4/17 Pollution settlement, Barnum Point, derelict vessels, Lk Quinault closed, Lin McJunkin art

Denis Hayes, Earth Day 1970

If you like to watch: April 22, 1970-- First Earth Day: Interview with Earth Day Co-Founders  

The possibility of coal export terminals being set up in the Pacific Northwest will be the topic of a lecture in Port Angeles today and in Port Townsend on Thursday. Ashley Ahearn, a science and environmental reporter for KUOW 94.9 FM of Seattle, will present “Coal Export Terminals in the Pacific Northwest: A Look at the Policy, Science and Economics of Selling American Coal to Asia” in both cities. Today’s lecture will be at 6:30 p.m. at The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave., Port Angeles. Admission will be free. Thursday’s lecture will be at 7 p.m. at the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Ave., Port Townsend. Coal export talks slated on Peninsula this week

Dr. Sue Moore of NOAA Fisheries speaks on “Gray Whales as Sentinels of Climate Change” at 3 PM on April 20 at the 10th annual Welcome the Whales festival in Langley on Whidbey Island.  Dr. Moore has 35 years research experience focused on the ecology, bioacoustics and natural history of whales and dolphins, with much of her work directed towards cetaceans in the Pacific Arctic region. For more information, go to Orca Network.  

The city of Seattle and King County have agreed to make a total of $1.46 billion in sewer-system upgrades to reduce the amount of polluted water that enters Puget Sound and other waterways, under settlements reached with the federal government. The settlements resolve claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state Department of Ecology that the county and city violated the federal Clean Water Act by discharging raw sewage and other pollutants into local waters. The consent decree was negotiated over several years by local, state and federal officials and was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle. Seattle, King County settle with EPA over water pollution

Starting next year, the public will have a new place from which to enjoy the beauty of Port Susan. Barnum Point, on the northeast side of Camano Island, was recently bought by Island County and the Nature Conservancy for about $2 million. The 52-acre property contains woodlands and dramatic views across the bay to the southeast from a beach and a 150-foot bluff. Bill Sheets reports. Island County, group preserve 52 acres on Camano for park  

Two 125-foot derelict vessels tied up at a dilapidated Guemes Channel dock were taken to safer moorage at the Port of Seattle by Global Diving and Salvage on Friday on behalf of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. DNR’s Derelict Vessel Removal Program took custody of the former Royal Canadian Navy vessels April 1 due to concerns they threatened navigational safety in the channel, the structural integrity of the nearby Guemes Island ferry dock and the health of the area’s marine ecosystem. Joan Pringle reports. Derelict vessels removed after state takes custody


The Quinault Indian Nation is closing Lake Quinault on the Olympic Peninsula to non-tribal fishing until further notice. President Fawn Sharp said Tuesday the emergency measure is aimed at protecting water quality in the tribe-owned lake. She said tribal leaders are concerned leaky septic tanks owned by non-tribal residents in the area may have caused untreated sewage to get into the lake. The tribe has detected pollution in some areas of the lake and plans to conduct more water quality tests. Tribe closes Lake Quinault to non-tribal fishing  

When people look at her art, Lin McJunkin wants them to question themselves and their impact on the Earth. Working from a small studio behind her home in Conway, McJunkin encapsulates big environmental issues, from climate change and coal extraction to fracking, in textured, multi-hued glass and metal pieces. Initially she wants viewers to see the beauty in the piece, then drill down to the message. Erinn Unger reports. The scientific artist  

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT WED APR 17 2013
TODAY
W WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 4 FT AT 8 SECONDS. CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
S WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 4 FT AT 8 SECONDS. RAIN.

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