Salish Sea News and Weather

3/1 No Yew, no coal, Sound sharks, Shinglemill, geoducks, 520 work, Wild Olympics, salmon forecasts, Army Corps, XL pipeline

2012-03-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

'ducks in hands (Taylor Shellish)

Readers sometimes ask how they can help support this news service. It’s a labor of love at this time (I labor, you love) and one important thing for me is to grow the readership subscription. If you like this service, ask a friend, a colleague and a family member to subscribe. Thanks, Mike Sato.

Cliff Mass writes: "Many of you have noticed some wet snow mixed with the rain--even down to sea level. However, the heaviest accumulations occurred where the models suggested: southeast of the Olympic Mountains from Shelton to Silverdale to Quilcene." Read why in Wet Snow and the Mt. Rainier Convergence Zone

The Whatcom County Council has unanimously agreed to drop plans to add about 520 acres along Yew Street Road to Bellingham's urban growth area. County zoning in the area currently limits development to a rural level of one house per 10 acres. Adding it to the city's urban growth area would have designated the land for eventual annexation and more intensive residential development. Whatcom County Council rejects Yew Street Road as growth area

Local commercial fisherman Jeremy Brown and many others collected 40,000 signatures protesting coal trains and coal shipments proposed for western Washington sites and yesterday delivered the signatures to Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark. "Those railway lines cross every single salmon stream in eastern Puget Sound," Brown said. "The burning of coal is the worst thing we can do for climate change." But Goldmark told them his office won't face that decision until after a lengthy environmental review by local officials. Goldmark would only say he'll be watching developments. Environmentalists vow to fight proposed coal terminals

Gary Chittim at KING5 reports that one of several sea lions recently found shot to death in Puget Sound had a wound 14 inches by 16 inches in its side. It was a photo researchers at the Seattle Aquarium had been waiting for. Sea lion wound suggest sharks in Puget Sound

The Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust got a $5,000 grant from REI to restore the forest in the Shinglemill watershed and volunteers recently planted about 400 trees. All told, the land trust hopes to plant 2,000 cedars and firs, part of an effort to restore a coniferous forest in the alder-dominated basin. Rebuilding a forest at Shinglemill

Puget Sound geoducks can live to be 150 years old. A pound of geoduck now sells for around $150 for export to China. Organized crime, poaching and illegal exporting of geoducks have increased. Ashley Ahearn and Katie Campbell report in EarthFix: The Case Of The Stolen Geoducks

The state House passed HB 2814 to prevent a possible work stoppage on the 520 floating bridge project over environmental concerns. The measure would exempt the project from the state’s Shoreline Management Act, which requires a work stoppage until any lawsuit appealing the granting of an environmental permit is resolved. The bill goes to the state Senate. Bill would prevent 520 work stoppage

A study commissioned by the Wild Olympics Campaign says a congressional plan to set aside 132,000 acres in Olympic National Forest as wilderness, which would take the acreage out of forestry production, would have little impact on the timber industry because the timber industry already is restricted from harvesting most of the proposed area. Wild Olympics study says proposed congressional wilderness plan would have little effect on timber industry

Forecasts for Puget Sound salmon runs call for lower returns this year compared to last year, but officials with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are emphasizing “promising” chinook fishing off Washington’s coast and Columbia River. Christopher Dunagan at the Kitsap Sun goes deep in his 'Watching Our Water Ways' blog to explain what the forecasts mean. Salmon managers will try to eke out fishing options

U.S. Sen. David Vitter secured bipartisan sponsorship of his bill that would begin to reform the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ delivery of critical flood control and navigation projects. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) has joined as a cosponsor on Vitter’s bill, which would create a pilot program aimed at eliminating red tape and expediting backlogged Corps projects by delegating more project management responsibility to state and local governments. Senator Secures Bipartisan Sponsorship of Bill to Reform Corps of Engineers

A day after Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Americans "deserve" the Canadian oil that Keystone would deliver, former U.S. president Bill Clinton said it was time for the U.S. to "embrace" the long-delayed project. Time to 'embrace' Keystone XL: Bill Clinton

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST THU MAR 1 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
W SWELL 12 FT AT 13 SECONDS. W WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING SW AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 12 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE EVENING.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to: msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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2/29 Padden People, Leap Day, No Coal, Elwha salmon, Vashon septics, BP gas, shooting owls, hungry seabirds

2012-02-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

Vancouver morning (Alex Lee, The Sun)

Metro Vancouver morning: Snow falling in Metro Vancouver as snowfall warning remains in effect

Lake Padden update: Last night, the Whatcom County Council voted unanimously to reject an ordinance reinstating the Yew Street Reserve Urban Growth Area, giving time for lake water quality and watershed land use studies that can guide future development. Read about it here.

Mark Memmott reports on something that only comes around once every four years and doesn't involve either politics or Olympic competition: Wednesday is Feb. 29. Leap Day - any plans?

Opponents of two proposed coal terminals in Washington state will deliver today 40,000 petition signatures from citizens to Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark. Goldmark's state agency regulates the use of state-owned aquatic lands. Opponents of coal terminals in Bellingham, Longview to deliver petition Wednesday Also, read attorney Stoney Bird’s guest editorial: Community Bill of Rights seeks to shift balance of power

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe has signed a legally-binding agreement with the Wild Fish Conservancy, The Conservation Angler, the Federation of Fly Fishers Steelhead Committee and the Wild Steelhead Coalition to hold off planting any non-native steelhead hatchery fish in the Elwha River and its tributaries in 2012. Plan to stock Elwha River with non-native hatchery fish put off

What's the upcoming sports salmon fishing season going to be like? Mark Yuasa at the Seattle Times reports on the latest state Fish and Wildlife return forecast. Salmon season forecasts should offer some fairly good fishing this summer and fall

King County officials have sent notices of violation to 133 waterfront homeowners noting they’ve failed to meet a county deadline to get their septic systems inspected. The letters are the latest step in the county’s three-year effort to get 262 homeowners in Vashon’s six marine recovery areas to comply with new state rules around septic systems in areas deemed critical to Puget Sound’s health. County sends notices of violation to 133 waterfront homeowners

Eleven days after a massive fire disrupted fuel production at the BP Cherry Point refinery, a company spokesman says the exact cause of the blaze is still not known and there is no estimate of how soon repairs could get things back to normal. Gasoline prices in western Washington shot up in the days following the Feb. 17 fire. As of Tuesday, Feb. 28, the average price for regular in Bellingham was close to $4.04, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge report. A week ago, the average was $3.78. No estimate yet on when BP Cherry Point refinery will return to full production after fire

To save the imperiled spotted owl, the U.S. government set aside millions of acres of forest to protect the owl, but the bird’s population continues to decline a 40 percent slide in 25 years. Now, the Obama administration wants to shoot rival barred owls to help spotted owls recover. Obama plan for spotted owl targets rival bird

A study published in Science reports that-- from gannets to seagulls, puffins to penguins-- all seabirds suffer the same drop in birth rates when the supply of fish drops to less than a third of maximum capacity. These birds mainly feed on sardines, anchovies, herring and prawns, all of which are victims of over fishing. Below the critical level of one third of the fish biomass, the birds -- and the stability of the entire ecosystem -- come under threat. Overfishing Threatens the Survival of Seabirds

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST WED FEB 29 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING
TODAY
S WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 15 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 12 FT AT 15 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING W 10 TO 20 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 13 FT AT 13 SECONDS. SHOWERS.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

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2/28 Dioxin, listeria, acidification, geoducks, BLM lands, BC whale watch, orca tracking, Navy training, Keystone XL OK

2012-02-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

EPA map of dioxin "hotspots"

New blog: Puget Sound Partnership: Who Cares?

EPA has finally released its "science assessment" report that formally links dioxins to many serious and chronic health hazards that can be life-threatening to humans. The report validates the peer-reviewed findings of numerous research teams who had already found exposure to dioxin toxic to human health. A dioxin survey map from the EPA shows areas where the agency's baseline testing found toxic sediment hot-spots in Puget Sound "due to point source pollution outfalls and legacy manufacturing sites." Bellamy Pailthorp at KPLU reports: Puget Sound 'tub' tainted by industrial residue of toxic dioxin

A UBC researcher has found the potentially deadly listeria bacterium in ready-to-eat seafood in stores around the Lower Mainland – but in concentrations that aren’t a health threat for most people. Although the levels of the bacteria didn’t exceed federal guidelines, the strains present are alarming, said food microbiologist Kevin Allen at the University of British Columbia. Potentially deadly bacteria found in seafood at Lower Mainland stores

Craig Welch at the Seattle Times reports that scientists long have predicted climate change eventually would make waters more corrosive as oceans take up carbon dioxide. Scientists now are asking more complicated questions as they try to analyze how those changes may alter the way creatures function. They're no longer looking at simple questions of life or death. Nor are they studying chemistry in isolation, but in combination with other factors — such as shifts in water temperature or changes in wave action in tide pools. Ocean researchers dive deeper into Puget Sound's acidification

"Geoduck poaching is particularly damaging because the species grows slowly over a long period," said Phil Anderson of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Recent surveys have revealed that the natural recovery of the giant clams has been slowing or reversing years after the beds were closed to commercial harvests, and surveys note signs of active harvesting. Christopher Dunagan in the Kitsap Sun reports: Poaching hurts geoduck population growth

Absent an executive order from President Obama, legislation to designate federally managed land in the San Juan Islands as a National Conservation Area will continue to wend its way through Congress, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell says. “We’re hoping we can move the legislation sometime in the next year, but as you can see, back in Washington [DC] everything is not moving as quickly as we would like,” said Cantwell. Officials still looking at making local lands federally protected

Whale-watching boats should stay 500 metres away from southern and northern resident killer whales and, when whales are found, they should not call other boats to the area, says a controversial report prepared by the University of Victoria's Environmental Law Centre. However, a whale-watching industry spokesman says increasing distances would have little effect and that, instead, Fisheries and Oceans Canada must figure out how to increase the supply of chinook salmon for whales. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is holding consultations on action plans needed to help spur the recovery of endangered and threatened whale populations. 500-metre limit proposed for whale-watching boats in B.C.

Candace Calloway Whiting describes how NOAA researchers shot a tracking device into the dorsal fin of the young male orca “Mike” (J-26) a week ago to track the whereabouts of our local orcas during the winter season. The device worked-- for three days. Tracking Device on Orca Whale “Mike” Useless, Fails After Three Days

The Navy has announced it will draft an environmental-impact statement for the new permit for training and testing — possibly including a greater use of sonar -- which would allow incidental harassment of marine mammals. The current "take" permit expires in 2015. The new permit would cover activities at four existing training range complexes, including those along the Washington Coast and in Puget Sound. Navy begins review for increased training that could include more use of sonar

With President Obama under fire from Republicans over the rising cost of gasoline, the White House moved quickly Monday to trumpet a Canadian company's decision to build a section of the Keystone XL pipeline from Cushing, Okla., to Houston after Obama blocked a longer path last month. Obama backs plan to build part of pipeline

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST TUE FEB 28 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING
TODAY
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT...RISING TO 30 TO 40 KT. COMBINED SEAS 5 TO 8 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 14 SECONDS. RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT...BECOMING S 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. COMBINED SEAS 7 TO 10 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 14
SECONDS. RAIN IN THE EVENING...THEN SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

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2/27 Partnership, conservation districts, Colquitz spill, Samish Bay, 6406, PenPly, Spada Lake, BC Ferries, Manchester beach, Roger Ross, oilsands report, BP suit, Seal Sitters, Pond Watch

2012-02-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

Photo: K. Kennell

Whither goest the Partnership? The House Democratic budget proposal reduces the agency’s budget by 31 percent, or $1.7 million, which would jeopardize federal funding of more than $5 million. The proposed House Republican budget does away with the Partnership. The Olympian editorializes: Cutting partnership gambles with future of Puget Sound

Whither goest Conservation Districts? The House Democratic budget proposes eliminating the Washington State Conservation Commission effective July 1. All state funding to conservation districts for FY 2013 will be amended and cancelled. San Juan Islands Conservation District faces elimination

Home-heating oil has again spilled into Colquitz Creek and there are fears that salmon smolts, herring and a resident beaver could be harmed. Three months ago, Colquitz was hit by a fish-killing spill of 1,000 litres of home-heating oil. The clean-up was not completed until this month. Fears for wildlife after another Colquitz spill

The Lady of the Slough writes: "As a result of multiple bay closures during past spring months, the state Department of Health reclassified Samish Bay from "Approved" to "Conditionally Approved." This means if the river rises by a certain level, the DOH automatically closes the bay... On March 1 a four-month clock starts running to measure the success of the Clean Samish Initiative's massive clean-up effort." Read what it will take to restore the "Approved" status for the Bay: Champagne on Ice

Dan Chasan at Crosscut writes about Senate Bill 6406, a bill "streamlining" some regulatory requirements-- and denying citizens — or citizens' groups — standing to challenge growth management decisions, and maybe even delaying or eliminating current requirements to deal with stormwater. Environmentalists on alert over 'streamlining' measure in Legislature

The state Department of Commerce last year made an unprecedented grant of $500,000 to the Port Angeles’ Peninsula Plywood mill to keep jobs on the Peninsula. The mill closed last November after 20-months of operations, leaving $1,042,102 in unpaid bills to several public agencies and about 130 people out of work. State agency’s unprecedented effort to save PenPly not likely again

Debra Smith at The (Everett) Herald reports on Cliff Mass’s description of "the Spada Lake anomaly" -- the place from which Everett provides drinking water to most of Snohomish County. Weather guru Cliff Mass explains why Everett is water rich

BC Ferries suffered a $23.1 million net loss in its most recent third quarter. The deficit for the period ending Dec. 31, 2011 is nearly double the $12.5 reported during the same quarter last year. When spread over a nine month period, net earnings dropped from $42.8 million in 2010 to $28.7 million in the same period ending Dec. 31, 2011. BC Ferries suffers $23.1 million net loss in Q3

The Port of Manchester will seek a permit for ongoing "maintenance" on the waterfront, after state officials say the port failed to obtain a required permit before dragging a log through the sand below the high-tide mark at the port's Pomeroy Park. State habitat biologist Chris Waldbillig says it was a "minor thing," but the sandy beach is potential habitat for surf smelt, a protected species. Manchester beach work comes under scrutiny

David G. Sellars in the Peninsula Daily News writes about Peninsula resident Roger Ross, who has grown up to be captain of large oil tankers on the Alaska route that passes through Port Angeles. Career path of a Port Angeles tanker captain

Commentary by Alberta scientist Kevin Timoney critical of a 2010 Royal Society of Canada report about oilsands development in Alberta has prompted lead report author Steve Hrudey to agree to review the study. Timoney wrote that the report chapter on water-related impacts of oilsands development was plagued with errors and overlooked environmental and health impacts of the industry's operations. Royal Society author agrees to review oilsands study

A judge has delayed the start of the trial to settle lawsuits arising from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig blast in April 2010 which killed 11 workers and discharged 206 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The trial scheduled to begin today was moved to March 5 because oil giant BP PLC was making progress in settlement talks with a committee overseeing scores of lawsuits. BP, plaintiffs focus on Gulf oil spill settlement

Seal Sitters hold a public training session March 3 from 10 AM to 12:30 PM at West Seattle's Camp Long. Lead investigator Robin Lindsey and zoologist Buzz Shaw talk and there's a field session. Seal Sitters volunteer training next Saturday, and a sad reminder of why the mission matters

Alan Berner of the Seattle Times photographed the field training led by Woodland Park Zoo and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for Pond Watch volunteers taking part in an amphibian monitoring program. Trained volunteers will this summer search wetlands and ponds throughout Western Washington to identify and document the presence of egg masses from eight different amphibian species. Pond watch training to monitor amphibians

Now, your tug weather---
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-230 AM PST MON FEB 27 2012
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING
TODAY
NE WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 16 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 14 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

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2/24 Millennium coal, Enbridge supertankers, PO closures, snow geese, Lake Padden, Illahee video, urban restoration, Orca-Stra

2012-02-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

Lake Padden (Photo: Phil Humphries)

Cliff Mass writes: “A lot of action coming up, including a good chance that some lowland folks will spot a few snowflakes. (Note to TV stations: no big lowland snowstorms!!)” Lowland Snow Showers, Cold Air, and Strong Winds

New blog: “Community-led Protection of Bellingham’s Lake Padden,” a Bellingham Herald guest editorial by People for Lake Padden director Betsy Gross.

Millennium Bulk Terminals, which last year planned to ship 5.7 million tons of coal a year to Asia from Longview on the Columbia River, now plans a $600 million terminal at Longview to ship 44 million tons a year. SSA Marine has proposed a bulk coal and cargo terminal at Cherry Point in Whatcom County to ship up to 54 million tons. Currently, the largest West Coast coal terminal is at Westshore at Roberts Bank in British Columbia and has an annual export capacity of 29 million tons. Sort of like mine’s bigger than yours, no? Company submits new plans for huge coal terminal in Longview

Transport Canada has examined the marine passages that would allow the proposed Enbridge Inc. Northern Gateway pipeline to export Alberta oil to China and California and determined that supertankers can safely carry huge volumes of oil sands crude through the winding waterways that connect Kitimat, B.C., to the open Pacific. Enbridge gets supertanker nod for Northern Gateway exports

There has been a 25 percent decline in first-class mail processed by the US Postal Service since 2006. Now, more than 300 jobs will be cut by the Postal Service in Washington as it consolidates eight mail processing centers into two. Processing and distribution centers are closing in Everett, Olympia and Tacoma as operations are transferred to Seattle. Processing operations in Yakima, Wenatchee and Pasco are being transferred to Spokane. Postal Service cutting 300 jobs in Washington

The annual Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in several locations in the Stanwood-Camano area. A highlight of this year's Festival is a lecture by Vasily Baranyuk, a senior scientist with Russia's Wrangel Island Nature Preserve where the local snow geese spend their summers. Snow geese fans can learn about the birds' Russian summer home at Stanwood festival

Marilyn Boysen of Bellingham will be speaking on "A Tour of Lake Padden," from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, at the Fairhaven Library. Boysen will discuss some of the history, plants and animals of the area, highlighting spring wildflowers and "hidden" trails, including the luscious Padden Creek Gorge at the lake's west side. 'Wonders of Whatcom' focuses on Lake Padden

A new video by Leaping Frog Films, "Illahee: Saving Puget Sound One Watershed At a Time," will be shown Saturday during the Puget Sound Film and Shellfish Festival in East Bremerton, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 3243 Perry Ave. The video shows the history and people involved in land and water conservation efforts in the Illahee area. Illahee film festival is Saturday

Theoretical physicist Dr. Michio Kaku is a great man. He’s speaking tonight at Seattle Town Hall, 7:30 PM, $5. Michio Kaku: Physics of the Future

Part one of Martha Baskin's report on urban habitat restoration takes us to Seattle's Seward Park. "You might call it 'old growth occupation.' ... Bring as many volunteers as possible. Cut away invasive ivy and blackberry. Mulch the soil and plant natives. What do you get? The likely probability old growth trees like Doug fir, hemlock and Pacific Madrone will survive another hundred years." Green ‘Infrastructure’ aka Tree Canopy and the Critical Role of the Volunteer

Ron McDonough of Courtenay says his Orca-Stra invention is a simple, non-lethal way to prevent seals from ripping hooked salmon off fishermen's lines before they have a chance to reel in their catch. It uses the sound of a pod of hunting killer whales to scare off seal. Vancouver Island fisherman invents seal repellent

