People interested in the status of State Parks, Schafer and Lake Sylvia in particular, may want to attend a meeting next Tuesday to plan the future of these parks. Set out below is an invitation from the Washington State Parks Department to the public. As many of you know many State Parks were designated for closure earlier this year. In order to keep our parks available to the public it is important that people attend these meetings and speak out on the vital role the parks play in Washington State.

Are you interested in Lake Sylvia and Schafer state parks? If so, Washington State Parks is asking you for your ideas. If you want to participate, you can do so in two ways.

1. You are invited to a workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. September 15 at the Montesano City Hall, 112 N Main Street, Montesano, WA
2. Send me comments about the parks. I will record your comments and keep you on our contact list so you will receive updates.

If you would like to know more about the planning process, please click here to visit State Parks’ planning page and choose the Lake Sylvia Schafer web page from the hyperlinks on the right side of the page.

Thank you to the City of Montesano for hosting this meeting.

Brian Hovis, Parks Planner
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Mail: P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650
E-mail: brian.hovis@parks.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 902-8635
Fax: (360) 586-0207

Gabrielle Byrne, Community Educator for People For Puget Sound, has created a new social networking web site, called “Eld Shoreline Community“. Described as “A community network for shoreline landowners on Eld Inlet – learning about, talking about and caring for our waters,” Eld Shoreline Community (ESC) is a clever and interactive way of bringing people together to steward Eld Inlet.

It’s a way for people to recognize what they have in common: ‘we care about our marine neighborhood’,” said Gabby Byrne. “It’s also a way for us to make available resources about the Inlet and about marine related events on the Inlet.” Byrne continued:

Our “bottom line” goal is getting restoration work on the ground around the Eld shoreline. We want to improve the condition of Eld Inlet and protect it from degrading over time by helping to educate folks about what healthy shoreline is and how to get it. People who live on the shoreline are uniquely blessed and have both an opportunity to enjoy and responsibility to protect the water they live on.

We have resources, including money for labor, plantings, invasive control and, in some cases, working on alternatives to bulkheads available for parts of the shoreline that have been identified as priority areas.

It’s not necessary to create an account to view a wealth of information focused on the current state of Eld Inlet and the Puget Sound, and to access resources for shoreline residents interested in improving the health of waters near their properties. Recent posts to the site include information on South Sound Dissolved Oxygen Profiles and links to a report on sea level rise and the effects of climate changes in the South Sound.

There is also a calendar of upcoming events. Just last week, People For Puget Sound had an evening event that included storytelling, sea stars, telescopes and other delights at Frye Cove Park.

Visitors to the site who set up a free account can customize their view of the site, gain access to a messaging inbox, can upload photos and post articles to the site’s blog. The site runs on Ning and there’s a network of developers presently working on social networking apps to release to Ning sites.

Eld Shoreline Community is a welcome online resource for homeowners on both sides of Eld Inlet and for all local residents interested in improving the health of Puget Sound and our valuable shorelines.

Click here to visit Eld Shoreline Community and click here to visit the web site of People for Puget Sound.

Thurston County Preliminary Docket of Development Code Amendments is available for review. The docket is divided into four priority levels. Lower priority subjects may not be addressed this year.

The purpose of the docket is to provide information about potential changes to development regulations that the County is considering. The Board of County Commissioners chooses the topics from a “Preliminary Docket,” maintained year-round, and places them on an Official Docket, which is forwarded to the Thurston County Planning Commission for proposal development and review. This docketing process is used to provide the public with information about and opportunities to participate in the amendment process.

Priority A Topics: Time extensions for project approvals, forest lands conversion, rural building sizes and special uses, conservation lots, incompatible use buffers, presubmission conferences, junk vehicles, wineries, accessory buildings, off road vehicles, and energy efficiency standards.

Priority B Topics: Boundary line adjustments, recreational lots, appeal period work prohibitions, property owner notification, expiration deadlines, manufactured housing, childcare centers, helipad requirements, and planned residential developments.

Priority C Topics: Agricultural structures, HVAC equipment in setbacks, front setbacks, school mitigation, density requirements, right to farm, and Grand Mound residential lot width.

Priority D Topics: Urban Growth Area code updates, wireless facility fencing, critical area fence requirements, composting roof requirements, clarify Olympia UGA commercial district, kennel waste management plans, building setbacks by active rail lines and trails, and miscellaneous clerical corrections.

Copies of the preliminary docket are available through the Permit Assistance Center at the address below, and the Thurston County web site:
www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/Development_Code/Development_Code_Docket.htm.

