Salazar and Cantwell, Port Angles sediment, Vancouver science, G-P, duck stamps, robot fish, Acme gravel, seals, online giving

Patos Lighthouse (PHOTO: Tom Reeve)

Heads Up: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Senator Maria Cantwell hold a public meeting this Saturday, Feb. 18, to discuss the progress that has been made, and is ongoing, to conserve and protect the San Juan Islands. This is a great chance to thank the Secretary and the Senator for their support of the community-led efforts and a time to re-iterate to them the importance of permanently protecting these cherished lands. The meeting starts at 10:30 AM in the Anacortes Senior Center, 1701 22nd Street. RSVP required by 12 PM (PST) Feb. 17. For more, go to the blog, “Community-led Protection of the San Juans”

Second Heads Up: Thanks to Allison Roberts, People for Lake Padden now has a Facebook page.  ‘Like’ it!

If you like to watch: Year of the River by Andy Maser

Ecology’s draft reports on contaminated sediments in Port Angeles Harbor inventories dioxins and poly-chlorinated biphenyls, commonly called PCBs, both of which can persist in the environment for decades. Other contaminants include toxic metals as well as ammonia and sulfides from decomposing wood debris, all which are harmful to plants and animals. The largest contamination “hotspots” are in the inner harbor and near the former Rayonier pulp mill, in the eastern part of the harbor.  The results of the study will help Ecology determine entities responsible for the contamination. In addition, some of the data will be used for the Rayonier Mill cleanup already in progress. A public comment period on the draft reports begins Feb. 23 and runs through March 23.  Ecology Releases Port Angeles Harbor Pollution Study Reports

For the first time in three decades, Canada will play host to a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which will be held in Vancouver this week starting Thursday, will showcase the work of scientists from more than 50 countries. The world’s science fair converges on Vancouver

One of the largest remaining red brick structures on the Bellingham Bay waterfront - the old Georgia-Pacific Corp. bleach plant - came crashing down this week as demolition work continues on the remnants of a pulp mill that shut down in 2001.  Parberry Environmental Solutions of Ferndale is doing the job under a $500,000 contract with the Port of Bellingham. G-P bleach plant on Bellingham waterfront knocked down  

Wanna shoot a duck? President Obama’s budget proposal includes increasing to $25 the federal duck stamp required for hunting waterfowl from the current $15. The increase would make it easier for the Interior Department to buy more land for migratory waterfowl. Interior Department plan would benefit Nisqually refuge; Proposal to hike fees would help purchase an additional 201 acres  

Nice story in Popular Mechanics about Tom Carlson, a fisheries specialist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, who invented robotic “Sensor Fish” that allowed him to track the perilous path young salmon face going through dam turbines.  The Robot Fish That Led to Better Dam Designs

Despite a threat of a lawsuit by Burlington-based Concrete Nor'West which wanted the Whatcom County Council to place a mineral resources designation on Eddy's Mountain outside Acme, new council member Pete Kremen voted against the measure, resulting in a rejection of the company's request to designate 280 acres for future gravel mining.  County rejects gravel mining near Acme despite legal threat

San Olson, a marine mammal stranding volunteer in the San Juans, describes his mid-January encounter encounter with an elephant seal, a young female that had chosen a driftwood strewn beach to start her annual molt. Elephant seals moving to Lopez Island, again?   Also, for folks who need a reminder, read Edmonds posts signs warning people to give seals wide berth for seals’ sake

According to a report by Convio, Inc., Seattle ranked as the most generous city in the country for online giving in 2011, jumping three spots from 2010.    Seattleites made more than 134,000 online donations last year, totaling nearly $17 million – a 44 percent increase compared to 2010. Seattle’s average online donation vwas $124.92, significantly higher than most cities in the United States; only seven cities had averages of more than $100. The average national online gift was $65.  Seattle ranked most generous in the nation for online giving  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST THU FEB 16 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING SW 5 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2 FT IN THE
 AFTERNOON. W SWELL 7 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN IN THE MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
SW WIND 5 TO 10 KT...BECOMING E 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT...BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT AFTER MIDNIGHT. W SWELL 8 FT AT 15 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

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