Members of the public will have the opportunity to learn how Bainbridge Island’s groundwater might be affected by different land use, population growth and climate change scenarios. Staff of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which has been working with the City to develop a hydrogeologic model of the island’s groundwater, will present the results at a public meeting at Council Chambers from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27.

“Since groundwater is the sole source of drinking water for island residents, it’s imperative that we have a thorough understanding of our aquifer system in order to make sound, knowledgeable management and planning decisions,” said Cami Apfelbeck, Water Resources Specialist and Groundwater Monitoring Program Manager for the City. read more »

Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Spokane International Airport and Washington State University announced a strategic initiative to promote aviation biofuel development in the Pacific Northwest. The first regional assessment of its kind in the United States, the “Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest” project will look at biomass options within a four-state area as possible sources for creating renewable jet fuel.

The comprehensive assessment will examine all phases of developing a sustainable biofuel industry, including biomass production and harvest, refining, transport infrastructure and actual use by airlines. read more »

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued $245,825 in penalties of $1,000 or more in the first three months of the year. A table describing the violations and resulting penalties is available at www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2010news/2010-152.html.

Ecology issues individual news releases for penalties of $10,000 or greater. Links to the news release are included in the table. A particular penalty may be fully satisfied at this time or in the process of an appeal or settlement discussions. read more »

Coates Design Architects has been awarded LEED Platinum Certification for a home designed for Ed and JoAnne Ellis of Bainbridge Island. Coates Design is the first firm to achieve LEED Platinum Certification for a single-family residence in Washington, outside of the city of Seattle.

LEED Certification is the international standard for measuring building sustainability, and the certification demonstrates that a project is truly green. LEED Platinum is the highest possible level of certification. The Ellis residence incorporates many green technologies, including geothermal heating, photovoltaic energy collection, vegetated roofs, rainwater harvesting and passive-solar strategies that minimize energy use. read more »

Commissioner Steve Bauer is seeking applications from Commissioner District #1 residents interested in applying for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The mission of the twelve member advisory committee is to provide timely advice to the Parks and Recreation Director and the County Commissioners regarding the acquisition, development and administration of various park properties. The County Commissioners may also request the group create subcommittees to address specific issues related to park improvements and recreation programs. read more »

A new state law going into effect on July 1 requires that all dishwasher detergents sold in stores have low-phosphate formulas. The requirement applies in all 39 counties but only affects dishwasher detergents for residential use.

According to state officials, the new law is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to improve the health of water in our lakes, rivers, streams. Phosphorus that goes down the drain creates water pollution problems. It acts as a fertilizer to algae and plants. When the plants and organisms die, their decay uses up oxygen, suffocating fish and other aquatic life. read more »

The whole environmental bad guy thing never really worked for Wal-Mart. So in 2005, the world’s biggest retailer stopped defending its behavior and started changing the way it acted. Wal-Mart went green.

From shipping to storing to cooling to heating to selling to recycling, the two million Wal-Mart associates went on a mission to meet three goals:

1. 100 percent renewable energy;
2. Zero waste;
3. Sustainable products.

Wal-Mart slashed fuel consumption in its trucks by delivering 77 million more cases while driving 100 million fewer miles — a 60 percent improvement. It used 4.8 billion fewer plastic bags. New lights in store refrigerators slashed energy use. The retailer became the world’s largest buyer of organic cotton and milk. read more »

A federal district court in Louisiana has decided to lift the six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling imposed by President Barack Obama in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The moratorium was put in place May 30 by the Obama administration, shutting down 33 new deepwater drilling operations. read more »

Yachtfish Marine, a boat repair facility and marina in Port Orchard, recently received a five-star EnviroStars rating, becoming the only boat-repair yard in Kitsap County that’s certified by the program. The five-star level is the highest available in the program, which is voluntary. read more »