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to view the Washington State Dept. of Ecology article on the Green Award. The Tapteal Greenway is the 30-mile corridor along and including the Yakima River extending from Kiona Bend at Benton City to the mouth of the river at Bateman Island in Richland. This corridor includes a complex mix of federal, state, county, municipal, and private ownerships as well as a variety of habitats ranging from arid shrub-steppe to lush emergent marshlands. The Yakima River and watershed is recognized as one of the most diverse, scenic, and biologically productive systems in the entire Pacific Northwest. The Tapteal Greenway Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1995 with the missions of preserving the rustic character of the lower Yakima River, protecting native habitats and species through conservation, enhancing recreational opportunities throughout the corridor, providing outdoor education programs, and promoting public access to and understanding of these resources. The Association operates through two primary channels --
Please go to our Amon Basin page and read about this very exciting project. We are taking a VERY big step and we hope you can join the team and become a part of this legacy gift to the community. Please consider a gift donation for Amon Basin. Go to the Amon Basin page and find out how you can help.
September 20, 2006 For more information contact: Gail Everett, Environmental Education Coordinator, 942-7730/539-6453 The City of Richland recognized four “green” businesses and one non-profit organization during last night’s City Council Meeting. Ben Franklin Transit was the overall winner, being recognized as Richland’s Green Business of the Year. The Green Project of the Year – Business Category was awarded to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Connell Oil for their efforts in bringing biofuel to the community. Tapteal Greenway Association was awarded the Green Project of the Year – Volunteer Category, for their work at Amon Basin, and Energy Northwest received an honorable mention for environmental excellence for their overall efforts. This is the second year that Richland has chosen to honor and recognize the environmental efforts of Richland businesses. Conservation efforts extend the life of the Richland landfill, conserves natural resources and reduces maintenance and repair costs for municipal utility operations. The information below highlights the success of the award winners: Ben Franklin Transit practices excellent waste prevention and recycling activities both in the office, in out buildings and in their landscape. From office waste to vehicle fluid, batteries and even bus wash water is recycled. Recycled rubber bumpers are placed at fueling islands and in the parking lots, and water conservation efforts include a metered drip system for outdoor landscaping and low flow faucets and toilets. The Transit is completing an environmental restoration project that will remove 66,000 gallons of fuel storage and 2,000 gallons of waste oil from close proximity to the river. The transit is also retrofitting the exhaust system on buses to help reduce harmful air pollutants, and encouraging staff to commute by offering incentives and holding campaigns. In just over one year, transit employees shared 4,275 round trips to and from the workplace. Future projects include alternative fuels, smaller vehicles for Dial-A-Ride Services and hybrid vanpool vehicles. Earlier this year, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory worked with Connell Oil to provide Richland the first alternative fuel that serves both the government and public in Washington State. The fueling station at the Pacific Pride Mart near the Richland airport plays host to these fuels. Ethanol-85 and biodiesel-5 fuels contain less toxins, sulfur and carcinogens. When burned, they produce lower levels of nitrogen oxide and toxic hydrocarbons, reducing smog-forming tailpipe and greenhouse emissions. The public can purchase the fuel by using any Pacific Pride card or any major credit card. The 2006 Environmental Project of the Year honors an environmental effort, inspired by a local group of volunteers. The Amon Basin Project is a great example of concerned citizens working to protect a natural area. The wetlands on the West Fork of Amon Creek have been identified as the highest rated “value” wetlands in southeastern Washington. It is the only natural connection between the basalt ridges that border the Tri-Cities and the three rivers that join in the immediate area. It is a crucial wildlife corridor that allows for movement of mammals as well as hundreds of birds throughout the increasingly developed area. Because of the endanger state of this urban wilderness, the Tapteal Greenway is working to protect it. The group is in the process of raising 1.8 million from public and private sources to purchase approximately 100 acres. Energy Northwest recycles 66% of their waste stream, averaging 57 tons a month. They are also certificated by the International Standards Organization for their Environmental Management System. A few other highlights of this business, is they have reduced their energy consumption by 15%, recycle vehicle wash water as well as photo chemical waste water, and plant native drought resistant plants in their landscape. More information and photos will be available on-line, later this week. For more information call 942-7730 or visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/richland/enviro. Gail Everett, Public Information Office Environmental Education Coordinator and Mid-Columbia Earth Month Chair www.ci.richland.wa.us/RICHLAND/enviro City of Richland P.O. Box 190; Richland WA; 99352 509-942-7730
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