1/3 Osprey, WQ rules, watershed logging, WA lege, South Park, Petrogas, WA redistricting, Oso slide, farmland protected, BC climate, whale penalties, Snake R dams, sea star protection, senator replacement, slime mold

Osprey

Osprey Pandion haliaetus
The osprey or more specifically the western osprey — also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk — is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm in length and 180 cm across the wings. Wikipedia

Ecology, EPA now under the gun to adopt new water quality criteria for aquatic creatures
Long delays in updating state water-quality standards to protect orcas, fish and other aquatic species appear to have finally caught up with the Washington Department of Ecology and its federal counterpart, the Environmental Protection Agency. In a court ruling this week, U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman of Seattle found that Ecology has “abdicated its duties” to update certain water-quality standards, as required by the federal Clean Water Act. Meanwhile, she said, EPA has failed to meet its legal oversight obligations to ensure that adequate water-quality standards are protective of aquatic creatures. The lawsuit, brought by Northwest Environmental Advocates, followed a petition filed by the group in 2013 seeking to get EPA to revise Washington’s water quality standards for aquatic species. The petition followed years of delay by the state. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute)

Logging in watersheds among stressors for declining Pacific salmon, experts say
 Decades of clear-cut logging across B.C. have disrupted the landscape's natural mechanisms for mitigating floods and landslides, according to Younes Alila, a professor in the department of forest resources management at UBC. Brenna Owen reports. (Canadian Press)

What impact the 2021 legislature had, and what’s on the docket for 2022
Washington legislators had a lot to debate in 2021. From new taxes on wealth to police accountability measures, 335 bills passed the Legislature during the long 105-day session that launched 2021. Some laws, particularly those aimed at pandemic relief, went into effect immediately. Others went into effect later in the year, or will not go into effect until 2022. Shauna Sowersby reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

South Park community group seeks to reclaim neighborhood land from a harmful, redundant highway
South Park has some of the most harmful air quality of any residential neighborhood in Seattle and King County, and it doesn’t take long to figure out where a lot of it comes from: The freeway that splits the neighborhood in two. It’s a story that has been repeated many times across the city and the nation. Low-income communities and communities of color are often located in the areas with the worst air quality and the most dangerous roadways. This is not an accident. Perhaps no neighborhood better represents our region’s environmental racism more starkly than South Park. Seattle Bike Blog)

Whatcom officials in ‘uncharted territory’ after facility accused of unpermitted expansion 
Nearly five years ago, Petrogas West made what seemed like a simple request to Whatcom County: The company wanted to replace two aging compressors at its Ferndale facility, where it stores and distributes the propane and butane used to power vehicles and heat homes. The project wouldn’t increase rail activity or result in future additions or expansions, the company promised Whatcom County in an environmental review checklist completed at the time. But it’s come to light that Petrogas likely did make changes to the Ferndale facility without obtaining the required permits, according to a recent investigation by the Northwest Clean Air Agency, the government body that enforces air quality regulations in Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties. Ysabelle Kempe reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Legal fight on redistricting returning to the Supreme Court
Two lawsuits say the plans aren’t valid because commissioners broke state law before voting to approve them. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Everett Herald) State Legislature to consider redistricting maps ...According to the state constitution, the Legislature has 30 days from the start of its session on Jan. 10 to amend the final districting plan. The maps take effect in 2022. Brandon Stone reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

After Oso disaster, landslide prediction remains vexing, necessary
In a single minute, the deadliest landslide in the nation’s history killed 43 people in Snohomish County. The 2014 disaster near Oso inspired action by Congress and the state Legislature. It led to changes in the county hazard map, tougher logging regulations and improved disaster response. But landslide prediction remains vexing. And climate change is magnifying the need for both research and public awareness of slide danger. Julie Titone reports. (Everett Herald)

Another piece of Skagit County farmland protected from development
Skagit County has permanently protected a 103-acre farm in Conway from development. The farm is the fourth this year to be secured forever as agricultural land by the county’s Farmland Legacy Program, according to a Skagit County news release. Maddie Smith reports. (GoSkagit)

Here are 7 things experts say could make B.C.'s cities more climate-proof
After a year of cascading climate disasters in the province, experts are calling on B.C.'s provincial government and other authorities to shore up long-term housing and urban design strategies to make sure they are climate-resilient. Akshay Kulkarni reports. (CBC)

More than $45,000 in fines issued after whale protection measures in B.C. violated in 2021
The 400-metre rule came into effect earlier this year. Southern resident killer whales are among the most threatened orca populations off B.C.'s coast. In 2020, the population declined to a 40-year low, more than a 25 per cent decline from their observed peak in 1995. (Vancouver Sun)

New survey shows support for Snake River dams, in contrast to earlier survey
A majority of people in the Northwest want the Snake River dams to stay in place, according to a new survey commissioned by Northwest RiverPartners, an organization that supports the dams....The newest survey results come on the heels of another survey released by environmental groups, including Washington Environmental Council. In October, the coalition released a survey that found the majority of Washington voters would like the four dams removed. Courtney Flatt reports. (NW News Network)

Sea Star Protection Poised to Alter California Coastal Plans
The Biden administration is considering listing the imperiled sunflower sea star as endangered or threatened, possibly requiring California to adapt some coastal climate change measures and other development to protect its habitat. The National Marine Fisheries Service said Monday that it found merit in the Center for Biological Diversity’s petition to protect the sea star and will decide by August whether to list it under the Endangered Species Act. Bobby McGill reports. (Bloomberg Law)

Three nominees to fill senate vacancy
The names of Ben Elenbaas, Tawsha Dykstra Thompson, and Simon Sefzik were forwarded to the Whatcom County Council, who are to select one of these candidates at their January 4 meeting to finish the term of Sen. Ericksen. (Whatcom County Republican Party)

Seattle amateur scientist helping to unlock the secrets of slime molds
Anyone who has hiked in the Northwest has seen a slime mold, but likely didn’t know it. Some appear like tiny balls of fungus on rotting logs, or strange patches of gooey orange globs. Some look like fuzzy white mold, and some are a slimy, bright yellow blob, descriptively nicknamed “dog vomit.” Ian McCluskey reports. (OPB)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  423 AM PST Mon Jan 3 2022   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON PST TODAY THROUGH  THIS EVENING   
TODAY  S wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW 15 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 7 ft at 11 seconds  building to 10 ft at 14 seconds in the afternoon. Showers in the  morning. A slight chance of tstms. Showers likely in the  afternoon. 
TONIGHT  SW wind 15 to 25 kt becoming S 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 12 ft at 14 seconds.  Showers and a slight chance of tstms.

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