3/23 BLM lands, Seattle drains, ocean policies, naval sonar, BP CP, plane fuel, bag ban, Waldron lands

Varied Thrush (PHOTO: Dave Green)

Tomorrow, March 24, is the anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker disaster in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Where were you on March 24, 1989?

Cliff Mass writes: "It is hard to remember such an extended period in March where snow was falling somewhere over the lowlands of western Washington and Oregon.... But I have good news...I think snow is over for the lowlands...and probably for the rest of the spring." It's a Miracle: Normal Weather Returns

Look and listen. We agree with Dave Green at Lake Padden News, who writes: “Seems we’re having a late spring.  The Indian Plum by the dog park is just now putting out its first tentative blooms.  (should have happened in February)” OK It’s Spring on the Calendar

New blog: Two Cultures of Capitalism

A bill to establish a National Conservation Area that would give permanent protection to 1,000 acres of unique landscapes in the San Juan Islands is wending its way through Congress. A key committee took up the legislation Thursday and Senator Maria Cantwell told a panel that the bill would stave off the threat of future development. Cantwell says there is widespread local support for preservation of the land. Senate holds hearing on protection for San Juans' public lands  

Steve Suhy said he was stunned by what he saw almost daily walking to his bus in the heart of downtown Seattle. “These guys fill up these large cafeteria size trash bins of cleanser or something like that and just dump it right down this alley all the way through here,” Suhy said. KING5 investigates: 'Only rain down the drain' not always the case in Seattle

From Surfrider: Communities on the Pacific Coast have been calling for stronger representation in decision-making that impacts the health of coastal marine resources. Now, after a year-long, locally-driven planning process, coastal communities have a stronger voice with a new coastal ocean policy body that will advise state and tribal managers on issues pertaining to coastal beaches, estuaries and marine waters. Their first meeting is today in Aberdeen. Read about it here.

Environmental groups on both sides of the Canadian border say they are worried that their own militaries could be injuring or even killing endangered orcas. In separate letters, representatives from 18 U.S. conservation groups and six Canadian groups are calling on their navies to prohibit the use of sonar in the inland waters on both sides of the border, including Puget Sound, Georgia Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Use of sonar questioned on both sides of border

Refining operations at the BP Cherry Point refinery have not gotten back to normal since a Feb. 17 fire in the crude vacuum unit sent smoke and flames billowing.  Asked if refinery operators have a target date for resumption of refining operations, company spokesman Bill Kidd said they do. But he added that he was not at liberty to share that information. BP refinery operations have yet to resume  

Nearly 40 years after US gasoline pumps started carrying unleaded fuel, small airplanes continue to burn leaded fuel. The aviation industry says it has tried for more than 20 years to develop a fuel that sends planes, but not lead, into the air. What's taking so long? John Ryan at KUOW reports: Stalling Innovation On Aviation Fuel  

Come into the kitchen, the community kitchen, the smells are irresistible. Community Kitchens NW are part of a growing trend to make ‘scratch’ cooking fun while improving food security in vulnerable communities. Martha Baskin at Green Acre Radio and 6th and 7th grade chefs present:  It’s the “RaVE” at Aki Kurose Middle School: Changing Food Choices with Community Kitchens

Residents crowded Bainbridge Island City Hall during last week’s council meeting to say they’d had enough of disposable, one-use plastic bags. The council is considering a ban of plastic bags that have long been hallmarks of the grocery industry. Most of those who testified said they were happy to see them go. Islanders show support for plastic bag ban  

In Island County’s Dist. 1 commissioner race, competing philosophies about how to pay for water resources programs mandated by state law are among the reasons motivating two Republicans and one independent candidate to challenge incumbent Democratic Commissioner Helen Price Johnson. Disagreement over environmental rules fuels Dist. 1 race 

The Nature Conservancy has transferred title and stewardship responsibilities for two nature preserves on Waldron Island-- the 269-acre Cowlitz Bay Preserve and 208-acre Bitte Baer Preserve -- to the San Juan Preservation Trust, a 33-year-old non-profit land trust that serves the San Juan Islands. SJ Preservation Trust inherits pair of Waldron Island preserves

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 237 AM PDT FRI MAR 23 2012
TODAY
E WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
E WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 11 SECONDS.
SAT
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING SE 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL
 4 FT AT 10 SECONDS.
SAT NIGHT
E WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING SE AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 4 FT.
SUN
LIGHT WIND. WIND WAVES LESS THAN 1 FT. W SWELL 4 FT.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to: msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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