5/30 Mar Vista, landslide risks, extinction, Cornwall cleanup, nat'l energy, invasives app, Kinder Morgan risks

The former Mar Vista Resort site (San Juan Islander)

New blog: What Would You Do With $217 Million?
Buy a big stretch of San Juan Island shoreline, cut down trees along the shoreline, and propose building a 271-foot dock in a pocket beach to moor six boats up to 30 feet long for six single-family residences? You’d still have a lot of change left even after all that. That’s the story thus far about Virginia Powerball winner David Honeywell...

Oso Highlights A Policy Challenge: Development Pressure Vs. Landslide Risk
In the wake of the Oso landslide, Snohomish County struggles to find a balance between the demands of a rising population, and the risks associated with building in landslide-prone areas. Ashley Ahearn reports. (EarthFix)

World On Brink Of Sixth Great Extinction, Species Disappearing Faster Than Ever Before
Species of plants and animals are becoming extinct at least 1,000 times faster than they did before humans arrived on the scene, and the world is on the brink of a sixth great extinction, a new study says. The study looks at past and present rates of extinction and finds a lower rate in the past than scientists had thought. Species are now disappearing from Earth about 10 times faster than biologists had believed, said study lead author noted biologist Stuart Pimm of Duke University.... The work, published Thursday by the journal Science, was hailed as a landmark study by outside experts. Seth Borenstein reports. (Associated Press)

Cornwall landfill cleanup is one step closer to a city park
The plan to turn an old city dump site into a waterfront park is nearing the end of the regulatory process, and the Washington Department of Ecology is taking public comment on final plans for dealing with contamination there. Ecology prepared the plan as part of a legal agreement with the city of Bellingham, the Port of Bellingham, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources. The public is invited to comment on the plan from June 2 to July 2. John Stark reports. (Bellingham Herald)

White House energy report omits Keystone, other controversial issues
A White House report on its energy policy Thursday stressed good news but omitted any discussion of controversial issues such as lifting a ban on oil exports, the long-delayed Keystone pipeline or growing concern about crude oil in railroad tank cars. Coming days before a signature White House proposal to crack down on carbon emissions at power plants, the administration’s report card touting its “all of the above” energy strategy was sharply criticized by green groups. They complained that President Barack Obama tries to look tough on pollution while eroding that very effort by touting the record U.S. production of oil and natural gas. Kevin G. Hall reports. (McClatchy)

There's Now An App To Report Sightings Of Invasive Species
Sightings of invasive thistles, moths and wild pigs can now be reported using a smartphone app launched this week by the Washington Invasive Species Council. The idea is to get more eyes and ears on certain plants and animals that are considered destructive to the local environment. Users of the Washington Invasives App will be able to take a photo of plants and animals that they think might not belong here. Experts will then identify the species before uploading the photos to a statewide map. Rae Ellen Bichell reports. (KPLU)

Plan to add oil tanks at Kinder Morgan terminal causes concern
The Burnaby Fire Department warned of a terrifying scenario Wednesday involving a potential explosion at Kinder Morgan Canada’s Burnaby Mountain tank farm that could result in toxic fumes and a tide of molten crude rolling down toward nearby residents and an elementary school. But the company shot back that the scenario is unrealistically based on a worst-case event in which the company, which has had no tank farm fires in 60 years of operation, has taken no steps to contain the fire at the storage facility. Deputy Fire Chief Chris Bowcock said in an interview he’s concerned about the company’s plan to add 14 larger storage tanks to the 13 already located on the side of the mountain. Peter O'Neil reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT FRI MAY 30 2014
TODAY
W WIND 10 KT THIS MORNING...BECOMING LIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 3 FT AT 12 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
W WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 4 FT AT 12 SECONDS.
SAT
SW WIND 10 KT...BECOMING NW 10 TO 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 9 SECONDS.
SAT NIGHT
W WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING LIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 5 FT AT 8 SECONDS.
SUN
E WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 5 FT AT 8 SECONDS.
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