PMB 2565, 1420 NW Gilman Blvd Ste 2, Issaquah, Washington 98027 USA
TEL: [425] 641-3008 FAX: [425] 641-4944
E-mail: info@savelakesamm.org
WEB: savelakesamm.org
SUMMER 2004 NEWSLETTER CONTENTS
Click on title below to go to article or just scroll through the entire newsletter
Environmental Guide for Small Watercraft
Sammamish Stewardship Saturday a Success
ISSAQUAH RESOURCE CONSERVATION OFFICE SUMMER 2004 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Joanna Buehler and Janet Wall Recieve Ruth Kees Environmental Award for a Sustainable Community
CATTAIL a common and useful native plant
Pooping pets pose pollution predicament
Powered Watercraft Environmental Concerns
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Environmental Guide for Small Watercraft
When operating your small powered watercraft, be aware of the environmental impact your craft may have in certain areas. Most powered watercraft, in good working order, can be expected to have little or no adverse effect on the water, land, shoreline, or animals in the area when operated in a responsible manner. However, high speed operations in shallow creeks or coves can cause erosion and turbidity that may adversely affect plant life and fish spawning. Additionally, operation in secluded inlet or outlet streams where traditional boating has not ventured can negatively impact wildlife that may be sensitive to excessive human intrusions. Please be aware of the following ways in which you can help prevent extensive damage to plants, animals, and the bottoms of our waterways:
| TURBIDITY Travel in main channels and limit operations in shallow water. Powered watercraft may stir up the bottom, suspending sediments which limit light penetration and deplete oxygen which affect fish and bird feeding. Near shore, especially in seasons of low water, disturbance by powered watercraft can cause erosion as well as long-lasting damage to vegetation. VEGETATION Vegetation helps control shoreline erosion and filter pollutants out of runnoff. And these weeds, grasses and other plant life may cause damage to your craft. Stay Away! Operate well away from the shoreline to avoid disturbing wildlife that inhabit the vegetation along the shore's edge. |
Sammamish Stewardship
Saturday a Success
85 volunteers descended upon the Pickering Trail to tend existing streamside and wetland restoration sites stretching from Emily Darst Park to the Pickering Farm. Volunteers removed blackberries, spread wood chips and cardboard to repress future weed growth and planted approximately 250 trees and shrubs, including some salvaged from the Pickering Farm Community Teaching Garden. Save Lake Sammamish, Earth Corps, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and the City of Issaquah came together to recruit, plan, coordinate and FEED the masses who joined us. Fun was had by all and lots of great work was accomplished! |
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NOISE Be aware that the noise and movements of boats may disturb bird populations. Steer clear of posted bird nesting areas. Many migratory birds are easily stressed and especially vulnerable during their migration period. Birds will typically fly away from disturbing noises and this unnecessary expenditure of energy can harm a feeding or resting bird. Bird rookeries are especially vulnerable to noise. Nesting birds may fly from their nests exposing unprotected eggs and hatchlings to the sun's heat or predators. |
| HARASSMENT Do not harass wildlife by chasing or interrupting their feeding, nesting, or resting. Harassment is defined as any action that may cause an animal to deviate from its normal behavior. |
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EROSION Excessive boat wakes may contribute to shoreline erosion, especially in narrow streams and inlets. Erosion is a concern for all shorelines including rivers, lakes, and oceans. The slow destruction of shorelines affects the habitats of plants and animals. Remember to avoid high speeds and observe posted no wake zones. When operating any watercraft, use common sense and courtesy to make your ride enjoyable for everyone. Small powered watercraft allows you the opportunity to explore areas that traditional boaters are unable to reach. Use this to your advantage and consider the impact that your operation may have on the environment around you before you go out on the water. SLS thanks boatsafe.com for this material |
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ISSAQUAH RESOURCE CONSERVATION OFFICE SUMMER 2004 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
PICKERING FARM COMMUNITY TEACHING GARDEN!
Make the Garden Grow! Volunteer Work Parties August 7, September 4, 9 AM - 2:30 PM Get dirty while lending a hand to build the Pickering Farm Community Teaching Garden in Issaquah before our big opening day. Participation is a great way to learn how to have an environmentally-friendly yard. Check with Chrys Bertolotto, City of Issaquah, for details at (425) 837-3442 or chrysb@ci.issaquah.wa.us.
