12/4 BC LNG, tribes & coal, BC oil, G-P cleanup, Gabriola bridge, Clean Marine, Dungeness habitat, WA stormwater

Southgate Sentinels (Laurie MacBride)

Transformed by the Tide
Laurie MacBride in Eye on Environment writes: "The Southgate Group lies close to the BC mainland, at about the spot where the wide open and treacherous waters of Queen Charlotte Sound meet the only-slightly less exposed waters of Queen Charlotte Strait. With huge waves often pounding in from the Pacific Ocean, these islands provide a bit of welcome protection for boaters along this stretch of coast…."

Petronas puts B.C. LNG plant on hold
Petronas says it's delaying its proposed liquefied natural gas terminal near Prince Rupert, B.C. The Malaysian energy giant says although it has resolved its concerns with the B.C. government, the conditions aren't right to proceed. Petronas says the economics of the project don't work as costs remain high and oil prices have dropped below $70 US a barrel. (Canadian Press)

NW Tribes Bring Coal Concerns To National Conference
Northwest tribes took part in a national gathering Wednesday for native leaders in Washington, D.C., where federal leaders told them they stand together in opposing climate change and support treaty rights. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell was among those who addressed the annual White House Tribal Nations Conference…. Jewell’s comments were met with applause. But the Department of Interior has recently come under fire from environmental groups and tribes for leasing federal land in Wyoming and Montana to coal mining companies. Ashley Ahearn reports. (EarthFix) See also: Could this lawsuit force Obama to fix his ridiculous coal-leasing program?  Ben Adler reports. (Grist) 

If you like to watch: Haida group animates pipeline opposition using stop motion and music
A new music video featuring the music of Kinnie Starr has stop-motion wood carved characters confronting Prime Minister Stephen Harper, depicted on a super tanker travelling around Haida Gwaii. Haida Raid 3: Save Our Waters was released this week. Kim Wheeler reports. (CBC)

First major cleanup of G-P site slated for design in 2015
The Port of Bellingham Commission has cleared the way for Aspect Consulting to start designing cleanup of the first half of the contaminated G-P West waterfront site near downtown. With the commission’s approval Tuesday, Dec. 2, Aspect will receive up to $216,333 to start preliminary design work in the first half of 2015. Half of that will be paid for by a grant from the Model Toxics Control Act, which is funded by taxes on crude oil and other potential pollutants that enter the state. The other half will be paid for by an insurance policy. Samantha Wohlfeil reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Feasibility study ordered for bridge that would link Vancouver Island, Gabriola
A $200,000 contract has been awarded to a Colorado-based company to study the feasibility of linking Gabriola Island and Vancouver Island by bridge. CH2M Hill Canada Ltd., which has offices across Canada but is based in Englewood, Colo., will study potential bridge locations, cost estimates and compare a fixed link with existing ferry service. (Canadian Press)

If you like to watch: 2014 Boating BC Spotlight Series - Clean Marine BC Program
The Georgia Strait Alliance's Clean Marine BC Program is featured in a Boating BC Association video prepared by filmmaker Laurent Goldstein. Good piece showing the successes of the program.

Dungeness watershed projects get a funding boost
Efforts at the Dungeness River watershed to reduce flood risk, conserve water and restore habitat will push forward into next year after receiving $7.5 million in state funding through the Floodplains By Design initiative. The grant administered by Adam Sant for the Washington Department of Ecology allows for officials with the North Olympic Salmon Coalition, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Clallam Conservation District, Clallam County and the North Olympic Lead Entity for Salmon to continue their collaborative work on the lower Dungeness restoration project. (Sequim Gazette)

Inslee touts stormwater treatment plant at port
About 100 people gathered Wednesday morning to hear and watch Gov. Jay Inslee christen the Port of Olympia’s new stormwater treatment plant, an $11.5 million project that was constructed over the summer and recently became operational. Rolf Boone reports. (Olympian) See also: State modifies industrial storm-water permits  The state Department of Ecology announced Wednesday an update to the storm-water discharge permit for industrial sites. The permit covers 1,100 facilities, 70 percent of which are in the Puget Sound region. Industries that use the permit include log yards, auto recyclers, marine terminals and manufacturing facilities. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST THU DEC 4 2014
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON PST TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON
TODAY
SE WIND 10 TO 20 KT...RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 14 SECONDS. RAIN
 LIKELY.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN LIKELY.

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