The purpose of the public review period is to receive written comments. After the public review period, an Official Docket will be adopted by the Thurston County Board of Commissioners.

Please submit written comments to Jeremy Davis, Associate Planner, Thurston County Strategic Planning, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia WA 98502 or at davisj@co.thurston.wa.us . Phone: (360) 754-3355 ext. 7010. Written comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. July 31, 2009. Citizens with hearing impairments may call the TDD line at (360) 754-2933.

If you know someone who would like to subscribe to the GMA email listserv, please have them send an email to gma_mail@co.thurston.wa.us.

Emails about long range planning projects sent to gma_mail@co.thurston.wa.us will be forwarded to the appropriate staff member in as timely a manner as possible.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/

Local residents may remember, a few years back, when news broke regarding studies that found the drinking water for more than 20 million Americans is contaminated with a a component of rocket fuel. The chemical, perchlorate, “interferes with normal thyroid function, may cause cancer and persists indefinitely in the environment.” Several theories were put forward, for possible sources of perchlorate in so much of the country’s drinking water. A recent study has identified a surprising source: fireworks fired over bodies of water can result in heightened levels of perchlorate in that water.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), now lists perchlorate, a common fireworks ingredient, as a “contaminant of concern.”

Responsible local residents should take care when they launch fireworks over bodies of water and to clean up their fireworks displays before water can wash over the firework remains.

According to an EPA study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, fireworks heavily contribute to perchlorate contamination of surrounding water bodies. Although Richard Wilkin, the study’s lead author and an environmental geochemist at the U.S. EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory, says that his research establishes a direct link between firework displays and perchlorate water contamination, he adds that it also demonstrates the contaminant’s shortlivedness: concentrations fell to background levels after 1 to 2 months, possibly due to microbial degradation.

Some analysts point to studies indicating there are harmful health effects from even minute doses of perchlorate. These analysts argue that a national standard for perchlorate in drinking water should be no higher than one-tenth the level the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently recommends as safe.

It is important to note that, here in the Griffin Area, groundwater sources are very close to the surface. A lot of our property acts as aquifer recharge for our own drinking water. It is conceivable that drinking water contamination could result from contamination of surface water.

Thurston County Solid Waste would like to remind residents the materials left over from a fireworks display go in the trash bin only. Please do not place them in the recycling bins. While some fireworks packing does indeed contain paper or cardboard, there are many other items attached that make it non-recyclable such as the shiny coatings, plastic bases or tubes, and explosive residuals. These other materials contaminate the recyclables.

The Planning Association of Washington and The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Present

“A Short Course on Local Planning”

Sponsored by The Evergreen State College and the City of Olympia

Room 101-102 at the Olympia Center
222 Columbia Street NW in downtown Olympia
6:30 – 9:30 pm
July 7, 2009

6:30 – 6:40 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS – Janet Rogerson
6:40 – 7:40 THE LEGAL BASIS OF PLANNING IN WASHINGTON STATE – Jay Derr

The statutory basis of planning in Washington State, Constitutional issues in land use planning, the Open Public Meetings Act, the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine, conflicts of interest, quasi-judicial and legislative functions of the planning commission, ex parte communications and how to deal with them, the conduct of meetings, the uses (and misuses) of email, and recent case law affecting land use planning.

7:40 – 7:55 BREAK
7:55 – 8:00 ANNOUNCEMENTS – Janet Rogerson
8:00 – 8:30 COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING BASICS – Steve Butler

An overview of the basic components of a comprehensive plan, including the goals of the plan, the basic elements which need to be addressed, the concepts of consistency and concurrency, and suggestions for involving citizens in the planning process.

8:30 – 9:00 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND THE ROLE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION – Dave Osaki

The tools and techniques available for implementing the comprehensive plan, discussion of the role of the planning commission, how to develop good working relationships among the planning commission, elected officials, and planning staff, and suggestions for holding effective meetings and hearings.

