3/20 Coal export, Tethys water, BC herring, pesticide pollution, pipeline, Port Gamble, species-at-risk, harbor porpoise, giant squid, sage grouse, GM salmon

Pacific herring (NOAA)

Scoop Jackson didn’t have the Internet in mind when he wrote the Environmental Protection Act in 1969, but that marvelous invention has dramatically changed the way the Washington senator’s legacy has operated. The democratizing of information has given community activists a shot at the Big Guys, who always have had access to data. Floyd McKay reports. Coal Wars: Port opponents make big use of access to information

The Skagit County Growth Management Act Steering Committee today meets from 11 AM  to 1 PM at Burlington City Hall to discuss the city of Anacortes’ petition to modify its urban growth area (UGA) to include six parcels needed by Tethys to build a plant that could bottle up to five million gallons of water a day. Then: Anacortes Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer at a public meeting tonight at 7 PM in the Anacortes Public Library will make a presentation and answer questions about Skagit River water: how much water Anacortes draws from the river, what the “instream flow” rule means and why residents are occasionally asked to cut back consumption while new customers are brought on. Skagit water system questions answered  

Sierra Club B.C. and some fisheries scientists are calling for a moratorium on B.C.’s herring fishery because of fears declining stocks could affect the entire marine ecosystem. Herring are eaten by coho and chinook salmon, humpback, minke and killer whales, other marine mammals and seabirds. Herring roe is eaten by bears and wolves, and the roe-on-kelp fishery — which does not kill the fish — is important to coastal First Nations. Judith Lavoie reports. Advocates call for moratorium on B.C. herring fishery in wake of declining stocks

Scientists have discovered an overall improvement in the amount of pesticides flowing in Washington State streams. That announcement wouldn’t mean much in the past because the levels can change from year to year depending on rainfall, stream flows, temperature and dozens of other factors. But now, researchers with the state departments of Agriculture and Ecology have ten years of accumulated testing, enough to show a trend. State Agriculture officials said pesticide concentrations declined over the past decade in salmon bearing streams. They also said most were below levels of concern. But they did find 10 of the 74 pesticides they test for were increasing in concentrations. Gary Chittim reports. Pesticide detectives discover what's streaming our waterways  

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has named an envoy to defuse the tension between First Nations and the energy and pipeline industry that threatens his plan to quickly develop Canada's natural resources. Vancouver-based lawyer Doug Eyford will focus on energy infrastructure in Western Canada and submit a preliminary report directly to Harper by the end of June and a final report by the end of November. Envoy to deal with First Nations concerns on pipelines  

A community meeting seeking input for an upcoming environmental analysis of the Port Gamble revitalization project attracted more praise for the project than concerns. The meeting, which attracted about 40 people Monday to Poulsbo City Council chambers, is part of a public comment period known as scoping for an environmental-impact statement. Amy Phan reports.  Public generally upbeat about Port Gamble plans

The B.C. government released a draft species-at-risk plan Tuesday that was immediately dismissed by environmentalists as an empty pre-election gesture that offers little for conservation. The draft plan emphasizes that any efforts to save species at risk must “take into consideration social and economic interests.” Larry Pynn reports. B.C.’s draft species-at-risk plan criticized as ‘hollow’ conservation effort

Construction on Gig Harbor's scenic North Harborview Drive may be causing headaches for drivers, but locals remain in high spirits. The project, Donkey Creek Restoration, aims to clean up the intersection of Harborview Drive, North Harborview Drive and Austin Street. The project will also improve the local fish habitat. Migrating fish currently swim through 200 feet of buried pipe to get from Donkey Creek to the harbor. The pipe will be removed and a channel will be dug, creating open access to the harbor. Nathan Shoup reports. Gig Harbor road project a headache, but 'saving salmon is really cool'

What do you know? The 85 or so southern resident Orcas are doubtless the Sound’s most famous inhabitants. The movie stars of the maritime Northwest, our local paparazzi photograph and report their every move. We know a lot about them, as we should, given their iconic status. Yet of the Sound’s most populous whale or dolphin, we know only a little. As it turns out, local scientists are beginning to think that the Orca’s plebeian cousin, the harbor porpoise, may reveal much about the state of the Sound—and yet we scarcely bother to count or track them. Numbering more than 10,000 when last we checked a decade ago, harbor porpoises are genuine residents of the Sound. Unlike the jet-setting “resident” Orcas who in truth spend much of their time far from the Sound, a distinct population of harbor porpoises lives out their lives in the Salish Sea—eating, breeding, and raising their young solely in its waters. Eric de Place blogs. Should the Harbor Porpoise Be the New Orca?  

They're the stuff of myth and B-grade horror movies, giant tentacled sea monsters roaming the deep in search of prey. In recent years giant squid have made an appearance off the West Coast, and now new research is shining some light on the B.C. sea monsters and their siblings. A team headed by Danish researchers tested DNA samples from 43 giant squid from around the world — including a specimen from Newfoundland. They were stunned to find that there is likely just a single species of the massive squid that migrates to oceans around the world. B.C. sea monster research delivers more questions than answers, says scientist

Sign-ups have started for the next training session for Beach Naturalists. Beach Naturalist volunteers explore Kitsap beaches and learn about marine life and local water issues. They receive extensive in-class and on the beach training and, in return, give back to the community through a variety of volunteer projects. This year’s training begins March 28.  Registration begins for Beach Naturalist training

The federal government has pulled a veil of secrecy over its plans – or even whether it has any plans – to save the greater sage grouse, a critically endangered species known for its fantastical courtship rituals. In the Federal Court of Appeal, Tuesday, a panel of three judges listened while lawyers argued over whether Environment Minister Peter Kent has to reveal if he has made a recommendation to cabinet concerning the fate of the sage grouse. Mark Hume reports. Court weighs Peter Kent’s right to silence on endangered sage grouse  

Several supermarket chains have pledged not to sell what could become the first genetically modified animal to reach the nation’s dinner plates — a salmon engineered to grow about twice as fast as normal. The supermarkets — including Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s and Aldi — stated their policies in response to a campaign by consumer and environmental groups opposed to the fish. The groups are expected to announce the chains’ policies Wednesday.  Andrew Pollack reports. Markets pledge not to sell genetically-modified salmon

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT WED MAR 20 2013
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
TODAY
SW WIND 20 TO 30 KT...BECOMING W 30 TO 40 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. COMBINED SEAS 7 TO 8 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF
 9 SECONDS...BUILDING TO 14 TO 16 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 10 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN THIS MORNING...THEN SHOWERS AND A CHANCE OF TSTMS IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
W WIND 25 TO 35 KT...EASING TO 20 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. COMBINED SEAS 18 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 11 SECONDS.
 A CHANCE OF TSTMS. SHOWERS LIKELY.
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