Garden Tours! July 24. Tours depart 10 AM, 11 AM, 12:30 PM from the Issaquah Farmers Market at 1730 10th Ave. NW, Issaquah.Join Resource Conservation Office staff for a 30 minute tour of the Pickering Farm Community Teaching Garden. Learn about the building process of the Garden and take home ideas on water conservation, soil building, least toxic gardening, streamside landscaping and use of recycled material product techniques.to use in your own yard.
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HABITAT RESTORATION Birds of Issaquah June 22, 6:30-8:30
p.m. Issaquah Salmon Hatchery - 125 W Sunset Way. Learn about the
issues affecting the bird populations and communities that share our city
with us, while enhancing your bird identification skills. Tips on
providing bird habitat in your backyard will also be shared. Space is
limited, so please sign up quickly.
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The Mayor and Council President chose to recognize two dedicated community members: Janet Wall and Joanna Buehler. Each woman has dedicated countless hours and energy to conserve Issaquah’s natural resources over many years. The legacy both have left behind so far is vast Some examples include improved water quality in Lake Sammamish, restored streamside areas to improve habitat for fish and wildlife - both on public and private lands, permanently protected open space through their own acquisition and through tenacious lobbying and the seeds of information and inspiration they have scattered through the community. Issaquah is fortunate to have such committed advocates for the environment.
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 Janet Wall |
Help Restore Issaquah’s Streams - Join a Restoration Work Party!
Aug. 21, and Sept. 18, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Volunteer to spend a summer day removing weeds and nurturing native plants along Issaquah’s streams to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. Make Issaquah even more beautiful. All tools and snacks provided. Come prepared to get dirty.
Contact Cara Lanni for more information on work party locations: (425) 837-3408 or carai@ci.issaquah.wa.us
CITIZEN MONITORING
Issaquah Stream Team
Contact Chrys Bertolotto for more information about the Issaquah Stream Team call (425) 837-3442 or email chrysb@ci.issaquah.wa.us.
Water Quality Monitoring
Join one of our Water Quality Teams! Each month, these teams of 3 to 4 people cooperate to collect water quality data on several of Issaquah’s streams. Monthly monitoring occurs year-round and takes up to 2 hours per month. Volunteers are expected to attend a training session in October, but there are immediate openings.
Benthic Macroinvertebrate (bottom dwelling large invertebrates) Monitoring Workshop
August 11, 6:30 - 9:00 PM and August 14, 9:00 - 2:00 PM City Hall NW, 1775 12th Ave NW, Issaquah
Learn more about the critters dwelling at the bottom of our streams! This free two-part workshop explains why benthic organisms are important, a bit about their life history and how to complete a collection. All participants are required to do one collection in a team setting before September 15th (about 4-6 hours).
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Cattail a common and useful native plant
by Jenifer Parsons, Washington State Department of Ecology
| Cattails are one of the most common and
easily identified of our water-loving plants. Most people are familiar
with the long green leaves and hot-dog shaped brown flower spikes of our
common native cattail, Typha latifolia. It is found growing in dense
stands in areas with shallow water or seasonal flooding, or as a narrow
band along the margins of deeper water. It is a widespread plant, found
throughout most of North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Washington also harbors another cattail species, Typha angustifolia, or narrow leaf cattail. It is an invader from other parts of the country, and so far is only known from a couple of locations. For this article I will concentrate on the common cattail, and the benefits it provides. Cattails are sometimes thought of as a nuisance along lake margins. However, they and other shoreline plants can perform important functions that help keep a lake healthy. One such benefit is they filter runoff as it flows into the lake. This helps reduce nutrients as well as mud which enter lakes from surrounding land. They also help prevent shoreline erosion from waves created by wind or boats. A healthy plant community along the shoreline can work wonders in keeping lakefront property intact. In addition, cattails provide important habitat for many species of wildlife and birds. Redwing blackbirds and many ducks and geese nest in them, and some animals such as muskrats, eat them. Even upland songbirds will use fluff from the flowers to line their nests.