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST FRI FEB 24 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING
TODAY
S WIND 25 TO 35 KT. COMBINED SEAS 10 TO 13 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 12 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
SW WIND 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING W 30 TO 40 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. COMBINED SEAS 11 TO 14 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 11 SECONDS. RAIN IN THE EVENING...THEN SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SAT
W WIND 30 TO 35 KT. COMBINED SEAS 16 TO 18 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 11 SECONDS. SHOWERS LIKELY EARLY...THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
SAT NIGHT
W WIND 25 TO 35 KT...EASING TO 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. COMBINED SEAS 16 TO 18 FT.
SUN
NW SWELL 14 FT. NW WIND 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING 10 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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2/23 Sea lion deaths, cougar diet, Octopus Week, deer cull, geese cull, spill rules, porous pavements, Port Orchard, OR reserves, John's fish book

2012-02-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

PHOTO: Vancouver Sun

A West Coast salmon farm has been charged in the drowning deaths of sea lions and seals that became entangled in nets surrounding fish pens. Grieg Seafood BC Ltd., which operates 21 farms on the British Columbia coast, is charged with violating the Fisheries Act at three different locations. Fish farm operator charged over dozens of seal, sea lion deaths

Researchers in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve found in examining cougar scat that deer comprised only a quarter of the cougars’ diet in the park, and that an unlikely smattering of other animals — notably harbour seals and even sea lions — comprised the remainder. “....[D]eer is not the primary prey species,” said Danielle Thompson, park resource management specialist. “It’s a secondary prey item and raccoons are actually No. 1.” Scientists unlock mysteries of the cougar diet

Octopus activities continue at the Aquarium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. See divers with octopuses at noon and feeding at 4 p.m. daily. Octopus Week winds up at the Seattle Aquarium

A greater Victoria citizens advisory committee will be set up to gather information on all ways to deal with deer in the region and will be asked to make finding options for agricultural communities its first priority. Three farmers will be on the 12-member advisory committee that will examine the issue, which is causing concern in most of the region's 13 municipalities. Citizens committee on deer backed at CRD meeting

Meanwhile, the Guardians of Mid-Island Estuaries, a group of retired biologists and other scientists, is asking the Parksville city council to increase their three-year funding from $3,000 to $25,000 to address the destruction they believe is being done by Canada geese on local estuary habitat. Funding boost may lead to Parksville geese cull

If you like to watch: The state Department of Ecology is required by a new law passed last year to enhance the state oil spill contingency plan rule by December. The plan is expected to ensure that the state can mount an aggressive, rapid and well-coordinated response in the event of a major oil spill in state waters. An advisory committee begins meeting today from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM in Lacey. Watch on the web here. Informal public comment taken on first draft of new oil spill rule

Lisa Stiffler at Sightlines reports on how stormwater engineers in Gresham OR and Issaquah WA are using permeable pavement -- porous asphalt and pervious concrete-- to help shrink and clean polluted stormwater runoff. The pavement is safer for drivers because it reduces hydroplaning and the glare from wet pavement, and it can save money by eliminating the need for traditional, costly stormwater pipes and retention ponds or vaults. Surprisingly Ambitious Permeable Projects

Port of Bremerton and the city of Port Orchard leaders have come to share a vision to transform the Port Orchard waterfront from a glorified parking lot to a showcase for visitors, with multiple points to get to the beach, to admire the view, and to live and shop. Less parking, more green space envisioned for Port Orchard waterfront

Kudos to the Oregon state House for overwhelmingly approving the bill to expand Oregon's system of marine reserves and to research how they may help better manage commercial fisheries. The vote sends Senate Bill 1510 to the governor, who said he would sign it. Funded by $1.6 million in lottery money, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will spend two years gathering baseline data on marine populations, as well as social and economic impacts on coastal communities, before restrictions go into effect. Ore. Senate Oks bill creating new marine reserves

Wait’s over: A new edition of "John's fishin' book" is out. That’s the Saltwater Fishing Journal, by local tackle shop owner and piscatorial guru John Martinis, owner of John's Sporting Goods in Everett who has spent decades fishing and boating Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Saltwater Journal a must for local anglers

Finally, from ScienceDaily: The more afraid a person is of a spider, the bigger that individual perceives the spider to be, new research suggests. BTW, you can enlarge the photo of the spider in the story. If You're Afraid of Spiders, They Seem Bigger: Phobia's Effect On Perception of Feared Object Allows Fear to Persist

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 230 AM PST THU FEB 23 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT
TODAY
W WIND 15 TO 25 KT EASING TO 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT SUBSIDING TO 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 13 FT AT 13 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 10 FT AT 12 SECONDS. S WIND 5 TO 15 KT RISING TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT BUILDING TO 3 FT. RAIN.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

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2/22 Bob Ferris, David Suzuki, derelict ships, L112, gas prices, TransMountain, ocean future, state budget, Metro farmlands

2012-02-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

Ocean's future: Big fish, small fish

Cliff Mass writes: Heavy Rain, Avalanches, and Reduce Threat of Lowland Snow

Bob Ferris, executive director of RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, "has chosen to leave the organization and pursue other opportunities," according to board president Ken Bronstein. Ferris took the RE Sources job in mid-2010, moving here from Arlington, Va. In early 2011 he was among the first and most outspoken critics of the Gateway Pacific Terminal coal export facility proposed for the Cherry Point waterfront. Crina Hoyer, RE Sources' program director, has been named interim head of the organization. Bob Ferris resigns from RE Sources top post

David Suzuki follows last year’s Japan tsunami in his The Nature of Things: Journey to the Disaster Zone program Thursday at 8 PM on CBC. David Suzuki trails tsunami’s wake

Ashley Ahearn at Earthfix reports on how state agencies are only partly equipped to take care of the problems in Washington waters arising from more than 200 abandoned or sunken ships which an threaten navigation, human safety and the environment. State Funding Not Available To Deal With Largest Derelict Vessels

Amy Traxler of The Friday Harbor Whale Museum reports that federal officials will turn over the remains of L112, the 3-year-old killer whale that washed up on a beach in southern Washington, to the museum sometime in the next few weeks. Traxler said the museum intends to showcase L112’s skeleton as part of an educational exhibit that’s reminiscent of a grey whale that’s long-been on display. Body of killer whale heads home following tragic end

Lost gasoline production at the BP Cherry Point refinery is already beginning to make itself felt in the price at the pump, and company and state officials declined to speculate when the fire-damaged facility, which provides about 20 percent of Washington state's gasoline supply, might be back in production. Impact of BP refinery fire may show up at gas pump this week

Meanwhile, Speculators blamed for rising oil, gas prices

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP said Tuesday it has received commercial support to decide by the end of March on a $3.8-billion expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline that could double existing capacity to connect growing Alberta oil sands production with Canada’s West Coast. Kinder Morgan is proceeding with initial project design and planning to boost capacity on the 300,000 barrel-per-day line from Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C. Kinder Morgan to decide on TransMountain expansion by March

Tom Banse reports on the first computer simulations from University of British Columbia researchers predicting future ocean conditions. Ocean's Future: 'Goodbye Big Fish, Hello Small Fish'

Deep below the surface, the ocean has its own weather. Check out the NASA photo of the huge plankton eddy near the Agulhas current off southern Africa. These ocean whirlwinds draw nutrients up from the deep, nourishing blooms of microscopic marine life in the otherwise barren open ocean. Plankton-fuelled ocean eddy is 150 kilometres wide

House Democrats unveiled their plan to fix the state's budget shortfall Tuesday, relying on $400 million in delayed payments and reduced support for local governments while largely protecting basic education from further cuts. In total, the plan saves about $890 million without asking voters for a temporary sales tax increase, but the proposal keeps open higher local taxes. Budget from House Dems relies on delayed payments

Threats against Metro Vancouver’s agricultural land reserve are growing, with winery restaurants joining mega homes, truck parking and port expansion on the list of potential pressures. The Agricultural Land Commission is questioning whether it’s appropriate to allow non-farm use of Metro’s agricultural land, noting the primary use of the land — growing and producing crops — could end up taking a back seat as more farmland is swallowed up for other purposes. Farmland under increased pressure from commercial, private interests

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST WED FEB 22 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
TODAY
W WIND RISING TO 20 TO 30 KT. WIND WAVES BUILDING TO 2 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 13 FT AT 14 SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY EARLY...THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
NW WIND 20 TO 30 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 14 FT AT 13 SECONDS.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

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2/21 Orca Sing, wet coast, biomass, INCA, Dicks on hatcheries, South Delta flooding, Waterfront Seattle, Snohomish sewage

2012-02-21T08:29:00.000-08:00

Primeval Shores (Laurie MacBride)

If you like to watch: Check out Cali Bagby’s online slide show of last June 18th’s 12th Annual Orca Sing

Laurie MacBride in Eye on the Environment writes about BC’s Central and North Coast after listening to the heavy rain and to a report about the Northern Gateway pipeline and tanker proposal. Mosaic of Green: the Wet Coast

Connie Gallant in Quilcene asks if you would sign an online petition to the City of Port Angeles, Port Townsend, county and state government: A moratorium on construction/operations of biomass incinerators/boilers

Tom Reeve and Islanders for a National Conservation Area (INCA) have been doing a great job on both the issue and their web page with up-to-date reports on how you can support the effort to permanently protect BLM lands in the San Juans. Check out INCA

Who wants wild fish?-- Congressman Norm Dicks visited Olympia Monday and spoke on the importance of Washington fisheries and asking state lawmakers to fund fish hatcheries. “They’re talking about doing some funding for hatcheries in Puget Sound, which I think would be a good idea,” Dicks said after the meeting of the Senate natural resources committee. “It’s a job creator, helps the harvest, it’s a great idea.” Congressman Dicks: hatchery funding would create jobs

South Delta will be vulnerable to disastrous flooding in the coming decades without wholesale adaptation to rising sea levels. Speakers at a science symposium in Vancouver on Sunday said projections of a one-metre rise in sea level are too conservative. Waterfront homes, inland suburban developments, roads and farmland are all vulnerable to a sea level rise of 1.2 metres, according to research presented by David Flanders of the University of B.C. South Delta faces rising threat from floods

The group Waterfront Seattle is holding public discussions at Town Hall that will help determine what the new waterfront will look like after the Alaskan Way Viaduct comes down. Three meetings are scheduled-- The first is on the environment: how the new waterfront can help restore the natural ecology of Elliott Bay. The second is called “Setting the Stage” and focuses on creating vibrant spaces for arts and culture. The third is on uniqueness: how to make the rich history of the Seattle waterfront part of the new design. Waterfront design workshops at Town Hall Seattle

A $50,000 grant from the Island Coastal Economic Trust has funded a seafood traceability system called Thisfish, which allows consumers to go online and find out where their seafood originated. With a click of a button, consumers can find out who caught, processed and sold their purchase. In total, 120 B.C. fishers are registered in the voluntary program, but anyone can get involved. Trace origin of your seafood: Island fishing industry touts high tech program

The Department of Ecology is proposing to lend the city of Snohomish $2.2 million to design a pipeline from its wastewater treatment plant to Everett. This project is one of 58 projects the department is proposing to fund next year. Snohomish in line for $2.2 million loan to design sewage pipeline

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST TUE FEB 21 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING
TODAY
W WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 10 FT AT 11 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN.
TONIGHT
W WIND 20 TO 30 KT...RISING TO 25 TO 35 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. COMBINED SEAS 11 TO 14 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF
15 SECONDS. RAIN.

--
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2/20 BP fire, Salazar&Cantewell, tug call-out, novovirus, training sea lions, Ron Sims, SVP, Nisqually, Saltpring, Pt Defiance Aquarium, salmon derbies, greening vets

2012-02-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Presidents' Day 2012

Cliff Mass writes: "I am going to break my normal "120 hr rule" (don't talk about forecasts for more than 5 days out because uncertainty is so large)." Chance of Lowland Snow Next Weekend?

Overall production at BP Cherry Point could be cut at least in half in the coming days, and possibly for the coming months, because of a dramatic fire in the refinery’s sole crude vacuum distillation unit Friday afternoon. BP Cherry Point fire started in crude vacuum unit; overall production likely cut in half for now

U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he's pleased community members are as dedicated as ever to preserving the natural treasures of the San Juan Islands. Islanders met with Salazar and Senator Maria Cantwell in Anacortes on Saturday to reaffirm their support for permanent, locally-driven protection of Bureau of Land Management federal properties in the islands. Salazar, Cantwell push to protect San Juan Islands

Thank goodness for rescue tug: The 685-foot U.S. Military Sealift Command-contracted ship, SS Cape Island, lost propulsion early Sunday while heading westbound into the Pacific off Cape Flattery. The Department of Ecology and Coast Guard said the ship posed the risk of an oil spill, and dispatched the Delta Lindsey, an industry-funded emergency-response tug stationed at Neah Bay. The ship returned to Port Angeles safely. Military cargo vessel safe after being adrift

With an estimated 20 million infections a year nationwide, norovirus is the No. 1 cause of the intestinal crud people call stomach flu, the curse of cruise ships, cheerleading competitions — and any other venue that brings large numbers of people into proximity. But, a vaccine could be available within five years, said Charles Arntzen, a molecular biologist at Arizona State University, speaking at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Vancouver. Nasal vaccine may soon toss cruise-ship crud overboard

Incredible but true: Canadian researchers have trained sea lions to take part in an experiment designed to find out why the species is dying out. The team strapped cameras and tracking equipment onto endangered Steller sea lions to see how they dived for food. Early results from the project indicate that overfishing might not be the main factor in their decline as had previously been thought. Sea lion test to probe declines

Former King County executive and now recent appointee to the Puget Sound Leadership Council Ron Sims opines that it makes more scientific sense to spend money on reducing urban stormwater runoff than sewer overflows. Saving Puget Sound: the battle between good intentions and science

Social Venture Partners, the Seattle organization that describes itself as the world's largest network of engaged philanthropists, approaches its 15th anniversary with a couple of major initiatives about to unfold. First is an expansion into India next fall and second is creation of a “mezzanine fund” that will offer more philanthropic cooperation among member cities, allowing them to function much the way angel investors do in syndicating deals. Social Venture Partners seeks to expand its reach

Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club has filed an appeal of a Pierce County judge’s ruling that effectively shut down the club’s shooting range on Seabeck Highway. Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club files legal appeal

The Nisqually Indian tribe broke ground Friday on a 26,000-square-foot administration building, its next growth step in transforming the Nisquallys from small tribe to major South Sound player. Nisqually tribe breaks ground on $7.9M facility

"This last year we have had one major spill a month and five years ago we had one or two a year," said David Rogers, founder of B.C. Hazmat Management, one of the private sector spill responders in Greater Victoria. Surge in calls to mop up toxic spills

A unique property on Saltspring Island has been protected through a partnership between the provincial government and The Nature Trust of B.C. The 22-hectare parcel was the missing piece in a jigsaw of protected areas between the Mount Maxwell Ecological Reserve and Burgoyne Bay protected area. Saltspring's missing jigsaw piece protected

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is getting ready to roll out its plan for a new complex that will feature a modern aquarium, bigger facilities for marine mammals and family-oriented activities such as a wave tunnel and diving with the fish. The North Pacific Aquarium, which opened in 1963, is deteriorating and showing signs of corrosion from saltwater. Damages could force the zoo to vacate the building in five to six years. Point Defiance Zoo's upgrade plans include a modern aquarium

Salmon fishing derbies have always been a big draw around the state, and those in the Puget Sound region date back to the 1930s, writes Mark Yuasa in the Seattle Times. There are 14 events this year in the Northwest Salmon Derby Series. Salmon derbies remain a tradition in the Northwest

About a dozen current and former soldiers and an equal number of Sierra Club volunteers gathered for a retreat on Bainbridge Island this weekend to discuss how the environmental organization can make its outdoor programs more welcoming to military families. The Sierra Club's Military Families and Veterans Initiative, which seeks to get former and current soldiers into rock-climbing, snowshoeing, bird-watching and other nature-related activities. Introducing vets to the great outdoors

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST MON FEB 20 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING
TODAY
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT...EASING TO 10 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 4 FT AT 12 SECONDS. A
LITTLE LIGHT RAIN.
TONIGHT
S WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 11 SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY.

--
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2/17 Lk Padden, Ruby Berry, Canadian 'terror', bad Hargrove bill, sand lance, Esquimalt reef, orca death, Squamish Nation, AK seal deaths, good fracking, snowy owls, Avatar Grove

2012-02-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

Andy Majeske water sampling (Phil Dwyer photo)

John Stark in the Bellingham Herald reports on the citizens' group People for Lake Padden which has been conducting a series of tests of the recreational lake's water quality, hoping that the data will provide information for city and county officials to use as they regulate development in its watershed. Citizens' group studies Lake Padden water quality

North Sound Baykeeper blog: “In 35 years as a resident of Bellingham, I’ve swam, hiked, biked, birdwatched, walked, run, paddled, hunted for mushrooms, and just sat still and admired Lake Padden, hundreds of times. I don’t know a single person around here who doesn’t love the lake. It’s a splendor, and appeals to everyone. If you act soon, you can do your part to help protect this local treasure.” Lake Padden Needs You!

