Public Participation Grants Offered to 21 Organizations

Washington State Department of Ecology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 1996
96-146

CONTACT:
Dolores Mitchell, Ecology (360) 407-6057
Jerry Gilliland, Ecology (360) 407-6149

Public Participation Grants Offered to 21 Organizations

Olympia, WA -- Washington Public Participation Grants are being offered to 21 nonprofit organizations to help pay for a variety of activities, including public involvement efforts at several toxic cleanup sites and helping businesses and individuals reduce pollution problems.

"Cleanup of toxic sites requires the support of citizens who live near these sites," said Dan Silver, Washington Department of Ecology assistant director for waste management. "We are pleased to see so much citizen activity reflected in the innovative proposals submitted for funding in 1997."

A public participation grant program was set up as part of the Model Toxics Control Act which was approved by voters in 1988. The act provides that one percent of revenues from a tax on hazardous substances be set aside for the grants. In 1997, these revenues will fund almost $500,000 in grants.

Nonprofit organizations are eligible for grants of up to $50,000 each. The exact amount of each grant this year will be determined after negotiation with potential recipients. Some 44 organizations applied for grants. Proposals which show how to prevent pollution by reducing or eliminating waste at the source, or which help people participate in the decision-making process at hazardous waste site cleanups, fared best in the competition..

Proposed grant recipients are:

King County
Heart of America, Northwest, Seattle, for promoting public input on issues of waste import, the site strategic plan, and budget/risk priorities at the Hanford Site.

Skykomish Environmental Coalition, Skykomish, for promoting community involvement regarding petroleum contamination site cleanup.

Northwest Marine Trade Association, Seattle, to distribute kits to encourage safe boating and good environmental practices by new boat owners.

Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation, Seattle, for demonstrating cost savings, inviting hospitals to switch from disposables to durables.

Kitsap County
Keyport/Liberty Bay Restoration Board, Indianola, for leading citizen oversight of hazardous waste cleanup at Naval facilities.

Association of Bainbridge Communities, Bainbridge, for helping residents participate in decisions affecting the landfill cleanup plan/action.

Pierce County
Citizens for a Healthy Bay, Tacoma, for working to keep the Commencement Bay watershed clean by implementing source control from the street to the shoreline.

Snohomish County
Northeast Everett Community Organization, Everett, for leading public information sharing regarding study of the Everett smelter site area and its human health affects.

Brackett's Landing Foundation, Edmonds, continuing public involvement in UNOCAL-Edmonds Bulk Fuel Terminal site cleanup.

Envirostars Partnership/Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Everett, recognizing Snohomish County businesses that prevent/reduce hazardous waste.

Thurston County
Energy Outreach Center, Olympia, for establishing an on-line publicly accessible clearinghouse of reusable building materials.

Laughing Crow Productions/Sound Decisions, Olympia, using performance arts to promote environmental awareness/dispute resolution skills in Thurston, Lewis, Mason and Pierce counties.

Spokane County
Inland Empire Public Lands Council, Spokane, for developing middle school curriculum incorporating "Get The Lead Out" information about mining wastes in the Spokane River.

The Green Zone Committee, Spokane, for exhibiting a walk-through display demonstrating product options for sustainable living.

Whatcom County
Re Sources, Bellingham, for reducing nonpoint pollution by promoting "SOUND gardening" methods and products.

Whatcom Paper Reuse Coalition, Bellingham, for showing businesses how to prevent pollution, reuse and recycle materials and also increase profits.

Clark County
CCHW Citizen Task Force, Vancouver, for a pilot project bringing waste source reduction methods to multi-family housing tenants.

Klickitat County
Columbia River United, Bingen, for comprehensive basin-wide strategies to assure protection of the river's quality and life.

Island County
Lighthouse Environmental Programs, Greenbank, for programs on waste-free traveling, on-site composting and protecting the environment.

Ferry County
Curlew Lake Association, Republic, for shifting user perspectives and providing information and opportunities for responsible change in environmental behaviors.

Skagit County
Economic Development Association, Mt. Vernon, for creating a unified waste reduction and recycling plan for the Northern State industrial campus.