1/6 Toxics release, oil pipeline spills, Kari Koski, Bainbridge ban, Saanich cougars, Kennewick, aquatic mimics

New blog: This Great Ark of Islands

D. Peeler comments on building beaches: “I believe this type of beach "nourishment" has been a common practice along some of our beaches in the southeast.  I don't know if any environmental studies have been conducted on the impacts of such practices, whether on the beach, the source of the sand, and fish and wildlife. Note the bulkhead in the photo used in the story; armoring tends to contribute to loss of beach area.”

From the federal toxics inventory report: The three Northwest states had seen declines in toxic releases before 2010. But that year, the releases started to climb. Washington released 27 percent more than in 2009. NW states released more toxics in 2010

Larry Pynn at the Vancouver Sun reports on how Embridge Inc., proponent of the $5.5-billion Northern Gateway pipeline project, is spending $700 million to clean up an oil spill from its pipeline on the Kalamazoo River in Michigan in July 2010. In B.C., Enbridge has identified 773 streams — 669 of them bearing fish — that must be crossed if its 1,172-kilometre dual-pipeline project gets the go-ahead between Alberta and Kitimat on B.C.’s north coast. Oil spills costly to companies and environment, yet seem inevitable despite technology  

Congratulations and thank you to Kari Koski who is leaving as director of The Whale Museum’s Soundwatch program. Kari was honored with the San Juan Marine Resources Committee’s Master Steward Award for her dedication in educating boaters about the killer whales and the many years of advocating on behalf of the endangered Southern residents.  'Dedication and integrity unmatched'; Soundwatch's Koski honored by MRC

 The proposal to ban plastic bags on Bainbridge took its first official step Wednesday with a brief City Council discussion and a modest expression of public support. Mayor Kirsten Hytopoulos is proposing a ban similar to the one recently approved by the Seattle City Council. The proposal has the support of Winslow's Town & Country Market and the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association.  Bainbridge council takes first look at proposed ban on plastic bags

Multiple cougar sightings over the last 36 hours in well populated areas of Saanich have police concerned but a conservation officer says it’s part of living in an area rich with wildlife. Three more cougar sightings have Saanich police concerned  

Welcome the new 64-car Kennewick in Port Townsend today from 11 AM to 1 PM. The ferry will go into service later this month. Welcome ceremony for new ferry is Friday, but Kennewick is not service ready yet  

In the waters of Indonesia, the mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) impersonates and preys on toxic flatfish, lionfish and even sea snakes. The black-marble jawfish (Stalix cf. histrio) has been observed impersonating the mimic octopus and making itself difficult to be seen. Read the account in Science Digest, Fish Mimics Octopus That Mimics Fish  

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 904 AM PST FRI JAN 6 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS EVENING
TODAY
W SWELL 11 FT AT 13 SECONDS. SE WIND 10 TO 15 KT... BECOMING 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. RAIN.
TONIGHT
E WIND 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING SE 5 TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 3 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY IN THE EVENING.
SAT
SE WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING E 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 3 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS. A
 CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
SAT NIGHT
E WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 3 FT OR LESS... SUBSIDING TO 1 FT OR LESS AFTER MIDNIGHT. W SWELL 7 FT.
SUN
E WIND 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 6 TO 8 FT...SUBSIDING TO 5 FT IN THE AFTERNOON.

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