1/25 Tufted puffin, climate blueprint, BC Skagit mine, enviro racism, culvert fix funds, WA legislature access

Tufted puffin [Seattle Aquarium]

 

Will Puget Sound lose the tufted puffin?
Eric Wagner writes: "In the December 3, 2020 issue of the Federal Register, tucked between a correction from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and a NOAA decision on Pacific cod fishing permits, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a notice saying the agency was declining to list eleven species as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Many of the species I had never heard of: three types of pyrgs (snails), the relict dace (a fish), the Clear Lake hitch (another fish). But one I knew well: the tufted puffin." (Puget Sound Institute)

After climate-protection drift and despair, a blueprint for success emerges in Cascadia
Washington state’s redoubled climate goals and fresh action plan revive hope to cut emissions. But ongoing fossil fuel development in BC could undercut Cascadia’s progress. Peter Fairley reports. (InvestigateWest)

Potential B.C. mine remains a concern for those downstream 
As elected leaders in British Columbia settle into new terms, a broad coalition of Canadian and U.S. elected officials, indigenous representatives, and conservation and recreation groups are calling on them to address a looming transboundary concern on the Skagit River. While B.C.’s government moved in late 2019 to prohibit additional logging in a region of the upper Skagit River watershed in response to environmental concerns, the potential for mining in the area hasn’t been addressed. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit valley Herald)

With a new administration, activists hope for a focus on environmental racism
On his first day in office, President Biden signed executive orders that reversed much of the Trump administration’s environmental policies, including blocking the Keystone XL pipeline that had been opposed by many Indigenous leaders. That, along with his nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) as interior secretary, the first Native American in that role, has given environmental justice activists hope that the new administration will focus on an often overlooked issue: environmental racism. Rachel Hatzipanagos (Washington Post)

Inslee pauses local highway projects to fund culverts fix
Gov. Jay Inslee has put the brakes on highway projects, including three in Snohomish County, as he pushes lawmakers to get serious about complying with a federal court order to remove hundreds of culverts blocking salmon from thousands of miles of habitat. Inslee directed the state Department of Transportation to not solicit bids for two projects on Highway 9 in Lake Stevens, whose contracts were to be advertised last week, and one at the interchange of Highway 529 and I-5 in Everett, which was to move forward in April. They were on hold Friday as the governor negotiated with lawmakers on ways to significantly increase the amount of money spent on removing barriers to fish passage in the next two-year transportation budget. Saturday morning Inslee signalled he may change course and lift the pause if “an alternate approach” can be found. Jerry Cornfield and Ian Davis-Leonard report. (Everett Herald)

How to follow and participate in the Washington state Legislature
With the pandemic forcing lawmakers to meet remotely, it’s never been easier to make your voice heard right from home. Mohammed Kloub reports. (Crosscut)

Now, your tug weather--West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  239 AM PST Mon Jan 25 2021   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON   
TODAY  NW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming W to 10 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 10 ft at 12 seconds. A slight  chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  S wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  10 ft at 14 seconds. A slight chance of showers.

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