6/21 BC flood, Springer, Pat Pearson, tsunami debris, BC recycling, pipeline woes, park arsenic, shoreline plans, Kimberly-Clark site, Anacortes terminal, derelict vessels

Forecasters predict that a combination of warm and wet weather may spark another round of high water levels this weekend, leaving people along the Fraser River and elsewhere in B.C. bracing for more flooding.  Weekend floods feared along swollen rivers

She’s one of the most famous orcas to pass through West Seattle waters – and as we first told you a month ago, the 10th anniversary of Springer‘s family reunion will be celebrated on Alki 11 am-3 pm this Saturday, at an event hosted by West Seattle-based The Whale Trail.   3 days till you can ‘Celebrate Springer’ at Alki Bathhouse  

Congratulations! Pat Pearson of WSU Jefferson County Extension was recognized as a “Puget Sound champion” by the Puget Sound Partnership for a 20-year career in natural-resource education.  Hood Canal 'partners' honored for conservation efforts

The tsunami debris expected to wash up on Northwest beaches in the coming months undoubtedly will contain some nasty stuff. But experts agree that radioactive contamination isn't likely a threat. Sandi Doughton reports.  An ocean of concern over tsunami debris  

B.C.’s industry-managed recycling programs for consumer products will undergo a major expansion effective July 1, extending to electrical items such as power tools, sewing machines, lawn mowers, grass trimmers, flashlights, and table lamps. Consumers will be able to drop off these items at recycling depots at no extra charge since the cost of contracting out for collection, transportation, and recycling of components, such as metals and plastics, is already included in the sales price. Larry Pynn reports.  Major recycling expansion for ‘cord-and-battery’ products set to roll out July 1 across B.C.  

Endangered populations of woodland caribou, along with rare types of birds and frogs, are among a list of at least 15 species that face threats from the potential construction of Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia, reveals newly released government records. Mike De Souza reports.  Endangered caribou, birds and frogs imperilled by Enbridge pipeline through B.C.: documents  And, by David Suzuki, The catastrophic effects of oil pipeline spills  

The soil in two large north Everett parks has been found to contain arsenic from the former Asarco smelter that closed 100 years ago, but state officials say there is no immediate health risk. Recent testing has shown that Legion Park, at the northwestern tip of the city, and Wiggums Hollow Park, in the northeast, contain arsenic levels significantly higher than the 20 parts per million the state considers the threshold for requiring cleanup. Bill Sheets reports.  Arsenic found in soil of 2 Everett parks  

A draft plan to govern development and protection of the City of Olympia’s shoreline properties seemed like a hot potato Tuesday night at a joint meeting of the City Council and City Planning Commission. After more than two years of deliberation, the citizen planning panel handed over to the elected city officials a proposed Shoreline Master Program proposal that could create up to 100-foot setbacks and building height restrictions along certain shorelines, and increase public access and habitat restoration along the waterfront. As past and present planning commission members weighed in on the proposal, it was clear that they had a hard time reaching consensus on a land-use approach to recommend to the City Council. John Dodge reports.  Council, citizen plan on shoreline differ    Meanwhile, in Gig Harbor, City Council gets an earful about Shoreline Master Program impacts  

Dry bulk storage, fish processing, ship building and other marine industrial uses are some of the businesses likely to be successful at the Kimberly-Clark mill site, according to Greg Easton of Property Counselors, a Seattle land use consultant.  The Kimberly-Clark pulp and paper mill has been shut down since April, and the company plans to demolish buildings and sell the site. It's a rare piece of real estate: a 66-acre, industrial tract with access to a deep-water channel on Puget Sound, a wharf, a railroad, truck access and a huge, dedicated water supply pipeline. Debra Smith reports. Report details best uses for Everett mill site  

The environmental review process for a new terminal at the Washington State Ferries dock at Ship Harbor should be completed before the end of the year. But don’t expect a grand terminal on the scale of what has been proposed in the past, WSF director David Moseley said at an Anacortes Rotary meeting last week. And he reminded Rotarians and guests there for his community meeting June 13 that there is no construction funding at present.  Some progress on new ferry terminal  

San Juan County and the Department of Natural Resources are working together to identify and deal with problem vessels before they sink and pollute the water.  The county's Derelict Vessel Removal Program has been proactive, according to coordinator Joanruth Baumann, but she said the statutes that define the program make it difficult to address vessels that have a high- risk potential, but may not be clearly ready to sink.  New county effort to clean up harbors  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 230 AM PDT THU JUN 21 2012
TODAY
W WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. W SWELL 3 FT AT 9 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. W SWELL 3 FT AT 12 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT.

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