5/15 Tsunami debris, gas price, coal rail, climate change, omnibus bill, Penn Cove, spartina, Skykomish R.

If you like to watch: 1971 Penn Cove orca captures with Interviews  

Debris apparently from the March 2011 Japanese tsunami is now riding the tides up the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  The biggest collection of fishing floats — many bearing Asian writing and logos — has been found on Dungeness Spit, which juts into the Strait north of Sequim.  Debris possibly from Japanese tsunami floating up Strait of Juan de Fuca  

Regular self-serve gasoline in Washington was selling Monday for an average $4.20 — more than 47 cents higher than the national average, according to the AAA auto club. West Coast refinery issues have brought the region's gasoline inventories to their lowest levels for the month of May since 1992.  BP's Cherry Point refinery in Whatcom County has been out of commission since a fire Feb. 17.  Drivers fill up with pain as state gas prices soar  

A railroad official has written a letter to Bellingham City Council members attempting to calm fears that construction of a proposed coal terminal would force construction of a long and potentially disruptive rail siding along much of the city's waterfront.  In his letter to the council, BNSF Railway Co. government affairs director Terry Finn said it is incorrect to assume that the siding project is essential to Gateway Pacific operations. But his letter also notes that additional rail capacity through this area is needed.  BNSF downplays fears over Bellingham waterfront rail siding   

As climate change transforms their habitat, some animals are already on the move. But a new analysis from the University of Washington warns that many species won't be able to run fast enough to survive a warming world.  UW study: Running from climate change may trip up some species  

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans was ready to dismiss questions about a study connecting climate change to higher seal pup mortality rates when the department prepared to face reporters in announcing the launch of the annual seal hunt. Documents released under an access to information request show the government wanted to play down any environmental questions about the annual cull and instead focus on the current population of the herd, which the government says is just fine.  No sea ice for seals? They'll adapt and go elsewhere, feds says  

A new front in the battle against the federal government’s omnibus budget bill opened up Monday when B.C. Conservative Party leader John Cummins sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper warning of major threats to fishing communities and the environment if major Fisheries Act amendments are passed.  Omnibus bill threatens fish: Cummins  

The Penn Cove Shellfish company has suspended harvests at Whidbey Island while clean-up crews stop a diesel sheen coming from a derelict vessel that burned and sank. Penn Cove general manager Ian Jefferds says the harvest is suspended Monday to confirm the safety of its products. He says customers are being supplied from company shellfish beds at Quilcene.  Boat fire disturbs Whidbey Island shellfish farm  

It doesn’t look like something that could disrupt ecosystems, destroy wildlife habitats, impact a state’s shellfish industry, or increase the threat of flooding, but Spartina, also known as common cordgrass, is a plant that can and has done all of these. Northwest Ag’s Greg Martin reports on planned spartina treatments for the 2012 season.  Spartina Eradication

The fight is intensifying over the possibility that a mini-dam for hydropower could be built on the Skykomish River. The Snohomish County Public Utility District is studying building a small dam just above Sunset Falls near Index. A national environmental group, American Rivers, plans Tuesday to include the south fork of the Skykomish River on its annual list of the 10 most endangered rivers in the nation.  Dam fight grows; Skykomish on list of at-risk rivers  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 227 AM PDT TUE MAY 15 2012
TODAY
W WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 8 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.
TONIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING 10 TO 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 7 SECONDS.

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