10/14 Shell train, BC LNG, uni, Puyallup stormwater, rent-a-chicken

Herring gull (Tom Murray/BirdNote)

The Little Red Spot on a Gull's Bill
In the mid-20th Century, Dutch scientist Niko Tinbergen studied nesting Herring Gulls. He noticed that newly hatched chicks were fed by their parents only after they pecked at the adults' bills. Tinbergen devised experiments that varied the shape and coloration of the adult's bill. It became clear that the red spot on the adult gull's bill was a crucial visual cue in a chick's demands to be fed, and thus its survival. Learn more about Herring Gulls and about Tinbergen's research. (BirdNote)

Critical voices heard at Shell EIS scoping meeting
Those critical of a proposed oil train facility at Shell Puget Sound Refinery dominated the discussion Tuesday at a public comment meeting regarding the project.  The expansion would give Shell the ability to handle crude oil trains, and would increase the number of trains traveling through the state. County government and the state Department of Ecology are putting together an environmental impact statement on Shell's project, and will use public comment to help determine the scope of the EIS. Brandon Stone reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

B.C. LNG industry ready to take ‘final steps’: Finance Minister
British Columbia’s fledgling liquefied natural gas industry will overcome the slump in energy markets while addressing aboriginal concerns, the province’s Finance Minister says. LNG prices are weak in Asia, but the backers of major projects on Canada’s West Coast are taking a long-term view, said Mike de Jong, who will be delivering a speech on Wednesday at the start of an international LNG conference in Vancouver. Brent Jang reports. (Globe and Mail) See also: Prince Rupert's Pacific LNG project faces new challenge  Gitxsan First Nation says it was not consulted on Prince Rupert gas pipeline Derrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Sea urchin, or uni, is a popular B.C. delicacy — but not in B.C.
As the weather turns colder, some of the most prized sea urchin in the world is being caught right now off the coast of B.C. The spiny creatures are treasured in Japan, where Canada will export much of the haul. There, sea urchin is called "uni," and is considered a delicacy. (CBC)

Puyallup set to divert more than 687,000 gallons of stormwater annually
…. At 3:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 16), a ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the opening of Puyallup’s latest Low-Impact Development along the 400 block of 3rd Street Northeast and the 200 block of 4th Avenue Northeast. The project comprised the change of 28,874 square feet of concrete surfaces from impervious to pervious. The city saved on the cost of replacing storm drainage facilities in this area because the project components will retain stormwater runoff onsite and not allow it into the storm system. The amount of stormwater prevented from entering the storm system annually will be more than 687,000 gallons. Andrew Fickes reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Rent-a-chicken business taking flight in Kamloops
When Ron and Marie McGivern decided to get into the rental market, they didn't choose to start renting properties — they chose chickens. Starting next spring, they plan to be renting local residents a package including two or four laying hens, a few large bags of feed, food and water dishes, a portable chicken coop and a set of instructions, all delivered to their door. The two-hen starter package runs $425 plus tax, while the deluxe four-hen package is $600 plus tax. (CBC)

Now, your tug weather--
 WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT WED OCT 14 2015
TODAY
SE WIND TO 10 KT BECOMING E IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 6 FT AT 12 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.
TONIGHT
E WIND TO 10 KT RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 11
 SECONDS.
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10/13 Shell drill, oil sands, marbled murrelet, WOTUS, Ludlow Bay sewage, rain gardens, Brit bags

B.C. Thanksgiving weekend double rainbow (Michele Empey/CBC)

