News Archives - Page 445 of 454

Grovers Creek Coho Used for Stormwater Runoff Study

Coho-runoff-experiment-Grovers-Kate-Julann-Nov-2012-2267-thumbnail-300x200 — Biologists place a coho (inside the PVC tube) in a bin of stormwater runoff.

Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, nwifc.org

Using fish from the Suquamish Tribe’s Grovers Creek hatchery, federal agencies and their partners are determining just how lethal polluted urban highway runoff is to salmon.

Staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA) have been working with the tribe to expose a small number of adult coho spawners to polluted urban runoff.

“We know that toxic contaminants in stormwater are bad for salmon, and that adult coho are dying prematurely in urban watersheds throughout Puget Sound,” said Jay Davis, a USFWS contaminants specialist. “The current study is designed to help us determine the underlying cause of death.”Last year, agency scientists exposed adult coho to cocktails of chemical contaminants that were prepared in a lab to simulate stormwater runoff. The fish were largely unaffected by artificial mixtures of metals and petroleum hydrocarbons.

However, when exposed to actual urban runoff this fall, the spawners quickly developed the familiar symptoms of pre-spawn mortality syndrome. Symptoms include a gaping mouth, and loss of orientation and balance. Affected fish display these symptoms just before they die, and adult coho became symptomatic after just two to four hours of being exposed to the stormwater.

Blood and tissues were collected from the hearts, gills, and livers of the coho. Genetic analyses of these samples are expected to show physiological stress in fish, such as heart or respiratory failure. Samples from coho exposed to stormwater will be compared to samples from unexposed fish and symptomatic spawners found in Seattle-area streams this fall.

“Urban runoff is a very complex mixture,” Davis said. “But we’re getting closer to understanding why stormwater is so lethal to coho.”

“The tribe has been a good partner to work with,” said Nat Scholz, a NOAA research zoologist and ecotoxicology manager. “We like to use the Grovers Creek facility because of the easily available coho, the facility’s abrupt saltwater-freshwater transition, and the availability of protected space to do the exposures and tissue collections. The findings should be applicable throughout Puget Sound, including Kitsap.”

The contaminated water is taken for disposal to Kitsap County’s wastewater treatment plant in Kingston.

Providence partners with Tulalip Tribes to offer support to tribal members during medical care

Article by Monica Brown, photos by Brandi N. Montreuil

TULALIP, Wash.- Recently Providence Medical Center and Tulalip Tribes have been strengthening their relationship so that both may benefit; staff at Providence will have more knowledge about what tribal member’s needs are in times of crisis and tribal members will feel more at ease while in the their care.

The old surgery waiting room has been remolded and is designed to accommodate traditional practices when tribal members are hospitalized. The new room called the Tulalip Community Room has been set-aside for tribal members to use and features a variety of sitting areas, a TV, phone, a small kitchenette, a computer with Internet access. The room also features elegantly carved art pieces by James Madison and Joe Gobin that decorate the walls, and a large timeline of Tulalip Tribes history welcomes visitors as they walk in.

Tulalip Community Room is designed to provide comfort and privacy for family members and space to accommodate large gatherings.

“Especially in crisis time, all of our friends and family want to be there to give them [each other] a handshake, a hug. That’s how we are during crisis,” stated Don about the larger and quieter rooms.

Tribal member Dale Jones reads the Tulalip Tribes Past & Present timeline piece.

Providence and Tulalip plan to meet every six months in order to address any underlying issues that may occur while tribal members are hospitalized.

“You’re an important and special part of our community,” said CEO of Providence Medical Center David Brooks. “I appreciate meeting here today and having open communications.”

Monica Brown: 360-716-4189; brown@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

Being Frank: Aloha, Senator Daniel Inouye

“Being Frank” by Billy Frank, Jr., Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

OLYMPIA – I’ve met a lot of people in my life, but no one like Sen. Daniel Inouye. A soft-spoken son of Japanese immigrants, he rose to become a war hero and represented Hawaii in Congress from the time it became a state. But I always believed he was an Indian at heart.

