PNWER 09-10 logo with text
Opportunities at the 2010 Annual Summit
Policy and family tours, news from the region and more!
 
Calgary, Alberta
July 16-20, 2010
Join us for the 2010 Annual Summit!
Register now for Policy and Family Tours! 

Join us for our exciting Policy and Family Tours

All tours require pre-registration. When you register, don't forget to sign up for one, or more, of our exciting Alberta Policy Tours! Each of our policy tours is available for delegates at the discounted price of $25 each!
 
If you have already registered for the summit, and would like to sign up for a policy tour, please contact Rachael Latschaw. Please note that all tours require pre-registration.
(206) 443-7723
 
Book your Family Tours Today

Calgary City Tour with Heritage Park
Friday, June 16 -- 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Image of Heritage Park
Calgary's legendary western roots and pioneering spirit are still evident in today's dynamic city.  This excursion highlights the city's major historic and modern attractions and includes a visit to Heritage Park Historical Village.  Experience the old west in this fully operational town, where the buildings date back to the early 1900's.  Explore the town bakery, blacksmith shop, and Wainwright Hotel.  You may also take a steam locomotive train ride or paddle wheel boat ride (not included in the price of admission).

Includes roundtrip transportation, Brewster guide, driver gratuity, and Heritage Park Admission


Cost Per Person: $80.00 $45.00 -- Save $35.00!


Calgary City Sites Tours with Canada Olympic Park
Monday, July 19 -- 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Image of Calgary Olympic Park
Calgary's legendary western roots and pioneering spirit are still evident in today's dynamic city.  This excursion highlights the city's major historic and modern attractions emphasizing facilities constructed for the 1988 Winter Olympics Games.  Highlights include a visit to Canada Olympic Park with a ride up the Ski Jump Tower.

As the premiere site of the XV Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada Olympic Park is perhaps the most visible legacy of the 1988 Games to visitors and Calgarians alike-truly a one-of-a-kind attraction.  Situated 15 minutes from downtown Calgary, at the gateway to the magnificent Rocky Mountains, C.O.P. continues to function as a multi-purpose competition, training and recreation area designed for a year-round use by both athletics and the general public.  Admission includes entrance to the park and a ride in a glass elevator to the top of the 90 metre Ski Jump (the high vantage point in Calgary).

Includes roundtrip transportation, Brewster guide, driver gratuity, and C.O.P. admission/tour and lunch.

Cost per person: $115.00 $65.00 -- Save $50.00!


Badlands Tour including Drumheller and the Royal Tyrell Museum
Tuesday, July 20 -- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

This excursion takes you northeast of Calgary into a unique landscape known as the Badlands.  ViImage of Alberta Badlandsew the spectacular geological formations representing 70 million years of history carved in the land.  If Canada has a dinosaur capital Drumheller is it.  The city lies in the heart of the parched, eroded Alberta Badlands that may be the world's greatest repository of dinosaur fossils.  Until the 1950s, Drumheller was a coal mining area.  Now there are oil and gas wells, and a lively dinosaur-based tourism industry.  Your tour of the area includes a visit to the Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology with its 800-fossil collection including Tyrannosaurus Rex and Stegosaurus.  A tour of Alberta's "badlands" is an excellent opportunity to learn about our prehistoric past and present day environments.  Your tour includes a motorcoach excursion along the Dinosaur Trail for views of hoodoos, the Swinging Bridge and Horseshoe Canyon.

Includes roundtrip transportation, Brewster guide, driver gratuity, and Royal Tyrell Museum Admission.

Cost per person: $105.50 $60.00 -- Save $45.50!



Banff and Lake Louise Excursion
Wednesday, July 21 -- 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Calgary is your gateway to Banff National Park.  Travel across the Image of BanffOlympic city, through the foothills and into the majestic ranges of the Canadian Rockies where you discover Banff and the world-famous Lake Louise.

