A 'green' lake | Editorial

Efforts to educate and remind people to think twice about what we consume and what we throw away have paid off. Combined with the deliberate effort of governments and environmental organizations, the movement to ‘go green’ has made an impact. There are several examples. Most important is that the water quality of Lake Washington is vastly improved over where it was 40 years ago. These efforts, of course, must continue as more people bring more development and pavement to our region and our Island. Controlling stormwater runoff is a top priority.

The city has had wastewater management plans in place, as required by law, for years. The 2011 update, completed a year ago, reviews and strengthens the measures to be taken by the city to control storm runoff.

Controlling runoff goes beyond the placement of storm drains, but through the management of open space, impermeable surface restrictions to best practices such as limiting the use of fertilizers and precise handling of hazardous oils or chemicals.

In perhaps what can best be seen as a clear and positive outcome for the environment is the appearance of the truck that comes through the Island on early weekday mornings. It is out to collect oil and grease from Island restaurants — keeping it out of pipes — out of drains and recycling it into fuels and industrial components. We say the best recycling efforts help both business and the environment, providing jobs and new ways to work together to protect our environment.

It is an unfortunate matter of timing — the results of any election, big or small, are announced on Tuesday evenings, long after the Reporter’s press deadline of 7 p.m. on Mondays.

We invite you to take advantage of our website to keep up with results as they become available. Go to www.mi-reporter.com.

 

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Editor Mary L. Grady at editor@mi-reporter.com or (206) 232-1215 ext. 1050.

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