5/3 Elwha, lead, enviro justice, green Seaport, BC LNG, septic fund, Kids Preserve, Big Mama, invasives

Elwha 4/30/16 (Tom Roorda/Coastal Watershed Institute)

River Delta's Rebirth
The Elwha River’s rebirth happened in dramatic fashion. There were explosions that ripped out dams. There were floods that bled lakes dry. There were new river channels that bit into roads and swallowed forested banks. At the Elwha’s mouth, a dust-colored plume erupted, sending a century’s worth of pent-up river sediment miles into the sea. Tristan Baurick reports. (Kitsap Sun)

Gov. Inslee directs health officials to step up focus on lead
Responding to new concerns about lead in local drinking-water sources, Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday directed Washington state health officials to help step up screening for and response to potential problems. Health-department officials, in conjunction with other agencies, will review lead policies and practices for schools, rental properties and child-care providers. They’ll prioritize the removal of lead from public water systems and work to improve the efficiency of blood-lead level testing, particularly for children at highest risk of harm.  JoNel Aleccia reports. (Seattle Times)

Communities of color should lead on environmental fight
In 1991, delegates from around the country came together in Washington, D.C., with representatives from Puerto Rico, Canada, the Marshall Islands, and Central and South America for the first National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, where they drafted and adopted the Principles of Environmental Justice. The gathering was focused on addressing a hard truth: Communities of color and low-income communities were disparately impacted by environmental degradation, and were more likely to be situated in neighborhoods with highly polluting industries than their wealthier or whiter neighbors. High exposure to environmental pollutants was destroying the health of these communities, and without access to financial resources or decision-making bodies, communities struggled to protect their well-being. Dionne Foster writes. (Crosscut)

U.S. Northwest Seaport Alliance Joins Marine Environmental Certification Programme
Northwest Seaport Alliance in Washington, U.S. Monday announced that it will participate in the Green Marine voluntary environmental certification programme for the maritime industry. "Before forming The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the ports of Seattle and Tacoma worked closely together on environmental initiatives - along with our Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy partner, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority," said Jason Jordan, director of Northwest Seaport Alliance's environmental and planning team. "Becoming a member of Green Marine enhances our ability to exchange information about environmental programmes and successes with an even larger marine community." (Ship & Bunker)

Pacific NorthWest hopes B.C. LNG project in final stages before approval
Pacific NorthWest LNG will submit new reports to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency by mid-May in an effort to address lingering concerns about its plans to export liquefied natural gas. The consortium is seeking to push the project across the finish line after a series of delays that arose mostly because of requests from the agency for greater detail. The upcoming filings are significant because they are seen as the final chapters to Pacific NorthWest LNG’s submissions aimed at winning regulatory approval. Brent Jang reports. (Globe and Mail)

Clallam County commissioners agree to fund two years of mandated septic programs
Clallam County commissioners have guaranteed two years of funding for mandated on-site septic system programs. Commissioners on Monday agreed to support the environmental health division's ongoing effort to address septic system regulations and water quality standards in shellfish protection areas through the end of 2018. Rob Ollikainen reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Capital Land Trust Takes First Step on 100-Acre “Inspiring Kids Preserve”
Capitol Land Trust (CLT) recently took the giant step toward purchase of 100 acres for the ‘Inspiring Kids Preserve’ on Henderson Inlet in Thurston County. Launching a new approach to protecting key habitat while creating access for local education and outdoor experiences close to Thurston County communities, CLT purchased the first of two properties that will create the preserve via a bridge loan from The Conservation Fund. Capitol Land Trust will acquire two adjacent parcels that are near North Thurston schools and Olympia and Lacey. Protecting the 100 acres of complex habitat—a mile of Puget Sound shoreline and tidal marsh, old and managed forest and forested wetland, heirloom orchard, and historic tribal midden—will protect Puget Sound water quality and habitat for sea life, mammals, and thousands of migrating birds; as well as protect the deep cultural history of this place. (Thurston Talk)

"Big Mama" humpback whale has 6th calf
Mothers Day isn’t until May 8, but the biggest mother in these waters has brought whale watchers an early present. The humpback whale designated BCY0324 by Olympia’s Cascadia Research Collective, also known as “Big Mama,” was confirmed by Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) crews Wednesday off San Juan Island, with yet another baby in tow. This is her sixth calf documented by researchers in these waters. (San Juan Islander)

Fighting invaders: May is invasive species action month
With spring in full bloom, and both humans and B.C.'s animal populations enjoying warmer weather, the Invasive Species Council of B.C. (ISCBC) has declared May Invasive Species Action Month…. Invasive species are plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms from other parts of the world that take root outside their natural habitats, causing economic and environmental harm. ISCBC says the fight against them costs Canada around $34.5 billion every year. (CBC)

Now, your tug weather--
 WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-  222 AM PDT TUE MAY 3 2016  

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON PDT TODAY THROUGH LATE  TONIGHT  

TODAY  W WIND 5 TO 15 KT...BECOMING NW 15 TO 25 KT IN THE  AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS...BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT. W  SWELL 6 FT AT 11 SECONDS. SCATTERED SHOWERS.

TONIGHT  W WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 5 FT  AT 10 SECONDS. SCATTERED SHOWERS.

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