Polar Pioneer oil rig set to make return to Port Angeles Harbor, though arrival date is uncertain
The Polar Pioneer oil rig will once again loom over the waters of Port Angeles Harbor. The 355-foot-tall rig was in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, on Monday for a brief stopover with the Noble Discoverer rig after exiting the Alaskan Arctic and before heading farther south, Shell Oil Co. spokeswoman Megan Baldino said Monday. The Noble Discoverer will make its way to the Port of Everett. Paul Gottlieb reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Alberta oil-sands boom dries up, taking thousands of jobs with it
At a camp for oil workers here, a collection of 16 three-story buildings that once housed 2,000 workers sits empty. A parking lot at a neighboring camp is now dotted with abandoned cars. With oil prices falling precipitously, capital-intensive projects rooted in the heavy crude mined from Alberta’s oil sands are losing money, contributing to the loss of about 35,000 energy-industry jobs across the province…. Despite a severe economic downturn in a region whose growth once seemed limitless, many energy companies have too much invested in the oil sands to slow down or turn off the taps. In addition to the continued operation of existing plants, construction persists on projects that began before the price fell, largely because billions of dollars have already been spent on them. Oil-sands projects are based on 40-year investment time frames, so their owners are being forced to wait out slumps. Ian Austen reports. (NY Times)

In the face of timber development, one more chance to save a remarkable seabird
The seabird at the center of the state’s 21st century timber wars manages an astonishing feat during breeding season. The marbled murrelet, its plumage a mix of brown, bisters and umbers, dines in deep coastal waters. It then flies inland, sometimes as much as 50 miles, to feed its young in a tall conifer. When it lands in the nest, says ornithologist Daniel Froelich, it has to “stick” its landing “like a gymnast, aiming for perfection with no wobble or bounce.”…. This week, after years of advocacy, lawsuits and scientific study, the DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold public hearings at a special murrelet board meeting on October 15. Four possible habitat conservation plans will be presented by an out-of-state murrelet expert. The plan adopted later in the year will form the basis for a new long-term conservation strategy. Martha Baskin reports. (Crosscut)

Appeals court puts the brakes on EPA's clean water rule
A US Court has temporarily blocked the a federal water rule that would fold temporary waterways into Clean Water Act protections, Friday. The US Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit granted a temporary stay against the Water of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The stay is the latest of several attempts to derail many Obama administration environmental policies. The WOTUS rule was intended to clarify which bodies of water are under the supervision of the Clean Water Act. Corey Fedde reports. (Christian Science Monitor)

Sewage release closes waters of Port Ludlow Bay to recreation until Saturday
A sewage spill into Port Ludlow Bay caused by equipment failure at the wastewater treatment plant is not serious or life-threatening, but the area is now closed to recreation until Saturday. Jefferson County Public Health has issued a “no contact” health advisory that will remain in effect until then. The public is advised to avoid any contact with the water in Port Ludlow Bay, including swimming, kayaking, fishing and harvesting of shellfish and seaweed. (Peninsula Daily News)

Let It Rain
Water is a big topic these days—from droughts across the nation to keeping our oceans, rivers, and lakes clean and cool for fish and other species, there is a lot to think about. Here in the wet and wild Pacific Northwest we have the option of creating rain gardens to help protect our water sources—something the folks the Washington State University know a little something about. (KOMO)

Charge for Plastic Bags in Britain Draws Applause, Anger and Humor
Some warned of “bag rage” by irate shoppers. The Daily Mail predicted, “Plastic Bags Chaos Looms.” Chloe Metzger, a 21-year-old blogger and student, wrote on Twitter: “I understand the whole #plasticbags thing but it couldn’t be more annoying.” Nerves were rattled, jokes were made and the annoyance of it all was duly noted in Britain this week. Nevertheless, shoppers pulled off something that has also occurred in other cities, states and countries: They began weaning themselves off plastic shopping bags. Starting this week, the government introduced a 5 pence charge for plastic bags for most groceries, clothes and other purchased items. And while it did not lead to a nationwide mutiny, as some had warned, it did create some tension in cashier lines. Dan Bilefsky reports. (NY Times)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT TUE OCT 13 2015
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT THIS MORNING
TODAY
LIGHT WIND. WIND WAVES LESS THAN 1 FT. W SWELL 10 FT AT 12 SECONDS SUBSIDING TO 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
LIGHT WIND BECOMING E TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 7 FT AT 11 SECONDS.
--
"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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10/12 Oil export, Grays Harbor, diesel, microbead ban, coral bleach, smokers, Gov Pt., Padden Cr.

