10/8 Oho, water rule, BC pipes, salty Fraser, Grays Hbr oil, Vancouver WA oil, shark swim

Hurricane Oho threatens Alaska, Canada as it moves away from Hawaii
Hurricane Oho missed Hawaii and is speeding away from the state tonight. But it could bring rain to Washington state as it passes offshore Thursday and it will likely bring heavy rain and strong winds to Alaska and British Columbia starting Thursday night. Craig Gima reports. (Star-Advertiser) See also: Hurricane Oho is Heading Towards the Northwest  Cliff Mass reports. (Weather Blog)

Governor takes another swing at state standards for water quality
Defeated so far in his efforts to pass legislation and write revised water quality standards, Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday is expected to try again with a new rule that would restore state regulatory control asserted by the EPA. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

New blog: When Drones Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Have Drones
"First of all, I won’t identify the drone operator in my neighborhood by name because I don’t want to inspire others by glorifying his actions. I’m sure he bought his drone legally and thinks he is exercising his God-given constitutional rights to fly it above my house. If someone’s going to take his drone away, they’ll most likely have to kill him first…."

Overturning decision on B.C. pipeline would end project, court hears
A decision to overturn the environmental approval certificates for Northern Gateway’s controversial pipeline enterprise would kill the $7-billion proposal, a court has heard. “If you quash the certificates the music stops,” lawyer Bernard Roth told a Federal Appeal Court panel in Vancouver on Wednesday. “We can’t file anything more with the [National Energy Board]. We can’t continue with our project.” Geordon Omand reports. (Canadian Press) See also: B.C. government, Pacific NorthWest LNG reject reports of Petronas project delay  (Canadian Press)

Study will examine increased salination of Fraser River
Delta and Richmond farmers hope to commission a $75,000 report to examine ways to prevent salination of the Fraser River, fearing climate change and the removal of the Massey Tunnel could affect their ability to access fresh water for crops in the future. The study, which farmers hope will start in the next few months, will investigate the potential impact of increased salinity levels in the Lower Fraser River due to the salt wedge — where ocean water meets river water — moving farther upstream as a result of changes in the hydrology of the river. The aim is to provide a profile of the salt wedge — such as its thickness, depth and its movements upstream — as well as a monitoring program to ensure farmers aren’t drawing salty river water for crop irrigation. Kelly Sinoski reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Large crowds expected on Grays Harbor oil-terminal hearing
State officials say large crowds are expected Thursday at a public hearing on two oil terminals proposed at the Port of Grays Harbor in Hoquiam. Two companies want to expand existing facilities to bring crude oil by train from the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana. The oil would then be transported by tankers or barges to refineries in Puget Sound and northern California. Westway Terminal Co. wants to expand its methanol facility to store up to 1.4 million barrels of crude oil. Meanwhile, Imperium, which was acquired by Renewable Energy Group, wants to expand its biodiesel facility to store up to 1.1 million barrels of crude oil and other liquids. (Associated Press)

Ruling: NuStar oil terminal must undergo detailed review
NuStar Energy’s plans to handle crude oil at the Port of Vancouver [WA] must undergo a detailed environmental review, a city hearings examiner decided Tuesday. The ruling affirms an earlier decision by the city that NuStar must complete an environmental impact statement before it can get a permit. The sweeping document would provide a thorough look at the proposal and its potential effects. It would also explore alternatives and invite new testimony. NuStar had argued that the project should not require an environmental impact statement, and that the city’s justification for requiring it was flawed. Eric Florip reports. (Columbian)

Reporter’s assignment — swimming among the Point Defiance sharks
A new attraction at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium allows participants to swim with 16 sharks — with no barrier. Stacia Glenn reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PDT THU OCT 8 2015
TODAY
SE WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. SW SWELL 4 FT AT 7 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
SE WIND TO 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 5 FT AT 9 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT.

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