As you explore Banff, enjoy stops at the Hoodoos, Tunnel Mountain Drive, Bow Falls, and the Banff Gondola, where you will take a 8-minute ride abroad a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views of the town and surrounding area.  Then continue your tour to Lake Louise, known as the "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies."  The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise proudly standing at one end and the Victoria Glacier reflecting off the other.  Lake Louise is one of the sights most often preserved in photographs by visitors the world over.  Enjoy some free time at Lake Louise and in Banff heading back to Calgary.


Includes roundtrip transportation, Brewster guide, driver gratuity, and admission to Banff Gondola.

Cost per person: $110.00 $65.00 --Save $45.00!

Tours provided by Brewster Inc.  Please call 1-800-760-6934 and cite "PNWER 2010 Summit" to receive the discounted tour rate.

Cancellations will be accommodated until 7 Days prior to the tour date. All tours require pre-registration.

News from each of our 10 jurisdictions

 News from the PNWER Region
Alaska

Fourteen legislators will run unopposed
Anchorage Daily News
June 2nd, 2010
 
Fourteen incumbent Alaska legislators will win re-election without a fight, because not a single challenger filed to take them on in this year's election. The deadline for candidates to file with the state elections division was June 1. Running for re-election unopposed in the state Senate are: Juneau Democrat Dennis Egan, Bethel Democrat Lyman Hoffman, North Pole Republican John Coghill, Wasilla Republican Charlie Huggins and Kodiak Republican Gary Stevens.

 
Alaska wildfires unusually widespread and stubborn
By James Halpin and Blaire Maloney
Anchorage Daily News
June 2nd, 2010
 
Faced with 95 active wildfires and lightning bolts by the hundreds, Alaska wildfire officials Tuesday called fire activity for the month of May unprecedented and warned that the risk of more wildfires is high and that their resistance to control is nearing extreme.

Thirteen of the fires were staffed with 1,467, firefighters, including some
900 people from the Lower 48, while others were burning unchecked in what has to date been an uncommonly hot and dry Alaska spring.

The fire activity Tuesday prompted the National Interagency Coordination Center to elevate Alaska to Preparedness Level IV, topping every other region in the country.

Alberta
 
Setting the injury target for 'zero'
By Brian Burton
Calgary Herald
 
With more than three decades of experience behind him, Louis Auger wears many hats: safety fanatic, professor, teacher ... and magician?
 
As operation manager for Shell Canada's Southern Alberta natural gas plants, a large part of his responsibility is mentoring and coaching a new generation on the finer points of safety, production and environmental management.
 
Read More
 
Alberta grizzly bears deemed to be threatened

Hunting ban and education programs continue, but no plans to limit access to bear country
By Trish Audette
EdmontonJournal.com
June 3, 2010 
 
EDMONTON - Alberta's grizzly bears are now recognized as a threatened species, after nearly a decade of monitoring showed the bear population is not sustainable.
 
"Grizzly bears in Alberta are at a certain amount of risk," Sustainable Resource Development Minister Mel Knight said Thursday.
 
"We're committed to having grizzly bears on the landscape in the province of Alberta."
 
Important Links
Summit Accomodations
We have reserved room blocks at two Calgary hotels:
Clagary Hyatt: Located near the Calgary tower in downtown
The Hyatt Regency
700 Centre Street SE

Calgary, AB T2G 5P6

For Reservations:
1-888-421-1442
or visit:
www.pnwer.org/
2010AnnualSummit

Cite "PNWER 2010 Annual Summit" to receive the group rate

Image of calgary Marriott

Marriott Calgary
110 9 Avenue SE
Calgary, AB T2G 5A6

Overflow hotel--connected to the Hyatt Regency by sky bridge

For Reservations:
1-888-896-6878

Use reference #1-z8xbgc to receive the group rate

Due to the Calgary Stampede rooms are filling quickly. Please book early.

Thank you to our 2010 summit sponsors

Become a 2010 Summit Sponsor!

http://www.pnwer.org/
sponsorships
 
Pacific NorthWest Economic Region

The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is the premier non-partisan organization to bring together policy makers, non-profits, and business leaders to support the development of our regional economy.