Elwha 10/9/15 (Tom Roorda and CWI)

House Votes to Lift Oil-Export Ban
The House voted Friday to lift the 40-year-old ban on oil exports, fueling a clash with President Barack Obama and acting on one of the oil industry’s top congressional priorities. Lawmakers voted 261-159 to lift a ban Congress first put in place after the 1970s Arab oil embargo that sent domestic gasoline prices skyrocketing. Debate on the issue now shifts to the Senate, where the measure faces steep hurdles to passage. Amy Harder reports. (Wall Street Journal)

Hundreds testify on Grays Harbor oil terminal plan
A few hundred people testified at a hearing on two proposed oil terminals at the Port of Grays Harbor in Hoquiam. Westway Terminal Co. and Renewable Energy Group want to expand existing facilities to bring crude oil by train from the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana to send it by tankers or barges to refineries in Puget Sound and Northern California. KXRO-AM reported that protesters from Grays Harbor, Olympia, Vancouver and Portland rallied before Thursday’s public hearing in Aberdeen. Hoquiam City Administrator Brian Shay acknowledged concerns about train traffic, oil spill risk and air quality. (Associated Press)

'Smell Of Money' Polluted This South Seattle Neighborhood
Tugboat captain Dave Stauffer used to reek of diesel. “It’s just the smell of a boat,” Stauffer says. “Just like standing by a fire, you’re going to get some of that smoke on your clothes.” Stauffer’s wife also grew used to the smell. “She’d say, ‘That’s the smell of money,’” he says. The veteran captain no longer smells like fuel because the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency helped Island Tug and Barge buy cleaner engines that don’t emit such strong fumes. Joshua McNichols reports. (KUOW)

California Becomes Latest State to Ban Plastic Microbeads
Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed legislation on Thursday that bans plastic microbeads, giving his state one of the country’s strongest laws against the tiny abrasives used in exfoliators and other products…. The consumer products industry had objected to certain aspects of the bill, arguing that it was overly restrictive and did not allow companies to come up with environmentally friendly alternatives. The California rules include a prohibition against biodegradable microbeads, which other states with similar legislation allow. At least six other states have passed laws restricting microbeads, including Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland and New Jersey. Rachel Abramsoct reports. (NY Times)

Scientists: Major coral bleaching crisis spreads worldwide
The bleaching of colorful coral is spreading into a worldwide, devastating crisis, scientists say, and they predict it will likely get worse. Triggered by global warming and the El Nino, record hot ocean water is causing fragile coral to go white and often die, threatening picturesque reefs that are hotspots of marine life, experts say. The spread of sickly white started more than a year ago in Guam, then devastated Hawaii, infected the rest of the tropical Pacific and the Indian oceans and has now infested Florida and the Caribbean. On Thursday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and international reef scientists pronounced it a global coral bleaching event, only the third in recorded history. Seth Borenstein reports. Associated Press)

If you like to watch: Smoke Underwater: Exploring B.C.'s Sunken Treasures
They’re one of the planet’s most hostile environments: Towering chimneys pouring out hot, poisonous smoke from cracks in the earth. The valuable metals they spew into the sea could be a literal gold mine, but scientists still have much to learn about the undersea marvels and the teeming life around them. Justine Hunter joined a crew of researchers mapping out the deep. (Globe and Mail)

OPINION: Stop political inaction, clean up Puget Sound — now
Puget Sound is a deceptive wonder. Its haunting beauty obscures the slow-flowing poison of urban runoff and the lowering of pH from ocean acidification. The result imperils shellfish and marine life. The jewel of Western Washington, Puget Sound is at risk. As The Seattle Times’ Sandi Doughton reports, urban stormwater runoff can kill an adult coho salmon in 2 ½ hours. So why does the health of the sound rank lower with the federal government than addressing pollution threats to Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes? In a word: politics. (Seatttle Times)

