4/9 Red-winged blackbird, seawall rules, plastics, recycling, restaurant waste, crab dump

Red-winged blackbird [Greg Lasley/VIREO]

Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Among our most familiar birds, Red-wings seem to sing their nasal songs in every marsh and wet field from coast to coast. They are notably bold, and several will often attack a larger bird, such as a hawk or crow, that flies over their nesting area. The red shoulder patches of the male, hidden under body feathers much of the time, are brilliantly displayed when he is singing. Outside the nesting season, Red-wings sometimes roost in huge concentrations. (Audubon Field Guide)

Tougher rules aim to save salmon habitat for the good of Puget Sound orcas
It might soon be more difficult to build a seawall on Puget Sound. The state legislature is considering a bill that aims to help southern resident killer whales by protecting shoreline salmon habitat. Single-family homeowners who want to build a seawall could face a longer permit process under the bill. The Department of Fish and Wildlife would thoroughly review every proposed seawall for its potential effect on salmon habitat. The bill would also give the agency the authority to issue stop-work orders as well as civil penalties of up to $10,000 to property owners who don’t comply with the law. Eilis O'Neill reports. (KUOW)

Are Plastic Bag Bans Garbage?
It was only about 40 years ago that plastic bags became standard at U.S. grocery stores. This also made them standard in sewers, landfills, rivers, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. They clog drains and cause floods, litter landscapes, and kill wildlife. The national movement to get rid of them is gaining steam — with over 240 cities and counties passing laws that ban or tax them since 2007. Last week, New York became the second U.S. state to ban them. But, these bans may be hurting the environment more than helping it. University of Sydney economist Rebecca Taylor started studying bag regulations because it seemed like every time she moved for a new job — from Washington, D.C., to California, to Australia — bag restrictions were implemented shortly after. “Yeah, these policies might be following me,” she jokes. Taylor recently published a study of bag regulations in California. It’s a classic tale of unintended consequences. Greg Rosalsky reports. (NPR) See also: Why B.C. is better at recycling than most other places  B.C. has one of the most efficient recycling programs in Canada. Here are 3 reasons why it works  Jesse Johnston reports. (CBC) And also: Reducing waste at restaurants  Restaurants across the south sound are joining the growing fight to keep plastics out of the ocean. Jenna Hanchard reports. (KING)

250 Dungeness crabs dumped beside highway in Northern B.C.
A massive dump of dead crabs along a main northern highway has triggered a major investigation. The 250 male Dungeness crabs were found rotting beside a Highway 16 rest stop, west of Smithers, B.C., last week. Officials believe it's linked to ongoing illegal seafood sales along B.C.'s North Coast. Betsy Trumpener reports. (CBC)



Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  236 AM PDT Tue Apr 9 2019   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT   
TODAY  W wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 8 ft  at 12 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 8 ft at 11 seconds. A  slight chance of showers after midnight.



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