9/24 Supermoon eclipse, fall forecast, OrcaLab cams, community bill of rights

July 6, 1982 (PHOTO: Fred Espenak)

Supermoon plus eclipse equals rare sky show Sunday night
A total lunar eclipse will share the stage with a so-called supermoon Sunday night in Seattle. That combination hasn't been seen since 1982 and won't happen again until 2033. Showtime in Seattle is 7:47 p.m. Sunday. Marcia Dunn reports. (Associated Press)

Fall forecast: Warm and dry across NW
It could be good news for fall hikers and football fans — but not for farmers, skiers, and water-resource managers: A warm, dry fall and winter appear on tap, not just for the Puget Sound area but for much of the Northwest, according to projections from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. The chief indicator is a strong El Niño, a climate pattern marked by warm waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator. The phenomenon has typically been associated with moderate Northwest winters. According to the Climate Prediction Center, the Northwest is likely to see above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation from October through December. Jack Broom reports. (Seattle Times)

Whale viewing just a text away with OrcaLab cameras off Vancouver Island
Want a splash of whale to enliven your day? That’s now possible with a new text feature that alerts you when whales appear at any of four sites equipped with cameras in Johnstone Strait off northeastern Vancouver Island. The new feature is a joint initiative of OrcaLab, which has been tracking killer whale behaviour since 1970 in Johnstone Strait, and the social media organization, explore.org. The sites include Hanson Island, Parson Island, Cracroft Point, and a rubbing beach at Robson Bight. OrcaLab founder Paul Spong said that when whales are observed, text messages are sent out identifying on which of the four sites they can be found. Larry Pynn reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Municipal leaders call for environmental bill of rights for clean water, air and food
Municipal leaders will press the provincial government to enact a new environmental bill of rights to protect B.C.’s clean air, land and water, but not everybody across the province is happy about it. Delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver were narrowly split over the proposal, which was pitched by Richmond Coun. Harold Steves as “an idea whose time has come.”…. The resolution calls on the UBCM to ask the province to enact legislation for an environmental bill of rights, suggesting municipalities and regional districts share a “deep concern for the welfare of the environment and understand that a healthy environment is inextricably linked to the health of individuals, families, future generations and communities.” The proposed bill of rights, the resolution stated, would recognize the right of every resident to live in a healthy environment; allow public participation in decision-making respecting the environment and access to environmental information; provide access to justice when environmental rights are infringed; and offer whistleblower protection. Kelly Sinoski reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Group petitions for Skagit County “bill of rights”
About a year ago, a group of Skagit County residents concerned about protecting natural resources, guarding against unchecked major development and guaranteeing rights for workers and citizens vowed to gather signatures and bring a petition to the Skagit County Commissioners asking for a community bill of rights. On Tuesday, the group Skagit Living Democracy delivered what it said was almost 2,000 signatures of Skagit County residents, business owners and organizations to county commissioners. Kera Wanielista reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT THU SEP 24 2015
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 10 SECONDS. RAIN BY AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
VARIABLE WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 10 SECONDS. RAIN.
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