Meeting DatesMeetings are usually on the last Monday of the month, 7:00 pm at City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE. Meetings are open to the public. 
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Environmental Quality CommissionThe meeting scheduled for August, 30, 2010 has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for September 27, 2010 at 7 PM in the Forest Room About the EQCThe Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) works to develop policies and action plans which provide and protect the environmental well being of Lake Forest Park. We act as an "umbrella" for and work cooperatively with other environmentally related action groups in the City. The Commission provides educational activities, and works with school and community groups, as well as individuals in understanding and protecting the natural environment. Current CommissionersChair: Jim Halliday City Council Liaison: Don Fiene Environmental/Legacy Grant ProgramLake Forest Park’s environmental mini-grant program has been expanded to include projects that further the City’s 100-Year Legacy Vision. The program will reimburse property owners and community organizations 50% of expenses for Legacy and environmental improvement projects, up to $500 for individual property owners, and $1,500 for group projects. The program is jointly sponsored by the Environmental Quality Commission and the Community Service Commission. Information and application forms are available at City Hall and by clicking below. Click here for program description. Parks and RecreationScholarship Reimbursements for Income Eligible Youth and Specialized Recreation ParticipantsThe City of Lake Forest Park will reimburse eligible residents who are registered and attend cultural, recreation, and aquatic programs &
camps through the Shoreline Parks Department. The City will reimburse each qualified resident up to $50.00 per quarter for fall,
and up to $100 for Summer Quarter 2009. Current Topics
The EQC and the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater (NPDES) PermitThe EQC is assisting staff and elected officials in Lake Forest Park to achieve compliance with the NPDES Phase II permit. Specifically, the EQC is working on the public education and outreach, public involvement and participation, and monitoring components of the permit. As a result, surface water is discussed at each EQC meeting with an update from staff. If you are interested in becoming involved in surface water/stormwater discussions or are interested in discussing anything that impacts the environment in Lake Forest Park a great first step is to attend an EQC meeting. Meetings are typically held on the last Monday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Forest Room at the Lake Forest Park City Hall. Stormwater Education Materials prepared by University of Washington Information Design ClassThe EQC has been instrumental in collaborating with city staff to develop a stormwater program that addresses pollution of our streams and Lake Washington. A great example of this is the strormwater education materials prepared by Commissioner Farkas' University of Washington Information Design course during the Winter 2009 quarter. The City was very impressed with their work and Mayor David Hutchinson expressed the City's gratitude in the form of a proclamation on March 26, 2009. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the materials please contact Aaron Halverson, Engineering/ Stormwater Technician, by email at aaron @ cityoflfp.com , or call (206) 957-2836. Below are links to a sampling of of the materials: Stormwater Mapping Presentation - Alex Wallace, GIS InternAlex Wallace is a Western Washington University student studying GIS and planning. He was hired by the City in June 2008 to develop maps of the Lyon and McAleer Creek basins and the City's stormwater system to help staff better understand water quantity and quality in the Lake Forest Park region. Wallace presented his work during the August 25, 2008 EQC meeting. His presentation incorporated numerous GIS maps of the McAleer Creek and Lyon Creek basins with emphasis on impervious surfaces and catchment basins. Wallace demonstrated that GIS is a powerful tool the City can use to better understand numerous issues in our region including crime, stormwater, utilities, parks, operation and maintenance, land use, sensitive areas and tree canopy. How Your Garden Can Reduce Stormwater in Lake Forest Park
As Val notes, “A good rain garden collects, absorbs, and filters water in much the same way forests used to do.” Find out how easy it is to build one in your garden and help control stormwater in our city’s watershed. Related links:
Volunteer with StreamKeepers of Lake Forest Park
Besides having fun, students who participate in our projects earn community service credits. Contact co-chairs Mark Phillips or Jim Halliday for more information. Urban Forest Task Force
The Task Force, headed by LFP Environmental Quality Commissioner Mark Phillips, has focused on three major areas: research (benefits of trees and what other communities are doing to maintain a healthy urban forest); regulatory (using “best available science” to improve our Tree Ordinance as needed); and public information and input. Members of the working task force are: Steve Plusch, Brian Highberger, David Hepp, Beth Hale, and Tyson Greer. Environmental Mini-GrantThe program is designed to provide an incentive to residents to improve our natural environment by partnering with the City. The mini-grant program provides for up to $500 reimbursement from the City per application. To encourage partnerships between neighbors, the City will reimburse projects with two or more landowners at a rate of 75% of eligible expenses; single landowner projects will be reimbursed at the rate of 50% of eligible expenses. Click here to download the mini-grant application More About This CommissionCommissions are mayoral appointments. Members of the Environmental Quality Commission serve for three years. If you are interested in serving on the commission, contact Mayor Hutchinson at City Hall, 206-368-5440 or email him at cityhall @ ci.lake-forest-park.wa.us. For more information you also contact Aaron Halverson, Engineering/Stormwater Technician at 206-957-2836, or co-chairs Mark Phillips or Jim Halliday. |
Former Lake Forest Park resident Val Easton’s first Seattle Times article of 2008,
If you care about the long-term fitness of our streams, join in to the activities of 
The Urban Forest Task Force has prepared a new section of the City's website focused on Lake Forest Park's trees called 
