Meet Me at the Bend Come on out and help us work on trails and clean up at Tapteal Bend on March 10 at 9 a.m. We will be preparing last year’s plantings for the upcoming growing season and re-establishing the trails on the property to get ready for our Tapteal Bend education component hosted at the Bend over the course of the warmer months.

Please bring equipment for cutting back growth including weed eaters, chain saws, hand saws and heavy duty loppers. Good gloves and your own re-useable fluid container are also recommended.

See you at the Bend for a few hours of effort dedicated to the upcoming neighborhood educational season. Please park on the north side of the property near the Hyde road boat launch.

Tapteal talk A publication of the Tapteal Greenway Association

Spring Edition 2012

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.

Bateman Island Clean Up a Big Success Over 100 volunteers showed up in the early morning fog of February 4 to re-claim Bateman Island as a safe and clean open space. The island was divided into 5 areas with a team assigned to each area. The

City of Richland supplied the trash bags, a small truck and a large drop box to collect the trash. REI of Kennewick was on

hand with their staff and goodies including REI volunteer shirts and treats for all. Sageport Grill across the street from the staging area offered 20% off a meal for volunteers. Special thanks also to Island View Market and McDougal Bay Bar and Grill for their support of the project.

American Rock donated a pickup truck for the day and they were joined by others who donated their vehicles and time to the project. Several community groups including the Combat Veterans of America, Boy Scout troops, geocachers and Energy Northwest also joined the team.

Bateman Island in a special haven for wildlife including excellent bird watching, elk were recently spotted on the island and it is a favorite stopping place for the lower Yakima River Mule deer population. Otter, beaver raccoon and skunk also hang out there as well as the magnificent Bald eagles who are winter time visitors to the island.

In recent years this Natural Open Space has been greatly abused by people who don’t care about the value of open space to the community. We look at this as a bit of a challenge to give those who abuse it a chance to do the right thing. We are starting 2012 with a clean slate at Bateman. An increased educational presence will be felt targeting the illegal pet waste neglect, leash laws, trash dumping, illegal fires and camping that has been rampant. We hope to reach out to the Bateman neighborhood to enlist local stewards for the island. Tapteal has scheduled another clean-up for November 10 of this year to give us a measure of our success and help plan for 2013.

We hope that if you are a user of Bateman that you will help us deal with the abusers by reporting violations or educating the offenders. It would also be an excellent example to set when you carry a trash bag with you on your walks. We hope to have the pet waste station and trash bag dispenser up and running no later than mid-March.

2 | P a g e

“Oh What’s Love Got To Do, Got To Do With It?” President’s Message

Can’t you just see Tina Turner crooning her story about finding her way in a new relationship? She is not quite sure she wants to commit until she is sure she understands where she is going. So now you can’t get that tune out of your head. You are probably trying to recall the rest of the lyrics to search what love does have to do with it.

Sorry to move you away from Tina, let’s see what Jacque Cousteau has to say about what love has to do with it; “We will always protect what we love”. Take that a step farther to Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia; “we will love what we understand”. (Patagonia is committed to donate up to 1% of sales, or 10% of profits, whichever was greater to environmental causes.) Add one more phrase; “but we need to understand before we will protect”. Now put it all together and you will see what love has to do with it; we will always protect what we love and we will love what we understand but we need to understand before we will protect.

That is our challenge, to promote understanding in order to have any chance at all of protecting the things we love. Not everyone understands the value of open space or the blessings of wildlife. We have to heighten the awareness in our community of these things by promoting an educational agenda that generates support for protection. We hope that you will continue to support our mission in any way you can so we can carry on this valuable work.

That is what love has to do with it.

Weighing IN On Parks Both Richland and West Richland are in the process of developing long range master planning for their Parks, Trails and Open Space. The process is billed as inclusive of stakeholders so it is very important that the stakeholders come forth in a timely fashion to help craft these documents. Staff will present drafts and comment will be taken to improve each draft. To be involved with these projects make sure you check out the next public meeting related to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process. Those schedules are available on the respective web sites or via phone call to city staff.