My good friend for more than 30 years, he died Dec. 17 at 88. He served in the Senate for 50 years, the second longest term in U.S. history, and became one of the greatest champions for Indian people that we have ever seen.

Danny understood us and our issues in a way that many Americans can’t. I think it’s because he knew what it was like to be different, to be someone who came from a people set apart.

As a 17-year-old, he rushed to enlist after Japanese bombs fell on Pearl Harbor in 1941. At a time when most Japanese Americans were rounded up and forced into internment camps around the United States, Inouye was fighting in Europe. In Italy he lost his right arm, and nearly his life, in actions that were later recognized by a Medal of Honor, our country’s highest military award.

Many might question why a Japanese American like Inouye would fight so hard for a country that treated his people so poorly. That same question could be asked of Indians, African Americans and many others. As a tribal member and a veteran, I can tell you that we did it for the greater good of everyone in the hope that things would get better.

But for Danny, and for many of us, it took awhile for things to get better. On his way home to Hawaii while recuperating from his war wounds, he made a stop-over in San Francisco. Wanting to look good for his homecoming, he stepped into a barbershop, but was told they didn’t cut “Jap” hair.

Despite the injuries he suffered and the racism he experienced, he was never bitter. He became a quiet giant in the Senate, always with an eye toward helping those in need of social justice. He worked tirelessly to support the sovereignty of Indian tribes across the country, and equally as hard to gain that same recognition for native Hawaiians.

During his time in the Senate he helped pass many pieces of legislation important to Indian people. Among them are the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, The Tribal Self Governance Act of 1994 and the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994.

Before enlisting in the Army, he was planning to be a doctor – a surgeon – someone who could help people. In the end, that’s just what he did, but he helped many, many more people while serving in the Senate than he ever could as a doctor.

I will miss him deeply and so will all of Indian Country. One of the things I’ll miss most might surprise you. Danny was one heck of a piano player.

We will not forget this man who understood and helped Indian people like few in this country ever have, a man who worked so hard and endured so much to make our country a better place for everyone.

Note: A more comprehensive remembrance of Sen. Inouye by Chairman Frank is available at: go.nwifc.org/1aq

Help Break Guinness World Record for Largest Snowball Fight

Seattle is attempting to break the record for the World’s Largest Snowball Fight which is officially held by the Republic of Korea at 5,387 participants.

The Snowball fight will be held at the Seattle Center January 12^th 2013. Tickets are $25 per person and all proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of King County. Participants must be at least 18 years of age or older. Photo ID will be required for entry.

So much Snow and so many people

162,000 lbs. of snow, enough to fill 34 dump trucks.

6,000+ people building forts and participating in the world record.

12 bars and pubs in lower Queen Anne will be offering discounted Snow Day drink and food specials. Click here and visit “Pub Crawl” for the complete bar listing.

SCHEDULE OF FESTIVITIES

12:00pm – Registration opens at Seattle Center

1:00pm — Snow Fort and Snow Castle competition begins

4:30pm — Snow Fort and Snow Castle winners announced

5:00pm — World’s largest snowball fight

5:30pm — Guinness World Record presentation

6:00pm — Pub crawl and war stories!

Snow Fort Competition – Anyone is welcome to come early and play in the snow but teams participating in the snow fort competition have raised at least $1,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County. Participants will receive ten free tickets, Snow Day shirts, a massive amount of snow and prizes if they win! If you’re interested in participating please email us at forts@snow.co.

For more details about the attempt to break the Guinness record for largest Snowball fight check out this website.

http://www.snow.co/

The Nature Conservancy: Working for Nature and People in Washington in 2012

The Nature Conservancy brought people together in 2012 to conserve and restore the lands and waters that support our quality of life.