No takers at Governors Point auction
Conservation group Whatcom Land Trust has renewed interest in preserving Governors Point after the cancellation of a bankruptcy auction where the peninsula’s 125 mostly undeveloped acres were to be sold. Bids were to start at $3.5 million on Thursday, Oct. 8, at an auction intended to raise money for property owner Roger Sahlin’s creditors. Sahlin, whose family has owned the peninsula off of Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham since the 1960s, sought Chapter 11 protection in May. Ralph Schwartz reports. (Bellingham Herald)

More Clallam County beaches reopened to recreational shellfish harvesting
Beaches along the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Cape Flattery eastward to the Jefferson County line, except for Sequim Bay, are open for the recreational harvest of all species of shellfish. At one point this summer, all beaches in Clallam County were closed for shellfish harvesting because of elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning, known as PSP. In September, beaches from the Lyre River and Low Point east to Dungeness Spit were reopened. On Friday, the state Department of Health reopened the rest of the beaches along the Strait. (Peninsula Daily News)

Padden Creek flows into new channel in ‘daylighting’ project
Neighbors gathered Friday, Oct. 9, to watch a temporary dam being removed from part of Padden Creek off Old Fairhaven Parkway. Crews pulled out the last cofferdam near 22nd Street to allow the creek to flow, marking a milestone in the $2.8 million Padden Creek “daylighting” project, which is expected to wrap up in early November. Kie Relyea reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT MON OCT 12 2015
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT BECOMING W 5 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT SUBSIDING TO 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 12 SECONDS BUILDING TO 11 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
W WIND TO 10 KT BECOMING NW AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 10 FT AT 12 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN.

--
"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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10/9 Toxic runoff, water rule, climate, water rights, Navy training, carbon capture, grease, Riki Ott

Toxic road runoff kills coho salmon in hours, study finds
A new study shows that stormwater runoff from urban roadways is so toxic to coho salmon that it can kill adult fish in as little as 2½ hours. But the research by Seattle scientists also points to a relatively easy fix: Filtration through a simple, soil-based system. “It’s basically … letting the Earth do what it does so well, what it has done for eons: cleaning things up,” said Julann Spromberg, a toxicologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and co-author of the report published Thursday in the Journal of Applied Ecology. Sandi Doughton reports. (Seattle Times)

Inslee Pushes Tighter Water Quality Rules To Match EPA Proposal
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday the state is pursuing clean water rules that match federal recommendations for protecting human health. Inslee said he would direct the Washington Department of Ecology to draft new rules that reduce pollution enough for people to safely eat more fish from Washington waters. The proposal rules are based on a fish consumption rate of 175 grams per person per day and an allowable cancer risk of one in one million. Those numbers come from a September proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency, which told the state it would issue federal rules on Washington’s water quality if the state did not act. Tony Schick reports. (EarthFix)

Gregor Robertson trashes Canada's record on climate change in Washington
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has trashed the Canadian government's record on climate change in front of a distinguished audience at the U.S. State Department. He is the only Canadian mayor invited to the "Our Cities, Our Climate" summit in Washington, D.C. His comments came during a conference on green cities, organized by former New York mayor and current UN climate envoy Michael Bloomberg and attended by top officials from the department. Robertson says Canada is an embarrassing laggard on climate change under the Harper government and hopes the Oct. 19 election produces a government that plays a more constructive role. (Canadian Press)

High court reverses decision granting water rights to Yelm
The Washington Supreme Court has overturned a decision by the state to grant new water rights to the city of Yelm to serve its growing population. The court on Thursday ruled 6-3 that the Department of Ecology exceeded its authority in approving Yelm’s water rights under a narrow exception in cases where water is limited. In the majority opinion, Justice Charles Johnson wrote that municipal water needs do not rise to the level of overriding public interest…. Ecology officials say the case has statewide implications and it will look at alternative criteria in making future water decisions. (Associated Press)