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Above is a cattail that has just flowered. The lower parts of the leaves can be eaten in salads. The leaves have been used for weaving, for padding seams in boats, and for packing material between barrels. |
 Here the cattail has begun to pollinate. When something touches the cattail head at this point in its life cycle, a burst of yellow pollen will “puff” out. |
One of the most interesting aspects about cattails is how humans have used this plant through the centuries. To quote an early advocate of natural foods, ‘many parts are edible’. In spring the rootstocks and rhizomes were an important food source for native peoples when other food was scarce. These roots are quite nutritious, containing more starch than potatoes and more protein than rice. The young shoots are reported to be tasty as cooked vegetables, and the pollen can be used in baked goods. In addition to food, cattails have also provided people with building materials. The dried leaves were often woven into furniture and mats, and their pulp and fibers can be made into paper and string. Even the fluff from the seed heads has been used for padding, bedding and insulation. Cattails also have medicinal value. Many cultures have used the roots to treat intestinal maladies and burns. So, before lamenting the vigorous growth of cattails along your favorite lake or river, remember what this simple, attractive plant is doing while it’s long slender leaves wave in the breeze.
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And finally, the cattail forms a fluffy head of seeds. These are carried away by the wind to begin anew. These fluffy seeds were used by the Native Americans as diaper material for their infants because of its absorbency and softness. |
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POOPING PETS POSE POLLUTION PREDICAMENT
Department of Ecology News Release - Feb. 4, 2004
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OLYMPIA - When Daisy and Digger dally on their
daily doggie walks, they produce a surprising amount of bacteria-filled
waste, adding up to as much as 150 tons a day in Washington alone.
According to the state Department of Ecology, all this pet waste can cause serious environmental harm unless it is properly controlled. “In an area of 100,000 people, about the size of Everett or Yakima, dogs generate about two and a half tons of feces per day,” said Ralph Svrjcek, a water cleanup specialist for Ecology. “That’s almost two million pounds a year. That’s a lot of bacteria.” |
| Studies show about half of all dog owners walk their dogs
in public places, and up to 40 percent of them don’t pick up after their
pets.
Dog and cat waste left on the ground can be washed into storm sewers, most of which drain directly into natural water bodies. There the waste contributes to all sorts of problems - from sick kids to mucky algae that suffocates fish and is sometimes poisonous to humans. “It seems like such a small amount when it’s just your dog, but it really does add up,” Svrjcek said. “Many people don’t realize how important it is to take care of their pet waste so it stays out of our lakes, rivers and streams.” The same bacteria that make pet waste dangerous to people in parks can make water unsafe for swimming or drinking. Children and others can get sick if they dunk their heads or accidentally get a mouthful of polluted water. And when waste gets into shellfish beds, it can make clams and oysters unsafe to eat. |
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Children and others who play in yards or in parks where pets do their business can pick up illnesses from disease-causing bacteria and parasites. These include diarrhea, fever, muscle aches, headaches, vomiting, roundworms and toxoplasmosis (a parasite carried by cats that can cause birth defects if a woman becomes infected during pregnancy). Other pets can get sick too.
So, what should a responsible pet owner do?
“Don’t just throw your dog’s business over the fence,” Svrjcek warned. “Yes, it will biodegrade eventually, but meanwhile it can cause problems for the rest of us.”
Cleaning up after pets can be as simple as taking along a plastic bag on your next walk. The “used” bag can be disposed safely by securing the plastic bag and putting it in a nearby trash can. At home, larger volumes of pet waste should be double-bagged to ensure it can be safely handled by local sanitation workers.
Many wastewater treatment plants allow pet waste to be flushed down the toilet (just the waste, not the litter). Check with the treatment plant first, though.
Homeowners who use septic systems should use another disposal method for pet waste. For example, pet waste can be buried in the yard, at least six inches deep, away from vegetable gardens, lakes, streams, ditches or wells.
“Even in rural areas, if you leave your pet’s waste to decay in your yard, try to make sure it doesn’t cause a water pollution problem,” Svrjcek said. Clean up near wells, storm drains, ditches and waterways, and always remove waste from areas where children play.
