3/13 Octopus love, coal dust, BC coal, Lk Whatcom land transfer

(Wikimedia Commons/Kevmin)

If you like to watch: The octopus is a solitary creature. Most known species of octopus avoid the company their own kind. And you might, too, if you knew your conspecific were capable of cannibalism. So in public aquariums, these animals are usually kept in separate tanks to keep them safe (and to avoid any unsightly encounters in front of visitors). But that also means that when they are ready to mate, these lone animals are out of luck for love. Unless, that is, the octopuses happen to be in residence at the Seattle Aquarium. Katherine Harmon reports. Octopuses Get One Chance at Love [Video]

Powder River Basin coal mines already have to deliver coal by train to destinations in the rain-soaked Pacific Northwest. Some of that coal is hauled by train to export terminals in British Columbia. There it’s loaded onto ships bound for Asia. And lots more of that coal could be headed to Oregon and Washington, where five coal export terminals are under consideration. With the prospect of increased coal train and barge traffic through the Northwest, some are raising concerns about how escaped coal dust could affect the environment — on the land and under water. Ashley Ahearn reports on Part 2 of the series, Coal Dust’s Environmental Impacts

Port Metro Vancouver has approved the expansion of a coal facility in North Vancouver and is looking for a new facility to be built in Surrey, but the plans are generating opposition from regional mayors, environmentalists and residents. The port authority has already approved the expansion of the Neptune Terminals coal facility in North Vancouver, which would more than double its capacity from 8.5 million tonnes annually to 18.5 million. Meanwhile in Surrey, the port authority is exploring the possibility of approving a new direct transfer coal facility at the Fraser Surrey Docks that would have a capacity of 4 million tonnes. That capacity could increase in the future.  B.C.'s coal industry expansion plans face opposition

Almost 9,000 acres around Lake Whatcom will be converted into a county park for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. The Whatcom County Council voted 5-2 late in the evening on Tuesday, March 12, to "reconvey" 8,844 acres around the lake from the state to the county. The state is managing the land for timber harvesting. The county will use the land to preserve the forest and provide low-impact recreation. Council members Barbara Brenner and Bill Knutzen voted against the land transfer. Ralph Schwartz reports. In 5-2 vote, County Council OKs Lake Whatcom land transfer

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 PM PDT TUE MAR 12 2013
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
WED
S WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING 15 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON.  WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 9 SECONDS. RAIN.
WED NIGHT
SE WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 10 SECONDS. RAIN.
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