Department of Ecology Releases Pollution Study for Tributaries to
Totten and Eld Inlets
GNA members at our Annual Meeting on
March 8, 2006 viewed a presentation by representatives of the Washington
State Department of Ecology. The presentation was of a report on water
temperatures and the levels of fecal coliform bacteria in four
tributaries to Totten Inlet (Pierre, Burns, Kennedy, and Schneider
creeks), and two tributaries to Eld Inlet (McLane and Perry creeks).
The report makes a particular point of identifying the source of
fecal coliform bacteria for these area streams: livestock, failing
private septic systems and pet waste.
There are two documents of particular interest regarding this issue,
on the Department of Ecology web site. The first is
this document, which is a Quality Assurance Project Plan published
in May 2004. The second is
this document, presented to the GNA in March, which is the
Water Quality Improvement Report.
Planning Commission Work on Portions of Comprehensive Plan of Interest
to Griffin Area Residents
The Thurston County
Planning Commission is beginning to rewrite key portions of the county's
Comprehensive Plan. These portions refer to "critical areas" and include
chapters on wetlands, geologic hazards, threatened and endangered species
of local concern, aquifer recharge areas, and high groundwater flood
hazard areas. Shorelines will be reviewed early in 2005. The Planning
Commission is where the public can provide public input & influence the
product while its being drafted. The Planning Commission is the citizen's
advisory body to the Board of County Commissioners.
Local residents are urged to participate in this
process by attending meetings of the Commission. For more information, contact the
Planning Commission office through Thurston County Development Services at
(360) 786-5490.
Click here to visit the Planning Commission web page.
Habitat Issues & Projects
The GNA intends to
assume a proactive role in the development of our community by initiating
the Griffin Neighborhood Land Stewardship Program. This program will be
implemented by the Habitat Committee.
The Neighborhood Land
Stewardship Program will consist of four elements: 1) inventory and
monitoring projects , 2) planning projects, 3) educational outreach
projects, and 4) conservation projects. Each of the four elements is part
of an integrated approach to achieve the goal expressed in the Habitat
Committee vision statement "maintaining wildlife and their habitat for the
enjoyment and benefit of current and future residents of the area."
Inventory and
Monitoring Projects
The inventory and mapping projects will
document existing wildlife and habitat resources to determine current
conditions and establish a baseline for monitoring change over time.
Information is being compiled into a mapping system to assist with
planning and updated annually to track change over time. An annual report
will be produced that evaluates changes in wildlife habitat and impacts of
the stewardship program. We intend to pursue implementation of the
inventory and monitoring project through the involvement of community
members and schools.
Planning Projects
Development of a wildlife plan. Information
from inventory and monitoring projects will be used to develop a plan that
identifies existing wildlife habitat and potential corridors. The plan
will provide guidance in implementing voluntary actions to maintain future
wildlife populations in the Griffin area.
Grant writing: Funds to be used for all
program areas (GIS for school, conducting inventories and publication of
materials, funds for land purchases).
Educational Outreach
Projects
Best Management Practices (BMP) Guide: The
purpose of this project is to develop a guide that provides information on
best management practices to protect and enhance wildlife and their
habitat through good stewardship for the use of landowners, tenants and
government agencies.
Steward Workshops: The Habitat Committee
would like to sponsor a series of workshops focused on specific
stewardship and habitat management issues, such as forestry, storm-water,
invasive plants, wildlife, riparian buffers, marine banks, livestock,
wildlife plantings, etc.
Conservation Projects
Habitat Preservation and Restoration:
Raising funds and contributing to work parties to restore or create
appropriate habitat to achieve goals of plan.
Land Conservation: Land purchases, trades
or easements of high priority lands as identified in the plan.
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Habitat Committee Vision Statement
The wildlife of the Griffin area, and the habitat they live in, are assets
enjoyed by area residents. Wildlife of the area is comprised of diverse
assemblages that include birds, mammals, fish, amphibians and invertebrates. The
ability to experience the wildlife, and share those experiences with children,
family members, and friends, is part of our quality of life that makes the
Griffin neighborhood a unique and attractive place in which to live. However,
many residents are concerned that wildlife, and their habitat, may be lost over
time as the area grows.
The Griffin Neighborhood Association Habitat Committee is committed to
maintaining wildlife and their habitat for the enjoyment and benefit of current
and future residents of the area. We plan to pursue this goal by: (1) assembling
information on wildlife and habitats in the area, (2) organizing educational
programs and activities so residents (adults and children) can learn about the
wildlife and ways to provide habitat and help them co-exist with humans, and (3)
organizing community projects to protect and restore wildlife and/or habitats.
This strategy is based on our philosophy that the best way to ensure the
perpetuation of wildlife and wildlife habitats is by informing and educating
residents about wildlife and habitat protection so they will incorporate this
knowledge into decision they make about the management of their property.
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