12/4 Spill risk, Olympic collaboration, transient orcas, B'ham port, Wolf Hollow, reserves, science books

(MAP: KING5-TV)

Oil spill risk addressed by West Coast tanker safety report  
Potential polluters should be prepared for a worst-case scenario and face unlimited liability in the case of an oil spill from one of their tanker ships, a government-appointed panel recommends. Federal Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt and Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver were in Vancouver Tuesday afternoon to release a report about oil tanker safety on the West Coast... The report was written by a three-member panel of experts appointed by the government, with 45 recommendations for improving Canada's preparedness for oil spills from tankers and barges. Read the report here.

Rep. Kilmer seeks to mend fences dividing forestry, environmental groups
Environmental and forestry groups often are at odds. Asserting he is addressing that divide, U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer on Tuesday announced the formation of the Olympic Peninsula Collaborative, a group of 16 forestry and environmental groups whose goal is to increase the timber harvest in Olympic National Forest in an environmentally responsible manner. Participants include such diverse groups as the Wild Olympics Campaign, Simpson Lumber Co., the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society and the American Forest Resource Council. Paul Gottlieb reports.

Seals looking for love in B.C. waters may end up lunch for transient killer whales: study
In the killer whale world, a noisy seal make a fine meal, says new research into the hunting practices of transient orcas off the Pacific coast. A study by the Vancouver Aquarium a few years ago revealed that transient orcas do not, as once believed, hunt using echolocation to target prey, measuring the bounce of their own calls back to them in order to hone in on dinner. That left biologists wondering just how they do hunt. Dene Moore reports.

Port of Bellingham approves waterfront plans after years of struggle
It may be almost eight years behind schedule, but it is finally done: Port of Bellingham commissioners have given final approval to a master plan and other development regulations for the central waterfront. At their Tuesday, Dec. 3, meeting, the three port commissioners voted unanimously to approve waterfront documents that got City Council approval on a 6-1 vote Monday. John Stark reports.

Wolf Hollow: 30 years and counting
As residents of San Juan Island, we hear plenty about the multitude of wildlife conservation efforts that are a huge part of life here – from shore-based whale-watching, to the annual Christmas Bird Count, to keeping a safe distance from our 4,000-plus harbor seals. But there are so many people living on the island who work every day to make a difference in the lives of our animals, and that don’t get a lot of attention. Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is sustained by those very people. Libby Baldwin reports.

Marine Reserves Enhance Resilience to Climate Change
A new study, led by a University of Southampton scientist, highlights the potential for fish communities in marine reserves to resist climate change impacts better than communities on fished coasts.... The researchers looked at different types of fish community responses to both short- and long-term environmental variability. They found that marine reserves have the potential to build community resilience through mechanisms that promote species and functional stability, and resist colonisation by warm water vagrants. 

The best science books of 2013
Do you read? Do you read science books? From New Scientist: From exploring the post-Higgs world to the neuroscience of art, here are 10 books to whet your appetite for the best in science.

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 259 AM PST WED DEC 4 2013
TODAY
E WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 2 FT AT 9 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
E WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING SE TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 2 FT AT 7 SECONDS.

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