Petition with 110,000 signed hard copies against U.S. Navy plans delivered to Forest Service office
A petition opposing plans by the U.S. Navy for an $11.5 million expansion of electromagnetic warfare training in Olympic National Park has drawn widespread support. A Navy spokeswoman said the petition repeats “a number of misperceptions.” Hard copies of about 110,000 of the petition signatures were hand-delivered Sept. 23 to the office of Reta Laford, forest supervisor for Olympic National Forest, in Olympia. Chris McDaniel reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Carbon Engineering unveils groundbreaking carbon capture project in Squamish, B.C.
The mountain air in Squamish, B.C., could soon be even fresher with the launch of a groundbreaking carbon capture operation. The pilot project will suck carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, not from an industrial plant like other such operations, with the goal of turning the gas into fuel. Built and operated by Calgary-based Carbon Engineering, the $9-million plant will capture about one tonne of CO2 per day, which is the equivalent of taking about 100 cars off the road annually. Founded by Harvard climate scientist David Keith and backed by big-name investors including Bill Gates, Carbon Engineering has spent several years turning academic research into technology that could be commercialized. Gemma Karstens-Smith reports. (Canadian Press)

Metro Vancouver partners with Surrey to fight cooking grease buildup in sewer pipes
Metro Vancouver has targeted cooking grease in its latest bid to stop people from clogging up the region’s sewers. The regional district will partner with Surrey to run a pilot project next month that aims to encourage residents to wipe up their cooking grease, such as bacon fat, and toss it in the green bin rather than into the kitchen sink or toilet. Kelly Sinoski reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Oil Spills in Your Backyard
Riki Ott, who has spent the last two decades doing research and front-line community organizing in the wake of major US oil spills, will be in Victoria Oct. 15 to share lessons learned and facilitate a discussion about the need for stronger spill prevention and response in the Salish Sea. 7 pm, First Metropolitan United Church, Victoria. Hosted by Georgia Strait Alliance.

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT FRI OCT 9 2015
TODAY
E WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING S IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 6 FT AT 8 SECONDS...BUILDING TO SW 10 FT AT 8 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN LIKELY IN THE MORNING...THEN RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
S WIND 10 TO 20 KT...EASING TO 5 TO 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. SW SWELL 13 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.
SAT
SE WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING S 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. SW SWELL 13 FT AT 15 SECONDS. RAIN.
SAT NIGHT
W WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. SW SWELL 11 FT AT 12 SECONDS.
SUN
LIGHT WIND...BECOMING SE TO 10 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. SW SWELL 9 FT AT 13 SECONDS.
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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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10/8 Oho, water rule, BC pipes, salty Fraser, Grays Hbr oil, Vancouver WA oil, shark swim

Hurricane Oho threatens Alaska, Canada as it moves away from Hawaii
Hurricane Oho missed Hawaii and is speeding away from the state tonight. But it could bring rain to Washington state as it passes offshore Thursday and it will likely bring heavy rain and strong winds to Alaska and British Columbia starting Thursday night. Craig Gima reports. (Star-Advertiser) See also: Hurricane Oho is Heading Towards the Northwest  Cliff Mass reports. (Weather Blog)

Governor takes another swing at state standards for water quality
Defeated so far in his efforts to pass legislation and write revised water quality standards, Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday is expected to try again with a new rule that would restore state regulatory control asserted by the EPA. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

New blog: When Drones Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Have Drones
"First of all, I won’t identify the drone operator in my neighborhood by name because I don’t want to inspire others by glorifying his actions. I’m sure he bought his drone legally and thinks he is exercising his God-given constitutional rights to fly it above my house. If someone’s going to take his drone away, they’ll most likely have to kill him first…."