“It's always a delight when I hear solutions that we've been pushing for that are met with great resistance, come to be commonplace, acceptable concepts.... We generally know who our supporters are. The reward occurs when we've convinced the skeptics.” That’s Georgia Strait Alliance program director Ruby Berry profiled in A Day in the Life: Campaign Manager

Oh, Canada. Federal security services have identified Greenpeace and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals as the kind of “multi-issue extremist” groups that pose a threat to Canadians, documents obtained under Access to Information show. Security services deem environmental, animal-rights groups 'extremist' threats

Sen. Jim Hargrove is sponsoring a bill this session that would restrict appeals of Growth Management Act decisions only to those individuals who can prove they would be directly impacted by a decision, effectively excluding citizens and advocacy groups from appealing. In addition, the bill would put off measures aimed at reducing stormwater pollution in Puget Sound and delay requiring new developments to include green upgrades like permeable pavement, green roofs, and rain gardens. Enviros Say Bill Would Gut GMA, Delay Stormwater Improvements Martha Kongsgaard and Peg Staeheli tell you why this bill is bad in Legislature shouldn't delay stormwater plans

Sand lance, or candlefish, are tiny— about 5-to-8 inches long—forage fish that lay tiny eggs in sandy gravel beaches in Puget Sound. About 35 percent of juvenile salmon diets consist of sand lance, and the rate is even higher among juvenile chinook, at 60 percent. The Port of Langley has been making sure their cleaning of their boat ramp doesn’t harm any eggs and hasn’t found any spawns in the vicinity of their ramp. “It about triples the cost of a ramp cleaning,” Port Manager Ed Field said, adding about $300 to each cleaning. Worth it, we say. Good news for Langley boat ramp: No sand lance eggs found

Esquimalt Harbour has long been home to industry and naval activities. Now the Department of National Defence is building a reef in the water off CFB Esquimalt to enhance the fish habitat and lessen the impact of naval activities. Navy builds reef to attract fish to harbour

The death of a female orca off the coast this week and recent use of high frequency sonar by the Canadian Navy has whale advocates on high alert. The National Resource Defense Council plans to appeal the action to the Canadian and US governments. The burning question, why was sonar known to cause internal stress and sometimes death, allowed in coastal waters designated as critical habitat for endangered orcas? Martha Baskin at Green Acre Radio reports on A Death in the Family: Southern Resident Orca Pod Loses Female in the Wake of Navy Sonar

The Squamish Nation and BC Parks have completed the Esté-tiwilh/Sigurd Creek Conservancy Management Plan and the Brackendale Eagles Park, Baynes Island Ecological Reserve and Tantalus Park Management Plan which will create a “continuous freeway for wildlife” on almost 13,000 hectares of land around Squamish. Squamish Nation, province ink wildlife conservation deal

Scientists in Alaska are trying to determine what has killed and sickened more than 130 seals since the summer, but say they don’t think radiation from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant is to blame. Cause of Alaska seal deaths a mystery

Chip Groat of the University of Texas reported at this week's annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Vancouver that his study found "no direct connection" between groundwater contamination and fracking. Fracking does not contaminate groundwater: study released in Vancouver

“In future years we'll likely look back on the winter of '11-'12 as the season of the snowy owl,” writes Mike McQuaide in the Seattle Times. “Seems they've been showing up all over — the Nisqually Delta, Port Susan near Stanwood, a truck plant in Renton, residential rooftops in rural Whatcom County, and elsewhere. But perhaps nowhere is this Owlapalooza more owlt-of-the-ordinary than just north of the U.S.-Canada border at Boundary Bay Regional Park, in Tsawwassen, B.C. Specifically, the dike-top trail at the south tip of 72nd Street.” Look for blizzard of snowy owls at B.C's Boundary Bay park

The B.C. Forest Ministry will protect Avatar Grove, a unique stand of centuries-old Douglas firs and red cedars near Port Renfrew, as an old-growth management area. That means no logging or mining, but is one step short of the legislated protection of park designation. Avatar Grove to be protected by province

Now, your weekend thank-goodness-for-tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST FRI FEB 17 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT
TODAY
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 8 FT AT 14 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT. COMBINED SEAS 9 TO 11 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 14 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 11 TO 14 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 14 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. SHOWERS.
SAT
W WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 16 FT AT 14 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 18 FT AT 14 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. SHOWERS.
SAT NIGHT
W WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 6 FT. W SWELL 16 FT...SUBSIDING TO 13 FT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SUN
SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING SE 5 TO 10 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 FT IN THE
AFTERNOON. W SWELL 10 FT...SUBSIDING TO 7 TO 9 FT IN THE AFTERNOON.
SUN NIGHT
E WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. W SWELL 6 FT.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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Salazar and Cantwell, Port Angles sediment, Vancouver science, G-P, duck stamps, robot fish, Acme gravel, seals, online giving

2012-02-16T07:53:00.000-08:00

Patos Lighthouse (PHOTO: Tom Reeve)

Heads Up: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Senator Maria Cantwell hold a public meeting this Saturday, Feb. 18, to discuss the progress that has been made, and is ongoing, to conserve and protect the San Juan Islands. This is a great chance to thank the Secretary and the Senator for their support of the community-led efforts and a time to re-iterate to them the importance of permanently protecting these cherished lands. The meeting starts at 10:30 AM in the Anacortes Senior Center, 1701 22nd Street. RSVP required by 12 PM (PST) Feb. 17. For more, go to the blog, “Community-led Protection of the San Juans”

Second Heads Up: Thanks to Allison Roberts, People for Lake Padden now has a Facebook page. ‘Like’ it!

If you like to watch: Year of the River by Andy Maser

Ecology’s draft reports on contaminated sediments in Port Angeles Harbor inventories dioxins and poly-chlorinated biphenyls, commonly called PCBs, both of which can persist in the environment for decades. Other contaminants include toxic metals as well as ammonia and sulfides from decomposing wood debris, all which are harmful to plants and animals. The largest contamination “hotspots” are in the inner harbor and near the former Rayonier pulp mill, in the eastern part of the harbor. The results of the study will help Ecology determine entities responsible for the contamination. In addition, some of the data will be used for the Rayonier Mill cleanup already in progress. A public comment period on the draft reports begins Feb. 23 and runs through March 23. Ecology Releases Port Angeles Harbor Pollution Study Reports

For the first time in three decades, Canada will play host to a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which will be held in Vancouver this week starting Thursday, will showcase the work of scientists from more than 50 countries. The world’s science fair converges on Vancouver

One of the largest remaining red brick structures on the Bellingham Bay waterfront - the old Georgia-Pacific Corp. bleach plant - came crashing down this week as demolition work continues on the remnants of a pulp mill that shut down in 2001. Parberry Environmental Solutions of Ferndale is doing the job under a $500,000 contract with the Port of Bellingham. G-P bleach plant on Bellingham waterfront knocked down

Wanna shoot a duck? President Obama’s budget proposal includes increasing to $25 the federal duck stamp required for hunting waterfowl from the current $15. The increase would make it easier for the Interior Department to buy more land for migratory waterfowl. Interior Department plan would benefit Nisqually refuge; Proposal to hike fees would help purchase an additional 201 acres

Nice story in Popular Mechanics about Tom Carlson, a fisheries specialist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, who invented robotic “Sensor Fish” that allowed him to track the perilous path young salmon face going through dam turbines. The Robot Fish That Led to Better Dam Designs

Despite a threat of a lawsuit by Burlington-based Concrete Nor'West which wanted the Whatcom County Council to place a mineral resources designation on Eddy's Mountain outside Acme, new council member Pete Kremen voted against the measure, resulting in a rejection of the company's request to designate 280 acres for future gravel mining. County rejects gravel mining near Acme despite legal threat

San Olson, a marine mammal stranding volunteer in the San Juans, describes his mid-January encounter encounter with an elephant seal, a young female that had chosen a driftwood strewn beach to start her annual molt. Elephant seals moving to Lopez Island, again? Also, for folks who need a reminder, read Edmonds posts signs warning people to give seals wide berth for seals’ sake

According to a report by Convio, Inc., Seattle ranked as the most generous city in the country for online giving in 2011, jumping three spots from 2010. Seattleites made more than 134,000 online donations last year, totaling nearly $17 million – a 44 percent increase compared to 2010. Seattle’s average online donation vwas $124.92, significantly higher than most cities in the United States; only seven cities had averages of more than $100. The average national online gift was $65. Seattle ranked most generous in the nation for online giving

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST THU FEB 16 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING SW 5 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2 FT IN THE
AFTERNOON. W SWELL 7 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN IN THE MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
SW WIND 5 TO 10 KT...BECOMING E 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT...BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT AFTER MIDNIGHT. W SWELL 8 FT AT 15 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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2/15 Octopus love, Vancouver oil, orca scene, plastic bags, Tesoro workers, Port Gamble, King County shores, Sequim CAO, Navy dock, Foss hotel, Seas the Day

2012-02-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

Mayhem (PHOTO: Alan Berner)

Octopus Love: Jennifer Nerad posts the Valentine’s Day story with photos by Alan Berner about Mayhem, the female giant Pacific octopus at the Seattle Aquarium, meeting up with Rocky, the Aquarium’s male. “She could taste his presence in the water. Mayhem's arms stretch almost twelve feet wide.” An octopus blind date!

If you like to watch and like to listen: No Coal Train by bandZandt.

“Can we see sort of Asia-trade competitive sizes of vessels with a pipeline that can deliver capacity to them? I think that’s very plausible” Port Metro Vancouver director Robin Silvester says, affirming that Vancouver would be able to handle larger tankers that could receive crude oil from an expanded Kinder Morgan Inc. pipeline, allowing Canada to boost energy shipments to Asia. Vancouver port boss affirms facility's greater oil potential

Long time fishermen like Walter Young worry the increased tanker traffic through the Haro and Rosario Straits will put the sensitive waters near Puget Sound in peril. "Guaranteed disaster," said Young. Tar sands oil heading this way

Ann Stateler and Odin Lonning, who run a whale research project on Vashon, documented visits by 15 transient orcas in Colvos Passage on Feb. 5; “an intriguing combination of 13 southern resident orcas” in East Passage on Feb. 9 and 10, and another collection of whales off of Point Robinson on Feb. 10. Whales make several appearances in a week

An Environment Washington report says 7 out of 10 recyclers in the state would like to get plastic bags entirely out of their systems because about a million bags end up in the recycling stream clogging mechanical belts and causing stoppages costing 10-15 hours of productivity each week. Organization seeking statewide ban on plastic bags

Meanwhile, the Bainbridge City Council will begin discussion Wednesday on a draft of a city ordinance introduced by Council Member Kirsten Hytopoulos that would effectively ban all one-time-use plastic bags. Plastic bag ban to be discussed by council The Issaquah Council Utilities, Technology & Environment Committee plans to start collecting input from businesses owners and residents Feb. 16 about joining Bellingham, Edmonds, Mukilteo and Seattle to ban plastic bags at local retailers. Officials consider plastic bag ban for Issaquah

Members of the local chapter of the United Steelworkers (USW) Union and their supporters rallied Tuesday to protest Tesoro’s proposal to leave workers’ benefits, including pension, 401k, vacation and healthcare benefits, open to change over the next three years. They also demanded that Tesoro implement additional safety measures to help avoid catastrophic disasters, like an explosion that left seven workers dead in April 2010. Tesoro workers rally for better safety, benefits

Despite arguments posed by the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe that commercial boats and docks could affect fish and shellfish resources, Kitsap County commissioners sided with Pope Resources and local businesses in deciding that docks or tour boats and sea planes will not be prohibited in Port Gamble Bay. Future Port Gamble docks could be allowed

King County's shoreline master program, updated after three decades and adopted by the County Council in 2010, is now open for public comment through March 16 during the Washington Department of Ecology’s review and approval process. Comments and questions should be addressed to David Radabaugh, Department of Ecology, 425-649-4260. Ecology seeking public comment on King County's shoreline master program

The Sequim City Council addressed concerns raised by John Wayne Enterprises, Sequim Senior Activity Center officials, the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe and the state Department of Ecology and passed, 6-1, its critical areas ordinance. Sequim approves critical-areas ordinance

The Navy at its Kitsap-Bangor base is proposing to build a 632- by 250-foot overwater concrete wharf, 688- by 40-foot warping wharf and 81,000 square feet of overwater approach trestles, built on 1,250 steel piles. The facility would support mission requirements for the Trident submarine fleet and built over five years. The Army Corps of Engineers and Washington Department of Ecology are seeking comments on what you think about this second explosives handling wharf. A draft EIS is here. Army Corps seeks comments on proposed Navy wharf

This is a very long story that continues: A Bellingham hotel developer says he’s ready to start construction on a long-delayed new hotel on downtown Tacoma’s Thea Foss Waterway, but a rival Tacoma hotel owner says he intends to appeal the hotel’s shoreline permit to the State Supreme Court. Foss hotel shoreline-permit fight likely to go to state's high court

What's your favorite boat name? Deborah Bach at Three Sheets NW reports on BoatUS’s 22nd annual list of the top 10 boat names in the country. Groan. Most popular boat name? Seas the Day

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST WED FEB 15 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR WINDS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON
TODAY
W SWELL 10 FT AT 14 SECONDS. S WIND 5 TO 10 KT...BECOMING E 10 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 10 KT...RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 13 SECONDS...SUBSIDING TO 7 FT AT 13 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. A CHANCE OF RAIN.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate
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2/14 L112 dead, ferry routes, piping coho, Enviro Canada cuts

2012-02-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

PHOTO: Vancouver Sun

Happy Valentine’s Day! If you like to watch, watch The Kissing Experiment

Sad news: It was L112, a female born in 2009, that died and washed up at Long Beach, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service and Center for Whale Research. Young orca from Puget Sound pod found dead

Yesterday’s story about NOAA undertaking a sea voyage to discover where southern resident orca whales disappear to during the winter [Researchers on hunt for killer whales' winter hideout ] brought the following comment from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail: “It’s a misconception that the orcas ‘totally disappear’ over the winter. In fact for at least part of that time they are in central Puget Sound, following the winter salmon runs. We usually see them 2 - 3 times per month between October and February. This is incredibly important habitat to them, and all the more reason we should take better care of it. Hate to see that ignored/downplayed....subgroups of L and K pods were here for two days last week....”

Senator Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, says not to take seriously what state ferry officials have been saying about budget problems requiring five current ferry routes being eliminated. The legislature will find the money. State ferry routes sustainable, say two key legislators

Chris Dunagan at the Kitsap Sun reports on how the Port Gamble Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe is now moving its juvenile coho salmon from shore to its net pens through pipes rather than from trucks loaded on a barge and floated to the pens. Less stress on both fish and crews. Tribe adopts piping system to transfer coho

Budget cuts at Environment Canada could go beyond ozone monitoring and extend to programs tracking pollution from Canada going to Asia, Europe and the U.S. Five U.S. atmospheric scientists question whether Canada will be able to fulfill its obligations under several international agreements if more cut go ahead. U.S. atmospheric scientists raise alarm over Environment Canada cuts

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST TUE FEB 14 2012
TODAY
E WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 15 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
E WIND 5 TO 10 KT IN THE EVENING...BECOMING LIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 9 FT AT 14 SECONDS.

--
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2/13 Dead orca, tracking orcas, flame retards, Smuggler's Slough, Kitsap gun club, Sunset Falls, FEMA insurance, Elwha hatcheries, North of Falcon

2012-02-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

PHOTO: Bellingham Herald

Cliff Mass writes about global warming and whether we should do anything about it. And read the comments to his blog, Will we do anything about global warming? Should we?

Tonight only: The environmental debate over exporting massive amounts of coal through Washington ports to China comes tonight to The Olympia Center, 222 N. Columbia St., 7-9 pm. Sponsored by Climate Solutions and featuring a panel of Thurston County Commissioner Sandra Romero, businesswoman Cheryl Heinrichs and the Rev. Kathleen Patton of Longview. Coal railcars proposal draws spirited debate

New blog: Our Lady of the Slough follows how the Clean Samish Initiative spent $20,000 to install a culvert, 1200 feet of fencing and 300 plants to keep 2 horses from pooping in a ditch that doesn’t flow into the Samish River. Where's the Beef?

The News Tribune of Tacoma takes great pains in its weekend editorial to rehash the Norm and David Dicks father and son funding relationship only to conclude that Norm truly loves Puget Sound and David truly is qualified to lead. A needless shadow over Puget Sound cleanup efforts Sadly, The News Tribune hasn’t done much heavy lifting in reporting the Partnership stories and neither the Washington Post nor The News Tribune have credited John Ryan of KUOW for “breaking” the funding and financial mismanagement stories. Best way to dispel any “shadow over Puget Sound cleanup efforts” is to shine a clear and bright beacon of news coverage on what is and is not being done.

A 12-foot female orca washed ashore near Long Beach, Washington on Saturday. A Portland State University biology professor and Cascadia Research biologists performed a necropsy Sunday on the animal and found hemorrhaging, indicating major trauma. The whale could be a resident belonging to the "L pod," but that has not been confirmed by photo identification and DNA testing. Dead orca washes ashore near Long Beach

Every winter, the three pods of orca whales that call Northwest waters home just disappear into the wild blue yonder. Federal biologists cast off this week on a research cruise from NOAA's new homeport in Newport, Oregon, hoping to solve the mystery of where do the Northwest's resident orca whales go in the winter? Researchers on hunt for killer whales' winter hideout

The Washington state Senate passed a bill Friday to ban one potentially cancer-causing flame retardant from kids' products but not another that is more widely used. An amendment that cleared the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday by one vote removed the chlorinated Tris ban from the bill. It also did away with a requirement that makers of children's products containing potentially hazardous chemicals including Tris chemicals, formaldehyde and bisphenol A identify safer chemicals or materials for use. The bill now consists of a ban on TCEP, a form of Tris the chemical industry says hasn't been used in the U.S. for years. WA Senate OKs weakened flame retardant bill

The Smuggler’s Slough restoration project in the lower Nooksack floodplain received an $804,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for acquisition of 101 acres of wetlands and salt marsh. To complete the acquisition of conservation rights on the properties, and to make habitat improvements, Lummi Nation will contribute $350,000 and the Salmon Recovery Funding Board will add another $125,000. In previous phases, Ecology in partnership with the tribe acquired 406 acres farther upstream on Smuggler's Slough. 101 acres off Lummi Bay set aside for salmon habitat

Ducks Unlimited is working with Skagit property owners Nolan and Shirley Lee to protect another 72 acres to the 550 acres already under protection at their Fir Island farm. Partnering in farmland preservation

Alberta Conservative MP Brian Jean last week called for federal legislation that would both block foreign funding of the “radical” Canadian environmental movement and lessen the possibility outsiders are directly paying aboriginal chiefs to oppose major projects, such as the Northern Gateway pipeline. Alta. MP wants law to block foreign funding of environmentalists
Kitsap Rifle & Revolver Club was been shut down last Thursday by a Pierce County Superior Court judge, who declared the shooting range on Seabeck Highway a public nuisance and in violation of land-use laws. The judge said the club would need to receive a conditional use permit from the county before reopening. No statement yet from gun club officials

The undammed Skykomish River runs from the Cascade Mountains and flows into the Snohomish River which empties into Northern Puget Sound. It could be a hydro hotspot. Sun Setting On Sunset Falls?

Puget Sound cities of Orting, Puyallup, Arlington, Auburn, Burlington, Everett, Federal Way, Kent, Lake Forest Park, Mount Vernon, North Bend, Port Angeles, Renton, Snoqualmie, Sultan and Tukwila have all joined to fight the suit brought by the National Wildlife Federation against the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood insurance program. The Federation charges that the program encourages development in floodplains and has been found to harm salmon and by extension, the Puget Sound orca whales that feed on them. The cities claim that blocking flood insurance for construction in their flood plains areas will hurt them financially. Cities fight potential flood insurance loss

Wild Fish Conservancy, The Conservation Angler, the Federation of Fly Fishers Steelhead Committee and the Wild Steelhead Coalition filed suit last week against Olympic National Park, NOAA Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and representatives of the Lower Elwha tribe to block restocking the Elwha River west of Port Angeles with hatchery-raised salmon as part of the Elwha dam-removal project. Suit filed to block hatchery salmon in Elwha River

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife on February 28 will release Puget Sound, coastal Washington and Columbia River salmon forecasts at the first meeting of the North of Falcon fisheries management process which concludes April 1-6 when the Pacific Fishery Management Council meets in Seattle to adopts ocean fisheries regulations and state-tribal fishing plans. North of Falcon process begins with salmon forecast meeting Feb. 28

Tragedy of the Commons: Overfishing of EU fisheries is costing £2.7bn (3.2bn euros) a year and 100,000 jobs, according to a UK-based New Economics Foundation report. Overfishing 'costs EU £2.7bn each year'

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST MON FEB 13 2012
TODAY
NW WIND 10 KT EARLY...BECOMING LIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 9 FT AT 13 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN EARLY.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 11 FT AT 14 SECONDS. SE WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS.

