"Built green" applies to more than just your house

In real estate terms, green-built homes are fast becoming the real estate industry’s equivalent to the term organic food of the food industry. While it may still be establishing a foothold in the real estate market, it’s easy to anticipate a time that “green” homes will be the rule, not the exception, to their non-sustainably built, energy guzzling counterparts.

As currently described, green-built designation applies to the structure itself; environmental soil assessments are not typically part of the “green” evaluation. The fact is, while recycled carpets, sustainably harvested lumber and formaldehyde-free interiors provide owners with a green building, it does little to reduce the health and liability risk if construction has inadvertently taken place above a hazardous substance release.

Greenlight Soil Check provides homeowners both liability assurance and health assurances by providing them with a reasonable evaluation of their property. Realtors, brokers and financial lenders are beginning to see the need for ascertaining the environmental conditions of the property much as home inspections have become a standard condition of sale.

Growing Green Workshop in Port Hadlock Oct. 16

Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore and EcoVentures International are offering a regional workshop on "green" enterprise development. This is a great opportunity to discover what opportunities exist in green microenterprise development and local strategies to make these a reality in our community. The free series of workshops will be held October 16, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Port Hadlock, at the Community Learning Center, 201 West Patison, Port Hadlock, WA, 98339.

Speakers include: Lisa Smith from Enterprise for Equity, Mark Bowman from Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia, Denise Pranger and Ian Hanna from Northwest Natural Resouce Group, Joe Baisch from Big Quill, Kate Dean from Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative Outreach.

Workshop will include discussions, presentations, engaging conversations, and interactive sessions covering ...

I. LOCAL SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Local environmental and economic development issues providing opportunities for poverty alleviation and self-employment.

II. GREEN ENTERPRISE INNOVATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Examples of green enterprise technologies and businesses from different parts of the US as opportunities for local green business development. Ranging from renewable energy and bio-gas technologies, to green building materials and sustainable agricultural practices.

III. LOCAL EXPERIENCE: NETWORKING AND INFORMATION-SHARING
Facilitated networking and sharing around local experience, projects, businesses and interest in green enterprise in your area.

IV. PRESENTATIONS & DISCUSSIONS:

i. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE & AQUACULTURE
Discovering latest developments and opportunities in micro / sustainable agriculture and aquaculture.

ii. RENEWABLE ENERGY
Exploring innovations and opportunities in renewable energy.

iii. LOCAL GREEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Considering developments and opportunities in local green economic development, including local food markets, eco-tourism and sustainable building techniques.

V. LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENTERPRISE SUCCESS STORIES
Regional success stories from green entrepreneurs in the region, sharing their business concepts and exciting successes along with the challenges they have faced.

VI. KEY STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Learn about value chain analysis and development for the sector and best practices in microenterprise development programs to support local economic development strategies.

VII. GREEN BUSINESS FINANCING
Financial opportunities and innovative financing products for green businesses.

VIII. STRATEGIES FOR MOVING FORWARD
Strategies, partnerships, resources and next steps around poverty alleviation and self-employment opportunities around green enterprise for the community.

This FREE workshop is hosted by EcoVentures International (EVI) and Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore (WEB), both non-profits operating in micro and small business development. Funded by Northwest Area Foundation. Local Co-sponsors include: Northwest Area Foundation, Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia, City of Port Townsend, Enterprise for Equity, Washington State University- Jefferson County Extension, Northwest Natural Resource Group

Please call Lawren, Pei or Ilan at EcoVentures International at 202-667-0802 for more details, or contact us at workshop@eco-ventures.org. Register at www.eco-ventures.org/workshop.

Two Cleanups Underway in Clallam County

The Washington State Department of Ecology Toxics Cleanup Program announced two voluntary cleanups are taking place in Clallam County. The Site Register is published every two weeks to inform you about public comment periods, public meetings, hearings, and other information related to the study and cleanup of hazardous waste sites under the Model Toxics Control Act, Chapter 70.105D RCW.
If you have questions or want to be added to the mailing list (electronic or paper) for the Site Register, contact Linda Thompson at 360/407-6069 or e-mail Ltho461@ecy.wa.gov.

Under Ecology’s Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP), a property owner cleaning up a contaminated site pays a fee for Ecology review. When a cleanup is determined to be sufficient, Ecology issues a no further action decision. The two sites which joined the program in Clallam County are

Fairweather Subdivision,
9999 Fair Weather Dr, Sequim
Facility Site ID # 9943161 - Submitted 8/20/07.
Report received: Remedial Investigation Report.
Site status: Completed opinion letter.

Truck Town
1921 Hwy 101, 1921 Hwy 101 W, Port Angeles
Facility Site ID # 61984337 - Submitted 8/13/07.
Report received: Remedial Investigation Report.
Site status: Independent remedial action in process.

For information about the VCP program, contact: Chuck Cline, 360/407-6267 or e-mail Chcl461@ecy.wa.gov

Post Hazardous Waste Roundup - Leave anything behind?

It's commendable that you've cleaned up Grandpa's old workshop by taking those nasty solvents, leftover paint buckets, half empty bug sprays and used motor oil to the proper disposal/recycling facilities. Now the question remains, what's left underneath the storage area? Lets face it, storing chemicals in damp garages, crawlspaces, and drafty workshops is a convenient and common household practice. But over the years, it can become a real problem if any of those dangerous substances have leaked or spilled. When cleaning up an area that has been used for storage of household hazardous material, be sure to look for signs of staining or standing liquids, and pay attention to odors. If you suspect anything , it's a good idea to have it checked by someone who knows how to deal with it safely.

Green links - Golf course chemistry 101

The property was perfect; water view, mountain view, private back yard, right near the golf course. It had it all . . . In fact, it had more than the owners bargained for. The nearby golf course has been using chemicals designed to protect their expensive fairways and keep the well-groomed greens perfect. It's been demonstrated that people living near a golf course can be affected by sprays and dusts blown from the golf course onto their property and into their homes. Pesticides applied to the turf may also run off into surface waters or leach down to groundwater, contaminating their soil, and drinking water. Find out if your local golf course supports environmentally green greens. If not, it might be time to consider having your property tested.