12/19 Steller's jay, Trans Mountain, wildfire smoke rules, state forestland, gas spill, WSF's Patty Rubstello

 

Steller's Jay [Cynthia St. Clair]

Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri
Steller’s Jays were discovered on an Alaskan island in 1741 by Georg Steller, a naturalist on a Russian explorer’s ship. When a scientist officially described the species in 1788, it was named after him.  An excellent mimic with a large repertoire, the Stellar’s Jay can imitate birds, squirrel, cats, dogs,  chickens, and some mechanical objects. (Contributed by Cynthia St. Clair)

Trans Mountain warns regulator of potential ‘catastrophic’ two-year pipeline delay
The company building the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is warning the project’s completion could be delayed by two years if the Canada Energy Regulator does not allow a previously rejected request for a pipeline variance. Trans Mountain Corporation said such a delay would be “catastrophic” for the pipeline project, which is currently more than 97% complete. It said a delay of that length would result in billions of dollars of losses for the company, which is a Crown corporation. Amanda Stephenson reports. (Canadian Press)

WA’s new wildfire smoke exposure rules for workers start Jan. 15
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries announced it will enforce new permanent wildfire smoke protections for outdoor workers starting Jan. 15, after two years of operating under emergency measures. Washington joins Oregon and California as one of the few states to regulate outdoor workers’ exposure to wildfire smoke. Farah Eltohamy reports. (Crosscut)

Whatcom forest parcels part of state conservation proposal
Hundreds of acres of structurally complex state forestland in Whatcom County are included in a Department of Public Lands conservation proposal that affects 2,000 acres across five western Washington counties — Clallam, Jefferson, King, Snohomish and Whatcom. The proposal seeks to add the identified land to more than 900,000 acres of conserved forestland the state Department of Natural Resources already manages in western Washington. The proposal includes about 575 acres southeast of Lake Whatcom and 75 acres just south of the Middle Fork Nooksack River. Scot Heisel reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Cleanup continues at site of gasoline spill near Conway
About 7,000 gallons of gasoline that spilled from the Olympic Pipeline near Conway have been recovered. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Head of Washington State Ferries Patty Rubstello to step down
The head of Washington State Ferries is stepping down in early 2024 after three years on the job and more than three decades at the Washington State Department of Transportation. Patty Rubstello leaves the department at a time of great uncertainty for the ferry system. Crumbling boats and thin staffing have reduced sailings and made service unpredictable. Only 75% of crossings were on time last quarter — well off the goal of 95% — and the fleet regularly bottomed out at just 13 of 21 boats in use, depriving four routes of a ferry they’re expected to have. David Kroman reports. (Seattle Times)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  235 AM PST Tue Dec 19 2023    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON    
TODAY  SE wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 4 ft. SW swell 4 ft at 10 seconds. A  chance of rain in the morning then rain in the afternoon.  
TONIGHT  E wind to 10 kt becoming SE 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. SW swell 4 ft at 10 seconds. Rain in the  evening then rain likely after midnight.

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