2/20 Marmot, WA lege, oil gas threat, climate poll, TMX support, BC LNG, Native Tribe climate, Chimacum Valley, Boston Hbr, stormwater

Olympic marmot [Helen Rickard/Wikipedia]

Olympic marmot Marmota olympus
The Olympic marmot is a rodent in the squirrel family, Sciuridae; it occurs only in the U.S. state of Washington, on the middle elevations of the Olympic Peninsula. The closest relatives of this species are the hoary marmot and the Vancouver Island marmot. In 2009, it was declared the official endemic mammal of Washington. (Wikipedia)

Legislative update: What's moving forward — and what's not — on the environment beat
Members of Washington's Environmental Priorities Coalition say they're making good progress on the legislative agenda they set for this session. The agenda comes out of annual cooperative agreements between more than 20 organizations statewide. With the cutoff deadline looming Wednesday afternoon, the coalition’s lobbyist Clifford Traisman says two of the four bills they supported are moving forward. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Oil and Gas May Be a Far Bigger Climate Threat Than We Knew
Oil and gas production may be responsible for a far larger share of the soaring levels of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, in the earth’s atmosphere than previously thought, new research has found. The findings, published in the journal Nature, add urgency to efforts to rein in methane emissions from the fossil fuel industry, which routinely leaks or intentionally releases the gas into air. Hiroko Tabuchi reports. (NY Times)

Climate Change Rises as a Public Priority. But It’s More Partisan Than Ever
Protecting the environment and tackling climate change have climbed up the list of Americans’ political priorities this year as economic concerns have faded, according to a new report from Pew Research Center. Nadja Popovich reports. (NY Times)

As cost rises, support falls for Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, survey finds
Support for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion across Canada has dropped to its lowest levels in nearly two years, according to a new survey by the Angus Reid Institute. The poll cites the growing price tag — which has ballooned from $5.4 billion to $12.6 billion — as the biggest cause for the deflating public support. When first asked whether they were in favour of the pipeline, 55 per cent of respondents across Canada agreed. However, after being informed of the rising bill picked up by the taxpayer, that support dropped to 48 per cent. Opposition to the project climbed from 38 per cent to 45 per cent when the cost was disclosed. (CBC)

Stop work on Coastal GasLink to allow meaningful dialogue on B.C. pipeline project, says Indigenous leader
A B.C. Indigenous leader says the prime minister needs to immediately come to the table with Indigenous leaders who oppose the construction of a pipeline in northern B.C. and the project should be halted while conversations take place. The Coastal GasLink pipeline, which is opposed by the hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en Nation, has mobilized both Indigenous and non-Indigenous protesters across the country to blockade ports, railways and roads in solidarity. (CBC) Protesters block traffic near Commercial Broadway SkyTrain Station  Traffic blocked at Broadway-Commercial, Clark and East 1st Avenue during 2 hour protest (CBC) And: 'It's none of their business': The Wet'suwet'en people who want the protesters to stop  (CBC)

How Native Tribes Are Taking the Lead on Planning for Climate Change
With their deep ties to the land and reliance on fishing, hunting, and gathering, indigenous tribes are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Now, native communities across North America are stepping up to adopt climate action plans to protect their way of life. Nicola Jones reports. (Yale 360)

Hundreds of acres are under water
On a peaceful Wednesday morning in the Chimacum Valley, a flock of ducks glided over still water, their reflections rippling below them until they descended with a splash into the flooded pasture of Short’s Family Farm. It was a picturesque scene, but the lake that was once a viable pasture is not so beautiful to the farmers who work the land for their livelihood...Currently, nearly 800 acres of farmland in the Chimacum Valley are under water from the flooding of Chimacum Creek, according to Short’s Family Farm. The flooding that happens every year in the valley is a natural occurrence, but this year it has been exacerbated by invasive reed canary grass and beaver dams filling the creek bed, turning the Chimacum Valley into one large clogged drain. Lily Haight reports. (Pt Townsend Leader)

Retreat or adapt: A city that flourished by the ocean is now preparing for rising seas
Famous for its role in America’s war for independence, this city is now fighting the rising seas. Boston is raising streets, building berms and even requiring that new high-rise condominium developments on its harbor acquire “aqua fences” — portable metal barriers that can be dragged to the street and anchored to the pavement to deflect incoming waves. Steve Mufson reports. (Washington Post)

New project to tackle Puget Sound's growing polluted stormwater
Local researchers say at least 14 to 94 million pounds of contaminants like oil, grease and toxic metals get mixed with stormwater in Puget Sound every year. Now a new public-private partnership is tackling the growing problem. The runoff from the Aurora Bridge is the target for a new project. Nonprofits like The Nature Conservancy are working together with local companies like Stephen C. Grey & Associates and Boeing to address the issue. Even the Washington State Legislature approved $500,00 to help with this project. Abby Acone reports. (KOMO)


Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  227 AM PST Thu Feb 20 2020   
TODAY  E wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft  at 13 seconds. 
TONIGHT  SE wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell  6 ft at 13 seconds.



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