--
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2/10 BC orcas, Duwamish, polluters pay, Stillaguamish, ship waste dump, K21, King County gas, tribal growth

2012-02-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

Protect that habitat! (Photo: Times Colonist)

New blog: We hooted in derision when the late Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska brought federal dollars home to build the “bridge to nowhere.” We cheered when Rep. Norm Dicks brought millions home to his son David Dick’s Puget Sound Partnership to save Puget Sound... Norm Dicks’ Millions For Puget Sound

My mother in Hawaii last night said, “We’re having your mainland weather.” Cliff Mass agreed: “You would think the weather is very different in Hawaii than here in the Northwest, but there are a lot of things we share, and particularly today. This morning an unusually strong front pushed across the islands, with strong southwesterly winds before passage and powerful northwesterly winds and cooler temperatures behind. And they even had a convergence zone....just like ours! Weather Cousins In Hawaii

Canada’s federal Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the federal government is legally bound to protect killer whale critical habitat in the Strait of Georgia and Juan de Fuca Strait — critical habitat for endangered southern resident killer whales — and the Queen Charlotte Strait and Johnstone Strait — critical habitat for threatened northern resident killer whales. Thank you Ecojustice, David Suzuki Foundation, Greenpeace, Wilderness Committee, Georgia Strait Alliance, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Sierra Club and Dogwood Initiative. Government must protect orca habitat: court

“After years of study, one of the region’s toxic hot spots just got a major make over. It didn’t come cheap. The total cost was a cool eight million. But the clean up demonstrated that an urban waterway can be home to both industry and nature.” Listen to Martha Baskin reporting on A Toxic Hot Spot Gets a Make Over and Otters and Salmon A New Urban Rest Stop

The Washington Department of Ecology issued $117,372 in penalties of $1,000 or more during the fourth quarter of 2011. Some names of polluters are found at Ecology issues penalties for Q4 2011

The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians have nearly restored a side channel along the North Fork Stillaguamish River which once provided salmon habitat until railroad tracks cut it off from the river's main channel in the 1930s. Work to restore salmon habitat on Stillaguamish River near Darrington nearly complete

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has mandated a federal rule that will ban ships from flushing their sewage into the sea within 3 miles of California’s coast. Regulations are already in the works in Hawaii, Puget Sound and in the Great Lakes. EPA Finalizes Ban on Ships Dumping Waste Off California's Coast

David Ellifrit at the Center for Whale Research has identified K21 as one of the orcas spotted in Discover Bay. And David thought K40, k16, K35 and members of Lpod were there as well. See the video at Friday Harbor whale center identifies at least one of Discovery Bay orcas

King County this week released its study, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions in King County” which found that in King County, per-person sources of greenhouse gas emissions amount to half the national average. However, greenhouse gas emissions produced by good and services from outside King County double the collective carbon footprint for the region. Most greenhouse gas emissions in King County come from outside sources

The membership rolls at some Northwest tribes are swelling much faster than growth in the general population. Fast growth has strained the fabric of some tribes, while others wish they had more. Tom Banse reports in Growth A Source Of Pride, And Strain, At Some Northwest Tribes

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST FRI FEB 10 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
SE WIND 20 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 11 FT AT 12 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 10 FT AT 11 SECONDS. E WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. RAIN LIKELY.
SAT
E WIND 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 9 FT AT 11 SECONDS. SCATTERED SHOWERS.
SAT NIGHT
LIGHT WIND...BECOMING S 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. SW SWELL 7 FT.
SUN
S WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 7 FT.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

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2/9 Whale stress, orca rights, Protect Whatcom, Belfair merger, Dungeness water, Whatcom land use, Nature Conservancy, Port Angeles esplanade, Enbridge, Philippine reef

2012-02-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Neither human nor humane

Regarding yesterday’s story about dredging silt that’s filling the Swinomish Slough: “Silt from the North Fork of the Skagit River enters the Swinomish Channel from the south end, but there’s also a buildup of silt from Padilla Bay at the north end. In addition, earth occasionally sloughs off of the banks at various points along the length of the channel.” Thank you, Port of Skagit.

Craig Welch of the Seattle Times reports on how, after wrangling for years with the U.S. Navy over the use of mid-frequency sonar, environmentalists and whale advocates this week stumbled upon another noise source they fear could trouble endangered killer whales: the Canadian navy. New source detected for sonar that's troubling whales: Canada's navy And check out Helen Fields’ story about gathering evidence of how underwater noises can stress out whales— thanks to ship traffic stopping immediately after 9/11 and a poop-sniffing dog able to detect stress hormones in whale feces. Amazing. Shhh ... Ocean Noises Stress Out Whales

A federal judge in San Diego dismissed the lawsuit seeking to grant constitutional protection against slavery to a group of orcas that perform at SeaWorld parks, saying the 13th amendment applies only to humans. Judge tosses case seeking rights for orcas

Organizer Terry Wechsler has launched a new group called Protect Whatcom with a website as part of a countywide effort to encourage people to get involved in the environmental review and permitting process for the Gateway Pacific Terminal project that SSA Marine has proposed for its property at Cherry Point, just south of the BP refinery. New group urges involvement in Cherry Point coal terminal permit process

Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and Pacific Northwest Salmon Center, both based in Belfair, have merged as the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center, with a continuing goal of building a world-class science and educational center on Lynch Cove in Belfair. The group will continue to work on salmon enhancement, which includes science projects, habitat restoration and related work. Two Belfair salmon groups merge

Clallam County commissioners Tuesday listened to 28 citizens for two-and-a-half hours in order to formulate an official response from the county on the state Department of Ecology’s preliminary water management rule for the area from the Bagley Creek basin — about halfway between Port Angeles and Sequim — to the entrance of Sequim Bay northwest of Blyn. The proposed in-stream flow rule is at www.tinyurl.com/yj95yj6. Dungeness water rule hearing draws crowd, resistance

Washington Growth Hearings Board’s 179-page decision found 24 problems with the county's rural zoning and growth policies. Whatcom County will appeal to Superior Court only a single issue involving its special designation of two areas: "Fort Bellingham/Marietta," which includes 467 acres along Marine Drive near the mouth of the Nooksack River, and "North Bellingham," which includes 885 acres along Northwest Drive east of Ferndale. Whatcom council agrees to fight only part of state growth board ruling

Greg Hanscom in Grist reports on how The Nature Conservancy may be shifting its focus to the urban environment where, in New York City, parks and sidewalks could become urban forests and marshlands and rooftops could become “sky island” wildlife preserves. The Nature Conservancy goes to the city

After a year-and-a-half of planning, the Port Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved the final design for the esplanade, a waterfront walkway intended to make the shoreline a more vibrant, pedestrian-friendly place. The esplanade, to be located on the west side of the ferry terminal, is expected to be built this summer. Waterfront walkway in Port Angeles slated to be built this summer

According to Enbridge CEO Pat Daniels, the company is prepared to look at alternate routes for the Northern Gateway pipeline but he feels the current route planned is best. Also, Enbridge will stand pat on financial terms to aboriginal bands standing in the way of the pipeline. Enbridge CEO says company won’t offer natives better terms on pipeline

According to the environmental group Sangkalikasan (Nature), thousands of small "pyramids" are being planted off the Philippines' famous Boracay resort island in an effort to bring its nearly destroyed coral reefs back to life. The Philippines' fixes its coral reef

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST THU FEB 9 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
TODAY
E WIND 20 TO 30 KT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT. SW SWELL 8 FT AT 14 SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY IN THE MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 11 FT AT 15 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 13 FT AT 14 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE EVENING...THEN RAIN LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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2/8 Dicks earmarks, Oregon reserves, bag ban, Great Bear, steelhead regs, local plans, Swinomish dredging, magic mud

2012-02-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

Snowy Owl Photo: Carl Safina

Carl Safina does Snowy Owls: Snowy Owls of 2012: The White Album By Carl Safina

Kimberly Kindy of the Washington Post goes deep in reporting on how Rep. Norm Dicks and former Puget Sound Partnership director and son David Dicks worked together, with the congressman directing millions more to Puget Sound recovery, including a $1.82 million earmark and more than $14 million in grants and other funds that went to his son’s agency. There were no competitors for the funds. "It was a difficult time," the younger Dicks said. "I left a lucrative law practice to help save Puget Sound. No one was expecting the response that me and my father got." Dicks channeled federal money to Puget Sound project his son ran

Cassandra Profita at OPB reports that the Oregon Senate overwhelmingly voted to approve three new marine reserves in state coastal waters that restricts fishing near Cape Falcon, north of Manzanita, Cascade Head, north of Lincoln City, and Cape Perpetua, between Florence and Newport. The bill needs approval from the Oregon House of Representatives and a signature from the governor to become law. Oregon Senate Passes Marine Reserves Bill

Washington House and Senate bills to ban plastic bags at groceries haven't passed but have lots of support among San Juan County grocers. Banning the bag: Local grocers get on board with banning plastic bags at checkout stands

ForestEthics, the Sierra Club and Greenpeace have charged that the B.C. government is not meeting conservation targets set six years ago in the Great Bear Rainforest agreement to preserve 70 percent of the central coast forest but allow commercial logging on the rest. The work on a new approach to logging, called eco-system-based management, is behind schedule and only 50 per cent of the land is protected because the government mapwork is incomplete. Eco groups urge government to complete protection promise for Great Bear Rainforest

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission met last week and among its actions closed fishing early for steelhead and other game fish in several river systems in Puget Sound and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to protect wild steelhead. WDFW Commission changes steelhead fishing regulations to protect wild fish

After nearly two years of debate, Kitsap County and its four cities have approved a set of policies to guide their land-use planning efforts, as required by the state's Growth Management Act. County planning policies finally approved Meanwhile, Whatcom County leaders will decide at a special meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 8, whether to appeal a January 9 state board decision that invalidated zoning and growth policies on 2,575 acres. Whatcom council to consider appealing state board ruling on rural zoning, policies

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 2012 work plan now includes $2.3 million in federal funding to dredge the Swinomish Channel. Feds to save Swinomish Channel from silting over

Gooey, paper-thin biofilm can make up to 70 per cent of the diet of small shorebirds, which slurp up the stuff like energy drinks, making it a key bird food. The "magic" in the mud was first uncovered just south of Vancouver where up to half the world's western sandpipers touch down to refuel as they migrate north. 'Magic mud' on tidal flats key to shorebird populations

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 243 AM PST WED FEB 8 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
TODAY
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN IN THE MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. SW SWELL 9 FT AT 11 SECONDS. RAIN.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

2/7 Whale job, gold mining, preserving farmlands, derelict gear, Quileute move, Port Gamble, BP profits, driving fees

2012-02-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

Demolishing G-P

KUOW Weekday discusses the Bellingham waterfront’s future today beginning at 9 AM.

New blog: Screwed: Komen’s Pooch

Candace Calloway Whiting blogs: “In order to avoid injuries to whales while percussive pile-driving is done on Pier 80 in Seattle, people are needed to help monitor for the presence of whales in Puget Sound during the work. Observers are needed on Bainbridge Island, on certain ferry runs, at Alki Pt. and at Discovery Park, for about a week, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 8.” Call Brad Thiele of NW Environment, at 206-234-2520. Awesome Job/Volunteer Opportunity with Whales in Puget Sound! Don’t Miss This One!

Jody at Surfrider gives a heads up that Washington State Parks is reviewing a rule to allow gold mining on coastal beaches and is holding a public meeting on Feb. 16 at the Montesano City Hall at 6:30 PM. Check out the Surfrider blog site and the State Parks web site.

There’s only 600,000 acres of farmland remaining in the 12 Puget Sound counties, which have lost 60 percent of its farmland since 1950 mostly to development. Housing bust has green lining: More farmland preserved

Cetus Research & Conservation Society, a Victoria-based non-profit group aimed at public education, stewardship and marine mammal response, plans to pull up some of the estimated 1,500 unused crab traps in the waters between Sidney and Victoria. Victoria conservation group aims to recover derelict fishing gear

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved land-exchange legislation Monday that would allow the Quileute tribe to move its headquarters, school, day care center and elder center out of a tsunami zone and ensure unfettered public access to popular beaches along Washington’s coast. House OKs bill to give Quileute higher ground, public permanent access to Rialto, other beaches

Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe chairman Jeromy Sullivan writes about how the Olympic Property Group proposal to build a dock in Port Gamble Bay large enough to support tour boats and seaplanes would be devastating to marine resources in the bay and, in turn, to the health, food supply, and economic and cultural well-being of many people. Why gamble with Port Gamble Bay?

“Too often, federal actions and federally funded state programs don't contribute to salmon recovery, and sometimes even make it more difficult. A recent lawsuit filed by environmental groups over floodplain management in Western Washington provides a good example. The environmental groups want the U.S. government to stop issuing flood insurance in some parts of Puget Sound until floodplain management plans are changed to reflect the needs not only of developers, but of endangered salmon and orcas as well. We couldn't agree more.” --Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission chair Billy Frank, Jr. Being Frank: We need to win the battle for salmon recovery

Poor oil company: BP PLC has raised its quarterly dividend by 14 percent after posting double-digit gains in profit and revenue in the last three months of 2011 despite further big payments to compensate for the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
BP also said Tuesday that it expects to complete payments to the Gulf of Mexico Trust Fund this year to cover its liability for damage from the massive blowout of the Macondo well in April 2010. BP hikes dividend after strong fourth quarter

Lawmakers have no stomach for imposing a $1.50 fee per barrel of oil refined in Washington but they are pressing ahead with a series of mostly driving-related fee increases, such as an 80 percent increase for driver's licenses, to raise money for road repairs and other transportation needs. Washington lawmakers push driving-related fee hikes

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 241 AM PST TUE FEB 7 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING
TODAY
E WIND 25 TO 35 KT...BECOMING SE 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. COMBINED SEAS 4 TO 7 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 17 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 7 FT AT 14 SECONDS...BUILDING TO SW 9 FT AT 13 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. A CHANCE OF RAIN.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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2/6 Quake, Canada's biodiversity, Elwha lead, unused meds, Gitga'at protest, fish farms kill, microbe recycling, Whatcom land use, biomass suits

2012-02-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

Edmonds gets poo bags

Coal trains and coal terminal in Whatcom County on KUOW Weekday, 9 AM today.

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck just past noon off the coast of Vancouver Island, about 170 km west of Ucluelet, on Saturday. Earthquake shakes near Vancouver Island

"Canada has made little substantive progress in fulfilling national and international commitments to sustain marine biodiversity," an expert-panel for the Royal Society of Canada reports. Canada's failure to protect marine biodiversity 'disappointing and dismaying,' asserts panel chair

The National Park Service is working on a plan to remove lead-contaminated soil from the Elwha Dam site. Lead paint used on the dam’s penstocks, now removed, contaminated the soil on the north slope of the hill between the two channels of the Elwha River. Lead-contaminated soil found at Elwha Dam site

Rebecca Runyon, who suffered a personal tragedy from unused prescription drugs, is supporting a bill before the state Senate that would create a drug take-back system to dispose of leftover and expired medicines. Senate Bill 5234 would create a pharmaceutical-industry-funded medicine return corporation. Unused medicine a toxic dilemma

The Gitga’at First Nation hosted a march of nearly 1,000 people gathered in Prince Rupert on the weekend to protest against Enbridge’s proposed $5.5-billion Northern Gateway oil pipeline. Community rally a full-court press against proposed pipeline (with video)

A group of leading fisheries scientists led by Dr. David Welch propose using acoustic transmitters to answer whether fish farms are killing wild salmon and if so, how many? Scientists seek to learn whether fish farms kill fish

Doggie poop dispensers and bags will soon be appearing throughout Edmonds on Sunset Avenue, City Park, Yost Park, Pine Ridge Park, Interurban trail near Lake Ballinger and Mini Park near the restrooms at Ferry holding lanes. City to install ‘poo collector’ dispensers

Scientists have deciphered some of the secrets of one of Puget Sound’s natural recyclers. It’s a microbe – which likes to eat sulfur and nitrogen – and might be found near any of our beaches. The work comes from the University of Washington oceanography lab of Ginger Armbrust, with the lead role by PhD candidate Vaughn Iverson. Tech innovation unveils Puget Sound's secret natural recyclers

Environmental consultants have until Feb 14 to submit bids to support Whatcom County, the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in preparing the agencies’ Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate a proposed bulk cargo marine terminal at Cherry Point in north Puget Sound. Officials Extend Cherry Point Terminal Bid Deadline

A state growth board says Whatcom County's land-use rules on 2,575 acres are invalid, a determination that limits what owners can build on the land. State board invalidates Whatcom County land-use rules on 2,575 acres

Edmonds volunteers harvest the bivalves as a way to test water quality more than 100 contaminants, including fossil-fuel byproducts, industrial chemicals and heavy metals. Volunteers gathering mussels not for meals but to gauge health of shoreline waters

The fate of the North Olympic Peninsula's two mill biomass projects are now before Thurston County Superior Court. Seven environmental groups announced Thursday that they have appealed to the court a construction permit for Port Angeles' Nippon Paper Industries USA's 20 megawatt biomass project granted by the Olympic Clean Air Agency. Opponents file appeal on second biomass project

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST MON FEB 6 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING
TODAY
E WIND 25 TO 35 KT. COMBINED SEAS 7 TO 10 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 13 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
E WIND 25 TO 35 KT. COMBINED SEAS 5 TO 8 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 14 SECONDS.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

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2/3 Stormwater, wetlands, sea lions, barrel tax, oil spill, deer cull, Glacier site, copper, park plans

2012-02-03T07:32:00.000-08:00

Cliff Mass on GroundFrog versus GroundHog. And, Groundhog wars: Rodents diverge on winter forecast

North Sound Baykeeper blogs on Fountain Bistro - Stormwater Hero!

Welcome ‘home,’ constellationist

Guess what? A new paper, published in the January issue of PLoS Biology, examined data from more than 600 restored or man-made wetlands and found that in key ways, they don’t measure up to the real thing. Restored wetlands no match for real thing

New blog: On The Wrong Side of Wetlands

The governor has revised her request of $28.9 million in stormwater grants for local governments to $7.6 million, which would result in no funding for stormwater control projects in the Lake Whatcom watershed and the Padden Creek Estuary, according to the state Department of Ecology. Gregoire's budget cuts would eliminate grants for Bellingham stormwater projects

Ah, Nature: Spotted salamanders exposed to contaminated roadside ponds are adapting to their toxic environments, according to a Yale paper in Scientific Reports. This study provides the first documented evidence that a vertebrate has adapted to the negative effects of roads apparently by evolving rapidly. Road Runoff Spurring Spotted Salamander Evolution

Ugh. Dead sea lion found to have two bullets in its head

Bill Sheets of The Herald writes about how some regard sea lions as a nuisance and say they damage salmon populations, while others say salmon face greater challenges from human actions. As sea lion populations grow, conflicts increase

Oil guys win—again. The governor’s proposal to raise billions for state and local transportation by imposing a $1.50 charge on every barrel of oil refined in the state lacks support in the legislature, according to State Transportation Committee chair Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island. Plan for oil-barrel 'tax' dies; Olympia mulls other road fees

Somebody spilled oil yesterday that left a sheen stretching at least five or six miles on the water beneath the Deception Pass bridges. Department of Ecology responding to Deception Pass oil spill

Metchosin Mayor John Ranns warns that culling deer destroying crops on Saanich Peninsula is not a warm, fuzzy topic. "Everyone has to understand that culling is what we are talking about, not any other little happy thing like taking them to the vet and having them neutered." Killing deer is not pretty, Metchosin mayor warns

King County will hold a public meeting next week to discuss its application for $400,000 in federal funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help address pollution at the former Glacier site on Maury Island. If funds are granted, the county will do soil assessment and remediation at the former gravel mine, which was in the pathway of the arsenic-laced plume from the ASARCO copper smelter. County to hold meeting to discuss possible Maury grant

Bans on copper brake pads, which produce metal dust that environmental advocates say reaches waterways and harms aquatic life, were enacted in California and Washington and have inspired similar bills in Rhode Island, New York and Oregon. Movement to Banish Copper From Brake Pads Gains Momentum

The new national planning rule governing individual national forest plans include changes in how wildlife would be protected. Some scientists and environmental advocates say the plan’s change, scheduled to go into effect in early March, would be bad for wildlife. New forest-management plan weakens wildlife protection

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 243 AM PST FRI FEB 3 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY
TODAY
E WIND 25 TO 35 KT...EASING TO 15 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. COMBINED SEAS 6 TO 9 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF
14 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 8 FT AT 13 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 10 FT AT 13 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. E WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3
FT.
SAT
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 11 FT AT 13 SECONDS.
SAT NIGHT
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 9 FT.
SUN
E WIND 10 TO 20 K

--
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2/2 Snow, B.C. warm up, tracked seal, Carioca II, local gas tax, water rights, jellyfish

2012-02-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

zootpatrol.com

Happy Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. Here in Washington, we won’t have to live the same movie over and over. We did the right thing: State Senate approves gay marriage bill

For the Lower 48, January was the third-least snowy on record, according to the Global Snow Lab at Rutgers University. Last year more than half the nation was covered in snow as a Groundhog Day, blizzard barreled across the country, killing 36 people and causing $1.8 billion in damage. This year, less than a fifth of the country outside of Alaska has snow on the ground. Where's the snow? Not in Lower 48; but elsewhere

“Killing any wildlife because they are seen as competitors is totally stupid, selfish, immoral, and should be considered outright murder. “ Read Connie’s comment on the blog, They Shoot Sea Lions, Don’t They?