PNWER is recognized both by the United States and Canada as the "model" for regional and bi-national cooperation because of it's proven success.
PNWER 2009-2010 logo

British  Columbia
 
Feds to protect B.C.'s 'Galapagos of the North'
By The Canadian Press
Monday June 7, 2010
 
The federal government has announced plans to expand protection for an area off British Columbia's northern coast known among conservationists as the "Galapagos of the North."
 
The spectacular islands that make up Haida Gwaii have long been protected within Gwaii Haanas national park but for years that protection stopped at the beach.
 
Now the federal government says it will protect a 3,500-square kilometre area covering the waters and seabed surrounding the archipelago formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.
 
Environment Minister Jim Prentice tabled an amendment Monday to formally establish the area as Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.
 
Prentice said the amendment marks the first time a national marine conservation area has been established under the Canadian National Marine Conservation Areas Act, a move hailed by some environmental groups as landmark progress.
 
 
Wind Mobile launches in Vancouver
By Peter Nowak
CBC News
June 3, 2010

Wind Mobile has launched in Vancouver, adding a fifth city to boost its aspirations of becoming Canada's fourth national wireless carrier.

The company announced on Thursday that its network is up and running in Vancouver, with coverage extending from North Vancouver to Richmond in the south, and from the coast to Coquitlam in the east. Chairman Tony Lacavera said Wind was starting with three branded stores and four kiosks in Blockbuster Video outlets.
 
Idaho
 
Idaho residents to benefit from solar energy plant
By Nate Lew 
Cooler Planet News 
June 03, 2010
 
States in the western part of the country have been among the nation's leaders in building major utility-scale solar energy projects. 

However, relatively few of these projects have been announced for Idaho, which may be better known for cold temperatures than some neighboring states. 

With that in mind, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter announced this week during his state of the city address that a $45 million solar array will soon be providing clean energy to local residents. The photovoltaic plant is expected to be built near the Boise Airport.  
 
 
Idaho to get another $66 million for education
The Associated Press
Idaho Statesman
June 5, 2010
 
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Another $66 million in federal money has become available to Idaho under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The money is the second half of funds approved for Idaho after the state filed its initial application in April 2009.
Idaho officials filed another application in January to be eligible to receive the additional money, which was announced Friday.

Read more
Montana 
 
America's Great Outdoors Initiative Kicking Off in Montana, Test Comments
By Beth Saboe
KBZK.com
June 2, 2010

President Obama is aiming to reconnect Americans, especially children, with nature's beauty with the "America's Great Outdoors Initiative," which is getting started in Montana.

On Wednesday secretaries of the interior and agriculture and the council of environmental quality were in Bozeman for a listening session on ways to save the land and promote recreation. The federal officials heard from interest groups ranging from wildlife and environmental organizations to ranchers and private property advocates.
 
MSU Weatherization Training Center Receives $350K Grant
By Dan Boyce
KBZK.com
June 2, 2010

Gov. Brian Schweitzer joined Sen. Jon Tester in ducking out of our mild spring weather to recognize a new program teaching home and building weatherization.

The National Community Action foundation and Exxon Mobil are giving a more than $350,000 grant to MSU's Weatherization Training Center. All this is to establish the Weatherization Television Network, a new weekly multimedia webcast.
 

Northwest Territories
 
Nunavut, N.W.T. commissioners sworn in
May 31, 2010
CBC News
 
Edna Elias was sworn in as Nunavut's newest commissioner on Monday, three days after George Tuccaro officially began the same job in the Northwest Territories.
 
Commissioners serve a similar role to provincial lieutenant-governors today, although commissioners used to be federal administrators in Canada's northern territories.
 
 
Selwyn inks deal with Chinese firm for zinc mine
June 3, 2010
CBC News

Selwyn Resources Ltd. says it has signed joint venture agreements with Chinese investors aimed at opening a zinc mine on the Yukon-Northwest Territories border.