Press Release, Robin Stanton, The Nature Conservancy in Washington

Seattle, WA | January 03, 2013

In 2012 The Nature Conservancy’s Washington chapter restored estuaries, restored forests, created new community collaborations, plucked derelict fishing gear from coastlines and brought science to bear on some of the most pressing problems facing us. From the Washington coast to Puget Sound to east Cascades forests and eastern Washington sagelands, The Nature Conservancy brought people together in 2012 to conserve and restore the lands and waters that support our quality of life.

Here are highlights of how donor support helped people and nature thrive in Washington in 2012.

Puget Sound

The Conservancy completed two restoration projects in Port Susan Bay, restoring estuary habitat for salmon and other marine life and improving flood control measures for neighboring farmers. These two projects—at Port Susan Bay Preserve and at Livingston Bay—improved more than 4,000 acres of tidelands in the vitally important Skagit and Stillaguamish River deltas.

Protecting and restoring shorelines is a vital part of restoring Puget Sound and supporting communities throughout the region. The Conservancy’s work supports the Puget Sound Agenda developed by the Puget Sound Partnership.

Washington Coast

It was a big year for restoration at the Conservancy’s Ellsworth Creek Preserve, at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and on the Conservancy’s property on the Clearwater River, a tributary to the Queets. Funding from the jobs bill passed by the state Legislature last spring enabled the Conservancy to permanently remove 3 miles of old, hazardous road in the Ellsworth Creek Preserve while improving and upgrading an additional 4 miles. The improved roads enabled hired crews to do restoration thinning operations on 200 acres of former tree farm. Thinning the Douglas-firs makes room for spruce, cedar and hemlock to grow.

Locally hired crews and volunteers planted 11,000 trees at Ellsworth and on the adjacent Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, and another 8,000 trees on the Clearwater.

The Conservancy led establishment of the Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council to give local communities a voice in marine and coastal management.

The Conservancy worked with partners to remove 32 derelict nets in Grays Harbor and implemented a pilot derelict crab pot removal on the coast, retrieving 98 pots.

East Cascades Forests

Conservancy scientists published a first-of-its-kind study of how forests in central and eastern Washington have changed over the last 100 years, a study that sets the stage for science to guide forest restoration efforts so they’ll be effective.

As part of the Tapash Sustainable Forests Collaborative, the Conservancy restored 746 acres of forest west of Yakima, improving wildlife habitat and reducing the threat of catastrophic fires. Locally hired crews also removed 13 miles of high-risk roads in the region.

With partners, the Conservancy launched a new collaborative, the Northeast Washington Forest Vision 2020 Collaborative, to improve management on 900,000 acres of forestlands near Colville.

Sagelands

The Conservancy’s 35,000-acres Moses Coulee Preserve is a laboratory for managing sage lands in central Washington. The Conservancy and partners are continuing an experiment on a biological control for cheatgrass, an invasive weed that has devastated rangelands in the western United States. Other ongoing conservation projects include banding and monitoring migrating songbirds, surveying the region’s diverse bat populations and restoring sagelands habitat.

Statewide:

Four young men from Tacoma’s Science and Math Institute (SAMI) spent part of the summer counting bats, looking for marbled murrelets, banding songbirds and overcoming their dislike of spiders as part of The Nature Conservancy’s signature youth program, Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF). The Washington chapter joined the program in 2011, hosting teens from New York, where it started. In 2012, the chapter hosted teens from right here in Washington for this paid internship.

Washington’s coastal treaty tribes—the Hoh, Makah and Quileute Tribes and the Quinault Indian Nation—hosted the inaugural First Stewards climate symposium in Washington, DC. The Conservancy and NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries were partners in the four day event, which brought together indigenous communities with scientists and governmental and non-governmental organizations to examine the impacts of climate change on indigenous coastal cultures and explore solutions based on millennia of traditional ecological knowledge.

