August 2024

Header: Earth Matters, Environmental News, Pierce County PPW

What's Bugging Pierce County?

What are those little bugs crawling around on the rocks in your neighborhood stream? They’re salmon food! Did you know Pierce County counts those bugs and surveys their habitat to measure the health of the stream? We do! Stream bugs are called benthic macroinvertebrates and they include larval stages of aquatic insects, like mayflies and stoneflies, and small aquatic animals, like snails and worms. Before you think “Yuck!” say “Yay!” because the numbers and types of species found are reliable indicators of water and habitat quality, and healthy streams support more fish, like salmon.

Our field scientists collect samples of benthic macroinvertebrates at about 15 sites each summer. The samples are sent to a lab specializing in taxonomy (species identification) where bugs are identified and counted. These data are compiled into a score called the Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (BIBI). Some streams have good scores while others rank poorly. The data can help focus pollution reduction efforts or inform us about climate change impacts such as species shifts from rising stream temperatures or low water levels. View the 2023 Pierce County data here.

Next time you are near a stream, turn over a few rocks and see what you can find. Stay tuned for future stories on more ways that Pierce County evaluates and protects our surface waters. Learn more here.

WA EV Instant Rebates Program- Launching Soon

Starting this month, the Washington State Department of Commerce will provide substantial instant rebates to low-income residents buying or leasing an Electric Vehicle (EV). Both new and used fully electric vehicles (not hybrids) will be eligible for the program. Rebates will be applied at the point of sale at participating dealerships, and can significantly reduce up-front and ongoing vehicle costs for households with incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, or already enrolled in programs like Apple Health, WIC, and LIHEAP. Check the program website for more information about eligibility!

Sale Type	Washington EV Instant Rebate
New EV Purchase	$5,000
Used EV Purchase or Lease	$2,500
New EV Lease (36+ months)	$9,000
New EV Lease (less than 36 months)	$5,000

Don’t think you qualify as low-income? You can still access federal tax credits for buying both new and used EVs, hybrid vehicles, and even related equipment, like EV chargers! Check out our Electric Vehicles webpage to find information about those credits, other financial and health benefits EVs unlock, and answers to more frequently asked questions. Have a question you don’t see answered in our FAQ? Reach out to us!

County Litter Work Expands

Pierce County is working hard to reduce litter and illegal dumping on roadways. A key part of this reduction effort is the Sustainable Resources’ litter crew. This crew started in the summer three years ago with two temporary extra hires and now has five team members who will continue throughout the entire year. The crew works closely with other County staff to make sure that concerns about County-owned roadways reported on the County website are addressed.

Since the County started its litter crew in 2021, over 150 tons of litter and 45 tons of illegal dumping have been collected on over 800 miles of roadway! Learn about other ways Pierce County addresses roadside litter at www.PierceCountyWa.gov/RoadsideLitter.

Paint Recycling

Do you have a recycling question? Send it to us at PCRECYCLE@PierceCountyWa.gov We’ll send you a direct response and your question may appear in a future newsletter!

It’s easy to recycle paint around Pierce County! Just find the PaintCare drop-off site nearest you. PaintCare is a stewardship program paid for by a fee on sales of new architectural paint. Most take-back sites are paint retailers, which are conveniently located around the state.

You can recycle house paint, primers, stains, sealers, and clear coating like shellac and varnish through PaintCare. Click here for a detailed list of accepted products. Ensure that lids are secured tightly, no containers are leaking, and that paint is in the original container with the original manufacturer label. Do not mix paints together or drop off empty paint cans. All PaintCare sites accept up to 5 gallons per visit. It’s a good idea to call ahead and confirm hours and availability before dropping off paint.

Sites do not accept aerosol coatings, solvents, or paint thinners. These types of items are accepted at household hazardous waste drop-offs. Don't let that old paint sit around—recycle it!

Get Ready for the Walk Everywhere Challenge!

a female and male, both on bikes with helmets on stopped on the Narrows bridge to take a selfie.

The Ride Together Pierce Walk Everywhere Challenge encourages people to replace car trips with walk trips during the month of August. Can you walk or roll to frequented destinations such as work, the park, grocery store, or more? Combine your walk trip with a Pierce Transit bus or on-demand Runner trip.

Just walk an average of one day a week or more and log your walk trips on the trip calendar at RideTogetherPierce.com for a chance to win one of these great prizes:

Three $50 gift cards
Five $20 gift cards
25 $10 gift cards

Don’t have an account yet? Create an account on the trip calendar by clicking “New User Sign Up” on the main webpage.

Looking for additional ways to win? Share your walk photo on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag ##PierceCountyWalks and tag @RideTogetherierce to enter a $10 gift code drawing.