Current Happenings

 
 Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

 

 

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Notice:

The Friends of the Carbon Canyon annual party will not be held at Mowich Mick's place this year.  It is cancelled for this year.  Hopefully we can find a suitable place for next year.  Let us know if you can think of a good place to hold the party next year.

Please pass the word around.

Send us your updated email addresses for updates and alerts.  Your email addresses will never be sold or shared with anyone.

Mick is selling his property.  He is working to prepare the properties for sale.  If you want to learn more about the sale or the properties, check the link at Mowich Ranch.

Peace and Happiness and we hope to see you all next year!

If you have questions about land use issues or problems, call Mardel at (360) 897-8425.

 

 

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Message from Jill Cartwright:

Good Morning,  first of all I want to thank you for keeping me on your mailing lists; very useful information that I would not have without grassroots individuals such as yourselves.

My reason for writing today is to get the word out to as many people as possible concerning this proposed partnership between the FAA and Mt. Rainier Nat'l Park.  The FAA, with National Park Service as a cooperating agency, has initiated development of an Air Tour Management Plan for Mt. Rainier National Park.  I first found out about this from a casual conversation at a neighbors kitchen table, and then found this link:  http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2010/04/what-do-you-think-about-sightseeing-tours-circling-mount-rainier-national-park5636

Public comment period ends May 12, 2010.  I would recommend writing to both names listed in the following link; one is the FAA and the other represents the National Parks.  http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=323&projectId=29122 

There is a 'Public Scoping Packet' available including a good map of the proposed flight patterns through the park.  http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/air_tour_management_plan/documents/MORA%20Scoping%20Packet_2010-04-01.pdf  

Nothing specific about how many flights per day would be allowed, nor how this would benefit Mt. Rainiers Nat'l Park monetarily.  Rather, their criteria focuses around flights being safe, that they satisfy the purpose and need, be technically and economically feasible, and minimize or prevent significant impacts to park resources and values.  I am sending informational packets to the 'Mountaineers' of Tacoma, 'Backpackers Supply' of Tacoma and 'Whittaker Mountaineering' out of Ashford.  I appreciate your help in getting the word out to as many people and organizations as possible.  97% of Mount Rainier National Park is designated 'Wilderness', which also happens to border on the Glacier View, Clearwater, Norse Peak, William O Douglas and Tatoosh Wilderness's.  This would impact not just the Nat'l Park.

On another matter, 2 years ago I met with Bob Harding of Burnett, who is/was single handedly trying to protect the Burnett watershed from a proposed development which would be drilling water wells and installing septic systems within 100' of the watershed.   With a tip from Cindy about a federal law, Mr Harding went down to the county offices and invoked the '4d Rule' (I forget if it was 3d or 4d), this has kept everyone quiet for the last 2 years, but just within the last month a Public Notice sign has been put up on the 400 acre site and it mentions 'removal of existing timber up to 70% of existing volume'. 
I remember months ago reading one of your emails concerning city's original water rights vs developers, I can't find it amongst my saved emails, if any of you can come up with any information we may use, I would be most grateful.  Mr. Harding has again gone down to the County offices and invoked the 4d Rule for a second time, we hear the Health Dept. has voiced some concern over this development but things seem to progressing regardless.
Beautiful day today, let's get outside where miracles are just waiting to happen!
Sincerely, Jill Cartwright

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There are only two remaining wildlife corridors/ migration zones on the west side of Mt. Rainier which go north to south. One is around Evans Creek by Fairfax and the other is off of Tubbs Road near Carbonado and runs through Burnett toward the White River. The ones off of Tubbs Road and the one by Burnett are both being slated for logging and development. To provide for more area being set aside for wildlife movement, we need to let the county know that they are important.