Tapteal has provided each city with specific recommendations that we feel should be part of the plans. You can view the full text of our recommendations on the Tapteal Facebook page. Here are just a few highlights of the work:

Goal #5 Richland: Natural Open Space ( as a compliment to the RROSN Vision Plan and the Richland Parks Master Plan we recommend that some of the Richland Parks be renamed as Open Space; that includes Amon Creek Natural Open Space, W.E. Johnson Natural Open Space, Chamna Natural Open Space, Bateman Island Natural Open Space and others. Tapteal will gladly support this effort with funds to create new signs and maps.)

Figure 6 Trails map Richland: no connection between map number T-13, 14, 15, 16 ( need to develop the connection recommended by RROSN Vision Plan)---T-9 identified a Yakima River Trail, change to Tapteal Trail, PT 9 is identified as S. Kingsgate trail (should be continuation of Tapteal Trail), T 17 is identified as Bateman Island trails, should be Tapteal Trail, T 16 is Sacajawea Heritage trail, should also be identified as Tapteal Trail (logic here is one common name with possible spurs such has Kingsgate spur, Richland, Benton City and Benton County will all host the Tapteal Trail and it would be regionally significant to have a connective name that can be marketed as a regional resource).

Richland: Tapteal Trail needs to be formalized in the park plans (RROSN reference is to the RROSN vision plan recommendations)

• The Tapteal Trail connector from W.E. Johnson Park to Horn Rapids Park completed (RROSN OS 8.1) • The Tapteal Trail section connecting Bateman Island to Chamna Natural Preserve using the current Eucon-

American Rock corridor upstream of the Highway 240 Bridge completed. • Pet leash and waste ordinance strengthened with enforcement and penalty clearly defined • Add the final 119 acres of Amon Basin to the Amon Creek Natural Preserve (RROSN OS 5.1) • Create an all season trail in W.E. Johnson Park • Establish trails connecting Amon Creek Natural Preserve with Little Badger Mountain and the Chamna

Natural Preserve (RROSN OS 5.2) • Establish a connective trail system that links the Badger Ridges (RROSN OS 6.2)

West Richland (concur with Lower Columbia Basin Audubon and RROSN)

• Consider including “Open Space” in the title, i.e., “Parks, Open Space, and Recreation Master Plan Update.”

• P. 49. Park Standards. The prominence of other public lands available in or near West Richland that are passive recreation-based open space, potentially relieves the City of West Richland of preserving large tracts of open space within the city limits. We strongly disagree with this statement, and we were

4 | P a g e

pleased that Chapter 6 appears to belie this statement. The open space in the other quad cities is getting more and more crowded as their populations grow.

• Each of the cities should be responsible for providing natural open space areas. This type of park is as important as developed parks with ball fields – it serves an educational purpose, encourages unstructured activities, and introduces kids to the natural world.

• P. 63. #5. Protect key natural features in the community. We strongly agree with this statement. We would like to see shrub steppe habitat and wetlands included as well.

• P. 66. #10 Develop a River Access Park on the Yakima River. We are glad to see this in the plan and strongly support leaving the selected area as natural open space with amenities for access of non-motorized boats.

• P. 70. #2 Yakima Whitewater Park. We do not agree with this concept. It would be a major disruption to the Yakima and not a good use of our limited water resources.

Once again these are just a few of the comments submitted by Tapteal, Audubon and RROSN. We recommend that when you do comment it is very helpful to city staff to have a reference point sited from their plan. Be part of the solution not the problem.

Tapteal Water Trail Needs Navigational Help Our feature REI grant project for 2012 is the completion of the Tapteal Water Trail. Most of the planning is complete and it is time for the volunteer force to step up and lend us a hand to get the project off the drawing board and into the water. The first opportunity for you to help us out will be on April 21. Please contact Adam Fyall; ajfyall@charter.net for more information

5 | P a g e

Tapteal Spotlight: Kami Lowry Kami and family picked up the Idaho roots in 1976 and headed for the Columbia Basin. Since her arrival, of course, she has seen many changes. You used to be able to walk from our apartments in Kennewick to Dairy Queen but now they have a mall there. New bridges, neighborhood open space disappearing, have significantly changed the scenery. After high school, Kami decided to explore higher learning opportunities far from home and dust.

