10/14 Shell train, BC LNG, uni, Puyallup stormwater, rent-a-chicken

Herring gull (Tom Murray/BirdNote)

The Little Red Spot on a Gull's Bill
In the mid-20th Century, Dutch scientist Niko Tinbergen studied nesting Herring Gulls. He noticed that newly hatched chicks were fed by their parents only after they pecked at the adults' bills. Tinbergen devised experiments that varied the shape and coloration of the adult's bill. It became clear that the red spot on the adult gull's bill was a crucial visual cue in a chick's demands to be fed, and thus its survival. Learn more about Herring Gulls and about Tinbergen's research. (BirdNote)

Critical voices heard at Shell EIS scoping meeting
Those critical of a proposed oil train facility at Shell Puget Sound Refinery dominated the discussion Tuesday at a public comment meeting regarding the project.  The expansion would give Shell the ability to handle crude oil trains, and would increase the number of trains traveling through the state. County government and the state Department of Ecology are putting together an environmental impact statement on Shell's project, and will use public comment to help determine the scope of the EIS. Brandon Stone reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

B.C. LNG industry ready to take ‘final steps’: Finance Minister
British Columbia’s fledgling liquefied natural gas industry will overcome the slump in energy markets while addressing aboriginal concerns, the province’s Finance Minister says. LNG prices are weak in Asia, but the backers of major projects on Canada’s West Coast are taking a long-term view, said Mike de Jong, who will be delivering a speech on Wednesday at the start of an international LNG conference in Vancouver. Brent Jang reports. (Globe and Mail) See also: Prince Rupert's Pacific LNG project faces new challenge  Gitxsan First Nation says it was not consulted on Prince Rupert gas pipeline Derrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Sea urchin, or uni, is a popular B.C. delicacy — but not in B.C.
As the weather turns colder, some of the most prized sea urchin in the world is being caught right now off the coast of B.C. The spiny creatures are treasured in Japan, where Canada will export much of the haul. There, sea urchin is called "uni," and is considered a delicacy. (CBC)

Puyallup set to divert more than 687,000 gallons of stormwater annually
…. At 3:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 16), a ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the opening of Puyallup’s latest Low-Impact Development along the 400 block of 3rd Street Northeast and the 200 block of 4th Avenue Northeast. The project comprised the change of 28,874 square feet of concrete surfaces from impervious to pervious. The city saved on the cost of replacing storm drainage facilities in this area because the project components will retain stormwater runoff onsite and not allow it into the storm system. The amount of stormwater prevented from entering the storm system annually will be more than 687,000 gallons. Andrew Fickes reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Rent-a-chicken business taking flight in Kamloops
When Ron and Marie McGivern decided to get into the rental market, they didn't choose to start renting properties — they chose chickens. Starting next spring, they plan to be renting local residents a package including two or four laying hens, a few large bags of feed, food and water dishes, a portable chicken coop and a set of instructions, all delivered to their door. The two-hen starter package runs $425 plus tax, while the deluxe four-hen package is $600 plus tax. (CBC)

Now, your tug weather--
 WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT WED OCT 14 2015
TODAY
SE WIND TO 10 KT BECOMING E IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 6 FT AT 12 SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING.
TONIGHT
E WIND TO 10 KT RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 6 FT AT 11
 SECONDS.
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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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