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Toni Droscher

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Rae Anne McNally

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Linda Farmer

Ken Moody (center) of Environmental Earth Systems explains innovative technologies for a septic system on Hood Canal to Michael Rylko (left) of EPA’s Region 10 offi ce. Rylko was part of an EPA evaluation group that gave the Action Team high marks for its work on Puget Sound. / John McShane, EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave high marks to the Puget Sound Action Team’s efforts to coordinate conservation and restoration actions in Puget Sound after conducting a comprehensive review and site visit.

In 1988, Puget Sound was designated one of America ’s Estuaries of National Significance, among 28 such places around the country that make up the National Estuary Program (NEP). Since then, the Action Team has coordinated the Puget Sound NEP under the authority of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). The long-term Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan and the two-year Puget Sound Conservation and Recovery Plan are federally recognized as the official plans for the Puget Sound NEP.

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The report, “Uncertain Future: Climate Change and its Effects on Puget Sound ,” was prepared by the University of Washington ’s Climate Impacts Group. The report urges policy-makers, planners and resource managers to consider the implications of climate change in future decision-making.

The report, which can be downloaded at www.psat.wa.gov/climatechange, helped shape local discussions on climate change. Check with your local government to see how they’re getting involved.

Climate change is the focus of this year’s Pacific Northwest Weather Workshop, March 3-4 in Seattle . For more information, call 206-526-6095 x 224/222 or visit www.atmos.washington.edu/maciver/pnw.2006/.

Action Team co-hosts toxics forum
April 5 in Seattle
The Puget Sound Action is teaming up with People for Puget Sound and others to sponsor a one-day forum to better understand how toxic contamination affects the Puget Sound marine environment, human health and the economy. The forum is from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. , April 5 at Seattle ’s Town Hall. For more information, call People for Puget Sound , 206-382-7007 or visit www.pugetsound.org.

Teachers are ‘Storming the Sound’
for the environment
The Puget Sound Action Team, People for Puget Sound and a host of other sponsors invite educators to participate in one of two environmental education and networking workshops this winter and spring.

• Storming the Sound — Central, Feb. 23, in West Seattle .
• The Storming the Sound — South, April 5 in Matlock (near Shelton ).

Contact People for Puget Sound for more information, 206-382-7007, or www.pugetsound.org.

76 projects hungry for PIE
In late February, the Puget Sound Action Team will award approximately $400,000 in funds through its Public Involvement and Education (PIE) program. Seventy-six proposals totaling requests for $2.3 million were sent in by agencies, organizations and schools. Eight to 12 proposals will be awarded. Projects will receive up to

$45,000 to educate and involve the public and advance the priorities of the Action Team’s 2005-2007 Conservation and Recovery Plan . To learn who will get a piece of the PIE later this month, check www.psat.wa.gov.

Skagit County Commissioner appointed
to Puget Sound Council
Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt to the Puget Sound Council in October 2005 to represent county government. A Mount Vernon resident, Dahlstedt is a fourth-generation agri-businessman and farms 400 acres in the Skagit Valley . He has served as a Skagit County Commissioner since 2000. Dahlstedt will serve until July 1, 2007 , filling out the remainder of former council member Rhea Miller’s term. The 11-member Puget Sound Council provides guidance to the Puget Sound Action Team Partnership, which defines, coordinates and carries out Washington State ’s environmental agenda for Puget Sound . For more information, visit www.psat.wa.gov/council.

Research Conference 2007 – Save the date!
Mark your calendars for the 8th Puget Sound Georgia Basin Research Conference set for March 26-29 at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, B.C. Details will become available later this year. Watch www.psat.wa.gov for updates.

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