10/10 Lake Whatcom, Skagit coho, Ktisap shores, Oly shores

Chris Teren, Oct. 8 (Journal of the San Juans)

If you like to watch: Chris Teren captured the northern lights on Oct. 8 from Reuben Tarte Memorial Park on San Juan Island. Spectacle in the sky; Northern Lights over Waldron

Longview on the Columbia: Ecology, Cowlitz County, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agree on joint environmental review of Millennium coal export proposal  

Do harbor seals chow down on rockfish? Check out the answer and other interesting research at SeaDoc Society's October Update.

A vote on the transfer of 8,844 acres of land around Lake Whatcom for use as a county park could come in February, although the County Council left open the possibility of holding the proposal in committee indefinitely. The council decided on Tuesday, Oct. 9, to hold at least three committee meetings, each addressing one of county Executive Jack Louws' requests for more information, before the final vote is taken on the land transfer, or reconveyance.. Ralph Schwartz reports.  Vote on Lake Whatcom land transfer could come in February  

Starting Oct. 10, people are allowed to catch three coho salmon per day from the Skagit River, according to a rule change by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The increased limit is in effect through Dec. 31. It applies only to coho salmon in the Skagit River between the mouth and Cascade River Road. Gina Cole reports. Coho salmon fishing limits increased  

Shoreline experts will discuss the importance of healthy nearshore areas, with a special focus on Kitsap County, during a forum Saturday. The free forum is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Klahowya Secondary School, 7607 NW Newberry Hill Road. Speakers include Curtis Tanner, a biologist with the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project; Jeanette Dorner, director of Salmon and Ecosystem Recovery for the Puget Sound Partnership; Dennis Lewarch, historic preservation officer for the Suquamish Tribe; and Jeffrey Eustis, an environmental lawyer familiar with the history and application of the state's Shoreline Management Act. Chris Dunagan reports. Shoreline forum in Kitsap set for Saturday  

Olympia City Council members peppered city staffers with questions Tuesday night about aspects of the city’s draft Shoreline Master Program, which would tighten restrictions on development along the many of the city’s bodies of water, particularly Budd Inlet. The meeting came after the city met with business, environmental and other government interests, including the Port of Olympia, which objected to the plan last week. The state Department of Ecology is requiring the plan update and has final say once the council submits its recommendation, which appears likely to shift into next year.  Matt Batcheldor reports. Olympia council gets clarity on shoreline plan  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-
900 PM PDT TUE OCT 9 2012
WED
NW WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 3 FT AT 17 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.
WED NIGHT
W WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 3 FT AT 15 SECONDS.

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