2/26 Crocus, methane 'burp,' SnoCo renewables, BC freighters, BC LNG, BP Cherry Pt, Surrey plastic, good gardens, SEAL training, Navy sensors, covering climate

Crocus [Crocus sativus]

Crocus
In Classical mythology, Crocus was a mortal youth who, because he was unhappy with his love affair with the nymph Smilax, was turned by the gods into a plant bearing his name. In another variation of the myth, Crocus was said to be a companion of Hermes and was accidentally killed by the god in a game of discus. Hermes was so distraught at this that he and Chloris transformed Crocus' body into a flower. (Wikipedia)

Climate study shows methane ‘burp’ from melting Arctic tundra is unlikely
New research by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the University of Rochester eases long-standing fears that thawing Arctic permafrost could belch out mass amounts of climate-warming methane gas. Scientists had warned of a scenario in which the thawing tundra could release enough methane to sharply accelerate global warming. However, the study published Friday in the journal Science found that permafrost that melted during a previous warm period between 18,000 and 8,000 years ago released little of the greenhouse gas. So it’s likely that the permafrost won’t contribute much methane during the ongoing warming period, they said. (Tribune News Service)

Snohomish County aims for all renewable energy by 2045
More than a decade ago, Snohomish County invested more than $1 million to turn canola and other crops into diesel for its heavy equipment. That biofuel venture sputtered to an end amid low oil prices. Now the county is taking a different, more ambitious approach to curb its carbon footprint, with the ultimate goal of being on 100 percent “clean, renewable” energy by 2045. A climate action advisory committee began meeting this month to help the government decide how best to get there. Transportation is still a focal point. Rachel Riley reports. (Everett Herald)

Freighter frustration grows for Southern Gulf Island residents
Some residents of the Southern Gulf Islands are becoming increasingly frustrated at the number of freighters anchored off their shores. Gabriola Island resident Suzanne Walters said the problem has existed since she moved to the island from Vancouver two years ago...As of Tuesday morning, 30 of 33 designated "overflow" anchorages around the Southern Gulf Islands were occupied. The sites are under the authority of Transport Canada but managed by the Port of Vancouver, which has 60 of its own anchorage sites. Port of Vancouver Harbour Master Cpt. Shri Madiwal said rail and port blockades across the country have increased port congestion because ships are being forced to wait longer than expected for their cargo. Karin Larsen reports. (CBC)

Demonstrators arrested as police move to end blockades at Port of Vancouver  (CBC) See also: 14 people arrested Monday night at Gitxsan rail blockade in northern B.C.  (CBC)

Ecology fines BP Cherry Point Refinery for these environmental violations
The Washington State Department of Ecology has fined BP Cherry Point Refinery $8,000 for environmental violations, the agency announced. The refinery northwest of Ferndale was penalized for having incomplete labels on dangerous waste containers, improper management of universal wastes, and missing inspection logs, according to Ecology. Universal waste refers to commonly generated hazardous wastes, such as used batteries and used fluorescent bulbs, which were the universal wastes involved in this case, according to Ecology spokesman Larry Altose. Kie Relyea reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Province isn't 'moving quickly enough', so Surrey plans its own plastic bag ban
The City of Surrey won't back away from banning plastic shopping bags, even though there will likely be much overlap with the B.C. government's own set of regulations that are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. A recent court ruling that struck down Victoria's ban on plastic bags also isn't making Mayor Doug McCallum reconsider the city's plan to introduce new bylaws on January 1, 2021...More than 76 million single-use plastic items from Surrey wind up in landfills each year, about a third of which are plastic bags, according to a city staff report. Jesse Johnston reports. (CBC)

How this garden, with native plants and canoe planters, can help save salmon, orcas
Gardens aren’t just for flowers. They can boost the recovery of salmon and orcas, too. That’s the concept brought to life at the Orca Recovery Garden on display Wednesday through Sunday at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show at the Washington State Convention Center. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

State parks to consider allowing Navy SEALs to train at 29 lands across Puget Sound
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is set to deliberate on a request from the Navy to allow SEAL teams to train at seafront park properties around Puget Sound. The Navy says the training exposes the elite sailors to a broad range of coldwater, amphibious terrains at Illahee State Park, Blake Island, Manchester State Park and Scenic Beach State Park in Kitsap County. But some environmental groups have disagreed throughout the Navy's assessment process, claiming SEAL training would be disruptive to park visitors and potentially damaging to coastal marine life. Josh Farley reports. (Kitsap Sun)

U.S. Navy Deploys Acoustic Sensors to Track Whales in Salish Sea
The U.S. Navy is adapting an acoustic sensor system in order to monitor marine mammals in the Nanoose Bay test range in the Strait of Georgia. The acoustic sensors will help in planning and conducting joint U.S.-Canadian naval testing activity to minimize impact on marine mammals, like the endangered southern resident killer whale. High-intensity underwater noise from military testing can harm marine mammals if they are too close. The system - Marine Mammal Monitoring (M3R) - uses hydrophones and computer algorithms to detect, identify, and track marine mammals that might be approaching Navy testing ranges. (Maritime Executive)

Covering Your Climate: An A-to-Z Guide to Emerald Corridor Climate Impacts
“Covering Your Climate: The Emerald Corridor,” a joint project by InvestigateWest and the Society of Environmental Journalists’ SEJournal, is meant to help journalists in the Pacific Northwest cover the impacts of climate change, as well as action taken to mitigate its worst effects and adapt to what can’t be stopped. Christy George writes. (InvestigateWest)


Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  253 AM PST Wed Feb 26 2020   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 7 ft  at 12 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. 
TONIGHT  W wind to 10 kt becoming SE after midnight. Wind waves  1 ft or less. W swell 6 ft at 12 seconds building to 9 ft at  15 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening then rain likely  after midnight.



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