6/14 Greenling, Kalama methanol, AK roadless rule, Canada cruise industry, Big Beef Creek

Kelp greenling [Steve Lonhart/NOAA]

Kelp Greenling Hexagrammos decagrammus
Kelp greenling range from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska to La Jolla, California. They are rare in southern California, but common northward. They are found in rocky inshore areas and are common in kelp beds and on sand bottoms at depths up to 46 m (150 ft). Kelp greenling can grow up to 53 cm (21 in) in length, and 2.1 kg (4.6 lbs) in weight. Maximum age is 18 years old (Northern SE Alaska) and 25 years old (Oregon). (WDFW)

Company drops plan for $2.3B methanol plant in southwest Washington
A company backed by the Chinese government on Friday ended its seven-year effort to build one of the world’s largest methanol plants along the Columbia River in southwestern Washington, following a series of regulatory setbacks and a long debate over its environmental footprint. Northwest Innovation Works proposed a $2.3 billion project to take fracked natural gas from Canada and convert it into methanol, which it would then ship to China to make ingredients for plastics used in everything from iPhones to clothing to medical devices. The state Department of Ecology denied a key permit for the project in January, saying it would create too much pollution and have negative effects on the shoreline. On Friday, the company notified the Port of Kalama it was terminating its lease, saying the regulatory environment had become “unclear and unpredictable.” Gene Johnson reports. (Associated Press)

Biden officials move to reinstate Alaska roadless rule, overturning Trump policy
The Biden administration said Friday that it would “repeal or replace” a rule allowing roads and other types of development in more than half of Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, reviving 20-year-old protections President Donald Trump had stripped three months before leaving office. The move was outlined in the administration’s new regulatory agenda. The notice from the White House said the change was consistent with President Joe Biden’s Jan. 27 executive order “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis.” The Agriculture Department expects to publish the proposed rule in August, the notice said. Julie Eilplerin reports. (Washington Post)

Canada's $4.2 billion cruise industry risks being permanently decimated by proposed U.S. law
Canada’s multi-billion dollar cruise ship industry could end up being one of the most permanent economic casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic if the U.S. follows through with a suite of new laws intended to help vessels bypass Canadian ports. This week, U.S. Senator Mike Lee introduced a bill that, among other things, would repeal a 135-year-old requirement for cruise ships to make a Canadian stopover enroute to Alaska. Tristin Hopper reports. (National Post) B.C. premier says changes to U.S. cruise ship rules remain temporary  Brenna Owen reports. (Canadian Press)

Seabeck's Big Beef Creek drawing 'eagle paparazzi,' but has it become too crowded?
"Twelve o'clock!" a photographer quietly yells. A bald eagle glides silently above, heading straight for the row of tubular lenses that in unison take their aim. A stream of clicking shutters fills the air, reminiscent of the start of a presidential news conference.  It's low tide at the mouth of Big Beef Creek in June, where about 50 photographers line the beach at what many believe is the premier eagle-watching spot in the United States...The sheer numbers are starting to alarm residents, who worry someone will be hit by a car while walking on the narrow causeway near the beach, or that the increased numbers of photographers and birders will harm the wildlife. The photographers say that they police themselves, knowing full well the actions of one could spark a backlash against all. Josh Farley reports. (Kitsap Sun)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  250 AM PDT Mon Jun 14 2021   
TODAY  NW wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon.  SW swell 3 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  NW wind 5 to 15 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. SW swell 3 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of  showers in the evening then a slight chance of showers after  midnight.

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