Anyone who has personal knowledge of wildlife along the power lines on Tubbs Road or near Carbonado,  crossing Hwy.165 near Burnett should contact the following person. Or anyone concerned about keeping these corridors open to preserve the health of the herds should also say so to the following person:

Diane Marcus Jones,

2401 So. 35th St.

Tacoma, WA 98409-7494,

Telephone: 253-798-2616, FAX 253-798-7425 or email her at:  mailto:dmarcus@copierce.wa.us?subject=Wildlife Corridors.

They should refer to the Applications #'s 676017-676072 for near Burnett, and Applications #'s 675987,85,93, and 676002 for near Carbonado/Tubbs Road.

Thank-you.

For more information call: Mardel 360-897-8425

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Thank you.

  Thanks to all that joined us in Wilkeson to help Bobby Harding recover from the fire that destroyed his home.

 Special thanks to the folks at the Mowich Mall (between Burnett and Wilkeson) for their hard work in putting it all together.

Vicki, Sherrie and Melissa can also give you updated information on Bobby's situation.  Vicki is at the Carbon Canyon Hemp Company at the Mowich Mall, Sherrie and Melissa can be found at the Botanical Destiny Organic's shop at the mall.

If you'd like to call, you can reach Vicki at (253) 312-0413.

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Mowich Mall now open; March 2010

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FYI... 1/4/2010

The Puyallup River Watershed Council Secretary Tweets!

Follow "prwcsec" on Twitter to keep up with PRWC Forums, agendas, events, and interesting news or posts.

Email the Secretary at prwc.sec@gmail.com to get in the address book or to request more information about a "tweet".

Cheers,

Jeanne,

FLWR editor to eNews 2

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An article was published in the News Tribune on May 4, 2009 stating that Pierce County Parks and Recreation may

be "exchanging" (selling?) some park properties currently owned by the parks department.  This due to "budget cuts".

We will be monitoring the situation and will keep everyone informed.  In the meantime, please go to the following link to read the story:

News Tribune article on possible park and land sales   

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Rain Gardens in Pierce County!

Managing Storm water for the health of our communities, watersheds, and Puget Sound!

Rain Gardens filter rainwater running-off roofs, patios, driveways and parking areas. Rain gardens help protect drinking water wells, surface runoff to lakes and rivers, and Puget Sound from contaminants.

A) Homeowners and property managers are invited to attend one (1) of three (3) remaining FREE Rain Garden Classroom Trainings.

In the rain garden class, attendees will get information on how to type their soil and determine infiltration rates, how to size a rain garden landscape feature, and will learn which native and ornamental plants are suitable for rain gardens. Each family will receive a copy of the Rain Garden Installation Manual authored by Curtis Hinman, Ph.D, WSU-Puyallup Extension researcher.

During on-site installations, volunteers will see how the garden's inflow and outflow elevations are calculated and how the site is excavated. Volunteers will amend and mix the rain garden's water-retentive soil, plant drought-hardy but water tolerant native and appropriate ornamental grasses, flowers and shrubs, and will finish by mulching the new beds.

To Register for a class or installation, please contact Melissa Buckingham, Pierce Conservation District Stream Team, at (253) 845-2973 or streamteam@piercecountycd.org

Please call the Stream Team for more details about Rain Garden Classes and/or Installations.

 

Our partners: Stewardship Partners Chamber Clovers Watershed Council Pierce Stream Team Puyallup River Watershed Council Pierce County Public Works WSU/Native Plant Salvage LeMay, Inc.