International

The Nature Conservancy is an international organization, focused on finding local solutions to global challenges. The Washington chapter is connected to the Conservancy’s work around the world. In 2012, the chapter hosted Aurelio Ramos, the Conservancy’s director of conservation programs for Latin America, as he helped to develop conservation strategies for Puget Sound, for Washington’s eastern sagelands, and for temperate rainforests from Washington to Alaska. And the Washington chapter supported the Southern Andes program with science and geographic information staff, and assisted the Coral Triangle Center in Indonesia to develop its own membership program.

New Leadership

Capping off the year of conservation work, The Nature Conservancy welcomed Mike Stevens as the new Washington state director. Stevens arrived on Nov. 26, and in his first month he has visited all major program sites throughout the state.

FDA set to approve Genetically Engineered Salmon

Article by Monica Brown

The Food and Drug Administration has given their approval, pending a 60 day public debate, of the AquAdvantage Salmon developed by the Massachusetts based company Aquabouty Technology. The salmon was developed out of need from the growing human population which outweighs the current salmon population.

The AquAdvantage Salmon have been genetically engineered from Atlantic Chinook to grow at a faster rate on small amounts of food and are made specifically to be sterile females to help prevent reproducing with wild salmon. The idea behind the genetically engineered salmon (GES) to be female is a precaution to prevent escaped salmon from mingling with the wild salmon, had they been sterile males they would cause a disturbance in the spawning grounds by fighting over territory with male wild salmon. Although, Aquabounty has stated there is a slight chance that a small percentage of females may be fertile, but state the chance of them escaping to the wild are very slim.

According to FDA regulations, upon approval, the GES will be required to be grown in a physically contained system to prevent escape and at approved facilities only. When placed at the marketplace the GES will not be required to have any special labels or markings due to the fact that they are genetically the same as wild salmon and pose no threat for human consumption.

The imposition the GES will make on the environment and human diet is still dependent on the future consumption of the salmon. As well as the impact it will make on the economy in the lives of Atlantic Fishermen. Since it is not clear yet how far the GES will be shipped, and we won’t be able to tell by labels or on restaurant menus, it prefer wild salmon to either fish for it yourself or get it from someone you know.

If you would like to comment on the Aquadvantage Salmon, the comment section for the 60 day public debate can be accessed here. Comments will be accepted until February 25, 2013

http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-2011-N-0899-0003

Comments by others may be viewed here

http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FDA-2011-N-0899

Tribal member promotes Tulalip Community Watch at Tulalip

Tulalip tribal member, Stan Jones III discussed his plans for the new Neighborhood Community Watch Program.

Jeannie Briones, Tulalip News staff writer

TULALIP, Wash. – Tulalip tribal member Stan Jones III has lived on the reservation since 1994 and has seen firsthand the increase in crime and drugs. In an effort to combat this rising problem, he organized a neighborhood community watch to urge the community to work together to help make Tulalip stronger by fighting against crime and drugs.

“It started off as a Facebook group, trying to get people together as far as awareness in the area,” said Stan. “I want the community to be aware of the problem that is occurring and to stand up against it.”

Stan decided to get the community more involved by establishing monthly neighborhood watch group meetings, where community members gather to provide each other with direct support, encouragement, and discussions on current issues in the community.

The first meeting, held November 17, 2012, at the Tulalip Administration Building, consisted of guest speakers, educational information on safety, discussions on crime tips and feedback from the community.

“The last meeting went well, we had two tribal police officers there and Ross Fryberg was able to give out a ton of information,” said Stan.

The foundation of these meetings is to bring awareness to community members and to work together to re-establish control over the neighborhood by being aware of unusual activities and reporting crimes, promoting an increase in safety, which reduces crime and drugs in the area.

“Meetings cover education, prevention, help or resources, empowerment, and safety and even these small steps push out a level of organized crime,” said Stan.

Another goal of the watch group is to educate the community on ways to report suspicious activities and basic home maintenance, such as installing security lights, updating locks, and installing a home alarm system.

“Burglars want to spend no more than a minute breaking into a home. A simple thing like dead bolting the door is important, as are putting a piece of wood in the window, clearing shrubs and bushes around your home, and replacing dead light bulbs, “ said Stan.