Western Washington State University (WWSU) and the Bellingham area beckoned. Trees, water, lot of water from the sea and sky and some new perspectives. Interested in making a difference, Kami began pursuing teaching high school math and science. After a teacher observation experience at Richland High School, though, she decided there were better ways to make a living. She returned to campus and switched to Geology.

One of her geology professors offered Kami a small airplane ride over the San Juan Islands to see the beauty of the San Juan Islands and an above ground view of tectonic plates at work. She was hooked and proceeded to obtain a BS in Geology/Environmental Engineering. Being able to understanding how the mountains, islands, and rivers were formed along with the ability to make a difference in solving environmental challenges is what Kami found appealing.

While at WWU, Kami dabbled in kayaking and hiking, did portions of the Pacific Crest Trail, and loved the fresh air. She always appreciated a hot shower and a comfortable bed, though. As Kami puts it “I was prissy before I went to WWU”. Kami looked for work on the west side after graduation, but what she wanted and what was available did not match up. Luckily for the east side, over the pass she came in 1993, back to the Tri Cites. Kami hooked up with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in the environmental compliance field and began to move in the Hanford circles. The dust bowl was still a far cry from the west side but she soon found herself

getting involved and appreciating what the Tri Cities had to offer. She became very active with the American Diabetes Association organizing fund raising events in the region. She and her husband-to-be Pete soon were training for marathons in support of the ADA and her ennui with the Tri-Cities was disappearing. Following her two sons (Ryan and Aaron) and now the soccer mom, volunteer, professional woman, wife is appreciative our community and all it has to offer.

Kami became connected with Tapteal when U.S. EPA Performance Track requirements expanded to include community outreach. As the lead for EPA Performance Track at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Kami saw an opportunity to give back to the community on a large corporate scale. After some research Tapteal came to the top and the Amon Basin Community Project was adopted by PNNL for 1000 hours of volunteer effort. Those 1000 hours of PNNL staff support included: cleanup events, native plant restoration, technical assistance in water analysis, logo development, aerial photography and GIS mapping, welding skills used to mend gates, volunteers to lead tours, professionals assisting with regulatory support and grant applications, and fund raising.

Beyond the EPA goals, Kami and friends adopted Tapteal, becoming the master minds of the silent auction at the annual Tapteal Celebration and other fundraising events raising thousands of dollars to support purchasing more land and preservation activities. For her efforts, Kami was awarded the

6 | P a g e

Conservationist of the Year Award for 2009. She takes pride in teaching her children the value of community service and our shrub-steppe environment. Tapteal and our community are

blessed with dedicated volunteers like Kami. Idaho’s and Bellingham’s loss is certainly Tri-Cities’ gain.

Creature Feature: GREAT EGRET A large white heron, the Great Egret (GE) is found across much of the world. It's the largest egret in the Old World, earning the name Great White Egret. Over here in the New World we have a greater (size) heron in the Blue Heron. So if you like you can say the Greater Blue Heron and let the Great Egret (white one) keep its moniker. Side by side they each have magnificent plumage but historically the white one was hunted to near extinction for its feathers. If not for the efforts of the Audubon Society and Federal protection at the beginning of the Twentieth Century we would not be blessed with the bird, in fact the Great Egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society.

In most cases GE migrates to our region and is especially fond of the lower Yakima River. It is not uncommon in early fall to see a dozen or more

mixed in with Blue Heron stalking the banks of the Chamna Preserve in search of fish, invertebrates and amphibians. You can also find them in the Yakima Delta diversifying their diet to include reptiles, birds, and small mammals. They walk slowly, pausing, watching, lowering the body then stab prey with a quick lunge of the bill.