New blog: “Last weekend I enjoyed a piece of a toro nigiri sushi. Toro is from the fatty belly of the bluefin tuna.” Toro, Poke and Cerviche

Waterfront property owners in B.C. probably need to bolster defenses against rising ocean levels over the next century and forestry companies should be looking nervously at the absence of bug-killing cold winters. An analysis of 62 years of Environment Canada weather data by the University of Victoria's Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium has found that B.C.'s temperature has been warming by about 0.25 degrees Celsius per decade. "That means in the past decade B.C.'s climate was more than one degree warmer than it was in the 1950s and that's quite a lot. It's more than we see in global measurements," said Francis Zwiers, PCIC director. Warmer weather in B.C. threatens waterfront, forests

Scientists from around the Puget Sound region are getting new information about harbor seals by tracking a rehabilitated harbor seal by satellite. They are studying a seal named Sandy who was found on the beach in West Seattle last August and released to the wild at the end of January. Scientists track harbor seal 'Sandy' by satellite

The Carioca II, an abandoned sailboat that washed up recently near Ross Point outside Port Orchard could be headed for salvage, officials say. Boat runs aground in Sinclair Inlet near Port Orchard

Bills circulating in the Legislature would allow local governments to collect up to 3 cents a gallon with voter approval to pave roads and plug potholes. In addition to the gas tax, the bills provide broader avenues to increasing road levies and car tab fees as well as reviving a motor vehicle excise tax. Bills would give local governments more options to raise gas taxes for roads

Port Metro Vancouver says it has no long-term plans to expand operations on Agricultural Land Reserve farmland — but Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie doesn’t believe the agency. Richmond mayor wary of Port Metro Vancouver farmland plans

Courtney Flatt at EarthFix explains 6 Things You Need to Know about Water Rights

Blooms, or proliferation, of jellyfish have shown a substantial, visible impact on coastal populations -- clogged nets for fishermen, stinging waters for tourists, even choked intake lines for power plants -- and recent media reports have created a perception that the world's oceans are experiencing increases in jellyfish due to human activities such as global warming and overharvesting of fish. However, Global Experts Question Claims About Jellyfish Populations

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST THU FEB 2 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING
TODAY
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 15 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE MORNING.
TONIGHT
E WIND 20 TO 30 KT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 14 SECONDS.

--
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2/1 Ribbon seal, runoff rules, Wild Olympics plan, Alexandrium toxin, goose repellent, dreaming in Whale

2012-02-01T09:09:00.000-08:00

Coastal Fusion (Laurie MacBride)

New month: This News & Weather blog has grown in daily email subscribers and in ‘visits’ to this website (1,222 visits in Jan; 4,454 visits since Sept 2011). Asking a friend, colleague or family member to subscribe— no charge — is one big way you can help me grow circulation. [BTW, visits to the Salish Sea Communications web site totaled 455 in Jan; 2,478 since Oct 2011). Thanks for your support!

This is not the La Nina you were looking for. Cliff Mass explains in Wayward La Nina

Unseasonably high temperatures until spring, Environment Canada forecasts Warm winter ahead for most of Canada

New blog: “"Perhaps it’s because I’ve lived on the coast all my life, or maybe I’m simply attracted by “edges”..." Laurie MacBride on Tidal Edge: Where Land, Sea & Ancient Cultures Meet

New blog: “I’ve been trying to get into the mind of the person or persons shooting and killing sea lions in Puget Sound.” They Shoot Sea Lions, Don’t They?

The Arctic ribbon seal visiting Puget Sound appeared to be in good shape after being given a health checkup by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at Steamboat Slough in Everett yesterday. Arctic ribbon seal has a surprise checkup

The state Department of Ecology is set to issue long-awaited, court-ordered rules to control polluted rainwater runoff but business interests and cities are pushing legislation to delay the rules or to make compliance voluntary. Robert McClure from Investigate West reports on Developers to Legislature: Save us from runoff rules

Grays Harbor County commissioners don’t like the Wild Olympics plan to have 209 square miles added to the Olympic National Forest as wilderness and to add 58 square miles of state and private timber land to the Olympic National Park as wilderness, if the owners agree to sell. Grays Harbor Officials Oppose Wild Olympics Plan

Glen Farley at KING5 goes on a boat ride with researchers investigating the dinoflagellate Alexandrium which can increase in late summer and concentrated in shellfish as a deadly neurotoxin. Hunt is on for deadly neurotoxin that can contaminate shellfish

It costs $250 a gallon of spray repellent to rid Sequim’s Water Reclamation Demonstration Park of Canadian geese that poop. The spray, called Migrate, is a nontoxic and biodegradable grape-seed oil-based solution. Sequim uses $250-a-gallon repellent to fight poop in park from Canada geese

News has come from France that some captive-born dolphins there have been recorded “talking in their sleep” — and talking in Whale, no less, not Dolphinese. There’s also the intriguing possibility that these sounds — virtually identical to sounds made by the humpback whale — may, if the dolphins are really asleep and not just resting, be direct expression of something the dolphins are dreaming. Dolphins Reported Talking Whale in Their Sleep

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 235 AM PST WED FEB 1 2012
TODAY
W WIND 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING 10 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 16 SECONDS. A
CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE MORNING.
TONIGHT
LIGHT WIND...BECOMING E 5 TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 15 SECONDS.

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1/31 Sea lion reward, frognostication, oil spill rules, Nisqually trail, Snohomish wetlands

2012-01-31T06:32:00.000-08:00

Snohomish Slew (The Herald)

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the shooting deaths of eight sea lions in Puget Sound. Report tips to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at 800-853-1964. Conservation organization offers $10,000 reward for information about Puget Sound sea lion shootings

Reader Carol Gallant photographed humpback whales in Dabob Bay last Friday - a rare event in our most recent history. Take a peek at Let There Be Whales

Spring is coming, but there are still cold days ahead of us. That's what the bullfrog Snohomish Slew predicted at the annual GroundFrog Day in downtown Snohomish on Saturday. Frognostication

An advisory committee has started a nine-month rule-making process to strengthen oil spill response requirements for all vessels in Puget Sound and the Columbia River. Tougher rules for oil spill prevention - hearings underway

The last 700 feet of the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail —including the Puget Sound Viewing Platform — is now reopened to public after being closed since October 22 for waterfowl hunting. Final portion of Nisqually refuge boardwalk reopens

Bill Fulton has sparked a discussion that's led to the Snohomish City Council forming an advisory committee that will work on a master plan to create a nature area in the wetlands by the wastewater treatment plant. Snohomish wetland could become a major attraction for bird watchers

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 232 AM PST TUE JAN 31 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING
TODAY
SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
S WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING W AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 19 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 11 FT AT 19 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. RAIN IN THE EVENING...THEN NUMEROUS SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT.

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1/30 Shot sea lions, no coal trains, enviro assault, leaded gas, golden sewage, schooled salmon, Groundswell, Pete Knutson

2012-01-30T10:58:00.000-08:00

ABC News

Climate scientist Cliff Mass describes how the recent storm damaged two of his “sacred weather sites”-- Ivar's Mukilteo restaurant and the Langley Hill radar. Destruction Hits Two Sacred Weather Locations

Our Lady of the Slough blogs on the claim headlined in the local paper: "Conservation group gives tour of successful cleanup projects in the Samish Watershed." Red Herrings in the Samish Watershed

Damn, who does this s**t? Eight sea lions have been found shot dead in the US state of Washington in the past few weeks. Sea lions found shot on Puget Sound, US

About 200 folks kicked off the "Coal-Free Bellingham" campaign for a citizen initiative to outlaw coal trains through a city ordinance. Hundreds turn out to launch Bellingham anti-coal train initiative

Rolling back requirements for city storm water controls, writing loopholes into growth management rules and redefining “clean energy” are battleground issues in this let’s-make-a-deal session of the legislature. Environment again a source of friction in Olympia

John Ryan at KUOW reports on how lead was banned from paint and gasoline, leading to a 90 percent reduction in the amount of lead found in human bloodstreams. But what about the hundreds of thousands of airplane engines that still run on leaded gas? Flying The Leaded Skies: Small Planes Still Pour Lead Into America's Air

“Cities are huge sinks for nutrients. All the nutrients, all the food we generate are consumed in these cities and it is a great central location to recover those nutrients,” says Phillip Abrary, whose company Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc. sifts out nutrients from waste sludge, producing high-value, slow-release phosphorus for fertilizer. Ostara and other companies are convening this week at Cities Summit, a City of Vancouver-sponsored forum looking into ways cities can cope with the growth anticipated over the next four decades. Vancouver's Cities Summit targets a greener future

“It was really cool because when you first hatch they still look like the egg except their head and tail are out because they still have the sack and use the food inside of it for their first week or two and then it finally goes away and they start looking like fish.” That’s Mahala Mrozek, a student at Seattle’s Viewlands Elementary, one of about 500 schools in Washington involved with the Salmon in Schools program. Salmon Go To School

If you like to watch: Take a sneak peek at Groundswell: the wave of opposition to Northern Gateway, a documentary by Chris Darimont, science director for the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, who got inspired while surfing and figured out how surfers could speak for the marine mammals of the Great Bear Rainforest and the threats they would face from oil tankers in northern B.C. waters if the Enbridge Gateway pipeline was approved. Surfers' documentary speaks for sea life

“My story begins on November 9, 2011 when, acting on a tip from an unnamed private citizen, a harbor manager for the Port of Seattle reported me as a polluter to the Department of Homeland Security. His report alerted a chain of agencies, including, among others, Customs and the Border Patrol, the Coast Guard, the National Guard, FEMA, NOAA, EPA, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Port of Seattle, and the Oregon Titan and Washington State Fusion Centers, federal intelligence clearinghouses created in the aftermath of 9/11.” Fisherman and clean water advocate Pete Knutson on A little oil and a ton of trouble

Next week’s Feb. 8 Wooden Boat Wednesday talk at Port Townsend's Northwest Maritime Center & Wooden Boat Foundation features Chuck Fowler and Dan Withers, authors of Patrol and Rescue Boats on Puget Sound. Rich history of patrol, rescue boats chronicled

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST MON JAN 30 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT
TODAY
W SWELL 10 FT AT 12 SECONDS. SW WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS...INCREASING IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 10 FT AT 13 SECONDS. S WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. RAIN.

--
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1/27 Beaver Cr., sonar suit, wave damage, Charlie Moore, St. Helens coal export

2012-01-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

Capt. Charles Moore (The Telegraph, UK)

The Navy at its Manchester Fuel Depot blocked Beaver Creek in the 1940s and, over the last nine years has been unblocking it. Now the salmon can return. Navy, partners celebrate Beaver Creek restoration

Meanwhile, several conservation groups and tribes are suing the National Marine Fisheries Service, contending the federal agency has unlawfully allowed harm to marine mammals by permitting the Navy to expand sonar use and carry out underwater practice drills. Environmentalists File Lawsuit Against Naval Testing Along Northwest Coast

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway says waves crashing over the seawall at four spots between Everett and Mukilteo washed rocks away from one of two sets of mainline tracks in the area. The main rail line closest to Puget Sound has been closed for repair but both passenger and freight trains continue to run uninterrupted on a second main track. Waves damage 1 Wash. rail line; 2nd line OK Meanwhile, high surf and high tides earlier this week caused substantial erosion on Ediz Hook. Waves erode spots on Ediz Hook

Listen up: Martha Baskin of Green Acre Radio interviews Charlie Moore, Plastic Debris Rivers to Sea: Interview with Captain Charlie Moore, The Man Who Uncovered the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”

Port of St. Helens commissioners have approved agreements with two companies that want to export coal to Asia through Northwest ports. The commissioners voted in favor of coal export -- potentially up to 38 million tons a year -- after testimony from supporters touting the job potential and from opponents with concerns about environmental impacts and increased train and barge traffic. Port of St. Helens approves coal export agreements with two companies

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-
849 AM PST FRI JAN 27 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING
TODAY
W SWELL 10 FT AT 12 SECONDS. SW WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 10 FT AT 12 SECONDS SUBSIDING TO 9 FT THIS EVENING. S WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. A CHANCE OF RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SAT
SE WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING E 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 11 SECONDS. A
CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE MORNING. RAIN LIKELY IN THE AFTERNOON.
SAT NIGHT
SE WIND 20 TO 30 KT...BECOMING SW 25 TO 35 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 5 TO 8 FT. W SWELL 7 FT AT 11 SECONDS.
SUN
W SWELL 10 FT BUILDING TO 12 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. SW WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT.

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1/26 Dupont gravel, Lisa Jackson, Audubon map, Victoria sewage, Kitsap shores, BC Ferries, eating mammals

2012-01-26T08:34:00.000-08:00

PHOTO: Laurie MacBride

“On Valdes Island, Gabriola’s neighbour in BC’s Gulf Islands chain, fault lines have exposed the underlying sandstone to the elements. With the passing of time, the combined forces of salt, sun, rain and wind have carved an intricate design of hollows, crests and ledges in these west-facing cliffs.” Check out Laurie MacBride’s latest post, Life on the Edge: the Cliff Dwellers

You have to see this: "Blue Marble 2012" NASA unveils 'most amazing' high def image of Earth

Our North Sound Baykeeper blogs on meeting one of her heroes, a scientist/activist whose work studying plastic has prompted a global reassessment of plastics in the ocean. Meeting Captain Charles Moore

The DuPont City Council has approved a settlement to restore the Sequalitchew Creek watershed in DuPont and open the door to expanded gravel mining in the area. CalPortland will provide up to $200,000 for development of a restoration plan in exchange for environmental groups not challenging its applications to mine 142 acres north of its existing mine and 200 acres southeast of its mine. DuPont will get up to $200,000 for watershed-restoration project

Ashley Ahearn at EarthFix reports on EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson Hosts Town Hall At UW

Woody Wheeler and Christi Norman talk about the new “Puget Loop” Audubon map guiding birders. Audubon map – new Puget Loop unveiled as enviro groups strategize

Victoria's Capital Regional District thinks that the decline in populations of shrimps, mollusks and sea worms near the Macaulay Point sewage outfall isn't due entirely to sewage discharge. Maybe climate change? Regions to ponder degradation of sea life

The National Wildlife Federation lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency because it wasn't doing enough to prevent development in areas with vulnerable wildlife. Now the city of Everett and about a dozen cities are joining in opposition to the suit because they think the suit could make it impossible to develop along shorelines. Everett joining other cities to fight lawsuit seeking limits on shoreline development

The Kitsap County shorelines task force wrapped up its regular work-- but property rights advocates continue to raise questions about the need for shoreline buffers. Disputes continue over Kitsap County shorelines plan

BC Ferries commissioner Gord Macatee has called for a major overhaul in a review of ferry operations released earlier this week. He urged the B.C. government to abandon its commitment to a user pay system and drop its opposition to major routes subsidizing the less-travelled ones. He recommended that fares be capped at the rate of inflation over the next three years. Crosscheck: The cost of BC Ferries

The fate of the world's great whale species commands global attention as a result of heated debate between pro and anti-whaling advocates, but the fate of smaller marine mammals is less understood, specifically because the deliberate and accidental harvesting of dolphins, porpoises, manatees and other warm-blooded aquatic denizens is rarely studied or monitored. Marine Mammals On the Menu in Many Parts of World

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 315 AM PST THU JAN 26 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
NW WIND 25 TO 35 KT...EASING TO 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 4 TO 7 FT SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 16 FT AT 14 SECONDS SUBSIDING TO 14 FT. SCATTERED SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 13 FT AT 13 SECONDS. W WIND 10 TO 15 KT BECOMING SW AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT.

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1/25 Rhody, gray whale, Samish, Lime Kiln, Obama's fish, oil pipelines, wetlands, debris, green power

2012-01-25T10:28:00.000-08:00

PHOTO: Seattle Aquarium

Everything you might want to know about sea otters. It's a girl! Baby otter doing great at Seattle Aquarium

If you like to watch: Watch 131 Years of Global Warming in 26 Seconds

Vashon Island resident historian Bruce Haulman tells the story of the ferry Rhododendron: An Islander remembers: The Rhody’s journey has been long

The first gray whale made its appearance in the waters south of Priest Point near Tulalip and was spotted by Sharon Johnson Monday. First whale sighting of the season

Go harvest shellfish. Samish River water samples collected from the Samish River Monday morning showed the amount of fecal coliform bacteria had decreased to an acceptable rate. Samish Bay to reopen Wednesday

At the end of last year, the budget-strapped State Parks cut 16 full-time permanent construction and maintenance staff and 66 full-time rangers from the payroll. Lime Kiln Point State Park on San Juan is losing two full-time positions — Ranger William Hoppe and Ken Schilling, in charge of construction and maintenance — effective Jan. 31. Lime Kiln's newest endangered species: staff

Dan Chasen at Crosscut examines whether the President’s proposal moving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its National Marine Fisheries Service into the Interior Department would make any difference to recovering endangered wild salmon. President Obama's poster fish for reform: the salmon

About 40 per cent of the First Nations along the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline route in Alberta and B.C. have quietly signed on to an equity offering that will give them long-term profits if the line is built, says Enbridge. Enbridge is still negotiating with many First Nations, and the deadline to sign up is not until May 31. First Nations signing on to Gateway equity offer, Enbridge says

An undisclosed amount of crude oil spilled at Kinder Morgan’s Abbotsford facility on Tuesday but posed no threat except that of “nuisance odours,” according to a company spokesperson. Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline runs from Edmonton to the Lower Mainland, where a portion of its flow is then shipped by tanker out of Vancouver. The company will seek permission to double the capacity of its pipeline. Oil spill at Abbotsford tank farm raises concerns over pipeline expansion

Canada's ForestEthics has been a strong voice opposing the Northern Gateway oil-sands pipeline project but they've fired their spokesman Andrew Frank who accused the Prime Minister’s Office of resorting to intimidation tactics against the project’s critics. Environmentalist’s departure sheds light on tension felt by green groups

Rachel Nuwer in the New York Times writes about the value of wetlands and how new research,"Structural and Functional Loss in Restored Wetland Ecosystems," calls into question whether manmade versions can ever compensate for wetlands buried beneath parking lots and subdivisions. Not All Wetlands Are Created Equal

According to the federal Marine Debris Program, next winter’s storms may begin to bring the bulk of tsunami debris to North Olympic Peninsula beaches. Best to be ready. Peninsula agencies urged to prepare for influx of debris from Japanese quake-tsunami in a year

Power companies this month are facing mandates voters imposed in 2006 to either produce green energy or buy credits from those who do. Utilities complain that Initiative 937 requires them to buy power they don’t need – especially with the economic downturn depressing demand – and say they are passing costs to their customers. Environmentalists credit the law for Washington’s burgeoning green-power industry, which they say has invested $7.5 billion here. Can there, will there be compromise? Compromise sought on green-power mandate

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST WED JAN 25 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING
TODAY
W WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 24 FT AT 14 SECONDS. SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT...RISING TO S 20 TO 30 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 22 FT AT 14 SECONDS...SUBSIDING TO 19 FT AT 15 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. RAIN.