Community participation in neighborhood watch groups is a positive way for community members to play a part in the fight against crime and bond through community involvement. Community members can make a difference and see a decrease of opportunities for criminals to commit crimes and drug use.

The next Neighborhood Community Watch meeting will be held January 22^nd at the Mission Highland Community Center at 5:00 p.m.

For more information about the group and how to get involved, please contact Stan Jones III at 425-750-2331. You can request to join Tulalip Community Watch on Facebook to receive helpful tips to help keep you and your family safe.

Jeannie Briones: 360-716-4188; jbriones@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

Seattle Based ANAE exhibits energy technologies at Dubai Exhibition

Alekson Native American Enterprises LLC Press Release

Jim Alekson

CEO of Alekson Native American Enterprises

(206) 898-5869 | Email: jalekson@aleksongroup.com

Seattle, Washington – The USA Regional Trade Center Exhibition officially opened today in Dubai, UAE and Alekson Native American Enterprises LLC (“ANAE”), a 100% Native American owned enterprise, was among the showcased exhibitors.

The USA Regional Trade Center, endorsed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of State and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, facilitates and encourages trade and commerce between U.S. Businesses and the MENA Regional Market encompassing the Middle East and North Africa. USARTC levels the play field and lowers the barriers to U.S. Company entry into the MENA Regional Market.

In 2009, ANAE began directing its business development attention toward green energy technologies and assembled a collection of elite technologies from around the world. This collection came to the attention of the USARTC and two months ago, they extended an invitation to ANAE to exhibit several of its energy related technologies and business initiatives at the Dubai Trade and Commerce Exhibition.

The innovative technologies and initiatives showcased by ANAE include SACHEM Hi-Energy Wood Pellets, a substitute for thermal coal; AIRE-FOIL^TM vertical-axis wind turbines; ECO-LOGIC^TM LED smart lighting systems; FARM-OF-THE-FUTURE^TM hydroponic food-crop cultivation systems; and CASTAGRA^TM industrial coatings for protection against corrosion in the oil and gas industries as well as other energy related technologies.

ANAE aligns itself with world-class inventors and mechanical and electrical engineers to secure and bring revolutionary technologies to the United States. All of the exhibited technologies have been commercialized and have years of field-proven success. They have been developed within the United States as well as elsewhere in the world. Sachem Energy Solutions^TM, an operating division of ANAE, is responsible for advancing technologies commercialized outside of the United States.

“We are very honored the USA Regional Trade Center invited us to participate in this prestigious event.” “We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to showcase and advance Indian Country participation in the world’s green energy revolution.” stated Jim Alekson, CEO of Alekson Native American Enterprises LLC.

“We are pleased to have ANAE participate in our Trade and Commerce Exhibition and represent business development opportunities in Indian Country.” “Innovative technologies advanced by ANAE and its Native American Partners represent a real step toward reducing the world’s dependency on fossil fuels to meet its ever increasing energy needs.” comments Kim Childs, Vice President of USA Regional Trade Center

Alekson Native American Enterprises LLC

Alekson Native American Enterprises LLC and its Sachem Family of Companies are 100% Native American owned by Members of the Citizen Band of the Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma and their Native American Partners. ANAE is steadfastly devoted to advancing initiatives that bring about economic diversification for Native American Communities across the United States. Our mission is to advance innovative technologies and initiatives that create jobs, encourage entrepreneurship and advance 21^st Century educational and job training opportunities in Native American Communities. For additional information visit: www.aleksonnae.com and www.nativeamericanenterprises.blogspot.com. ANAE is also on Twitter.