9:00 – 9:30 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS – Everyone

MODERATOR:
Janet Rogerson, Senior Planner
Growth Management Services
Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
PO Box 42525
906 Columbia St SW
Olympia, WA 98504
360-725-3047
janetr@cted.wa.gov

PRESENTERS:
Jay P. Derr, Attorney at Law
Managing Partner – GordonDerr LLP
2025 First Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98121-3140
206-382-9540
jderr@GordonDerr.com
www.gordonderr.com

Steve Butler, FAICP, Director of Planning & Community Development
City of SeaTac
4800 S. 188th Street
SeaTac, WA 98188
206-973-4831
sbutler@ci.seatac.wa.us

David Osaki, AICP, Deputy Director
Community Development
City of Lynnwood
19100 44th Avenue W.
PO Box 5008
Lynnwood, WA 98046-5008
(425) 670-5406
dosaki@ci.lynnwood.wa.us

A cursory review of this information seems to indicate that the topic of this meeting will not affect property in our area. But, we’ve received notice of a public hearing in the County’s ongoing effort to comply with the Growth Management Act.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 5:30 p.m., in Room 280, Building 1 of the Thurston County Courthouse Complex, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia, WA 98502.

The purpose of the public hearing is to accept public comment on the following Growth Management Act (GMA) Compliance Action: proposed amendments to map M-15, Future Land Use and M-42, Designated Agriculture and Forest Lands of the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan as well as amendments to the official Thurston County Zoning Map. Amendments to these maps are being considered due to the Western Washington Growth Management Hearing Board’s (WWGMHB) April 22, 2009 Compliance Order requiring Thurston County to determine if additional land meets the County’s designation criteria for agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance. Parcels that meet the revised designation criteria may be rezoned to Long-Term Agriculture one dwelling unit per twenty acres or Nisqually Agriculture one dwelling unit per forty acres. The County may also consider modifying its designation criteria to exclude lands predominately covered by wetlands from being designated as agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance.

Thurston County Comprehensive Plan: Map M-15, Future Land Use and M-42, Designated Agriculture and Forest Lands may be amended to reflect the designation of additional agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance. Designation criteria for agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance may be modified to exclude lands predominately covered by wetlands.

Official Zoning Map of Thurston County, Washington. The Official Zoning Map may be amended to reflect the designation of additional long-term agricultural lands of commercial significance.

Information regarding the proposed changes is available by contacting Olivia Terwilleger at (360) 754-3355 ext. 5477, terwilo@co.thurston.wa.us, or by visiting the Permit Assistance Center at Thurston County Development Services Department at the address shown below.

Those wishing to testify should appear and be heard. If unable to attend, written comments regarding the proposed amendments may be mailed to Olivia Terwilleger, Development Services Department, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502. Written comments must be received by the close of the hearing on June 23, 2009.

If you need special accommodations to participate in this meeting, please call (360) 754-4001 by 10:00 a.m. at least three days prior to the meeting. Ask for the ADA Coordinator. Citizens with hearing impairment may call the TDD line at (360) 786-5489.

For more information click here to, visit the County’s web pages on the Growth Management Act.

Quite an ambitious topic, from the next event at the Science Café of Olympia: “Solutions from the Underground: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World.”

Earth, our biosphere, is quickly changing. Environmental and human health are inextricably interconnected, and life support systems that have allowed humans to thrive are eroding. Fungi, particularly mushrooms, offer promising practical solutions that capitalize on the mycelium’s diverse properties. Fungi are the grand molecular disassemblers in nature, decomposing plants and animals, and creating soils and the food web of life.

Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti, LLC. in Olympia will discuss the evolution of mushrooms in ecosystems and how fungi can help heal environments. Paul’s work with mycelium shows how these largely untapped organisms can replace chemical insecticides and break down toxic wastes, including petroleum-based products, into nontoxic forms. His recent research also shows that mushrooms have a surprisingly broad range of anti-infective properties that inhibit bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Paul will present six inventions that may help steer ecosystems and humanity toward a healthier future.

7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Barnes & Noble Booksellers (in the cookbook alcove)
1530 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia, WA

Coming in July:
New and re-emerging infectious diseases. A presentation by Ted White, Ph.D., University of Washington / Seattle Biomedical Research Institute.

Science Café of Olympia provides an informal atmosphere where people both with and without scientific background can meet to gain a better understanding of interesting topics in science and technology. After a brief presentation by an expert in the field, the meeting will be opened to discussions. Science Cafés are found nationwide and are loosely affiliated with the U.K.-based Cafe Scientifique, an international organization promoting public engagement with science. The Sciencecafes.org website is produced by the Science Unit of WGBH in Boston in association with Sigma Xi. Support for Science Café of Olympia is provided in part by the Puget Sound Chapter of The American Chemical Society.

http://www.sciencecafes.org/event_pages/olympia.html
http://www.cafescientifique.org/

We thank Barnes & Noble for providing an inviting gathering spot and to its staff for their enthusiastic support of Science Café.