8/2 Runoff regs, geoducks, pipeline attitudes, state parks, Sheena Kaas, grunt sculpins

Washington state will begin requiring municipalities to use "rain gardens" and pervious pavement in new urban developments to combat rainwater pollution to the state's rivers and lakes and to the Puget Sound, officials announced Wednesday. The new "low-impact development" practices will be phased in over the next few years in an attempt to minimize the fiscal impact on local governments, the state Department of Ecology said. Washington announces new rain runoff requirements  

Kitsap County's proposed regulations for commercial geoduck farms have come under fire from both shellfish companies and groups concerned about damage from intensive aquaculture. Both sides are asking for changes to Kitsap County's proposed Shorelines Master Program. A letter from an attorney for Taylor Shellfish Farms, based in Shelton, calls for what could be considered a complete rewrite of the aquaculture section. The company believes the proposed rules are inconsistent with state law and too burdensome on applicants who wish to grow geoducks and other shellfish. Planners face geoduck controversy  

A new Angus Reid poll shows 59 per cent of British Columbians oppose the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, but nearly half of those surveyed say their minds could be changed. The online survey of 804 adults shows most British Columbians are watching the Enbridge project very closely. B.C. residents could be swayed on Northern Gateway pipeline

Lawmakers have given Washington's parks system an unprecedented mandate: Begin operating with no state funding in 2013. But the linchpin of the plan, the Discover Pass parking permit, has brought in less than half the $32 million expected during the last year. Now the parks are under the gun to adapt.  No state money for parks: what next?  

Calm and collected beyond her years, Squaxin Island tribal member Sheena Kaas has her hands full this week, overseeing an ambitious waste-reduction and recycling program that should pay dividends for the tribe and the environment for years to come. She’s the go-to person and key organizer of the Green Team volunteers who are trying to make the Paddle to Squaxin 2012 canoe landing in Olympia and subsequent potlatch protocol celebration at the tribal complex in Kamilche as close to a zero-waste event as possible. The goal is to recycle 75 percent of the waste generated at the canoe landing and potlatch. If successful, it will easily top the 50 percent recycling rate achieved by the Swinomish Tribe during the 2011 canoe journey.  John Dodge reports. Soundings: Squaxin event's waste-reduction goals ambitious

Grunt sculpins are known for awkwardly hopping along the ocean floor making strange noises. But on Wednesday, they flew. Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney is taking over the grunt sculpin breeding program from the Vancouver Aquarium while the research laboratory is under renovation. Ten juveniles, 300 larvae and 200 eggs were whisked from Vancouver to Victoria on a free Harbour Air flight. Grunt sculpins take flight for breeding  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 625 AM PDT THU AUG 2 2012
TODAY
W WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 3 FT AT 12 SECONDS. AREAS OF DRIZZLE THIS MORNING...THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF
 SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
W WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. SW SWELL 4 FT AT 19 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG.

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