12/28 'Fight On,' Paul Bannick's 'Owls,' berry farm fine, Puget Sound habitat

Salish Sea News and Weather will take a break and return after the first week of the new year. Thank you, readers, for doing your part on behalf of the health of our Salish Sea.

Salish Sea Communications blog: “Happy New Year”-- No! “Fight On”-- Yes!
"It’s been difficult this holiday season to wish others “Happy New Year” without it sounding like a prayer. In closing out 2016, I need to focus on how I enter 2017. The Brexit vote for the UK to leave the EU was reported the morning I flew into Edinburgh in June…."

Listen up: Owls: The Otherworldly Creatures Who Need Our Help: A Conversation with Paul Bannick, Conservationist & Photographer 
“You do not find owls – owls find you. Their camouflage conceals them until you catch a fleeting glimpse of broad, soft wings illuminated by the setting sun or, more likely, the moon.” In this audio rich conversation with Paul Bannick, conservationist and photographer about his latest book, Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls, we hear the owl's message and what North America's 19 distinct species need to survive. Martha Baskin reports. (Green Acre Radio)

Whatcom berry farmer fined for illegal water use
A Whatcom County berry grower was fined $102,000 for illegally watering raspberries and failing to submit records on water use. The Washington Department of Ecology fined Gurjant “George” Sandhu for separate violations on two farms he operates in Whatcom County. The first fine is $90,000 for illegally irrigating a 220-acre raspberry farm. The second is a $12,000 penalty for not submitting water use records for a 120-acre blueberry farm, according to the agency’s news release. At the raspberry farm, the department said Sandhu irrigated for at least two years without approved water rights. Ecology attempted to work with Sandhu to bring the farm into compliance, but he refused assistance, according to the news release. At the blueberry farm, Sandhu was required to submit accurate water use data as part of a settlement for illegal water use. Dave Gallagher reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Federal action a great start on protecting Puget Sound habitat
CONGRESS and President Obama gave the Puget Sound a remarkable holiday gift. They made a historic commitment to protect and restore Puget Sound by authorizing $451 million worth of habitat restoration, as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. The president signed it Dec. 16. This tremendous milestone represents years of work by state and regional advocates who developed and prioritized projects supporting salmon restoration and biodiversity. Seattle Times Editorial Board writes. (Seattle Times)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-  300 AM PST WED DEC 28 2016  

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON    TODAY  W WIND 15 TO 25 KT...BECOMING S 10 TO 20 KT IN THE  AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 3 FT. W SWELL 11  TO 12 FT AT 14 SECONDS. SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE MORNING...THEN RAIN  LIKELY IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT  SE WIND RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES BUILDING TO 2 TO  4 FT. W SWELL 12 FT AT 14 SECONDS...SUBSIDING TO 10 FT AT 14 SECONDS  AFTER MIDNIGHT. RAIN.

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