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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 1978)
Amity Foundation nabs energy grant $9,875 slated for AF projects, technology office funded too oy KjnincniME SltUNtH Of the Emerald Over $28,000 in federal energy conservation grants have been targeted for Lane County pro jects through the state Depart ment of Energy. The Amity Foundation, a Eugene aquaculture (fish-rearing) and wastewater treatment facility, received $9,875 for five separate projects. After the money arrives in November, Amity has seven months to complete the projects. “We specialize in integrated solar aquaculture,” said Amity’s acting director John Splane, who says a port project will in volve a test solar greenhouse in Dexter. It will be used to grow vegetables and will be warmed by solar-heated wastewater in 800 to 900 gallon containers. Amity raises fish as part of its greywater treatment process. Wastewater from all house uses except the toilet is treated by a recirculating sand trickle filter. This 3-square-foot sand filter removes contaminants from the water through a natural biological process. The water is repumped through the sand at least three times (over a two week) period. “We monitor the water quality to see how many contaminants are left,” Splane said. “After two weeks, it should be pretty clean." The water is then used in Amity's fish-rearing tanks. Sev eral different species are grown in this manner, including the Israeli carp, bluegills, blueheads, Oscars (a common aquarium fish), and the tropical tilapia. “Tilapia grow rapidly in the warm water," Splane said. “They taste something like yellow perch, and are raised world-wide. The Oscars are also a good food fish." Splane said residents of the Northwest are not familiar with the culinary delights of warm-water tisn Decause they are accustomed to cold-water trout and salmon. Amity will also publish a hand book on recirculating aquaculture systems, conduct workshops and public tours of its process and hook up a windmill to the fish rearing facilities with its grant money. ‘The windmill will run an air compressor which will aerate the fish tanks,” Splane said. Amity encourages interested persons to join one of its weekly tours to learn more about aquacul ture. Call 484-7171 for more in formation. An energy conservation grant was also awarded to Lane County’s Office of Appropriate Technology (OAT). $8,850 will fund OAT’s composting garbage project on Seavey Loop Fid. “The grant is to set up a pilot project to recycle commercial compostable wastes, such as that from landscaping businesses or restaurants,” said Bill Mackie, conservation specialist for the Energy Dept. “OAT intends to have this material available to the general public for soil amend ments.” Soil amendments would include mulching material for gardens or other uses. OAT expects to ac quire 14 tons of organic material each week for the project. OAT Director Sam Sadler said the material improves the water retention capabilities of the soil. “The composted material sup ports microbial life in the soil as well.” Mackie of the energy depart ment said these grants are valu able to the community, and sug gests other groups apply for them. “ We would like to encourage other OAT and energy offices to form around the state because the Department of Energy can’t get around to all areas.” HALLOWEEN! Theatrical Make-up ★ Masks ★ BACKSTAGE 878 Pearl Street Eugene, Oregon 97401 686-2671 Mon - Sat 9:00 - 5:30 &nen!idgraphic c-1& Sun^v e^A Service Stations • Discount Gasoline • Complete Auto Repairs Drive in at the sign of the smilin sun 19th & Agate Near Campus ••• >••• Joining our original “Chicago Stqle" pizza on the menu, were delighted to introduce The northsider — ftfifif B1SA HZZA with ver^ thick crust and a milder, sweeter sauce that s. cooked on top. Hou will be amazed. cast i n vi \n\ : hi i/zi 11« i". cv