Overturning decision on B.C. pipeline would end project, court hears
A decision to overturn the environmental approval certificates for Northern Gateway’s controversial pipeline enterprise would kill the $7-billion proposal, a court has heard. “If you quash the certificates the music stops,” lawyer Bernard Roth told a Federal Appeal Court panel in Vancouver on Wednesday. “We can’t file anything more with the [National Energy Board]. We can’t continue with our project.” Geordon Omand reports. (Canadian Press) See also: B.C. government, Pacific NorthWest LNG reject reports of Petronas project delay  (Canadian Press)

Study will examine increased salination of Fraser River
Delta and Richmond farmers hope to commission a $75,000 report to examine ways to prevent salination of the Fraser River, fearing climate change and the removal of the Massey Tunnel could affect their ability to access fresh water for crops in the future. The study, which farmers hope will start in the next few months, will investigate the potential impact of increased salinity levels in the Lower Fraser River due to the salt wedge — where ocean water meets river water — moving farther upstream as a result of changes in the hydrology of the river. The aim is to provide a profile of the salt wedge — such as its thickness, depth and its movements upstream — as well as a monitoring program to ensure farmers aren’t drawing salty river water for crop irrigation. Kelly Sinoski reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Large crowds expected on Grays Harbor oil-terminal hearing
State officials say large crowds are expected Thursday at a public hearing on two oil terminals proposed at the Port of Grays Harbor in Hoquiam. Two companies want to expand existing facilities to bring crude oil by train from the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana. The oil would then be transported by tankers or barges to refineries in Puget Sound and northern California. Westway Terminal Co. wants to expand its methanol facility to store up to 1.4 million barrels of crude oil. Meanwhile, Imperium, which was acquired by Renewable Energy Group, wants to expand its biodiesel facility to store up to 1.1 million barrels of crude oil and other liquids. (Associated Press)

Ruling: NuStar oil terminal must undergo detailed review
NuStar Energy’s plans to handle crude oil at the Port of Vancouver [WA] must undergo a detailed environmental review, a city hearings examiner decided Tuesday. The ruling affirms an earlier decision by the city that NuStar must complete an environmental impact statement before it can get a permit. The sweeping document would provide a thorough look at the proposal and its potential effects. It would also explore alternatives and invite new testimony. NuStar had argued that the project should not require an environmental impact statement, and that the city’s justification for requiring it was flawed. Eric Florip reports. (Columbian)

Reporter’s assignment — swimming among the Point Defiance sharks
A new attraction at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium allows participants to swim with 16 sharks — with no barrier. Stacia Glenn reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT THU OCT 8 2015
TODAY
SE WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. SW SWELL 4 FT AT 7 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
SE WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 5 FT AT 9 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT.

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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.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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10/7 BC pipe, Padilla poop, climate initiative, Neil Young, BP settlement, crows & death

‘Floating Life Forms,’ Ed Kroupa (DavidMontesino/TNT)

Puget Sound creatures inspire new art along Thea Foss in downtown Tacoma
Some of the creatures from Puget Sound have — in an artistic sense — leaped out of the water and onto Thea Foss Esplanade. People strolling down the walkway in downtown Tacoma will now see six hollow bronze spheres decorated with harbor seals, octopus, sea stars and more. The pieces, created by Tacoma artist Ed Kroupa and dubbed “Floating Life Forms,” are part of the city’s efforts to beautify and to help train artists. Stacia Glenn reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Ottawa defends ‘thorough’ Northern Gateway review at Vancouver court hearing
The Canadian government is asking the Federal Court of Appeal to uphold its controversial decision to approve the $7-billion Northern Gateway pipeline project. First Nations, environmental groups and a union are asking the court to quash the decision because of an alleged failure to consider environmental threats or consult with aboriginal bands. But government lawyer Jan Brongers argued Tuesday that the federal review was extensive, and there must be a high bar for a court to overturn a democratically elected cabinet’s decision. Laura Kane reports. (Globe and Mail)