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Vicki B ( victorious59@msn.com )wants to share the following email:

Hi,
>
> I am completely appalled at the proposal to reinsert toxins into the Erie Bayfront after all the efforts to clean up Lake Erie. I am completely taken aback at the thought of such an environmentally unsustainable business that we as concerned citizens have fought to enlighten and make better for future generations. Please, please, please stop this madness and look into products that tires can be recycled into that are environmentally friendly for our sake and our childrens sake.
> >
> I just found out that some powerful business interests are trying to build a mega-tire burning facility in Erie. The facility would burn 100,000 tires a day for the next 40-50 years, emitting 3 million pounds of pollution yearly, including 23 toxic chemicals.
>>
> I wouldn't want that in my backyard, so help me follow the golden rule and keep it out of the Erie area.
>>
> I asked Secretary John Hanger of the Department of Environmental Protection to stop the facility, will you too?
> >
> Click here to email Secretary Hanger:
> >
> http://www.pennenvironment.org/action/healthy-communities/erietireburning?id4=TF
> ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Other Upcoming Classes and Events:

List your upcoming meetings and events in this spot;  Send us an email with your event and we will post it here.

SAVE THE SOUND, BUILD A RAIN GARDEN:   Free workshops in Pierce County in 2009

Please join us for a hands-on classroom workshop on rain garden design and construction.  We have several classes scheduled throughout Pierce County beginning February 5th in Orting.

A rain garden consists of native trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses planted in composted-amended soils in a shallow depression and strategically placed to effectively capture rainwater and slowly infiltrate it into the ground. Rain gardens work like native forests by capturing and infiltrating stormwater from rooftops, driveways, and other hard surfaces. Rain gardens reduce localized flooding; help recharge groundwater aquifers; provide beneficial wildlife habitat; and filter oil, grease and toxic materials before they can pollute local waterways.  

Workshop participants will receive a rain garden handbook and other useful materials.  They will also be invited to participate in several full scale rain garden installation workshops scheduled later in the spring and summer.

 Classes are from 6:30 to 8:30 PM

 Rain Garden Class Schedule

Thursday, February 5: Orting, Orting Library 
Thursday, February 19: Tacoma, Snake Lake Nature Center 
Thursday, March 5: Buckley, Multi Purpose Center

Thursday, March 19: Lakewood , Lakewood Water District HQ

Monday, April 20: University Place, City Hall
Thursday, April 30:  Edgewood, Edgewood City Hall

 Workshops are free and registration is required.  Participants will be sent site-assessment instructions in advance to help maximize their learning at the workshops. Contact Pierce Stream Team at (253) 845-2973 or email streamteam@piercecounty.org to register, and visit http://www.piercecountycd.org/stnews.html for more details on rain gardens.

 

 REDUCE STORMWATER RUN-OFF, REDUCE FLOODING, BUILD A RAIN GARDEN!

 
FAST stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces contributed to downstream Flooding in Pacific and Sumner last week.
If every building between Mud Mountain Dam and Sumner had a Rain Garden sized for the roof,
the  runoff from those surfaces could have been slowed down!! 

Most stormwater (precipitation falling on impervious surfaces and compacted soils) in our Lower White River basin goes to
pipes and/or ditches, and then to STREAMS!! Undisturbed virgin forests and river-side wetlands which hold rainwater are nearly gone in the lower basin. Our lawns, fields and 2nd growth forests were also saturated by the recent snowmelt...therefore the 4 inches of rain we had on Jan 7-8 had nowhere to go but downstream....and it did. Fast!
 
There are no USGS "flow gauges" on small streams or stormwater discharge pipes, therefore engineers cannot "see" how much water  or how fast water is coming from tributary streams and stormwater systems to rivers. The rain that fell in the 98 square miles of the Lower White River basin would have covered 1 square mile about 32 feet deep....
 
Rain Gardens can slow down that flow, and can reduce downsteam volume, by slowing down run off.
 
You can be a Good Neighbor to everyone down stream!
Be a good watershed citizen! Build a Rain Garden!  
 
Mathlet: How to calculate 4 inches of rain in lower basin, in Cubic Feet:
98sq miles  X 5280 ft/ mile X 5280 ft/mile  X 4"/12" (or .33) equals Cubic Feet of H2O.
 

 

                                           

If you have an event that you want listed here, just send an email to roy@friendsofthecarboncanyon.org and I'll put it up here.  Remember, this is your community website.