In the spring look for colonies of herons, you will find Great Egrets mixed in with Great Blue Herons in shrubs and trees over water, and on islands. Seek nests made of sticks covered with green material. If you are lucky you will see long plumes held up over their back in courtship displays around the nest. Tread lightly; the chicks don’t need any more stress than they already have. Aggression among nestlings is common and large chicks frequently kill their smaller siblings. Rest assured the strongest will survive and hopefully live a long life. The longevity record for a wild Great Egret is nearly 23 years.

The combination of jurisdictional and community efforts to conserve our irreplaceable natural resources has given us the pleasure of experiencing the wonder of a 50 inch wing spanned angel gracing us with its presence along the Tapteal Greenway.

7 | P a g e

Amon Basin Wildlands Walk This is the big one! Don’t miss it!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Tours leave promptly at 10 a.m.

Claybell Park —Broadmoor Street, South Richland

A guided interpretive hike through the wetlands and desert shrub-steppe of Amon Basin Community

Preserve will be held on Saturday, May 12. It is sponsored by Tapteal Greenway Association and Friends of

Amon. There is no charge for the event. Walkers should meet at Claybell Park in South Richland (off

Broaodmoor Street). Tours leave promptly at 10 a.m.

The walk, which will last about 2 hours and cover about 1-1/2 miles, will be guided by members of

Tapteal Greenway Association and Friends of Amon. Trail guides will lead walkers on a circuit of seven

distinct stations. At each post, expert stationmasters will make short presentations on Amon plants, birds,

geology, and wildlife. The event will educate the public about the 100-acre existing preserve surrounding

Amon Creek, focusing especially on progress on signs, benches, trails, kiosks, and native plant restoration.

Wear sturdy shoes; bring your own water/snacks/sunscreen, binoculars, and camera. Please leave your

dogs at home.

INFO Contact:

Kathy Dechter 627-0950 or kdechter@charter.net

Tapteal Greenway www.tapteal.org

Scott Woodward woodfish24@gmail.com

Tapteal Trail Milepost

Project Workday We are all excited to finally have the opportunity to get our Tapteal Trail Mileposts in the ground to delineate the trail and the distance from ground zero at Bateman Island. We need your help and the first opportunity this year is coming up on March 31. Please contact Mike Lilga; mike.lilga@gmail.com for more details.

TAPTEAL GREENWAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Scott Woodward

President

627-3621

woodfish24@gmail.com Dave Jackson

Vice President

627-5834

drjackso@dslextreme.com Vicki Clark

Secretary

727-7527

hrrleeryydr@charter.net Dan Harter Treasurer

628-1068

dan.harter@frontier.com

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

Sky Bradley

967-0584

skybradley10@aol.com Adam Fyall 942-0354

ajfyall@charter.net

Mike Lilga 946-8966

mmlilga@owt.com Dave Nelson

627-6286

david.nelson@pnl.gov

Kathy Dechter 627-0950

kdechter@charter.net Jim Kelly 627-1016

Prime21833@aol.com

9 | P a g e

Tapteal Greenway P.O. Box 3007 Richland, WA 99354 (509) 627-3621 Http://www.tapteal.org Address Services Requested

Not

a M

embe

r Yet

?

Mem

bers

rece

ive

a qu

arte

rly

new

slet

ter,

spec

ial

invi

tatio

ns to

the

annu

al

mee

ting,

and

hav

e

atte

ndan

ce p

rivile

ges

at

boar

d m

eetin

gs.

Hav

e an

idea

for a

“Cre

atur

e Fe

atur

e”?

We

are

open

for n

omin

atio

ns

if yo

u fo

und

a cr

eatu

re in

the

geog

raph

ic e

nvel

ope

of th

e

Tapt

eal G

reen

way

that

you

wou

ld li

ke to

kno

w m

ore

abou

t. J

ust s

end

a no

te w

ith

your

nom

inat

ion

to S

cott

at

woo

dfis

h24@

gmai

l.com

and

we

will

inve

stig

ate

it!

10 | P a g e