--
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1/24 Samish closure, Kalakala, native foods, oil & herring, Sound Waters

2012-01-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

(PHOTO: North Sound Baykeeper)

Water samples taken Saturday from Samish Bay showed high levels of fecal coliform from the waste of animals, septic systems and other various sources of pollution— so the bay is closed, again, to commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting. Samish Bay closed again to shellfish harvesting

Last week’s storm caused the beleaguered historic ferry Kalakala to list at its moorings in the Hylebos Waterway. The Coast Guard might seize the vessel and dismantle it to prevent it from becoming a navigation hazard. Historic ferry Kalakala listing at Port of Tacoma

Lynda Mapes of the Seattle Times blogs on the Burke Museum’s exhibit of the region’s indigenous foods, its gathering and its uses. Salish Bounty: traditional foods exhibit at the Burke Museum

Read Carl Safina’s recap of the December report, “Unexpectedly high mortality in Pacific herring embryos exposed to the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay,” published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Oil and Herring Don’t Mix by Carl Safina

The annual Sound Waters one-day university will be held in Langley on February 4 and features a keynote address by Joseph Gaydos, chairman of Puget Sound Partnership’s science panel on “Marine Science: Can it Help the Salish Sea?” Keynote address at Sound Waters examines impact of marine science

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 302 AM PST TUE JAN 24 2012
...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...
TODAY...SE WIND RISING TO 25 TO 35 KT BY NOON...THEN EASING AND BECOMING S LATE. COMBINED SEAS 8 TO 11 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 11 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT...SW WIND 25 TO 35 KT...EASING AFTER MIDNIGHT. COMBINED SEAS BUILDING TO 15 TO 18 FT AT 12 SECONDS. RAIN.

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Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

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1/23 Samish MRA, Everett sewage, tagging whales, Skokomish restoration, med disposal, Elwha Love, science free speech

2012-01-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year celebrations begin today and end 15 days later on the first full moon. Say “Happy New Year” in Mandarin, Xin Nian Kuai Le, or wish everyone prosperity in Cantonese, Gong Hei Fard Choy.

Today, the National Weather Service says 20-foot waves and high tides threaten some communities on the Washington coast. Big waves, high tides on Washington coast At next Saturday’s seventh annual GroundFrog Day, the bullfrog Snohomish Slew predicts the coming of Spring by croaking. No croak, then winter will linger. Snohomish Slew's 'frognostication' could point to more winter weather

Today is the last day Washington State Ferries’ 64-year-old Rhododendron sails the Point Defiance-Tahlequah ferry route. Rhody's last days | Islanders plan to take a farewell sail on Sunday

Skagit County officials will hold a public meeting on Tuesday in Burlington on whether to designate the entire Samish River watershed as a Marine Recovery Area in order to deal with fecal pollution and require inspection of on-site septic systems. Officials looking to designate watershed as recovery area

Power surges disabled sewage pumps in Everett last Friday. Ugh. 50,000 gallons of raw sewage spill into Port Gardner

Brad Hanson at the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration has U.S. government approval to attach tiny satellite-tracking devices to the dorsal fins of six Southern resident orca whales per season. Ken Balcomb, a senior scientist at the Center for Whale Research, has seen other killer whales that were tagged off Alaska and is concerned. Plan to track endangered whales may harm them, expert says

The Skokomish River empties into Hood Canal and its restoration can heal the ailing south Hood Canal ecosystem. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report on ecological conditions in the Skokomish River in southern Hood Canal will list about 40 potential projects designed to improve fish and wildlife habitat while reducing flooding. Skokomish report will focus on ecosystem restoration

Leftover medications are fueling an epidemic of prescription-drug abuse that is killing more Washingtonians than traffic accidents, say drug-addiction experts. Environmental authorities say prescription drugs are turning up in waterways and even drinking water – and it’s happening often enough that the old medications now are considered hazardous waste. Yet pharmaceutical companies have consistently torpedoed efforts here to fund a statewide disposal program for unused drugs. Why? Drug industry has so far stalled safety and pollution measure

Elwha Love: Katie Campbell and Ashley Ahearn update the progress being made in Elwha restoration. Empire of Dirt Gives Way to the Return of the Salmon

Mark Hume at The Globe and Mail reports on a letter written last year by Kathryn O’Hara, then president of the Canadian Science Writers’ Association, to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the leaders of the other national parties requesting that the government allow its scientists to speak freely with the media. Writers want Ottawa to let scientists ‘speak for themselves’

Last week’s Seattle Times Reel Tim Trivia winner was Oleg Shkinder who correctly named “This glacial lake dug about 50,000 years ago lies in the heart of a metropolitan city, and you can fish for a wide variety of fish species year-round with some getting large in size. Last year, more than 26,000 rainbow trout were planted into the lake, and it also holds carp, tiger muskie, brown trout, channel catfish, yellow perch, bluegill and largemouth bass. There are numerous places and docks to fish all around this lake.” You know the answer? Reel Time trivia winner hails from Kent

Now, your thank-goodness-for-tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST MON JAN 23 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON
TODAY
W SWELL 18 FT AT 12 SECONDS...SUBSIDING TO 13 FT AT 11 SECONDS. SW WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. ISOLATED
SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
SW WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING SE 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 10 FT AT 11
SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY.
--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

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1/20 Melting, Clayoquot Sound logging, Stillaguamish R., way of whales, WetlandVille

2012-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

PHOTO: Ric Hallock, Gig Harbor Life

“... weather is what’s happening outside the door right now. Climate, on the other hand, is the pattern of weather measured over decades.” Martha Baskin at Green Acre Radio reports on It’s Cold and My Car is Buried in Snow. Is Global Warming Really Happening?

During the 2008 snow storm, Seattle chose an environmentally benign mix of sand and snow plows-- and the city was immobilized. Last year, the city switched from de-icing brine that is essentially salt based, sodium chloride, to less toxic magnesium chloride brine. Magnesium chloride melts ice faster, so less needs to be used, they say. Does it hurt the environment? Not to worry says the State Department of Ecology. Fast melt could pose environmental challenges

The First Nations-led logging company Iisaak espouses forestry practised in concert with ecological and cultural values, and has applied for permission to log old-growth forest areas on Clayoquot Sound’s Flores Island. In opposition, B.C. scientists are among more than 133 experts from across North America joining the call for permanent protection of old-growth rainforests in Clayoquot Sound. Scientists call for protection of Clayoquot Sound forests

The 26-member Stillaguamish Watershed Council will report on what it’s been doing for the health of the Stillaguamish River system at a public meeting next Wednesday at the Angel of the Winds Casino restaurant conference room. Watershed council to explain its work in keeping Stillaguamish River healthy

If you love whales: The annual Way of Whales workshop is about the wonders of Pacific Northwest whales, the threats to their habitats and health, and the research being conducted to learn more about the diverse species of whales in our region and protect them for future generations. January 28, Camp Casey Conference Center, Coupeville. Register here.

Exxon Mobil says 1,509 barrels of oil spilled into the Yellowstone River during a pipeline break in Montana last summer, not 1,000 barrels as it earlier estimated. More than 1,000 Exxon Mobil contractors were involved in the cleanup effort, which cost $135 million. Only about 10 barrels of crude were recovered - less than 1 percent of the total spilled. Yellowstone spill 1,500 barrels, not 1,000

Thanks to Josh for passing this on: Students participating in the University of Washington Bothell’s Center for Serious Play have released a new Facebook game called UWB Wetlands Restoration that centers around the natural world outside their campus walls. Players maintain the biological diversity of the wetland by obtaining up to 30 species of plants such as broadleaf arrowleaf, sitka willow and tufted hairgrass and planting them in areas to support biological diversity of the wetland, all while fending off invasive plants. Players determine where to establish the plants, as well as snags, rock piles, ponds and logs, strategically placing them on the virtual wetland in order to create a more vibrant ecosystem. A FarmVille for wetlands? Students create Facebook game with proceeds going to wetland restoration

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST FRI JAN 20 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING
TODAY
E WIND 20 TO 30 KT...BECOMING SE 25 TO 35 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. COMBINED SEAS 7 TO 10 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF
11 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT. COMBINED SEAS 11 TO 14 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 11 SECONDS. RAIN.
SAT
W WIND 25 TO 35 KT...EASING TO 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. COMBINED SEAS 14 TO 17 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 12 SECONDS. RAIN.
SAT NIGHT
S WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 20 FT.
SUN
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT. COMBINED SEAS 17 TO 20 FT.
SUN NIGHT
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT...BECOMING S 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. COMBINED SEAS 15 TO 18 FT.

--
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1/19 Ice, ferry behavior, regulatory incentives, ferry budget, ribbon seal, squid, airport bacteria, pipelines, fish farm libel, bag ban, SOPA, Tulip Beds

2012-01-19T11:51:00.000-08:00

Ribbon Seal (PHOTO: Vancouver Sun)

“This is a highly unusual situation here in western Washington: outside of the famous ice storms of the western Columbia Gorge (also known as the silver thaw), western Washington does not get freezing rain very often. The last big event was over the southern Sound in December 1996, when Sea Tac airport closed,” writes Cliff Mass. Ice Storm: Freezing Rain and Sleet Meanwhile, up north: Drivers warned to stay off slippery roads, despite calm-weather forecast

If you like to watch: Watch Eric Becker’s Environmental Lobby Day Video, then register for the Jan. 25 Lobby Day in Olympia

Senate Bill 6245 introduced by Sen. Kevin Ranker would make inappropriate behavior on a ferry boat or at a ferry terminal illegal. Smoking, spitting, littering, playing radios, urinating or defecating in places other than approved plumbing fixtures, carrying firearms or flammable liquids, roller-skating, skateboarding, gambling, trying to pass oneself off as a ferry worker, and letting a pet off its leash would be misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Bill would make bad ferry behavior a misdemeanor

Meanwhile, Skagit County will meet compliance on state critical areas rules by enrolling in the state’s newly formed Voluntary Stewardship Program. The program was approved by the Legislature last year as a way for counties to maintain current regulations protecting critical areas on agricultural lands while providing incentives for landowners to do more to protect them. Skagit County nears compliance on critical areas

State Transportation says that, If no new funding for the state ferry system is found, only the top ridership routes would remain: Edmonds-Kingston, Mukilteo-Clinton and Seattle-Bainbridge. Service would also continue for the island access routes of Anacortes-San Juans and Fauntleroy-Vashon. State officials say without funding five ferry routes would be scuttled

Larry Pynn at the Vancouver Sun reports on the sighting (and photographing) of a ribbon seal in Seattle’s Duwamish River on January 11. Ribbon seals are native to the North Pacific and Arctic; marine marine experts say there are no prior recorded sightings in Washington state or B.C., although one did make its way to California in 1962. Rare Arctic visitor found lounging on Seattle dock

Before Southeast Asian residents immigrated to Puget Sound, few folks jigged for Pacific squid that migrated to the Sound and Strait every winter to spawn. Now everybody’s out jigging. Puget Sound squid jiggers woo tasty tentacles

Portland International Airport will meet pollution standards by feeding toxic de-icing runoff to bacteria that it’s raising. Bonnie Stewart at EarthFix explains. Airport-Raised Bacteria Eats Toxic De-Icing Fluids

President Obama yesterday rejected, for now, the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline, saying the $7 billion project could not be adequately reviewed within the 60-day deadline set by Congress. Rejecting Pipeline Proposal, Obama Blames Congress Undaunted, Canadian crude will move without Keystone XL, industry insiders say

Gitxsan hereditary chiefs voted 28-8 on Tuesday to reject the deal with Embridge, Inc. that would have given the First Nation $7 million in profits over 30 years from construction of the Northern Gateway pipeline from Alberta to Kitimas. B.C. First Nation rescinds earlier support for Northern Gateway deal

An environmental film series, “All Things Salmon” and “All Things Shellfish,” starts on Saturday, Jan. 21 and continues on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC) in Port Townsend. Salmon, shellfish recovery focus of film series at Northwest Maritime Center

A request by B.C. fish farm critic Don Staniford to broaden the libel suit against him to include a wider public inquiry into the practices of global aquaculture was rejected by the B.C. Supreme Court. The aquaculture company Mainstream Canada is accusing Staniford of damaging the company by comparing farmed salmon to tobacco. Judge tosses fish farm critic’s bid to cast alleged libel as industry-wide critique

Hawaii island joined Kauai and Maui in banning plastic bags. The ban goes into affect in a year, after which businesses can sell plastic bags for another year. Hawaii island becomes third county to ban stores from giving out plastic bags http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/137643788.html?id=137643788

Support for a pair of anti-piracy bills unraveled Wednesday amid an Internet blackout and huge public backlash. Wikipedia shut down for 24 hours and directed users to send messages to Congress; Google put a big, black bar across its logo and directed users to a petition. Internet's dark day: Anti-piracy bills take a beating While it worked to move legislators, did we survive without Wikipedia for a day? So, what did we learn after a day without Wikipedia?

Researchers working in the Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale, nicknamed the Tulip Beds, situated in the Canadian Rockies, have discovered tulip-shaped creature, officially named Siphusauctum gregarium, that lived about 500 million years ago. The creature, about 20 centimetres with a unique filter feeding system, lived in large clusters as indicated by slabs containing over 65 individual specimens. Fossils of ancient sea creature discovered

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST THU JAN 19 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT
TODAY
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. SW SWELL 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN...SNOW...AND SLEET.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. SW SWELL 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS. RAIN...AND A CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE EVENING.

--
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1/18 Snow, whale rescue, bag ban vote, Navy fined, studded tires, NOAA, gubernatorial poll

2012-01-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

Stay home, stay safe, stay warm. Got some time? Check out Snow and Other Weathers -- Seattle and King County

If you like to watch: Before today’s snowfall, Dale Ireland in Silverdale captured a time-lapse video from his weather cam. “Watch the stark wind shear at the end with low level clouds moving north to south while clouds just above moved south to north!” KOMO’s Scott Sistek exclaims in Time lapse videos shows Convergence Zone chaos

If you like to watch: On New Year’s Eve, the crew of the Wendaway freed a mother humpback whale trapped with her baby calf in an illegal drift net off the Pacific coast of Mexico. Crew member Mary Campbell shares On the back of a whale: a rescue

Craig Keller, who organized a petition drive to place Seattle's recently adopted plastic bag ban before voters on the August ballot, said he collected between 2,000 and 3,000 signatures, far short of the needed 16,000. Effort to repeal plastic bag ban falls short

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined the Navy $161,000 for failing to properly monitor pipes and underground fuel storage tanks for leaks at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. The Navy has 53 underground tanks on the base for storing diesel, used oil and gas, ranging from 170 gallons to 45,000 gallons. EPA fines Navy for problem in monitoring underground fuel tanks

Studded snow tires cause an estimated $24.7 million in damage to the state’s roads every year. Senate Bill 6032, cosponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island, would collect a $5 fee on each new studded snow tire sold in the state to help pay for the damage they do to Washington’s streets and highways. Proposal includes $5 fee on new studded tires sold

The Obama Administration proposes to streamline the Commerce Department by consolidating trade and business agencies and moving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the Department of the Interior. Ashley Ahearn of EarthFix talks with Chris Mann, director of the program for healthy oceans with the Pew Environment Group, about what that might mean for NOAA’s functions. NOAA The Red-Headed Step Child Among Gov. Agencies? Not Really

KING 5 News polled 617 registered voters statewide and 46% said they would vote for Rob McKenna for governor, while 43% said they would support Jay Inslee. The poll has a margin of +/- 4%. Voters like McKenna for budget, Inslee on environment

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 730 AM PST WED JAN 18 2012...UPDATED
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
E WIND 35 TO 45 KT. COMBINED SEAS 10 TO 12 FT. A CHANCE OF SNOW.
TONIGHT
E WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. SW SWELL 4 FT AT 10 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 6 FT AT 10 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW.

--
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1/17 Snow, weather cams, Lummi Is. Quarry, Adventuress, Wikipedia, swans

2012-01-17T10:19:00.000-08:00

Climate scientist Cliff Mass says this storm has been hard to forecast because “there are two airstreams battling it out...one from the north and one from the south. Small displacements of the low (order of a few hundred miles) makes all the difference.” He says (as of Monday) that “it seems clear that we are going to have a major snowstorm, one that is NOT followed by major warming and heavy rain. No Slushmageddon, just Snowmageddon.” However, what’s coming is “NOT going to be as bad as December 1996. I remember that well. We had two snowstorm the last week in December and I had 21.5 inches on the ground at my house. Then it got very warm and windy and heavy rain rapidly melted the snow. Just a disaster, with collapsed roofs and slope failures.” Wednesday Snow Storm

If you like to watch: Two pages with links to cameras around the region where you can couch potato the weather out there: Washington Web Cams and Pacific Northwest Live Webcams

If you like to watch: The Lummi Island Conservancy produced a video to explain issues regarding the proposed expansion of the Lummi Island Quarry Video Introduces Problems With Proposed Quarry Expansion

Thirty-five volunteers worked over the three-day weekend on The Adventuress’s winter repair and renovation. “We have taken everything apart. Now we have to put it all back together,” said Captain Joshua Berger. Schooner goes to pieces for holiday repair; Adventuress volunteers do prep work

Wikipedia will black out the English language version of its website Wednesday to protest anti-piracy legislation under consideration in the U.S. Congress. Wikipedia to go dark tonight protesting anti-piracy act

"Something stirs in each of us when see swans," said Martha Jordon, a biologist who specializes in the birds. "And it's unique for each person." Jordon talks on Jan. 26 at the Northwest Stream Center. Learn about the majestic swans that have returned to the Northwest

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST TUE JAN 17 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT LATE TONIGHT
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING
TODAY
NW WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. NW SWELL 5 FT AT 12 SECONDS. SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
N WIND 15 TO 20 KT...BECOMING E 20 TO 30 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 OR 3 FT...BUILDING TO 3 TO 5 FT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 15 SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY IN THE EVENING. A CHANCE OF SNOW.

--
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1/16 Snow, lege session, ship discharge, Ocean Policy, Tsawwassen Band, Olympic Park glaciers, new voting maps

2012-01-16T10:51:00.000-08:00

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Seattle Times)

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! There are still some holiday weekend events to take part in. Celebrations of MLK's legacy

New blog: “Invoking God”

New blog from the Lady of the Slough: “Who’s Going to Clean Up This County?”

While Western Washington drivers cope with their first snow of the winter, the National Weather Service says another 1-to-3 inches are possible by Tuesday and another 4-to-8 inches by Wednesday before turning to rain. More snow forecast by Wednesday across Washington

Snow has once again started falling on Metro Vancouver this morning, with the regional cold spell expected to continue through much of the week. Snow flurries and bitter weather set to continue across Metro Vancouver

And, if you’re still interested in the white stuff, Cliff Mass blogs on Interesting Differences in Local Snow

Listen up: Martha Baskin of Green Acre Radio reports on whether the environmental community’s top priorities for the 2012 legislative session can be sustained under the most intense attacks the community has seen in decades remains to be seen. Pollution Free Prosperity: Is It Possible in an Economy that looks like this?

If you want to see some of the action first hand, register for the January 25 annual Environmental Lobby Day.

