1/18 Tony Wright, bad air, green priorities, Brinnon resort, bag ban, Mutiny Bay, shot eagles

Harlequin male in winter (Laurie MacBride)

Laurie MacBride in Eye on Environment writes: "Surely there can’t be a more dapper duck than the male Harlequin. This natty bird seems appropriately named. In Renaissance Italy, Harlequin was a stock character in Commedia dell’arte – the popular improvisational theatre form of the time...." Harlequin: the Patchwork Performer

Our Man on the Peninsula reports: "In a letter to his partners, Tony Wright, the Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership, announced his resignation and intent to leave in the near future. He is staying until a new ED is found. This is quite shocking news. Mr. Wright only took the helm of the Partnership last summer, after the resignation of Gerry O”Keefe, who himself had not been in the ED role for very long. n meeting with members of the Marine Resource Committee members at their annual conference last winter, Mr. Wright was all a bundle of fire, an excellent motivational speaker. He left the distinct taste that this was a man who was going to get things done. About the only thing he appears to have done, is reorganized the Partnership...." Tony Wright to leave the Puget Sound Partnership

Climate scientist Cliff Mass writes: "Cold air and foggy conditions have dominated the lowlands on both sides of the Cascades, as  shown by visible satellite imagery this afternoon. The irony of all this is that while near sea level the temperatures were in the 20s and 30sF , a few thousand feet up it was sunny and in the lower 50s...." Super Inversion and Bad Air

A coalition of environmental groups is wasting no time in setting priorities for the legislature. “Clean Energy Solutions”, “Toxic-Free Kids and Families” and “Conservation Works” are the buzz words. Themes range from putting people back to work and stopping giveaways to dirty fuels, to protecting waterways across the state from polluted runoff. On a recent Saturday activists learned how to lobby their legislators. But not everyone was convinced the priorities were urgent enough for the next generation. Martha Baskin reports. Unfazed by Power Shifts, Environmental Community Sets Priorities for 2013 Legislative Session  

A Seattle consulting firm is set to begin an environmental study on a long-planned 252-acre resort on Hood Canal that the builder hopes to begin developing by the end of this year. The Jefferson County Department of Community Development is finalizing a contract with EA Blumen of Seattle to draft a $92,950 supplemental environmental impact statement on the proposed Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort located 3 miles south of Brinnon, Associate Planner David Wayne Johnson said. The project applicant is the Statesman Group of Companies, a Calgary-based resort-building corporation that first proposed the  $300 million project in 2006. Paul Gottlieb reports. Brinnon resort looks back on track, with study set

Thin, carryout plastic bags have nearly disappeared from big grocery and retail stores in Seattle, six months after city officials enacted a ban to reduce litter and protect Puget Sound sea life. But costs for many stores have increased. Shoplifting has gone up slightly and stores have gotten pushback from some customers who don’t want to pay for paper. Those are some results of a survey by Seattle Public Utilities to see how stores and shoppers are faring under the new rules. A second survey by Environment Washington, one of the proponents of the new law, found that 64 percent of shoppers agree with the bag ban and more than half say it has prompted them to bring reusable ones more often. Lynn Thompson reports.  Seattle shoppers getting used to reusable bags, stores less so  

Island County will accept the donation of 300 feet of waterfront property on South Whidbey. The Island County commissioners  informally agreed in a split decision to authorize Public Works officials to move forward with the final legal details to secure the property. The property in question is owned by Frank Robinson, a South Whidbey native who went on to found the Robinson Helicopter Company in Los Angeles. He has allowed the public to use the property, located adjacent to the Mutiny Bay boat launch, for years. Justin Burnett reports. Island County accepts Mutiny Bay beach donation

Wildlife agents are investigating the deaths of four bald eagles found floating in a lake east of Granite Falls. "It was real apparent that three of them had been shot by a small caliber rifle," state Department of Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Jennifer Maurstad said. "My guess is all four were probably shot." Eric Stevick reports. Deaths of 4 bald eagles near Granite Falls investigated

Coming Events:

Whale Trail’s winter meeting/speaker series on Thursday, Jan. 24, features Mark Sears, local orca researcher who has studied whales in this area for over 30 years. The program is held at C&P Coffee, 5612 California Ave SW, Seattle, 6:30 welcome, 7 pm program. $5 suggested donation, kids free. Advance tickets.

Leading experts who are helping the state study and counteract rising ocean acidity levels are scheduled to speak at a free seminar Jan. 24 at Everett Station. The Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee is hosting the event featuring speakers from the Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification. The seminar is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. in Everett Station's Weyerhaeuser Room, 3201 Smith Ave. Panel to discuss acid levels in state waters

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST FRI JAN 18 2013
TODAY
E WIND 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT. W SWELL 3 FT AT 16 SECONDS. AREAS OF FOG.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 20 SECONDS.
SAT
SE WIND 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT. W SWELL 8 FT AT 20 SECONDS.
SAT NIGHT
SE WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 20 SECONDS.
SUN AND SUN NIGHT
LIGHT WIND. W SWELL 6 FT AT 18 SECONDS.

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