planning to groups
(NRDC, 10/28) "After months of negotiations the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) announced a plan to protect the public from exposure to inadequately treated sewage."

— Toxic Waste

1 million pounds of hazardous waste in wake of Katrina, Rita
(EPA, 10/31) "The EPA announced today that an estimated one million pounds of household hazardous waste has been collected in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."
E-Waste dumping victimizes developing nations, study says
(PC World, 10/31) "A report by a U.S. nonprofit group calls on governments globally to pressure electronics manufacturers to remove toxic chemicals from their products 'at the earliest possible date' and also urges consumers to take responsibility for their electronic waste."
Army secret surfaces: Deadly chemicals at sea
(Morning Call, 10/30) "Millions of pounds of unused weapons of mass destruction were dumped in oceans before Congress banned the practice in 1972. The threat is still out there, and may be growing."
Activists allege Army distorted truth about nerve agent disposal
(ENN, 10/26) "Activists in six states have accused the Army of distorting facts about the disposal of waste from the destruction of a deadly nerve agent stockpiled in western Indiana."
Toxins on the wind: America's river's at risk
(Hartford Courant, 10/26) "The problem with the fish is mercury, a toxin, and even in the northernmost reaches of the Connecticut River, a vast playground for lovers of the outdoors, the fish and loons can carry troublesome levels of the element in their flesh and organs."

— Meetings/Events

Experts to discuss impacts of recent hurricanes on water quality
(WEF Press Release, 10/26) NOV. 1-2: "A special session titled 'In the Wake of Hurricanes: What we Know and Where we Go' will discuss and examine the impacts of recent hurricanes to local water and wastewater facilities and short- and long-term challenges to public health and the environment."
AWWA to celebrate member appreciation week
(AWWA, 10/25) NOV. 6-12: "As the American Water Works Association (AWWA), approaches its 125 th anniversary, the authoritative resource on safe water will honor its members for their hard work and dedication to protecting public health during the second annual AWWA Member Appreciation Week, Nov. 6-12."

— Everything Else

Environmental refugees
(Living On Earth, 10/30) "Scholars predict 50 million people will be displaced within five years by rising sea levels, desertification, dried up aquifers, and other serious environmental change."

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Mike Milne
Brown and Caldwell
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