USA Regional Trade Center

USA Regional Trade Center facilitates and encourages trade and commerce between U.S. Businesses and the MENA Regional Market encompassing the Middle East and North Africa. USARTC provides U.S. Companies, educational institutions, individuals, federal and state agencies, trade groups, professional associations, think tanks and legal, accounting and banking institutions with an integrated business platform for exploration of trade opportunities and facilitation of U.S. exports to the MENA Regional Market. For additional information visit: www.usartc.com

Mayor of Marysville establishes new Youth Council

Press Release, Office of the Mayor, Dec. 3, 2012

Mayor establishes new Youth Council; seeks student members to give young people a stronger voice in their community’s future

MARYSVILLE – The voice of Marysville’s youth needs to be a bigger part of the dialogue when talking about how the community builds for tomorrow.

Mayor Jon Nehring is establishing a new Youth Council to create that essential link among Marysville’s teens, the community and city government.

The Youth Council will advise the Mayor on issues affecting young people in Marysville and provide youth perspective on a range of community issues and topics. The Council will also provide a forum to engage with City leaders, participate in a community service project, and connect with their peers, and learn about civics and city government.

“I’m hoping that we get young people to become involved from a variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds, who are ready to share their valuable views with city government,” Nehring says. “My goal is that every young man and woman will leave the Youth Council with a better understanding of civic duty and a moral responsibility to our community.”

Nehring also believes young people willbenefit from involvement in the Youth Council through developing their personal and employability skills.

The Youth Council is open to Marysville teens ages 14-18 and enrolled in public or private school, or home-schooled (at the City’s discretion and under some circumstances, 13-year-olds may be permitted to join). Parent or guardian signature required for all ages.

Interested applicants are invited to download the application from the City website at http://marysvillewa.gov/youthcouncil. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10. Return in care of Youth Council/Doug Buell, Marysville City Hall, 1049 State Ave., Marysville, WA 98270. Or scan signed copy to dbuell@marysvillewa.gov.

The Youth Council will be structured to meet monthly for one-hour, after-school meetings in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. However, as a substitute for sitting in meetings, field trips such as the Police Department, a Fire Station, Municipal Court, Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center, and a spring community service project, could also become part of the annual agenda, as well as other recreation activities.

For more information contact Community Information Officer Doug Buell, Youth Council Liaison, at (360) 363-8086 or email dbuell@marysvillewa.gov. You will be notified of a kick-off meeting to be scheduled later in January 2013. Food and refreshments will be provided.

Pink Salmon Broodstock Spawned to Protect Elwha Run

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe hatchery technician Keith Lauderback sorts through pink salmon eggs at the tribe’s hatchery.

Source: Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

Pink salmon are the most abundant salmon species in the Northwest, but the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe didn’t want to risk losing the Elwha River pink population with the current removal of the river’s two fish-blocking dams.

The deconstruction of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams are part of the massive project to restore the Elwha River after nearly 100 years of blocked flows and degraded salmon habitat. One result of the project is that high levels of sediment once trapped trapped behind the dams are now flowing downriver.

“We weren’t sure how the pinks were going to be affected by the dam deconstruction activity, so we wanted to take precautions to protect them,” said Larry Ward, the tribe’s hatchery manager. “The historical population of pinks in the Elwha River was 400,000 to 600,000. The current run is 200, making it a chronically depressed stock of fish.”

While pinks have a lower commercial value, they play an important role in a properly functioning ecosystem by providing food for other animals and contributing nutrients to the watershed.

“The habitat in the lower river for pinks wasn’t great when the dams were in place, but they were using it,” Ward said.

Pinks returning to the Elwha River in 2011 were collected and spawned. The fertilized eggs were incubated at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Hurd Creek Hatchery, then sent to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Manchester Research Station, where they were reared to adults. The fish, 300 males and 132 females, were then brought back to Elwha in August for spawning.

A portion of the fertilized eggs from this fall’s spawning will go back into the pink salmon broodstock program, while the rest will be reared to smolts and released from the Elwha Hatchery into the river in spring 2014. The broodstock program is expected to continue through the 2015 pink salmon cycle.

The tribe’s partners in this program are NOAA, WDFW, Olympic National Park, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and citizen volunteers.