2/21 Seals, BC landscapes, Gov to Prez, dolphin names, Freeland septics, Duwamish volunteers, animal poop, tribal hunts

PHOTO: Arthur Chapman (Flickr)

Zzzzz: Seals can sleep with just half of their brain at a time, and biologists have discovered some of the chemicals involved. The study identified the chemical cues that allow the seal brain to remain half awake and asleep. Findings from this study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, may explain the biological mechanisms that enable the brain to remain alert during waking hours and go off-line during sleep. In water, seals nap with half their brain

But wait, there’s more: Harbor seals in Puget Sound have had a challenging history—they were once hunted because they were considered competitors with fishermen. By the early 1970s, only about two to three thousand harbor seals remained in Washington. But in 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act made it illegal to kill any marine mammals. The Act, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, helped the harbor seal population recover—scientists counted 30,000 seals in their last full census. Join NOAA Fisheries wildlife biologist Harriet Huber in the short video, Harbor Seal Monitoring in Puget Sound

Read Governor Jay’s Valentine’s Day note to President Barack.

Environmental protection of B.C.’s landscapes is fragmented, inconsistent and falls woefully short of what scientists say is needed to conserve species biodiversity, according to a comprehensive land-use review released Thursday by environmentalists. The report by Vancouver-based ForestEthics Solutions with assistance from West Coast Environmental Law, says 15.55 per cent of the B.C.’s land base (including private property and water bodies) has been placed in the highest categories of protection. That includes 14.4 per cent as parks and protected areas, and 1.15 per cent as wildlife management areas and municipal watersheds. Larry Pynn reports. B.C. land protection insufficient to conserve species biodiversity: report

Norm Baker is mightily impressed; so am I: "Bottlenose dolphins call out the specific names of loved ones when they become separated, a study finds. Other than humans, the dolphins are the only animals known to do this, according to the study, published in the latest Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The big difference with bottlenose dolphins is that these communications consist of whistles, not words. Earlier research found that bottlenose dolphins name themselves, with dolphins having a “signature whistle” that encodes other information...." Jennifer Viegas reports. Dolphins Call Each Other By Name  

A $6.3 million low-income housing project planned for Freeland is facing derailment due to an unexpected permitting issue. Island County Housing Authority officials confirmed this week that septic system requirements may exceed initial expectations and the increase in costs may force the project to be scrapped. The organization is not a department of county government but a state special purpose district with the aim of providing affordable housing to low-income and elderly residents. It currently owns and manages 110 public housing units on properties in Oak Harbor, Coupeville and Langley. Its newest project, Sunny Side Village, is planned on a nearly nine-acre lot off Fish Road, between Highway 525 and Scenic Avenue. Designs call for the construction of 26 units in four separate two-level buildings. Justin Burnett reports. Septic problems may scuttle low income housing in Freeland  

It’s backbreaking work, grubbing out those blackberries, but it’s for a good cause – feeding the Duwamish salmon. Hundreds of volunteers have spent nearly 1,000 hours freeing a 1 1/2-mile stretch of the Duwamish River of blackberry canes that have grown up to 12 feet and other invasive non-native plants. The Restore the Duwamish Shoreline Challenge was initiated by employees of the Boeing Employees Credit Union in the Tukwila headquarters that’s separated from the river by a bank and the Green River Trail. Dean Radford reports. Volunteers restore Duwamish shoreline naturally

A river otter, sleek and graceful, scampered across a dock at the Oak Harbor Marina on a Thursday afternoon before gliding back into the water. A half-dozen of the intelligent, playful creatures make the marina home. Unfortunately, the otters’ bathroom habits put them on a list of four animals marina management wants to remove from the area. Chris Sublet, the Oak Harbor harbormaster, said he is hoping to contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services for help dealing with the otters, as well as seagulls, pigeons and turnstones. The problem, he said, is the poop. Jessie Stensland reports. Oak Harbor Marina targets messy otters, birds

A federal lawsuit involving the rights of Indian tribes to hunt game on “open and unclaimed lands” has been filed by the Skokomish Tribe against the state of Washington. The lawsuit claims that actions by state agencies and officials have denied tribal members access to their legitimate hunting areas. Furthermore, state officials have imposed civil and criminal sanctions on tribal members and promoted a “discriminatory scheme” of hunting regulations that favor non-Indians, the suit says. The Skokomish Tribe’s lawsuit could open the door to long-awaited litigation that could define the extent of treaty rights related to hunting animals and gathering roots and berries by Native Americans across Washington state. Chris Dunagan reports. Skokomish Tribe sues state over hunting rights

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 257 AM PST THU FEB 21 2013
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING
 GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING
TODAY
SW WIND 10 TO 20 KT...RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 8 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING SW 20 TO 30 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT...BUILDING TO 3 TO 5 FT. W SWELL 12 FT AT 15 SECONDS.
 RAIN LIKELY IN THE EVENING...THEN RAIN.

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