Fred Felleman with Friends of the Earth describes why the cruise ship industry should support new regulations banning discharge of treated sewage and graywater from cruise ships within 3 miles of the coast of Washington and Puget Sound. New Regs Proposed For Cruise Ship Wastewater in Washington

The National Oceans Policy now has an action plan with a goal to base decisions on how the nation’s shorelines are used on solid science and on a philosophy of openness and responsiveness to all interests. Whew. Toward a National Coastline Policy

The Way of Whales annual workshop to be held January 28 at the Camp Casey Conference Center in Coupeville brings together whale experts and educators. Register here.

Tsawwassen First Nation’s land settlement treaty expanded its land holdings in the fertile farmlands of the Fraser Delta. In a few weeks the band will pave over and begin transforming the land into subdivisions, an industrial park and the second-largest shopping mall complex in the province. “We are no longer a colony. We can make our own decisions,” says chief Kim Baird. “We can enjoy what other communities have had the ability to do for the past century or so, right? We are a player.” Tsawwassen band paves way for controversial mini-metropolis near Delta

Bill Baccus, Olympic National Park physical scientist reports that the glaciers in the North Olympic Peninsula's national park have shrunk by an average of 15 percent of their mass since the 1980s. “One glacier has completely disappeared.” Olympic National Park glaciers continue to shrink, most recent study finds

The Seattle Times has online a nice map of Washington state’s newly reapportioned congressional districts— and demographic profiles of each district. Washington's new congressional districts

And, from Ron Judd, two items in The Wrap--

“A Little Gas Turbo-Tax: Oil refiners reacted in abject horror to Gov. Chris Gregoire's call for a $1.50-a-barrel "fee" on state-produced petroleum products. Reason: They're unfairly targeted, tiny-profit-margin middlemen. Just like every other last soul involved in the oil-production chain, from drillers to station owners to CEOs and stockholders. Further evidence that all those hundreds of billions in oil-company profits are simply being dumped into a big hole somewhere.”

“Ding-dong drivers scrambling to avoid toll really take the cake: Just a small suggestion to all you local drivers who, feeling an urge to get from the Eastside to downtown or vice versa, make the reasoned, logical decision that it would be much better to drive around, going 10 miles out of your way, burning a quarter-tank of gas, pumping out enough pollutants to make Bothell smell like Gary, Ind., and turning Interstate 5 from Lake City Way south into a WallyPark annex — just to save a whopping two or three bucks:

Suck it up and pay the lousy 520 toll, already.”

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST MON JAN 16 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON PST TODAY THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
W WIND 10 TO 20 KT...RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT...BUILDING TO 2 TO 5 FT IN THE
AFTERNOON. W SWELL 7 FT AT 10 SECONDS. ISOLATED SHOWERS OR SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING...THEN SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING NW 5 TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 9 SECONDS. SHOWERS.

--
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1/13 Snow!, otters, voluntary stewards, Swinomish dredging, Kitsap steams, boat tax, toxic fish, Mima Mounds, pay for whales, smallest frog

2012-01-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

Oak Tangle (Laurie MacBride)

“I waited to write this blog until I could ‘see the whites of their eyes’ and this case white is the right color.” That’s Cliff Mass: The Upcoming Snow

New blog by Our Lady of the North: A Forest of a Different Kind: Garry Oak

Eye candy, tummy tempting: Photos: Winning Chinese Restaurant Awards dishes

If you like to watch: A North American river otter has moved into the new habitat being created along the shores of the Duwamish River, at Slip 4, as part of the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund cleanup. Otters make themselves at home on Duwamish

Milo died Wednesday, and the aquarium says he was the first otter to be diagnosed with lymphoma and also the first to be treated with chemotherapy. Much-loved sea otter dies at Vancouver Aquarium

Thurston County commissioners voted to try a new, voluntary approach to protect fish and wildlife habitat and water quality on agricultural lands. By joining the state’s Voluntary Stewardship Program, county emphasis will be on an incentive-based program that relies less on its critical-areas ordinance to achieve environmental protection on active agricultural lands. Thurston County commission OKs voluntary plan for critical areas

Port of Skagit, city of La Conner, Skagit County, the Port of Anacortes, the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe and Swinomish Indian Tribe have agreed to work together to help pay for the $1.2 million it costs to dredge the Swinomish Channel every three years. Keeping the Swinomish Channel flowing

Kitsap County’s annual water quality report shows improving trends in 14 county streams and worsening trends in six other streams. Battle against pollution continues in Kitsap's streams

According to a study by Hebert Research, boating generates $3.9 billion a year in economic activity in Washington, and reducing some of Washington’s high boating-related taxes could generate millions more in revenue for state coffers by making it more attractive for people to keep and maintain a boat here. Deborah Bach reports, Millions at stake with new boat tax proposal
“Fish exposed to low levels of common flame retardants called PBDEs for most of their lives pass the chemicals – and more surprisingly, the associated toxic effects – along to their progeny. While parents' health effects were minimal, the exposures reduced hatch rates and altered the thyroid hormone system of the next generation.” Toxic legacy: Fish pass flame retardants, impaired health to offspring

Bellamy Pailthorp at KPLU ponders what professor Paul Butler calls “one of the most poorly understood phenomena in earth science.” That’s a large swath of native prairie southwest of Olympia that’s very strange looking. So strange, in fact, that some have even said it was created by aliens. This week we marvel at the mysterious Mima Mounds

Putting a price on nature: Three academics propose the world should put a price on killing whales, and allow conservationists and whalers alike to bid on the right to take them. The idea of a market-based trading system for commercial whaling is not unprecedented; a Canadian natural-resources professor mentioned it in 1982, and a Virginia economist offered a more detailed scenario a decade ago. Researchers propose price on whaling

And, for your end-of-the-week sense of wonder: A frog species, Paedophryne amauensis, that appears to be the world's smallest at 7mm (0.27 inches) long has been discovered in Papua New Guinea. World's smallest frog discovered

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST FRI JAN 13 2012
TODAY
SE WIND 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 14 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 5 TO 10 KT...BECOMING S 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS...BUILDING TO 1 TO 4 FT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.
SAT
W WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 8 FT AT 13 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 10 FT AT 12 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN LIKELY AND A CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND SNOW SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
SAT NIGHT
W WIND 15 TO 25 KT...EASING TO 5 TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 4 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 FT OR LESS AFTER
MIDNIGHT. W SWELL 11 FT.
SUN
W SWELL 10 FT. W WIND 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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1/12 Snow, BP barrel charge, bag ban, toxic ban, greenhouse gas map, oil pipe risks, hatcheries

2012-01-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

BP Cherry Point (Bellingham Herald)

“The new forecast models are increasingly threatening for colder temperatures and lowland snow from Sunday through Wednesday of next week, although none of the forecast are ideal for a truly major event. THUS THIS EVENT SHOULD NOT BE OVERHYPED!,” says Cliff Mass. Increasing Threat of Snow

Surprise! BP Cherry Point doesn’t like the governor’s proposed $1.50-per-barrel charge on Washington refineries to help pay for transportation improvements and maintenance because it will cost the company more than $100 million a year and not all of it can be passed on to customers. Worldwide, London-based BP reported $5 billion in net income in the third quarter of 2011. Oil refineries balk at Gregoire's plan for transportation fees

Good! “We are not opposed to moving away from plastic bags," testified Holly Chisa of the Northwest Grocery Association, which represents Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway and other grocery stores in the region . "My grocery stores, which are the larger grocery stores, believe that a bag is a bag and it is time to make the move.” Major grocery stores support statewide ban on plastic bags

The environmental community has just one priority bill this session – a ban on toxic flame retardants in baby and children’s products. Senate Bill 6120 and House Bill 2266 – identical measures – would ban the use of two cancer-causing Tris flame retardants (TCDPP and TCEP) in baby products such as car seats, nursing pillows and portable cribs, beginning in July 2014. Toxic flame retardant ban environmental goal for session

The US Environmental Protection Agency yesterday unveiled a new website that identifies most of the nation's biggest emitters of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases. EPA creates Website to ID biggest emitters of greenhouse gases See also: EPA: Power Plants, Refineries Are Top NW and EPA maps the worst greenhouse gas offenders

The first of two days of government hearings on the proposed Northern Gateway oil pipeline and shipment terminus at Kitimat drew testimony about why the forbidding geography of northern British Columbia stands to pose enough risks that the pipeline and tanker plan should be reconsidered. B.C. coast is hostile country for oil, pipeline panel told

A Victoria-based environmental group is under attack from a national group supporting Alberta oilsands development. Dogwood spokeswoman Emma Gilchrist said the attack has backfired and galvanized support. "We have been absolutely inundated. The phone has been ringing off the hook," she said. "We've got 4,794 new unique signatures on our No Tankers petition in the last 72 hours and a surge in donations." Victoria-based anti-pipeline group defends its funding

Rob Manning at EarthFix reports on this week’s discussion by a science panel, tribal representatives, and state officials about what hatcheries should be used for and what they should avoid. One thing that various officials and experts agree on: hatchery fish are not perfect replacements for wild fish. Thinking Outside The Pond: What’s The Best Role For Hatchery Fish?

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST THU JAN 12 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR WINDS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY
TODAY
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT IN THE MORNING...BECOMING LIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 4 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 FT OR LESS IN THE AFTERNOON. W SWELL 5 FT AT 14 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.
TONIGHT
W WIND 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 7 FT AT 13 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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1/11 Snow?, Rena sinks, state transportation, bag ban, farm program, MV Coho Lake Whatcom, pipeline pushback, Discover Pass, Deepwater Horizon

2012-01-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

Making A Splash (Laurie MacBride)

Ready? “The new forecast models are increasingly threatening for colder temperatures and lowland snow from Sunday through Wednesday of next week, although none of the forecast are ideal for a truly major event,” says Cliff Mass. Increasing Threat of Snow

New blog: “Putting A Price On Nature” The blog subject is oil spills, and the Lady of the North offers her portrait from a few months back about Dall porpoises and the impact of the Enbridge and Kinder Morgan oil projects, “Making A Splash”

John F points out that House Bill 1508 will exempt all gun ranges from noise ordinances. Why is that in the public interest?

Awful to watch: Rena Sinks: Up to 100 tonnes of oil could still be on the sinking Rena, threatening to spill in to the ocean.

"Our oil companies are getting all the profit and leaving us with the bill. We can do better," Governor Gregoire said yesterday when proposing a $1.50 fee per barrel of oil produced in the state to pay for $3.6 billion in highway, bridges, city streets and ferries improvements and maintenance. Governor pushes transportation investment

"I want plastic out of the water," said Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline, the prime sponsor of a Senate bill that would be the nation's first statewide ban of plastic grocery and retail bags. Legislators seek statewide ban on flimsy plastic shopping bags
Whatcom County Council members voted 5-2 to stay out of the state’s Voluntary Stewardship Program because they want to rely on the county’s own environmental laws and don't want to see local control given to the state. Whatcom County won't join state farm program On Skagit County’s earlier adoption of the program, reader Rabbits’ Guy comments.

Black Ball Ferry Line, which operates the MV Coho ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria, is being purchased by its managers from the Oregon State University Foundation. Meet the new owners of the MV Coho ferry

The origin of the totem pole that washed up at Ogden Point remains a mystery, but some answers may come today when the battered pole is inspected by Grant Keddie, archaeology curator at the Royal B.C. Museum. Museum curator may have answer to Vancouver Island totem-pole mystery

Strong words from the Washington Growth Management Hearings Board on the inadequacy of Whatcom County's land-use regulations in Lake Whatcom: “The county's unsupported assertion that its regulations are adequate to provide the needed protection rings hollow," the board's ruling states. "The current report on Lake Whatcom water quality demonstrates that the existing regulations have not protected Lake Whatcom and that the problems are actual and proven, not speculative." State board: County doesn't do enough to protect Lake Whatcom, orders county to toughen regulations

Conservative government PM Stephen Harper and Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver have lashed out at environmental groups taking “foreign money” from U.S. donors to build opposition to the $6.6-billion Northern Gateway pipeline that would carry oil-sands bitumen to the British Columbia coast. Foes of Northern Gateway pipeline fear revocation of charitable status

Washington State Parks received $6.5 million from the new Discover Pass purchases in 6 months, way short of its hoped-for $15.6 million. As a fix to remove one big barrier, the Washington State Senate Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters Committee on Jan. 9 voted unanimously to refer a bill to the Ways & Means Committee that would make the Discover Pass transferable between two vehicles. Discover Pass expansion (one pass good for two vehicles) gets senate committee nod

Shoot ‘em, Dano. Brant goose numbers in Skagit County are high enough to allow an eight-day hunt, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Brant numbers big enough for hunt

A new study published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences provides a composite picture of the environmental distribution of oil and gas from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It amasses a vast collection of available atmospheric, surface and subsurface chemical data to assemble a "mass balance" of how much oil and gas was released, where it went and the chemical makeup of the compounds that remained in the air, on the surface, and in the deep water. Comprehensive Picture of the Fate of Oil from Deepwater Horizon Spill See also Justin Gillis’ New York Times blog on Revisiting the Deepwater Horizon Plumes

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST WED JAN 11 2012
TODAY
E WIND 15 TO 20 KT...BECOMING SE 10 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 11 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 4 FT AT 13 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG.

--
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1/10 Winter, lege session, 'voluntary stewardship,' B.C. Fish farms, Big Beef Cr., tsunami debris, oil sands pipeline, ferry reservations, East Bay Plaza, Skagit Hill Recycling, motorboats ban, hatchery fish

2012-01-10T09:09:00.000-08:00

Rena (Reuters)

“One of my favorite kayaking day trips in my home waters of Whatcom County starts at Sandy Point and ends in Drayton Harbor,” blogs Lee at RE Sources. Read “Cherry Point Paddle Trip”

Liz commented on the article posted yesterday about the dangers posed by supertankers associated with the Northern Gateway pipelines project. She pointed out: “While it is not a tanker, the mammoth cargo ship over in New Zealand provides a sobering example of how difficult it can be to contain a wrecked, sinking large vessel.” That’s the Rena, grounded since October off the east coast of New Zealand. Debris from wrecked cargo ship washes onto NZ beaches

Enjoy the dry, mild “winter” while you can. Climate scientist Cliff Mass says that the latest batch of forecasts from both the U.S. National Weather Service and the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting suggest the possibility for a change to much cooler temperatures. Winter Over? Don't Bet on It!

The state legislature convenes in its “short,” 60-day session to close a $1.23 billion budget shortfall with cuts and a proposed increase in the sales tax for education funding. Also on the agenda: transportation funding, same-sex marriage, private insurance coverage for abortions, legalizing adult marijuana use...and more. First day of tough political session

Isn’t this the “voluntary approach” used by Skagit County to clean up agricultural and septic waste in the Samish River watershed? Whatcom County Council tonight holds a public hearing on whether they should enroll the county in a state program that tries to balance the interests of farming and environmental protection, the “Voluntary Stewardship Program.” Whatcom council debating whether to join watershed-planning program

Canada’s Fisheries Minister gave out nearly a million dollars for aquaculture projects in B.C., the lion’s share going to the $7 million K'udas closed containment pilot project on 'Namgis First Nation reserve land near Port McNeill. Fish farm proposal gets $800,000 boost from federal government

Thank you: The Great Peninsula Conservancy has acquired a 10-acre parcel of forestland along Big Beef Creek in Central Kitsap, helping to protect one of the most productive salmon streams in the region. Following this latest purchase, nearly all of Big Beef Creek from Lake Symington to Hood Canal is now managed in some kind of protective status Conservancy acquires another piece of Big Beef Creek

Debris from the tsunami that ravaged northern Japan last March will arrive on North Olympic Peninsula beaches in 2013, Clallam County emergency managers told commissioners Monday. Bulk of tsunami debris from Japan expected in 2013; multiple fields of wreckage reported in Pacific Ocean

Canada’s Harper government is escalating its attack on critics of the Northern Gateway oil sands pipeline, labelling environmental groups opposed to the project as “radical” and claiming their U.S. financial supporters are working to “undermine Canada’s national economic interest.” The attack is based on blogs by Vivian Krause writing on how U.S. money is helping finance Canadian environmental activism. Blogger fuels PM’s claim U.S. is backing Canadian environmentalists

Look for a new, improved Washington State Ferries reservation system this summer on the Coupeville (Keystone)-Port Townsend and Anacortes-Sidney, B.C. Routes, and expansion of the system to San Juan routes in 2014 and to Central Puget Sound routes in 2016— if the system works. Ferry system to upgrade, expand reservation system starting this summer

Environmental cleanup costs associated with the East Bay Plaza project, a 0.74-acre site between LOTT’s WET Science Center and the Hands On Children’s Museum on Olympia Avenue, has totaled nearly $340,000. The total cost of the project is closing in on $5 million, with the sewer utility contributing about $4 million and the City of Olympia more than $885,000. Cleanup cost $340,000 at dirty East Bay

The owners of Skagit Hill Recycling could face civil penalties incurred since 2006 of more than $300,000 due to solid waste they have left at their business north of Sedro-Woolley. Skagit Hill Recycling faces in excess of $300,000 in penalties

Two nearly completed bridge projects would open new areas to motorboats, but Kitsap County plans to keep them out from the Curley Creek and Carpenter Creek estuaries due to hazards to mariners and to the environment. The two estuaries would be the county's first saltwater restrictions. Carpenter, Curley Creek estuaries to be restricted to motorless boats

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows the impact of hatcheries on salmonids is so profound that in just one generation traits are selected that allow fish to survive and prosper in the hatchery environment, at the cost of their ability to thrive and reproduce in a wild environment. Hatcheries Change Salmon Genetics After a Single Generation

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 230 AM PST TUE JAN 10 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT
TODAY
W SWELL 10 FT AT 13 SECONDS. NW WIND 20 KT BECOMING NE 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 3 FT SUBSIDING TO 1 OR 2 FT.
TONIGHT
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 12 SECONDS.

--
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1/9 NSEA, sub wharf, bag ban vote petition, Northern Gateway pipeline, sea lions, Yelm moles, snowy owl, Don Staniford, Neah Bay

2012-01-09T08:40:00.000-08:00

Neah Bay (NY Times)

Our Lady of the North comments on the blog, “This Great Ark of Islands”-- “This is fascinating, Mike, and I love the photo of the gecko drinking off the side of your cup! As you know, I live on a small island too, but of course all of the Gulf Islands, mine included, are relatively close to the mainland and the "big island" (Vancouver Is.), unlike Hawaii - so the flora/fauna are pretty similar. Nevertheless, a few of the species are different here than on the mainland coast of BC - eg. chestnut-backed chickadees here, but black-capped chickadees aren't found on Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands. Interesting to ponder on why this might be so.”

If you like to watch: Dean Kahn at the Bellingham Herald reports on the fundraising strategy of Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and how "Our Promise," a four-minute video showcasing NSEA's work fits into that strategy. Nooksack salmon group goes digital in search of endowment donors

Which war are we going to fight next? The Navy wants to build a new $715 million second munitions wharf to service its missile-carrying subs at Bangor. The final EIS is due early this year. Plan for new Navy wharf at Bangor fires up nuke debate

Petition drive to put the Seattle bag ban to a vote is a dud; the American Progressive Alliance, lobbying arm for the plastics industry, will concentrate on lobbying Olympia. Few, so far, sign on to get bag-ban repeal on ballot

Northern Gateway pipeline proponent Enbridge says that the total benefit of direct and indirect jobs to build and run its pipeline will be 558,000 person-years of employment, generating $81 billion in government revenues. Spending billions on Northern Gateway pipeline will quickly pay off, experts say

But what about a spill by even one massive tanker that wreaks havoc on marine life and contaminates hundreds of kilometres of coastline? What if a supertanker tanks?

