7/9 Partnership change, Hood Canal mitigation, Closet Canuck, Jeff Co shellfish, Canoe Journey, Port McNeill fish, Edmonds rail, Bremerton shores, low tides, John Laxton, Blair Waterway spill

In a surprise move, Gov. Chris Gregoire on Friday appointed Anthony "Tony" Wright, a retired colonel with the Army Corps of Engineers, to head the Puget Sound Partnership. The governor offered little explanation for her displacement of Gerry O'Keefe, who was appointed to the executive director post in February 2011, after serving as interim director for 10 months. Martha Kongsgaard, who chairs the Puget Sound Leadership Council, said  the governor must have realized that she needs someone in the director position who can "go external in a big way." Chris Dunagan reports.  Governor names new leader for Puget Sound restoration

A mitigation program expected to bring millions of federal dollars to restoration projects in Hood Canal was approved Friday, following more than a year of intense discussions. The mitigation program is one of the final hurdles before the Navy obtains approval to proceed with construction of a $715-million explosives handling wharf at Bangor. The program, to be administered by the Hood Canal Coordinating Council, allows a developer to pay cash instead of constructing restoration projects to compensate for environmental damage. Navy officials say they will use the program for the new wharf and probably future projects as well. Chris Dunagan reports.  New mitigation program approved for Hood Canal   

Closet Canuck Sue Fause writes: "It's an anniversary that has been celebrated at the Vancouver Aquarium and Seattle's Alki Beach Bathhouse, and now British Columbia is again joining in the festivities. Celebrate Springer is being held in BC's Telegraph Cove July 12-15, 2012 to mark the 10th anniversary of the only successful rescue of a killer whale and subsequent reunion with its family...."  BC's Telegraph Cove celebrates 10th anniversary of Springer's rescue  

Cliff Mass writes: Asian Smoke Reaches the Pacific Northwest   Meanwhile: Smoke from U.S. fires could hide B.C. blazes

A biotoxin that causes flu-like symptoms has prompted the closure of Quilcene, Dabob and Discovery bays to recreational shellfish harvesting. The recent discovery was the first time any toxin has been found in shellfish in either Quilcene Bay or Dabob Bay. The toxin, called diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, or DSP, closed Sequim Bay last year after three King County residents who ate mussels they harvested there fell ill in late June. Recreational shellfish closures spread to Jefferson County  

North Vancouver’s Tsleil-Waututh First Nation is planning to become the 131st nation to sign a declaration that would ban Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project and other proposed pipelines from crossing their land in order to protect the vast Fraser River watershed. The Fraser Declaration is set to be signed tonight by the Tsleil-Waututh after a ceremony honouring members visiting from five first nations with territories between Prince George and the Coast Range that have campaigned across the country in opposition to the project. Meanwhile, Enbridge announced last month almost 60 per cent of the 45 aboriginal communities along its proposed pipeline route have accepted an equity position in the $5.5-billion project.  North Shore First Nations band to oppose pipelines  

Since its inception, the Canoe Journey has built bridges of understanding between cultures. For the non-Native community, the Journey is an entry into the ceremonies and longhouses, an introduction to the dances and songs, languages and protocols, gifting and sharing. This year in Suquamish, as in past years, visitors will enjoy a dinner of salmon and crab provided by the Tribe, as well as side dishes provided by volunteers from the Suquamish Olalla Neighbors. Volunteers also help serve meals.  Canoe Journey builds bridges between cultures | Canoe Journey 2012  

An experiment unfolding near Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island is designed to settle a long-running debate over whether a land-based system can raise fish from fry to market-size entirely on land – and make enough money to persuade investors to back the capital-intensive operations. The $7-million ‘Namgis Closed Containment Project is also part of broader business plans for the ‘Namgis First Nation, which will build and run it through the band-owned K’udas Limited Partnership. First Nation has high hopes for fish farm

The possibility of earning big money through tribal gambling has complicated the effort of some tribes to win federal recognition. Meanwhile, two existing Washington tribes want to open casinos off their reservations.  Duwamish say tribal rivalry hinders bid for recognition  

Rail traffic is already an issue for the ferry system and public safety because passing trains block waterfront access. Mayor Dave Earling for months has followed news about the Gateway Pacific Terminal project, a proposed coal terminal near Bellingham. "We are the only city that has the at-grade crossing railroad that interferes with the state ferry system," Earling said. Train terminal worries Edmonds  

A three-year process to revise Bremerton's Shoreline Master Program launches into the final city phase Wednesday. The Bremerton City Council will hold a study session going over why the update is necessary, what the Department of Ecology's role in the update is, research, analysis and goals. The meeting is at 5 p.m. at the Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 Sixth St.  Bremerton council to consider shoreline rules

Imagine you are a creature that lives in an extreme habitat here in the Northwest. Temperatures can fluctuate between 45-85 degress Farenheit – all in the same day. At times you are submerged under very cold water, and other times the sun bakes down and you have to protect yourself from dehydration for hours on end. When there is water surrounding you, sometimes it has a high salt content, other times it is mostly fresh. Some days, when you are not in the water, there are cold winds that blast you from all sides. Water and rocks often crash into you, putting you in danger of being dislodged from your chosen spot. And, throughout all of these extremes, you need to stay safe from predators too. Where are you? In a tide pool on the Washington coast.  Low tides expose creatures living in extreme conditions on beaches  

A former head of BC Hydro has been charged with violating the federal Fisheries Act by allegedly damaging local salmon habitat at his waterfront property in West Vancouver.  John Laxton, chairman of BC Hydro from 1995 to 1999, built an extensive breakwater in front of his four waterfront properties on Marine Drive between late 2010 and fall of 2011. Officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans allege the structure could harm wild salmon stocks. Former BC Hydro chairman facing charges under Fisheries Act  

An accident Friday night aboard a vessel in the Blair Waterway caused about 50 gallons of oil to spill into the shipping channel at the Port of Tacoma. According to the State Department of Ecology, a tanker truck on board the MV Midnight Sun was struck by another vehicle, rupturing one of the truck’s four compartments. About 1,500 gallons of lube oil spilled out of the tanker, but most was contained on the ship’s deck.  Oil spill in Blair Waterway

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 PM PDT SUN JUL 8 2012
MON
W WIND 10 KT...RISING TO 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT BUILDING TO 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 4 FT AT 8 SECONDS.
MON NIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 20 KT BECOMING 5 TO 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 3 FT AT 8 SECONDS.

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