9/16 Tufted puffin, Chinook journey, climate protests, OR coal port, Bainbridge shore, Whale Scout

Tufted puffin (Skagit Valley Herald)

State considers listing tufted puffin as endangered species
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is accepting public comment on a status report for the tufted puffin, and a proposal to add the Pacific Northwest bird to the state’s list of endangered species. Tufted puffins are native seabirds once common in the San Juan Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca and along the state’s coast, Fish and Wildlife said in a news release. But over the last several decades, 38 of 43 known breeding sites have been abandoned or seen significant declines in use. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Adult Chinook In The Pacific Ocean Prepare For Long Journey Home
As soon as you arrive in Sekiu, Washington, you get a whiff of salty ocean air laced with the unmistakable smell of fresh fish. The scent fills your nostrils as the gulls mew nearby, fighting for the remains of the day’s catch in the protective cove. Located 20 miles east of Neah Bay by car, the fishing village has a long reputation for good salmon fishing. It’s also where we pick up the trail of the Lake Washington chinook. The subset of the Puget Sound salmon were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1999 and traced here by scientists who tag them. The fish spend their adult lives in this open ocean before heading home to spawn in the Cedar River or in Bear Creek, or the state hatchery in Issaquah. Bellamy Pailthorp reports in Part 1 of a series. (KPLU) See also: Oak Bay fisherman looks to revive scarce chinook  (Times Colonist)

The Mother Nature of climate protests comes Sunday with offspring here  
….An estimated 1,000 organizations are working to mount the mother of all environmental demonstrations this Sunday in Manhattan.  Its aim, along with other events worldwide, is the biggest impact on public consciousness since the first Earth Day in 1970…. The Puget Sound area will see two offshoot demonstrations. The first will take place Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Peace Arch in Blaine, with a heavy emphasis on protecting the Salish Sea — inland waters of Washington and British Columbia through which millions of salmon pass en route to the Fraser river…. The second event will be a Peoples Climate March in Seattle, slated for Westlake Park at 1 p.m.  Joel Connelly reports. (SeattlePI.Com)

Corps Halts Review Of Oregon Coal Export Terminal
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has brought its review of a proposed coal export terminal to an immediate halt, a blow to the Australian company trying to get coal from the Northern Rockies to an eager Asian market. Last month, Oregon state regulators rejected the proposed terminal on the Columbia River because it would potentially interfere with tribal fishing rights. On Monday, the Corps announced it had put its review on hold while a judge considers an appeal of the state’s decision. (Associated Press)

Tripp shuts down Common Sense Bainbridge; announces new group to fight city's SMP
Common Sense Bainbridge has closed up shop, and property rights advocate Gary Tripp announced Monday that a new nonprofit group will take over the fight against the city of Bainbridge Island's controversial Shoreline Master Program. Tripp, the leader of the Bainbridge-based nonprofit property rights group Bainbridge Defense Fund, has been a consistent opponent of the city's Shoreline Master Program, a state-mandated plan that restricts development along shorelines while protecting wildlife habitat and public access…. He said a new nonprofit called Preserve Rational Shoreline Management, made up of representatives from 17 waterfront communities on Bainbridge, has been formed to take on the fight over the SMP. Brian Kelly reports. (Bainbridge Review)

Whale Scout in Action!
Whitney Neugebaurer, director of Whale Scouts, asks folks to help Whale Scout volunteers who help people watch whales and inspire salmon restoration. She's launched an Indiegogo fundraising campaign to raise money to outfit volunteers with identifying vests, laminated materials and assorted gear. "Many amazing individuals and organizations contributed special gifts you can redeem for your donations like underwater photography, beautiful orca photos, handmade gifts, and much more!" Neugebauer says. Check it out.

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 230 AM PDT TUE SEP 16 2014
TODAY
W WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 4 FT AT 14 SECONDS. PATCHY DRIZZLE.
TONIGHT
W WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 14 SECONDS.
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