County, state step up efforts to keep waste out of Padilla Bay
The search is on for sources of fecal coliform bacteria in the Padilla Bay watershed. Skagit County and the state Department of Ecology are stepping up efforts to remedy the pollution problem. The presence of the bacteria indicates human sewage and/or livestock manure is getting into the water. “We have a state park where people can’t swim. What’s the deal with that?” Skagit County Water Quality Analyst Rick Haley said at a public meeting last week. “You shouldn’t have to worry about poop in the water when you’re out there recreating.” Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Second group plans state initiative on climate change
Washington voters could see two competing initiatives to fight climate change vying for their support on the 2016 fall ballot. A coalition of environmental, labor, social-justice and other groups announced plans Tuesday for an initiative that would impose fees on carbon emissions from fossil fuels. and spend proceeds on clean-energy investments and other government programs. The initiative’s details were not released during a news conference at a downtown Seattle steam plant…. Meanwhile, backers of a competing measure have been gathering signatures for months on a different carbon-pricing approach. Initiative 732 would tax carbon emissions, but would take a “revenue neutral” approach — offsetting the new tax with cuts in business and sales taxes. Jim Brunner reports. (Seattle Times)

Neil Young says political leadership ‘trashed’ Canada
Weighing in on the federal election campaign, Canadian music icon Neil Young says Canada’s “backwards” political leadership has “trashed” the country’s resources and diminished Canada’s image on the world stage….  Mr. Young made the comments at a news conference at which he and David Suzuki announced that $100,000 from Mr. Young’s concert on Monday night would be donated to the Blue Dot campaign. The goal of this Suzuki Foundation movement is to get the right to a healthy environment enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Marsha Lederman reports. (Globe and Mail)

US Settles Claims Against BP Over Deepwater Horizon Spill
Federal and state claims against BP for the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill have been resolved, the Justice Department says, with the oil and gas company agreeing to pay more than $20 billion in penalties. Calling it “a historic resolution,” U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said Monday that the deal is “the largest settlement with a single entity in American history,” with a record environmental penalty. The deal was first announced in July…. According to BP, the settlement announced today “does not reflect a new settlement or any new money.” Instead, the company says, the figure touted by U.S. officials today includes money that was previously spent or announced. (OPB)

Crows may learn lessons from death, UW research shows
In recent years, a peculiar sort of public performance has taken place periodically on the sidewalks of Seattle. It begins with a woman named Kaeli N. Swift sprinkling peanuts and cheese puffs on the ground. Crows swoop in to feed on the snacks. While Swift observes the birds from a distance, notebook in hand, another person walks up to the birds, wearing a latex mask and a sign that reads “UW CROW STUDY.” In the accomplice’s hands is a taxidermied crow, presented like a tray of hors d’oeuvres. This performance is not surreal street theater, but an experiment designed to explore a deep biological question: What do crows understand about death? Carl Zimmer reports. (NY Times)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT WED OCT 7 2015
TODAY
E WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 3 FT AT 12 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
E WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. SW SWELL 4 FT AT 10 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN 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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10/6 BC pipe, Lummi quarry, Elwha flick, Duwamish restoration, Orca Talk, Carl Safina

Pacific wren (Julio Mulero/BirdNote)

If you like to listen: Three Wrens, Where Once There Was One...
Until about 2010, the Pacific, Winter, and Eurasian Wrens were all considered to be part of the same species — called the “Winter Wren” in North America and simply the “Wren” in Europe. What changed? Well, closer examination revealed that for these three geographically separated populations of wrens, both the birds’ genes and songs had changed since they last shared a common ancestor! (BirdNote)

If you like to watch: An Introduction to Living Shorelines
Restore America's Estuaries sweet new video.

