4/26 Rhody, WA legislature, Bangor oysters, gray whale death, dam removals, HEAL Act, Puget Sound springtime, Cascadia renewables

Pacific Rhododendron [Native Plant PNW]

 
Pacific Rhododendron Rhododendron macrophyllum
The Pacific Rhododendron is also known as the Coast Rhododendron, California Rhododendron, or California Rosebay.  Rhododendron macrophyllum literally means, “Rose tree with big leaves.”  It is the state flower of Washington State. (Native Plants PNW)

As Washington Legislature wraps up, lawmakers pass a new budget, capital gains tax and clean-fuels standard 
A full slate of legislation to overhaul policing. A pair of major climate-change bills. A new budget that expands child care, public health programs and a tax credit for low-income Washingtonians. A slew of equity initiatives. A capital gains tax. In any other year, one or of two of those sets of victories could be considered a major success for Washington’s Democratic state lawmakers and Gov. Jay Inslee. Joseph O'Sullivan reports. (Seattle Times)

Washington Legislature approves caps on carbon pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, giving big win to Inslee, environmentalists
The Washington Legislature has passed a new carbon-pricing bill, handing a major win to Gov. Jay Inslee and making the state only the second in the nation to have such an extensive climate-change reduction policy. The Senate on Saturday voted to approve Senate Bill 5126, sponsored by Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle and requested by Inslee. Despite objections from Republicans, lawmakers passed it by a vote of 27-22. It now heads to the governor’s desk. Joseph O'Sullivan reports. (Seattle Times)

Navy, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe dispute past, future of oyster beds in Bangor
How to measure the success of a recent oyster harvest by the Port Gamble S'Kllalam Tribe within the security fence of Naval Base Kitsap on the shore of Hood Canal? It depends on who you ask.  The Navy boasted in a news release that the April 1-2 harvest produced 6,300 oysters and is a part of its work "with the tribes to ensure the Navy’s operations are conducted with minimal impact to Washington’s natural resources and environment." But the S'Kllalam Tribe did not see it that way. In a statement to the Kitsap Sun, the tribe said the Navy's release contained inaccuracies, and the tribe raised concern over the health of the beach where the harvest took place, saying it's at risk because of the upcoming construction of a new pier and trestle. Josh Farley reports. (Kitsap Sun)

Another gray whale stranding in Washington as unusual mortality event appears to persist
Another gray whale has died off the Washington coast. The animal was confirmed dead after stranding in the tidal areas of north Port Susan, east of Camano Island. A spokesman from NOAA Fisheries says the adult male was found in a state of advanced decomposition and remains in shallow water for now. The cause of death is under investigation but is complicated by the state of the whale’s body. Bellamy Paithorp reports. (KNKX)

Tepid approval of dam removals
Removal of the lower Snake River dams has garnered middling support from some officials on the North Olympic Peninsula, where two Elwha River dams were dismantled beginning 10 years ago in the largest project of its kind in the nation’s history. The Port Townsend City Council last week joined the Port Angeles City Council and Jefferson County commissioners in unanimously supporting Republican Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson’s Lower Basin Initiative. But the Clallam Public Utility District has voted to keep the dams, while the Sequim and Forks city councils and Clallam County commissioners have not weighed in on the issue. Forks and county officials said Friday they are tackling more important issues. Paul Gottlieb reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

State agencies will focus on improving environmental justice under new law
A person’s health should not be determined by their income, race or ethnic background nor by the neighborhood in which they live, according to basic principles of environmental justice. Yet studies have shown that these demographic groups tend to suffer from a disproportionate share of environmental problems — from toxic waste to air pollution to water quality. The HEAL Act, approved and ready to be signed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, is designed to address the problem in some ways. The legislation, Senate Bill 5141, requires state agencies to look for and try to reduce such disparities in normal agency operations, regulations and practices. Chris Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute)

Ghost shrimp, humpbacks, tiny plankton: See Puget Sound surge with springtime life
Now is the sweet season, with its lengthening days and warm radiance of spring on Puget Sound. The return of the light is rousing the natural world from dormancy. Puget Sound is on the rebound, not only in the turn of the season, but in a resurgence of life. Today there are more humpbacks and gray whales, more harbor porpoises and seals, more sea lions and more orcas in these waters than a generation ago. These surging populations are the result of decades of protection. An exception are southern resident killer whales, an endangered species. They, and the Chinook salmon the southern residents primarily eat, are struggling for survival against an array of threats. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Studies: Renewable electricity can slash Cascadia pollution, ward off climate change
New research shows that renewable electricity can move Washington, Oregon and British Columbia off of fossil fuels, do so at an affordable price, and create jobs along the way. After decades of reticence from fossil fuel producers and utilities, this may sound like a wishful vision. But building a cleaner and more equitable economy — and doing so in just a few decades to head off the worst effects of climate change — is backed by a growing body of regional and international studies. Peter Fairley reports. (Investigate West)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  156 AM PDT Mon Apr 26 2021   
TODAY  S wind to 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Wind waves  2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 9 seconds. A slight chance of  showers. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 9 seconds.

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