If the agreements proceed as planned, the Chinese company Yunnan Chihong Zinc Germanium will invest $100 million in developing a mine at the company's Howard's Pass site, where it says a giant lead-zinc deposit is based.
Oregon
 
NOAA's final answer for fleet is still Oregon
By Jeff Barnard
Seattle PI
June 3, 2010
 
GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- The nation's ocean research agency has given its final answer on the new home base for its West Coast research fleet, and it is the same as the first answer: the port of Newport on the central Oregon Coast.
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its final determination Thursday in the long-running political battle over where the ships would be based after a 2006 dock fire ruled out keeping them in Seattle.
 
 
Fast-growing invasive species discovered along Oregon's coast
By Scott Learn
The Oregonian
May 13, 2010
 
For the first time, scientists have discovered an ancient, jelly-like invasive organism along Oregon's coast that can smother shellfish beds and coat boat hulls, docks and water intakes.

The organism -- a "colonial tunicate," Didemnum vexillum, native to Japan -- is on the list of 100 worst invasive species to keep out of Oregon.

In February, divers surveying marine life for the Reef Environmental Education Foundation identified small colonies at a rock jetty in Winchester Bay. A few weeks ago, University of Oregon scientist Richard Emlet found colonies in the Charleston Boat Basin in Coos Bay.
 
Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan emergency response and mine rescue personnel go head-to-head
Leader-Post staff
The Leader-Post
June 7, 2010
 
REGINA - Emergency response and mine rescue personnel from 16 mine sites around the province competed at the 42nd annual Emergency Response and Mine Rescue Skills Competition held at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon this weekend.

Underground and surface rescue teams displayed their skills in five separate events, including fire fighting, first aid, proficiency skills, practical skills and simulated field and mine problems.


Read more

Pipeline for potash
SaskWater may service BHP Billiton's proposed mine
 
By Cassandra Kyle
The StarPhoenix
June 8, 2010

Preliminary planning is underway for a $100-million-plus water pipeline that would serve a proposed new potash mine in east-central Saskatchewan, SaskWater said Monday.

But the water line project won't go ahead unless BHP Billiton decides to build and operate a mine at its Jansen site 140 kilometres east of Saskatoon, said Mart Cram, SaskWater's acting president.


Read more
Washington

Cantwell: WA to get new storm radar 1 year early
By The Associated Press
June 2, 2010
The Seattle PI

SEATTLE -- U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell says Washington state will get state-of-the-art coastal Doppler radar in September 2011, a year earlier than originally expected. The Washington Democrat said Wednesday the technology will help ensure more accurate weather forecasts for the Pacific Northwest. Previously, she says Washington weather radar coverage has been "shockingly inadequate, putting lives and property at risk."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has found a radar that can be obtained from the Air Force and modified for use in Washington. The technology will be able to scan weather systems vertically as well as horizontally, helping the National Weather Service better predict the type, intensity and duration of precipitation.


Read More

Gregoire cranks up the heat on delegation over Medicaid funding
By Andrew Garber
The Seattle Times
June 2, 2010

Gov. Chris Gregoire sent a letter to the state's congressional delegation on Monday warning of dire consequences if Washington doesn't get a federal Medicaid match worth $480 million.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray has said she'll push this week to get the money included in legislation pending in the Senate.
Gregoire warned in her letter that if the money doesn't come through, the state "would likely see a loss of thousands of jobs as across the board cuts would be a likely response."


Read More
Yukon

Yukon invention hits the medical marketplace
By James Munson
Yukon News
May 28, 2010

Dawsonite Greg Hakonson has just invented a device to relieve back pain, but you won't see him on a late night infomercial anytime soon.

"You know what it cost for those bloody informercials?" says Hakonson, who's invention, the Trekke lumbar lift, is designed to unload weight from the lower spine.

Instead, Hakonson, 55, launched a website for consumers 10 days ago, and plans to focus on unions and workers' compensation boards who usually foot the bill for back injuries and chronic pain.


Read More

Yukon mine braces for wildfire
Forest fire risk very high in Yukon and N.W.T.

CBC News
June 2, 2010

Workers at the Minto copper mine in central Yukon are preparing to fend off a large forest fire that could come close to the mine site.

As of midday Wednesday, the 2,690-hectare wildfire is 9.1 kilometres east of the copper-gold mine, according to wildfire management officials.

Read More