Late Run Kokanee --
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Diseases that can be passed from pet waste to humans:
Campylobacteriosis - a bacterial infection carried by dogs and cats that frequently causes diarrhea in humans. Salmonellosis - the most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans by other animals. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting and diarrhea. Toxocariasis - roundworms usually transmitted from dogs to humans, often without noticeable symptoms, but may cause vision loss, a rash, fever or cough. Toxoplasmosis - a parasite carried by cats that can cause birth defects if a woman becomes infected during pregnancy. Can also be a problem for people with depressed immune systems.
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Did you know?
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Dog feces left on your lawn can pose a serious health hazard! |
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It can take up to 1 year for dog feces to disintegrate? |
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Dog feces are protein based and poisonous to lawns. |
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Pet waste is a food source for rats and mice. |
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A single gram of dog feces contains an average of 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, some of which can cause disease in humans. In high enough concentrations, these bacteria can make water unsafe for swimming, drinking, or fishing. |
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Bacterial source tracking studies in a watershed in the Seattle, Washington area found that nearly 20% of the bacteria isolates that could be matched with host animals were matched with dogs. |
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A 1993 study in Puget Sound found that dogs and cats were the primary source of fecal coliform in urban stormwater. |
A single gram of dog feces contains an average of 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, some of which can cause disease in humans. In high enough concentrations, these bacteria can make water unsafe for swimming, drinking, or fishing.
Bacterial source tracking studies in a watershed in the Seattle, Washington area found that nearly 20% of the bacteria isolates that could be matched with host animals were matched with dogs.
A 1993 study in Puget Sound found that dogs and cats were the primary source of fecal coliform in urban stormwater.
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Powered Watercraft Environmental Concerns
Petroleum in or on the water is harmful and, in some cases, fatal to aquatic life. Benzene, a carcinogen, is in gasoline. Oil contains zinc, sulfur, and phosphorous.
Once petroleum is introduced into the water, it may float at the surface, evaporate into the air, become suspended in the water column or settle to the bottom. Floating petroleum is particularly noxious because it reduces light penetration and the exchange of oxygen at the water’s surface. Floating oil also contaminates the microlayer. The microlayer refers to the uppermost portion of the water column. It is home to thousands of species of plants, animals, and microbes. The abundance of life in the microlayer attracts predators: waterbirds from above and fish from below. Pollution in the microlayer, thus, has the potential to poison much of the aquatic food web.
Also worth noting, a single pint of oil released onto the water can cover one acre of water surface area.
Fueling Practices:
Gas or diesel may be spilled during the act of fueling: as backsplash out
the fuel intake or as overflow out the vent fitting. Spills of this sort harm
aquatic life, waste money, and can result in stains on the hull and damage to
the gel coat and striping. Follow these tips to avoid problems:
Fill tanks to no more than 90 percent capacity—gas that is drawn from cool storage tanks will expand as it warms up on board your vessel.
To determine when the tank is 90 percent full, listen to the filler pipe, use a sounding stick (if possible), and be aware of your tank’s volume.
Rather than filling your tank upon your return to port, wait and fill it just before leaving on your next trip. This practice will reduce spills due to thermal expansion because the fuel will be used before it has a chance to warm up.
Fill portable tanks ashore where spills are less likely to occur and easier to clean up.
Use oil absorbent pads to catch all drips.
Slow down at the beginning and end of fueling.
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Bilge Maintenance and Oil Changes: Engine oil tends to accumulate in bilges. If no precautions are taken, the oil is pumped overboard along with the bilge water. Discharging oily water is illegal. To avoid fines and to protect water quality, follow these tips: Keep your engine well tuned to minimize the amount of oil that is released. Be sure there are no leaking seals, gaskets or hoses.
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Thanks to Judy Layton of RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, who kindly provided SLS with an updated list of lakefront property owners. |
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THE RECYCLING WASTEMOBILE WILL BE AT THE ISSAQUAH HIGH SCHOOL, 700 2ND AVE SE FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 8 10:00 AM TO 5:00 PM Dispose of your hazardous household waste properly. Check http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/wastemobile/ to see what materials are accepted.
