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

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

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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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

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.

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

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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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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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"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

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.

--
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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

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.

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2/14 L112 dead, ferry routes, piping coho, Enviro Canada cuts

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.

--
"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