B.C.’s politicians will make the call. Brave folks. Gateway pipeline risky for western premiers, political watchers say

"This is the most sea lions I have ever seen at once in south sound," said Pete Topping, a state Fish and Wildlife biologist. Big group of sea lions invade southern Puget Sound

“Mole hills are popping up in the back pasture at a rate I’ve never seen before. Mole activity picked up early this past fall and shows no sign of subsiding,” writes John Dodge at The Olympian. “I counted more than 50 mole hills Friday morning, some of which contain enough soil to fill a large pot.” Backyard garden plans under attack

Talk of the snowy owls' atypical prevalence in the United States continues to swirl among the birder community as reports come in from the Audubon Society's 112th annual Christmas Bird Count. Across the U.S., Audubon watchers find snowy owls flying south for sustenance

In northern and central Puget Sound summer anglers target hatchery chinook — which are identified with a clipped adipose fin located near the tail — while ensuring that wild salmon listed on the Endangered Species Act are released unharmed. Selective salmon fisheries have proved to be a big hit

Don Staniford is an outspoken critic of B.C.’s salmon-farming industry and is being taken to the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Jan. 16, where he must defend himself against allegations from Mainstream Canada, the province's second-largest salmon-farming company, that he defamed the organization. Fish-farm foe defiant as court date nears

And, before you go west, read Bill Yardley’s New York Times piece on what makes Neah Bay at the end of the world special. “We’re accessibly remote,” says Meredith Parker, the general manager of the Makah Indian Nation. Washington Outpost Draws Those Hungry for Slap of Sea Spray

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 230 AM PST MON JAN 9 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT
TODAY
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT BECOMING W 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 13 FT AT 14 SECONDS. RAIN AT TIMES THIS MORNING TURNING TO SCATTERED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 12 FT AT 14 SECONDS. NW WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

--
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1/6 Toxics release, oil pipeline spills, Kari Koski, Bainbridge ban, Saanich cougars, Kennewick, aquatic mimics

2012-01-06T10:09:00.000-08:00

New blog: This Great Ark of Islands

D. Peeler comments on building beaches: “I believe this type of beach "nourishment" has been a common practice along some of our beaches in the southeast. I don't know if any environmental studies have been conducted on the impacts of such practices, whether on the beach, the source of the sand, and fish and wildlife. Note the bulkhead in the photo used in the story; armoring tends to contribute to loss of beach area.”

From the federal toxics inventory report: The three Northwest states had seen declines in toxic releases before 2010. But that year, the releases started to climb. Washington released 27 percent more than in 2009. NW states released more toxics in 2010

Larry Pynn at the Vancouver Sun reports on how Embridge Inc., proponent of the $5.5-billion Northern Gateway pipeline project, is spending $700 million to clean up an oil spill from its pipeline on the Kalamazoo River in Michigan in July 2010. In B.C., Enbridge has identified 773 streams — 669 of them bearing fish — that must be crossed if its 1,172-kilometre dual-pipeline project gets the go-ahead between Alberta and Kitimat on B.C.’s north coast. Oil spills costly to companies and environment, yet seem inevitable despite technology

Congratulations and thank you to Kari Koski who is leaving as director of The Whale Museum’s Soundwatch program. Kari was honored with the San Juan Marine Resources Committee’s Master Steward Award for her dedication in educating boaters about the killer whales and the many years of advocating on behalf of the endangered Southern residents. 'Dedication and integrity unmatched'; Soundwatch's Koski honored by MRC

The proposal to ban plastic bags on Bainbridge took its first official step Wednesday with a brief City Council discussion and a modest expression of public support. Mayor Kirsten Hytopoulos is proposing a ban similar to the one recently approved by the Seattle City Council. The proposal has the support of Winslow's Town & Country Market and the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association. Bainbridge council takes first look at proposed ban on plastic bags

Multiple cougar sightings over the last 36 hours in well populated areas of Saanich have police concerned but a conservation officer says it’s part of living in an area rich with wildlife. Three more cougar sightings have Saanich police concerned

Welcome the new 64-car Kennewick in Port Townsend today from 11 AM to 1 PM. The ferry will go into service later this month. Welcome ceremony for new ferry is Friday, but Kennewick is not service ready yet

In the waters of Indonesia, the mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) impersonates and preys on toxic flatfish, lionfish and even sea snakes. The black-marble jawfish (Stalix cf. histrio) has been observed impersonating the mimic octopus and making itself difficult to be seen. Read the account in Science Digest, Fish Mimics Octopus That Mimics Fish

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 904 AM PST FRI JAN 6 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS EVENING
TODAY
W SWELL 11 FT AT 13 SECONDS. SE WIND 10 TO 15 KT... BECOMING 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. RAIN.
TONIGHT
E WIND 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING SE 5 TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 3 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY IN THE EVENING.
SAT
SE WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING E 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 3 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS. A
CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
SAT NIGHT
E WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 3 FT OR LESS... SUBSIDING TO 1 FT OR LESS AFTER MIDNIGHT. W SWELL 7 FT.
SUN
E WIND 5 TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 6 TO 8 FT...SUBSIDING TO 5 FT IN THE AFTERNOON.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

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1/5 Union River protected, toxic exposure, pipeline poll, sardines and ice cream

2012-01-05T10:32:00.000-08:00

New blog: What’s a Beach Worth Without Sand?

I’m taking a moment to remember our friend Bob Fletcher, Kathy’s father, who passed away on December 30. Here’s his obituary.

Today, 5 PM, is the deadline to register for Saturday’s Environmental Priorities Coalition Legislative Workshop to be held at the University of Washington. Click here.

Al at Olympic Peninsula Environmental Network shares in a blog a letter he received regarding “Thoughts on the recent ‘Shellfish Initiative’”

Forterra, the group previously known as Cascade Land Conservancy, purchased 255 acres near the headwaters of the Union River for $480,000 from Pope Resources. Chris Dunagan at the Kitsap Sun has the details. Forest and streams protected in Union River area

A Simon Fraser University study finds that students attending schools in low-income neighbourhoods are more likely to be exposed to air and noise pollution because of the proximity of major roads. Students in low-income neighbourhoods exposed to more pollution

A survey commissioned by Northern Gateway pipeline project proponent Enbridge Inc. finds that British Columbia residents support the project by a 48-32 margin. Go figure. B.C. residents support Northern Gateway pipeline project: poll

Dick Stein at KPLU reports that “local foodistas have made the dairy/dussumeria pairing the hottest trend since Korean taco trucks. But not just any sardine and not just any ice cream will do.” Sardines and ice cream are the new surf n' turf

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST THU JAN 5 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS EVENING
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM PST FRIDAY
TODAY
W WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. SW SWELL 16 FT AT 13 SECONDS BUILDING TO W 18 FT AT 15 SECONDS. SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 20 FT AT 15 SECONDS SUBSIDING TO 18 FT AT 14 SECONDS. W WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING SW 5 TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE EVENING.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

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1/4 Big winds, B.C; oil review, NRDC vs. pipeline, wetland funding, herring fishery, porous roads, coyotes

2012-01-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

'Eddie Would Go'

A New Year’s Report: First of all, thanks to our subscribers. There are over 150 subscribers receiving these daily email postings directly and there have been 3,214 web visits to this news site since it was launched four months ago. There have been 2,013 web visits to the online Salish Sea Communications blog site since it was launched three months ago.

A New Year’s Request: The daily news subscriptions are free so subscribe and help me build readership by asking your family, friends and business associates to subscribe. No solicitations, complete privacy. Thanks. Mike.

New blog: ‘Eddie Would Go’ and Trustees Should Keep the Trust

Batten down the hatches. Hurricane winds predicted for west coast of Island and Strong winds on West End, Admiralty Inlet areas continue

The B.C. government has launched a review to determine if controversial practices by the oil and gas industry such as fracking and flaring pose a threat to human health. B.C. launches review of oil and gas industry practices

The Natural Resources Defense Council has lawyer Robert Kennedy Jr. and actors Robert Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio ready to weigh in against the $5.5 billion Northern Gateway pipeline. Environmental groups line up star power against Northern Gateway pipeline

Among all of the coastal United States, Washington will receive more than a third of the federal grants earmarked for wetland conservation. That’s 11 projects. Washington wins big in coastal funding

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans management plan for the Strait of Georgia’s herring fishery allows the harvest of about 12 per cent of the total amount of herring in the strait, an amount that’s alarmed some conservationists, with some scientists worrying that local resident herring populations could be damaged. Winter fishery on B.C. coast may put inshore herring stocks at risk, scientists say

Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission chair Billy Frank Jr. argues that Governor Gregoire’s proposal for a one-time tranfer of 1.5 million from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's wildlife fund to protect salmon production at several hatcheries makes sense because hatcheries provide salmon for tribal, commercial and sport fisheries. Salmon are for everyone

Lisa Stiffler at Sightline reports on how permeable pavement can help alleviate our polluted runoff problems. The Porous Road Less Traveled

Biologist Brian Kertson says coyotes are increasing in numbers and seem to be moving into urban areas in larger numbers, so you’ll be finding them on Vashon and on other islands in Puget Sound. Once scarce, coyotes are being spotted all over Vashon
Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST WED JAN 4 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 10 PM PST THIS EVENING
TODAY
S WIND 25 TO 35 KT EASING TO 20 TO 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 4 TO 7 FT. SW SWELL 13 FT AT 12 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT EASING TO 10 TO 20 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. SW SWELL 13 FT AT 12 SECONDS. RAIN.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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1/3 Rainwater sewage, rain gardens, whale autopsy, Jacobs Point, Port Angeles shore, Keystone XL

2012-01-03T10:50:00.000-08:00

New blog: “New Year’s Fireworks, Price of Ahi, Marine Reserves and Civil Unions”

Heavy rainfall warning issued for Metro Vancouver

The precipitation that's falling from the clouds above and evaporating before it reached the ground? According to Cliff Mass, that's Virga!

Lynda Mapes at the Seattle Times revisits the issue of whether it’s wort spending big money to finish the job of correcting sewage spills when it rains. Wanna choose? Sewage or polluted runoff? Last sewer-outflow pollution worth $1B to stop?

Katie Campbell at EarthFix reports on two industrial rain gardens installed at Totem Ocean Trailer Express property on Tacoma’s Commencement Bay to reduce runoff pollution. How Does An Industrial Rain Garden Grow?

The cause of death of a 30-foot gray whale in July near Bremerton may be revealed when results from tissue analyses are disclosed. Christoper Dunagan in the Kitsap Sun reports. Whale bones nearly ready for recovery

Forterra, the conservation groups formerly known as Cascade Land Conservancy, arranged purchase of an 82-acre peninsula at Jacobs Point on Anderson Island, which will be developed with a trail, a stop for kayaks and canoes, interpretive signs and viewpoints by the Anderson Island Park and Recreation District. Peninsula on Anderson Island to become wildlife habitat

Port Angeles will begin its waterfront redevelopment with a walkway on the west side of the ferry terminal this year as part of the first phase of a $2.2 million project to make over nearly half of Railroad Avenue from the west edge of the terminal to Oak Street, as well as down Oak Street to Front Street, with new pavement, wider sidewalks and landscape and lighting improvements. Part of Port Angeles waterfront to change in 2012

The GOP Congress’s cynical price to extend the payroll tax break and long-term unemployment benefits for two months was a condition that the President decide in two months on the Keystone XL pipeline that will bring dirty oil from Canada across our nation’s breadbasket. Obama, Congress begin 2012 in oil pipeline dispute

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST TUE JAN 3 2012
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY
TODAY
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 7 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 12 SECONDS. RAIN AT TIMES.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 7 FT. W SWELL 10 FT AT 11 SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

1/2 Bulky people, crab catch, fish rule changes, seabird threats, wetland suit

2012-01-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

(Photo: Vancouver Sun)

Happy New Year and best wishes for 2012. To all the polar bears who braved the waters of the Salish Sea, a salute!

Laurie MacBride blogs on the magic of watching. Much More than Meets the Eye

Story’s been done a number of times but, as we make resolutions about being a bit more fit in 2012, here’s how Bill Yardley at the New York Times tells the story: Bulk’s Not Just in Bulkhead, So Coast Guard Steps In

Sport fishers of Dungeness crabs had a record harvest and now have to self-report their late season catches. Only 52 percent of the total number of 2011 Puget Sound Crab Endorsement summer catch record card holders met their legal obligations— which gives weight to arguments from tribal and commercial fishers that the expanded sport crab fishery cannot be effectively managed by the state to meet conservation and catch-sharing mandates. Crab catch reporting will dictate future

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on Saturday will discuss and decide on whether to close fishing early for steelhead and other game fish in several river systems in Puget Sound and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to protect wild steelhead. Commission takes input on proposed fishing rule changes

Overfishing hurts seabirds not only by entangling them in fishing gear but by depriving them of prey. When the amount of forage fish drops below one-third of its maximum, seabirds of many species start to have fewer chicks. Seabird-fish research shows threshold for danger

Fill in a wetland without a permit, face a fine from the EPA. Go to court and have the Supreme Court hear your case to consider how and when you can challenge the kind of order EPA issues to stop and restore the damage. High court to hear EPA case from Idaho

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 900 AM PST MON JAN 2 2012
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM TUESDAY
TODAY
SE WIND 20 TO 30 KT...BECOMING S 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 3 FT. SW SWELL 8 FT AT 10 SECONDS... BUILDING TO 10 FT AT 11 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN AT TIMES.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 5 TO 15 KT RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 11 FT AT 13 SECONDS. SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE EVENING...THEN RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

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12/30 Coal train petition, Samish Bay closure, Mission Creek restoration

2011-12-30T10:37:00.000-08:00

If you like to watch: Rocky the octopus predicts some BCS (Bowl Championship Series) bowl winners. Can An Octopus Pick The BCS? Take It To The Tank

John Stark in the Bellingham Herald blogs on plans by Rick Dubrow and a new political action committee called No Coal! which in January will make public its draft of a proposed new city ordinance that would prohibit any transport of coal through Bellingham by rail or any other means. Bellingham group plans initiative to ban coal trains

The state Department of Health has temporarily closed Samish Bay for commercial and recreational shellfish harvest. The closure is due to a rise in the Samish River level and anticipated rise in fecal coliform bacteria levels. Samish Bay closed to commercial and recreational shellfish harvest

The Port of Olympia has received grant funds from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board for its habitat restoration project at Mission Creek in Priest Point Park. The port is collaborating on the project with the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and the City of Olympia. Port gets funds to restore park habitat

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 837 PM PST THU DEC 29 2011
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST FRIDAY
FRI
SW WIND 20 TO 25 KT...BECOMING W 25 TO 35 KT IN THE LATE MORNING AND AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT...BUILDING TO 4 TO 7 FT IN THE LATE MORNING AND AFTERNOON. W SWELL 14 FT AT 12 SECONDS... BUILDING TO 18 FT AT 12 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. SHOWERS.
FRI NIGHT
W WIND 25 TO 35 KT...BECOMING NW 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 7 FT...SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 5 FT LATE. W SWELL 18 FT AT
12 SECONDS...SUBSIDING TO 15 FT AT 12 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
SAT
W SWELL 13 FT...SUBSIDING TO 11 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. SE WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT.
SAT NIGHT
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 8 FT...SUBSIDING TO 6 FT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SUN
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 5 FT.
SUN NIGHT
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 6 FT.

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12/29 Redistricting, sport crabbing, bag-ban vote, Thurston CAO, Greg Good, tsunami debris

2011-12-29T06:11:00.000-08:00

Great history lesson— and interesting, too. The Cornwall Landfill in 1963

Joel Connelly at SeattlePI.Com reports on how lines have been drawn for Washington’s 10 congressional districts. Some surprises. Radical changes in U.S. House district boundaries

Rich Childers of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says that, with an estimated 2.1 million pounds of crabs harvested in the summer season and with additional harvest coming during the fall and winter, this year’s sport crab season could break records. Record year likely for Puget Sound sport crabbing

Craig Keller, a Republican activist who gathered signatures to repeal a plastic-bag fee two years ago, has launched a petition drive to put Seattle’s plastic bag ban to a vote. Petition seeks vote on Seattle plastic-bag ban

Is the Voluntary Stewardship Program, a voluntary program for environmental and habitat protection for agriculture uses and farmlands, the answer to ending years of legal and political battles over protecting agricultural activities while also protecting critical areas found on those lands? Thurston board faces decision on program for critical areas

North Olympic Land Trust executive director Greg Good leaves join the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission, and Michele d’Hemecourt, conservation director, will be acting executive director. North Olympic Land Trust’s first executive director leaving

Beachcombers in Tofino have noticed a significant uptick in debris of Japanese origin on their shores, a sign that items swept out to sea by the tsunami in Japan may have found their way to B.C. earlier than expected. Japan tsunami debris believed to be reaching B.C. Shores

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 226 AM PST THU DEC 29 2011
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PST THIS MORNING GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM PST FRIDAY
TODAY
SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING S 5 TO 15 KT LATE IN THE MORNING...THEN BECOMING SE AND RISING TO 20 TO 30 KT IN THE
AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT...BUILDING TO 3 TO 6 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. W SWELL 13 FT AT 12 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE MORNING...THEN RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 25 TO 35 KT...BECOMING SW AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 7 FT. W SWELL 11 FT AT 12 SECONDS. RAIN.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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12/28 Everett sewage, redistricting, Pleasant Harbor resort, Vancouver bag ban, watershed grants, eco-friendly farmed fish

2011-12-28T07:30:00.000-08:00

New blog: “The Art of the Year-End Donation”

Read two comment on yesterday’s blog post "Smokin’ and Talkin’ and Textin’ While Drivin’

Eyew, yuk and shame shame: Gary Chittim reports that during Thankgiving week, Everett Public Works dumped an estimated 25 million gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater into the Snohomish River and Puget Sound. Penalties for polluting, anyone? Millions of gallons of raw sewage dumped into Snohomish River

We find out this morning what the agreed-upon new congressional district maps look like — and have until Friday to comment. Deal reached on new election districts

The draft supplemental environmental impact statement is due in about two months on the proposed 257-acres, $300 million Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort at Brinnon on Hood Canal. Paul Gottleib of the Peninsula Daily News brings us up to date on the project. Revamped plan for Pleasant Harbor mega-resort looks to the environment

Vancouver B.C. plastic bags must not pollute the same way plastic bags in Bellingham, Edmonds, Mukilteo, Seattle and Portland do. Used to hear that about Victoria sewage— that it’s different. Metro Vancouver won't join Seattle and Portland in plastic bag ban
Federal watershed grants include $500,000 awarded to The Nature Conservancy to identify what floodplain areas in Puget Sound have the best potential for storing floodwaters and providing fish and wildlife habitat and $480,584 awarded to Washington State University to test new methods to treat stormwater and conduct research on permeable pavement materials. EPA grants state $3.6 Million; 18 projects awarded funds for land, water conservation

Doesn’t make much difference whether you certify farmed fish as eco-friendly or not, it’s still farmed fish. Eco-labelled farm fish offer little environmental benefit, University of Victoria study concludes

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 247 AM PST WED DEC 28 2011
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST THURSDAY
TODAY
SW WIND 20 TO 25 KT...BECOMING 20 TO 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 11 FT AT 11 SECONDS. RAIN IN THE MORNING...THEN SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
W WIND 20 TO 30 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 12 FT AT 11 SECONDS. SHOWERS IN THE EVENING...THEN SHOWERS LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT.
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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told