If you like to watch:  Second whale sighting in Vancouver
For the second time in two days, a whale has been spotted in Vancouver. On Sunday, a whale was seen near the Maritime Museum; on Monday, a whale was seen between Sunset Beach and English Bay Beach. (Vancouver Sun)

Northern Gateway pipeline review was flawed, court told
Lawyers representing several environmental groups and a labour union are in court this morning attempting to overturn the federal government's approval of the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline project. The groups plan to argue the Joint Review Panel and the Governor in Council, which approved the project in 2013, failed to consider several factors, including: compliance with the Species at Risk Act with respect to humpback whales; a proper assessment of how bitumen reacts in the marine environment; (and) balancing Northern Gateway's economic benefits with its environment impacts. (CBC)

Land trust buys Lummi Island quarry site for $1.08 million
The Lummi Island Heritage Trust has bought 105 acres of quarry land on the island for $1.08 million for conservation, low-impact recreation and saltwater access. The deal closed Wednesday, Sept. 30. The seller was Resource Transition Consultants, the receiver for Lummi Rock LLC’s quarry and its operator, Aggregates West of Everson. The land opens onto Smugglers Cove and Hale Passage, on the southeast slope of Lummi Mountain, the trust said Monday, Oct. 5, in announcing the purchase. Kie Relyea reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Elwha River documentary wins 'Oscars of nature film' at Jackson Hole festival
No way could this pair of filmmakers, from two communities on the North Olympic Peninsula, turn away from the story. “I wanted to tell the world about what was happening here . . . to document the whole thing come hell or high water,” John Gussman of Sequim remembers thinking circa 2010.  This month Gussman and colleague Jessica Plumb of Port Townsend have won two “Oscars of nature film,” as he calls them, for their Elwha River restoration documentary “Return of the River.” Diane Urbani de la Paz reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Can we really ‘restore’ Duwamish, Seattle’s industrial river?
…. This is Seattle’s industrial river, the Duwamish, It is soon to be the target of a $342-million Superfund cleanup, which will build on what have already been years of significant efforts to restore the river. Even with a Superfund cleanup, however, there are limits to what can be done, and to understand that, it helps to consider the natural history of the river, and its human history, continuing to the present day. The polluted modern waterway is a far cry from the meandering river that Seattle pioneers found here in 1851, the one from which natives had harvested fish and clams for millennia. If you found a clam near the river mouth now, you’d be well advised to throw it back. The modern Duwamish has been shaped by the pursuit of profit. Daniel Jack Chasan reports. (Crosscut)

What do orcas and ants have in common? Find out when The Whale Trail’s new Orca Talk series begins
…. If you’re among our area’s many orca fans, you will want to hurry up and get your ticket for the October 13th event that will lead off The Whale Trail‘s new Orca Talk season, with world-renowned author and orca expert Erich Hoyt speaking October 13th at The Hall at Fauntleroy. His talk titled “Ants, Orcas and Creatures of the Deep” is one of three stops in the region on Hoyt’s “Orca Tour 2015.” Wondering what in the world ants and orcas could have in common? Don’t miss the chance to find out – you can get your ticket right now through Brown Paper Tickets. (When Hoyt spoke here two years ago, he filled the house!) (West Seattle Blog)

Carl Safina explores animal culture plus orca-salmon links
Carl Safina — scientist, teacher, author and documentary filmmaker — will speak Wednesday on a topic of interest to many killer whale observers, “Intertwined Fates: The Orca-Salmon Connection in the Pacific Northwest.” The talk, sponsored by the group Orca Salmon Alliance, will be held at the Seattle Aquarium, but it appears the event has been sold out. (Brown Paper Tickets) Chris Dunagan reports. (Watching Our Water Ways)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT TUE OCT 6 2015
TODAY
SE WIND TO 10 KT...BECOMING W IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 3 FT AT 7 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
W WIND TO 10 KT...BECOMING S AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 3 FT AT 11 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE EVENING...THEN RAIN LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT.

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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.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told