12/6 Alligator lizard, rain, Treoil toxins, shooting owls, wetland protection, herring kill, TM pipe, BC LNG, spill response ship

 Northern Alligator Lizard [WikiMedia]

Northern Alligator Lizard Elgaria coerulea
The northern alligator lizard inhabits grassy, brushy or rocky openings within forested landscapes. They have also been observed along road corridors and near lake edges. They can persist in low to moderately developed landscapes where they are typical seen in rock retaining walls, rock piles, woody debris and along building foundations. They are active during the day but are secretive and rarely seen in the open. Most are found by turning rocks and woody debris. Northern alligator lizards occur in the Pacific Coast, Puget Trough, North Cascades, East Cascades, West Cascades, Okanogan and Rocky Mountain ecoregions. (WDFW)

‘Pretty extraordinary’ atmospheric river soaks Western WA
By Tuesday afternoon, a “pretty extraordinary” atmospheric river had dumped nearly 10 inches of rain in some locations since arriving in Western Washington late Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. With the soils of the region well saturated, the warm and wet system will continue to drive rainfall through the region into Wednesday, breaking records, raising gushing rivers and causing landslides. (Seattle Times)

Industrial site in Whatcom County penalized $900,000 for dangerous waste violations
After two multi-million-dollar federal cleanups on the toxic polluted site owned by Trefoil in Whatcom County, the state Department of Ecology has issued a $900,000 penalty to the property owners, Jagroop S. Gill and Campbell Land Corporation (collectively referred to as Treoil), for failure to comply with Washington’s dangerous waste laws. (Dept. of Ecology)

Feds propose shooting one owl to save another in Pacific Northwest
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to enlist shooters to kill more than 500,000 barred owls over the next 30 years in the Pacific Northwest to preserve habitat for northern spotted owls, a protected species. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

After Clean Water Act ruling, states that want to protect affected wetlands need millions
Washington State Department of Ecology may have to process an additional 50 to 100 permits a year, up from the 12 or so it currently handles. Alex Brown reports. (Washington State Standard)

Huge spike in herring killed in B.C. salmon farm operations: DFO data
Some juvenile herring caught in salmon hydrolicing are having their eyes blown out, says conservation group. Karin Larsen reports. (CBC)  In Massachusetts, the Never-Ending Fight over Herring Marches On  From cannons to courtrooms, the battleground has changed, but the underlying dispute is all too familiar. Freda Kreier reports. (Hakai Magazine) 

Construction difficulties in Fraser Valley could delay Trans Mountain pipeline
The Canada Energy Regulator has denied a request by Trans Mountain Corp. for a variance on a section of pipeline in B.C. — a development the company has said could delay construction of the ongoing expansion project and push back the pipeline's start date...Trans Mountain Corp., the Crown corporation that is building the pipeline expansion, had applied for the variance after running into what it said were construction challenges related to hard rock between Chilliwack and Hope, B.C. Amanda Stephenson reports. (The Canadian Press)

Canada thinks LNG exports can reduce carbon pollution. Now it’s digging for proof
Canada is on a mission to prove its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports can help the planet fight the climate crisis, according to government briefing notes obtained by The Narwhal. Oil and gas industry lobbyists have long pushed a controversial theory that exports of Canadian LNG could actually help lower global greenhouse gas emissions by displacing more carbon-intensive energy sources like coal. Carl Meyer reports. (The Narwhal)

Ship being readied at Ogden Point for spill response
A quick-response offshore supply vessel billed as Canada’s largest spill-response ship is being readied at Ogden Point for deployment early in the new year. The 244-foot-long K.J. Gardner is in Victoria after sailing from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to start its new job working off B.C.’s coast, responding to oil spills and other disasters. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  248 AM PST Wed Dec 6 2023    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT    
TODAY  NW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 14 ft  at 16 seconds subsiding to 12 ft at 15 seconds in the afternoon.  A slight chance of rain in the morning.  
TONIGHT  NW wind to 10 kt becoming NE after midnight. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 12 ft at 14 seconds subsiding to  10 ft at 14 seconds after midnight. A chance of showers in the  evening then showers likely after midnight.

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