1/22 King tide, fish farm, bird flu, rain gardens, Lululemon dock, LOTT science, Way of Whales

Alki Beach, Dec. 2012 (King County)

King Tide Shows What Climate Change Has In Store
This weekend the tide will rise three feet above normal, soaking the shore, spoiling freshwater aquifers, and giving us all a glimpse of the future. Dan Person reports. (Seattle Weekly) See also: King tides expected this week on Budd Inlet  Andy Hobbs reports. (Olympian)

Ban on new aquaculture projects was imposed to give time for possible settlement over SMP dispute
The city's six-month ban on new commercial aquaculture activities will give Bainbridge Island time to make a "limited amendment" to the new aquaculture rules in its updated Shoreline Master Program, officials said this week. The Bainbridge Island City Council unanimously adopted an emergency six-month moratorium at its meeting Tuesday on new aquaculture projects. The ban is aimed at projects that would require a substantial shoreline development permit and conditional use permits. The move was needed, according to the city, to preserve the "status quo" and stop new applications for commercial aquaculture projects while the city has a chance to amend its new aquaculture regulations. Brian Kelly reports. (Bainbridge Review)

Avian flu quarantine set in Agnew area as inspectors go door to door
State officials have imposed an avian-flu-related quarantine in a radius of about 6 miles around a residence in the Agnew area east of Port Angeles. Two teams with the U.S. Department of Agriculture began traveling door to door Monday to talk with residents and ask their permission to test their flocks, said Dr. Alan Huddleston. Leah Leach and Paul Gottlieb report. (Peninsula Daily News)

New Study Suggests Rain Gardens Can Save Salmon
The lethal effects of urban runoff that kills some salmon and their prey can be reversed by filtering the water through a common soil mix, according to new research by state and federal scientists. When it rains or people wash their cars, the water that runs over pavement picks up toxic chemicals such as oils, heavy metals and residue from car emissions. This can go straight into our waterways. So-called Green infrastructure - things like rain gardens and green roofs - uses soils and other natural materials to slow down and filter this urban runoff. But does it work? Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KPLU) See also: Simple soil mixture reverses toxic stormwater effects  (WSU)

Friday Harbor storm water pollution calls for ideas
As a project to raise awareness, the rain garden at the intersection of First and Spring streets has been a success. As a pollution filtration system to be applied on a larger scale? Not so much. “It was a test case. No one knew how effective it would be,” Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson said. “We’ve never seen any results that indicated a significant benefit,” So, the town has other ideas to help curb pollution from storm water runoff. Emily Greenberg reports. (San Juan Journal)

Lululemon founder’s dock proposal has Sunshine Coast neighbours up in arms
Lululemon founder Chip Wilson has raised the ire of his neighbours on the Sunshine Coast over his plans to build a massive private dock to moor his pleasure boats and seaplane in the pristine waters of Middlepoint Bight. Wilson, a Vancouver billionaire, has asked the provincial government for permission to build a 2,498-sq-ft dock and two 3,106-sq-ft breakwaters on the south side of the seasonal mansion he has built on the bight, which is located between Pender Harbour and Sechelt. The dock is proposed to replace a modest moorage that has been approved on the north side of Wilson’s 20-acre property at 11329 Sunshine Coast Hwy. Kelly Sinoski reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Hear how marine life reacts to human sounds
Visitors to the LOTT WET Science Center on Saturday will have the chance to hear how human sounds affect marine life in Puget Sound…. The program will take place at LOTT’s WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. The center is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, except holidays. Admission is free. Jeffrey P. Mayor reports. (Olympian)

Ways of whales set for Saturday in Coupeville
It's that time of year again when Whidbey Islanders will gather to talk about whales, whales and more whales. Orca Network's annual Ways of Whales Workshop is 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, in the Coupeville Middle School Performing Arts Center, 501 S. Main St., Coupeville. A special screening of the new documentary "Fragile Waters" will follow at the Nordic Lodge. (South Whidbey Record)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST THU JAN 22 2015
TODAY
SE WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN AT TIMES.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 10 TO 20 KT...BECOMING 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.
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