12/6 Salish Sea News and Weather: Kitsap runoff, Colquitz Creek spill, state ferries, Craig Lee, Jerry Pollet, butterflies, birds, Christmas trees

Adaptive trout (Futurity)

Near Indianola in North Kitsap, the pollutants in runoff have been killing coho salmon. Christopher Dunagan in the Kitsap Sun reports:  Study of urban pollution under way in North Kitsap 
 
Days before the discovery of an oil spill into Colquitz Creek, Saanich municipal employees searched unsuccessfully for the source of a fuel smell in the area. About 1,000 litres of home heating oil entered the creek where salmon were returning.  Saanich response to oil spill questioned by area residents; Source of fuel smell sought before Colquitz Creek was polluted 

“I have said this before and will keep saying it until it is fixed, but the ferry system is not sustainable,” said Assistant Transportation Secretary David Moseley at the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce's weekly meeting. State ferries system unsustainable, new tax needed, chief tells Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce

Congratulations to Craig Lee, now executive director of Whatcom Land Trust, who returns to the county with years of land use and ecology experience.  National Audubon Society VP named first executive director of Whatcom Land Trust

Congratulations to Jerry Pollet, executive director of Heart of America Northwest, a watchdog group for Hanford cleanup. He’ll be representing North Seattle’s 46th Legislative District in the State House. Environmental activist Gerry Pollet tapped for House seat

Courtney Flatt at EarthFix talks to David James and David Nunnallee about Life Histories of Cascadia Butterflies, their new book of the many life stages of local butterflies. Photos and interview: Photographing the Northwest’s Butterflies

If you like birds: From the Vashon Beachcomber, Chautauqua’s long-running bird program grabs a national spotlight and from the Journal of the San Juans, Monika Wieland signs copies of her newly released book ( A Guide to Birds of San Juan Island ) and Oystercatchers — more than just a catchy name

From Futurity, a report on how a genetic trait in two populations of rainbow trout may allow these subspecies to adapt more rapidly to their native rivers. Nature is wonderful, isn’t it? ‘Speedy’ adaptation genes may save fish

And, finally, for the season: Umbra in Grist tackles the question of the Great Christmas Tree Smackdown. “The short answer is, live trees are greener. The longer answer is, entire industries are waging battle over this question, the greenness of any tree is questionable, and it may be in our best interests to, ahem, bough out.” For the details: Ask Umbra: Which Christmas tree is the greenest?

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 238 AM PST TUE DEC 6 2011
  TODAY
 W WIND 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 2 TO 3 FT AT 13 SECONDS. AREAS OF FOG IN THE MORNING.
 TONIGHT
 W WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 3 FT AT 13 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter. 

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told