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If you change your own oil: Purchase a non-spill pump to draw crankcase oils out through the dipstick tube and slip a plastic bag over used oil filters prior to their removal to capture any drips. Hot drain the filter by punching a hole in the dome end and draining for 24 hours. Recycle the collected oil. Recycle the metal canister if practical. If not, dispose in your regular trash.
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Place oil absorbent materials or a bioremediating bilge boom in the bilge.
Place an oil absorbent pad under the engine.
Replace oil absorbent materials regularly.
Look for contractors or marinas that offer a bilge pumpout service.
Do not treat oily water with detergents. Soaps pollute and make clean up impossible. You may be fined up to $25,000 for using soaps to dissipate oil.
Disposal of Oil Absorbent Materials:
The disposal of used oil absorbent material depends on what type of product it is and how it was used:
Standard absorbents that are saturated with gasoline may be air dried and reused.
Standard absorbents saturated with oil or diesel may be wrung out over oil recycling bins (if they are saturated with oil or diesel only!) and reused. Alternatively, they should be double bagged with one plastic bag sealed inside of another and tossed in your regular trash.
Bioremediating bilge booms may be disposed in your regular trash as long as they are not dripping any liquid. Because the microbes need oxygen to function, do not seal them in plastic bags.
Emissions Control:
Marine engines—especially two-stroke outboard motors—produce the highest average level of hydrocarbon exhaust emissions after lawn and garden equipment. Hydrocarbon emissions contribute to ground level ozone, a known health risk. Follow these tips to help your engine operate as efficiently as possible:
Use the gas to oil ratio recommended by the engine manufacturer. Too much oil can foul spark plugs and too little can lead to increased engine wear or even failure.
Use premium two-cycle engine oil (TC-W3 or TC-W4). Premium oils improve engine performance and reduce pollution because they burn cleaner, contain more detergents, and prevent formation of carbon deposits.
Use gasoline with the octane level recommended by the engine manufacturer.
Preventative Equipment:
Products are available commercially which can help you prevent spills and reduce emissions:
Install a fuel/air separator along your vent line. These devices allow air, but not fuel to escape through a vent opening.
Attach a safety nozzle to portable gas cans used to fill outboard engines. These nozzles automatically stop the flow of fuel when the receiving tank is full.
To prevent oily bilge water from being discharged, install a bilge pump switch that leaves an inch or two of water in the bilge. Alternatively, connect a bilge water filter to your vessel’s bilge pump. Filters will remove oil, fuel and other petroleum hydrocarbons from the water.
When it is time to buy a new engine, select a fuel efficient, low emission model.
Attach a container to the external vent fitting to collect overflow. There are products on the market that may be attached to the hull with suction cups. A rubber seal on the container fits over the fuel vent allowing the overflow to enter the container. Fuel captured in this manner can be added to the next boat to fuel.
In Case of a Spill:
* Stop the flow.
* Contain the spill.
* Notify, during the workweek:
King County Limnologist (lake scientist) - Jonathan Frodge -
206.296.8018
(If you do call 911 to report the problem, please also call
Jonathan to alert him to the situation.)
King County Environmental Lab - Ben Budka
206.684.2328
* On weekends and holidays, call: State Department of Ecology - NW Region -
425.649.7000
For tips on cleaning your vessel using alternatives to toxic products, go to: Vessel Cleaning
SLS thanks boatsafe.com for this material
In additional to many informative articles and boating tips this website http://boatsafe.com contains the first Nationally approved Basic Boating Safety Course. This course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the US Coast Guard as acceptable to the National Recreational Boating Safety Program. Most marine insurance companies, in all states, give discounts to boat owners who have successfully completed such a course.
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Hard copy edited by Dan Reider
Contributors:
Joanna Buehler
Jenifer Parsons
SLS invites submissions, comments or suggestions for this Newsletter. Credit will be given for articles and/or photos used. The Editor of the SLS Newsletter has complete discretion as to material to be published.
We thank our many volunteers, contributors, and friends for your continued support. The future depends on you. Thanks also to the Seattle Community Network (SCN) for hosting the SLS web site and Listserve.
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SUMMER 2004