Sound Status Update September 2022

September 30, 2022

Hi Friends! 

The first few days of fall remind us of new school shoes and a backpack full of pens and notebooks. At CHB it means the start of another series of educational programs for Tacoma’s youth. We have a great lineup of Environmental Justice Camps for girls and LGBTQ+ youth aged 11-17. 

The fall season also means that CHB’s Stand for Our Sound awards ceremony and fundraiser is back. We are currently accepting nominations. Do you know someone who should be recognized for their work protecting this community? If so, please submit your applications before our October 3 deadline. 

One final thing before we go; we recently sent Tyee Marina, the Marina at Brown’s Point, and their respective owners and operators 60-day notice letters informing them of our intent to sue the marinas under the Clean Water Act for discharging pollutants into Puget Sound without the required permits. Read on to learn more. 

Talk to you next month!

Erin Dilworth – Deputy Director

CHB Sends Intent to Sue Letters to Tyee Marina and The Marina at Brown’s Point

Tyee Marina and The Marina at Brown’s Point received letters of intent to sue for the discharge of pollutants into the ocean near their marinas. It is our belief that there have been and continue to be significant violations of the Clean Water Act at both marinas that pose a significant risk to the health and vitality of Commencement Bay.

Read our full press release HERE

Stand for Our Sound Awards 

We are pleased to announce the return of Communities for a Healthy Bay’s fall fundraiser, Stand for Our Sound. This year we are excited to welcome Washington Conservation Voters Political Director, Joy Sanford as our Honorary Chair. A number of awards will be presented by CHB to Tacoma residents for their outstanding environmental and clean water advocacy, including the Environmental Justice Service Award, the Clean Water Hero in Elected Office Award, the Healthy Bay Champion Award, the Rising Tide Award, and the Kay Treakle Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Make plans to join us in celebrating exceptional people that drive positive change through service to others and the preservation and protection of Commencement Bay and its surrounding waterways on November 10 at the Pacific Seas Aquarium at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

This year at our Stand for Our Sound awards, we will be accepting award nominations from community members like you.

Strong candidates from across Tacoma and spanning industry sectors (schools, government, nonprofits, tech, academia, or research) will have demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following award criteria:

  • Excellence in advocacy through community organizing, outreach, research, or public policy as it relates to Commencement Bay and the Puget Sound region.
  • Dedication to underserved communities
  • Leadership in environmental policy at the local level
  • Nomination Deadline: October 3, 2022

If you know someone that fits this criteria and lives in Tacoma, please nominate them today! 

Nominations Form

Tales from Bay Patrol

As the only environmental organization in the South Sound with a patrol vessel, Communities for a Healthy Bay is uniquely positioned to identify and address the pollution that would otherwise go unnoticed. During August, we conducted ten Bay Patrols. On patrol in the Hylebos Waterway, we observed in-water work occurring and worked with the Environmental Protection Agency to confirm that the work was permitted and followed best practices. 

On another day, we were lucky to be joined for a full day of patrols by Unleash the Brilliance – a nonprofit dedicated to decreasing the number of youth caught in the school-to-prison pipeline and empowering youth to make positive decisions. We enjoy taking students out on the water to show them Commencement Bay and get a glimpse of the wildlife that calls it home. 

Fall 2022 Environmental Justice Camps Kicked off with Popsicle Party 

Environmental Justice Camps fall 2022 programs launched August 31 with a Popsicle Party where students and their families enjoyed the view from the CHB office deck while also eating delicious popsicles and sharing what they want to see for Environmental Justice Camps. Their feedback will let us know what topics and formats to consider for future camps. For families that weren’t able to attend, there is still a chance to let us know your thoughts and to possibly be selected to receive a $10 gift card at this link.

Our next camp will be Sunday, October 2 for Stand Up Paddle Boarding on Foss Waterway. We’ve patterned with Big Bus Paddle Sports to teach students how environmental justice is connected to environmental cleanups in Tacoma and spend some time on the water. Space is limited to 10 people and registration is required to make sure we have space. If you’re interested, please contact us at chb@healthybay.org.

Join us for Green Drinks on October 6 at 6:00 p.m. Hosted by Pierce Conservation District, grab a drink with friends and cha

In honor of Green Tacoma Day, join Communities for a Healthy Bay to help educate our neighbors about stormwater by marking storm drains with the “Drains to Puget Sound” sign.

Parking is available along South Thompson Ave: Map

Click here to register