3/13 Sine die?, Partnership, coal train suit, oil train fire, sea rise, new octopus, sea lion rescue

Forage Fish (USGS/Fisheries Research Center)

Under the Dome: Today is Thursday, March 13, the 60th day of the 60-day legislative session
Thursday is the last day of the legislative session. The House Environment Committee will meet to discuss fish populations and its use as an indicator of Puget Sound recovery. The hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. in Hearing Room C of the John L. O’Brien Building. (Olympian)

State Of Our Salmon The Focus Of 2-Day Puget Sound Partnership Meeting
Puget Sound Partnership, one of the state’s newest agencies, is holding a two-day meeting on salmon recovery this week.  On the agenda is a presentation called “report card forum,” but there won’t be an announcement of a letter grade. That’s because there isn’t yet a grading system in place, says Jeaneatte Dorner, the agency’s Director of Local Ecosystem and Salmon Recovery. “And until we actually have that system in place, it’s sort of like we don’t have the test scores to actually give a grade,” she said. Dorner added, it's more like the agency needs to discuss reasons why it deserves  a no-credit grade of incomplete. Because -- despite millions of dollars spent on restoring habitat --the Puget Sound Partnership doesn't fully understand or know how to measure its progress in protecting endangered fish. “If you talk to folks and get expert opinion, I think most would say that we are not making the progress that we need to; there’s still more habitat that we’re losing than we are gaining from the restoration work that we’re doing,” she said. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KPLU)

Judge allows lawsuit over coal trains to proceed
A federal judge in Seattle has allowed a lawsuit over coal trains to proceed against BNSF Railway. Seven environmental groups sued BNSF last summer, alleging it violated the law by allowing railcars to spill coal and other pollutants into waterways. U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour on Wednesday denied BNSF’s motion to dismiss. The company had argued the groups didn’t give sufficient notice and didn’t have proper standing to sue. Cathy McLain reports. (Seattle Times)

Is Seattle ready for a fire on an oil train?
BNSF and the fire department have made preparations, but access to some tracks, particularly under downtown, might be difficult. Bill Lucia reports. (Crosscut)

Is Golden Gardens Park slipping into the Sound?
Sandy beaches and majestic views of the Puget Sound attract crowds to Golden Gardens with every cloud break. However, the ever-increasing rise in sea levels might someday water down Ballard’s sink-your-feet-in coastline. According to sea-level measurements, global sea levels rise an inch per decade. As carbon emissions and climate temperatures increase, these levels are projected to be even more dramatic for coastal areas in coming years. Organizations on the forefront of managing these destination beaches find resources and information on the subject limited. As for a sure-fire action plan in the case of sea level rise, Seattle Parks and Recreation Manager Joelle Hammerstad says they do not have one. Christy Wolyniak reports. (Ballard News Tribune)

Feiro Marine Life Center boasts new octopus to replace outgoing adult
There's a new octopus in town. Obeka, a baby giant Pacific octopus, has taken up residence in her own small tank at the Feiro Marine Life Center on City Pier. The center's senior octopus, Opal, is almost ready to return to the sea, said Bob Campbell, facilities supervisor at Feiro. Arwyn Rice reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Video: Many B.C. sea lions in danger of entanglement
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal rescue team, lead by Vancouver Aquarium Head Veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena recounts the disentanglement of two sea lions, video captures the entire event. (Vancouver Sun)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 847 AM PDT WED MAR 12 2014
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING
TODAY
W SWELL 10 FT AT 18 SECONDS. SE WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING E IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS.
TONIGHT
W SWELL 11 FT AT 15 SECONDS. W WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING SW TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS.
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