Everett Daily Herald, August 29, 2015

Page 1

Grown-ups need playtime too D1

Next time you’re flying out of Sea-Tac, check out the world-class art A13

SATURDAY, 08.29.2015

EVERETT, WASHINGTON

WWW.HERALDNET.COM

75¢ (HIGHER IN OUTLYING AREAS)

Fumes pose no risk to health

Stanwood to vote on tax

The removal of creosotesoaked pilings from a pier in Mukilteo is causing headaches, but tests show there’s no long-term danger.

Ebey Slough levee breached

MUKILTEO — Air quality tests show that the level of fumes created by removing creosotesoaked pilings from the former tank farm pier were many times below what’s considered a health risk, despite of being a headacheinducing nuisance to neighbors. Test results show that naphthalene, one of the odor-creating agents triggered by the pilings’ removal, was detected at .002 parts per billion at the tank farm pier. That’s about 1/50,000 of the workplace exposure limit of 10 parts per million considered harmful to workers, said Brian Mannion, a spokesman for the Washington State Ferries. People can detect the smell of naphthalene at extremely low levels. Naphthalene was just one of 20 chemical contaminants that were tested for and all were well below levels that cause health concerns. The test results averaged the amount of each found over a four-hour period. “It’s good to know that although people may be smelling it, there don’t appear to be any long-term health impacts,” Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson said. “We’re relieved that the state ferry system is taking it seriously.” The removal of the abandoned military tank farm pier is part of a project to build a new $129 million ferry terminal, replacing the current 60-year-old terminal for the Mukilteo-Clinton route. The pilings in the old pier contain an estimated 7,000 tons of toxic creosote — about 4 percent of all the creosote left in Puget Sound, according to the Washington State Ferries. Air sampling was conducted at the construction site and in the surrounding neighborhoods at the request of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency after an employee was sent to investigate odor complaints from neighbors earlier this month. A Seattle firm, NVL Laboratories, conducted the air sampling for the ferry system. The air pollution tests were part of nine-step plan outlined by the See FUMES, Page A2

Business . . . . .A9 Classified . . . . B1 Comics . . . . . . C8

Crossword . . . C8 Dear Abby. . . . C9 Horoscope . . . B7

Herald Writer

STANWOOD — Voters in the city are being asked to consider a six-year tax increase to pay for rising police and fire costs.

The measure is set to appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. The Stanwood City Council voted July 23 to put the proposal in front of voters. It would take more than half of voters to approve the tax

The current city tax rate is $3.05 per $1,000 assessed value, or $915 per year on a $300,000 home. The 15.5-cent increase would be smaller if it runs up against state caps on local tax rates. City officials say the costs of Stanwood’s contracts for police See TAX, Page A6

Project is part of a long-term plan to restore native species’ habitat

GENNA MARTIN / THE HERALD

Excavators breach through the levee at the Qwuloolt Estuary project Friday in Marysville. The project, led by the Tulalip Tribes and the Army Corps of Engineers, will turn the land back into a salt marsh.

By Kari Bray and Chris Winters Herald Writers

MARYSVILLE — Dirt and brambles gave way to mud and mud gave way to water as a habitat restoration project hit a long-awaited milestone Friday. The Army Corps of Engineers carved a 200-foot-wide gap in a levee built more than 100 years ago between Ebey Slough and 400 acres of farmland. The land hasn’t been farmed in decades and had become a lowland mix of invasive plants and creeks populated by non-native fish. High tides now will flood the area as they did before levees were built. The brackish mix of

Lottery . . . . . .A2 Obituaries. . . .A6 Opinion. . . . .A12

salt and fresh water is expected to create a rich environment for native plants and fish, especially wild salmon populations that are in severe decline. The 400-acre Qwuloolt Estuary project is part of a long-term goal by the Puget Sound Partnership, which fronted $2.6 million for the $20 million project, to restore 7,380 acres of tidelands by 2020. They’ve reached 2,260 acres so far. The Tulalip Tribes are the lead local agency for the Qwuloolt Estuary work, which has been in progress for two decades with a number of local and national partners including the city of Marysville, Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA.

Sports . . . . . . . C1 Stocks . . . . . .A10 Venture. . . . .A13

Tribal Chairman Mel Sheldon Jr. called Friday a “day of celebration” as backhoes dug though dirt and muck to clear a space for water from Ebey Slough to mingle with Allen and Jones creeks, which have been rerouted toward the new opening in the levee. “To reclaim habitat for a positive environment for salmon means a lot to the Tulalip Tribes, to us personally,” Sheldon said. “Our relationship with the salmon is a deep one and the salmon has been an integral part of Tulalip history.” Project leaders originally planned the restoration to repair damage from a former landfill site on Ebey Island and to

The Buzz Ashley Madison’s CEO steps down. His board was already seeing other executives.. Page A2

restore the watershed, which should be a lush habitat for the dwindling Puget Sound chinook salmon population. Years of development, including diking and ditching along the slough, have damaged the watershed. The restoration work also is expected to benefit native coho and bull trout. “The big thing with this is it’s the nursery habitat for the chinook,” said Todd Zackey, marine and program manager for the Tulalip Tribes. “It’s the most important step of their life cycle.” Zackey is part of a team that plans to monitor the results of the project. They’ve been See SLOUGH, Page A6

Tempestuous 67/59, C12

NOW RENTING!! NEW SENIORS 55+ APARTMENTS GREAT LOCATION! • Stainless steel appliances • Hardwood Floors • Social Rooms

Call today for a free, no obligation tour!

• Secure Bldg. • Outdoor Social Areas • On-site Laundry

Park Place APARTMENTS

STUDIO

1 SMALL BDRM

LRG 1 BDRM

2 BDRM

695

$

Easy access to shopping, dining, & medical

6

42963 33333

9

VOL. 115, NO. 198 © 2015 THE DAILY HERALD CO.

895

$

• Elevator • Dishwashers • Built-in Microwaves

745

$

Ask About Our Move In Special!*

950

$

1395157

Herald Writer

By Kari Bray

increase, called a levy lid lift. Money from the higher taxes would be directed toward public safety, specifically the city’s contracts for police and fire services, according to council documents. The increase would be up to 15.5 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, totaling $46.50 per year on a $300,000 home.

DAILY

By Sharon Salyer

Residents will decide if they want a new six-year increase to pay for the rising costs of police and fire service contracts.

• Covered Parking Available • Pets OK! * On small 1 bedrooms

3515 HOYT AVENUE, EVERETT, WA 98201 | 206-595-8852 www.parkplaceeverett.com | JTP37@comcast.net


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Everett Daily Herald, August 29, 2015 by Sound Publishing - Issuu