11/11 WA statehood, BC pipe, Seattle waterfront, BC LNG, in-water work rule, radioactive water

(Pacific Northwest Seasons)

Yes We Have Fall Color in the Pacific Northwest
Jill at Pacific Northwest Seasons writes: "Here in the Pacific Northwest, our fall colors are a myriad tapestry of greens, yellow-golds, oranges, scarlets, and browns.  While our forests run more evergreen, brilliant displays can still be found scattered around the region…"

Nation’s far corner achieved statehood 125 years ago  
Nov. 11 marks the state’s quasquicentennial, a tongue-twister of a word marking the 125th anniversary of Washington statehood. John Dodge reports. (Olympian)

Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline benefits questioned
A new report says Kinder Morgan is overplaying the economic benefits, and downplaying the costs of its proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Simon Fraser University's Centre for Public Policy Research teamed with The Goodman Group Ltd., a California-based consulting firm, to examine the estimated impacts of the project. The authors dispute Kinder Morgan's claim that 36,000 person-years of employment would be created in British Columbia during the project's development. (Canadian Press) See also: Pipeline issues are 'scabs on our lives:' Rocker Neil Young in Vancouver  (Vancouver Sun)

New blog: All The News That Fits, They Print
Best wishes to reporter Christopher Dunagan who last month ended 37 years of reporting at the Kitsap Sun. Chris says he will continuing writing his periodic Watching Our Water Ways blog  but for those of us who have followed and worked with environmental “beat” reporters, we’ll miss the deep knowledge and perspective a seasoned reporter like Chris brought to his writing….

Property owners challenge Seattle waterfront redevelopment
Homeowners and businesses along Seattle’s historic piers have filed petitions asking the state Shorelines Hearings Board to cancel a permit allowing work to begin on a piece of the city’s massive waterfront-redevelopment project. The Waterfront Landings Owners Association, which represents condominium owners in a three-building complex on Alaskan Way below Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Historic Waterfront Association, a coalition of business and commercial property owners on and between the downtown piers, took action last week. Daniel Beekman reports. (Seattle Times)

LNG facilities in B.C. would cause carbon output to spike, report says
From the well to the waterline, the greenhouse-gas emissions created by a liquefied natural gas industry in British Columbia could be responsible for generating more than half of the province’s total carbon output in 2020. A newly released government report outlines the staggering amount of GHGs that an LNG industry would release into the atmosphere. The province is banking on the establishment of five LNG facilities. If that ambition is met, the province’s GHG emissions will increase by 28 million tonnes when the extraction and transport of natural gas are included. And that is the best-case scenario, in which industry embraces renewable power, carbon capture and storage and other pollution-reducing technology. Justine Hunter reports. (Globe and Mail)

State adopts new in-water work rules
The State Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted an update to the state’s Hydraulic Code rules at a public meeting over the weekend. The Hydraulic Code regulates construction projects and other work in or near state waters, like building bulkheads, culverts, piers and docks. The intent of the regulations are to protect fish. The final document is available online. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Traces Of Fukushima Radioactivity Detected In West Coast Waters
An oceanography institute announced Monday that trace amounts of radioactivity from Japan have been detected off the West Coast. Radiation experts say the low levels of radioactivity measured do not pose a health threat here…. A recent research cruise from Dutch Harbor, Alaska to Eureka, California detected the front edge of the plume multiple times between 100 and 1,000 miles offshore. Tom Banse reports. (KPLU)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST TUE NOV 11 2014
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
TODAY
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT EARLY...RISING TO 25 TO 35 KT. SEAS 6 TO 9 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 15 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
E WIND 30 TO 40 KT. SEAS 6 TO 8 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 17 SECONDS.
--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

11/10 Land of glaciers, Navy sonar, Blue Dot Tour

What Climate Change Means For A Land Of Glaciers
Glaciers set the Northwest apart. They're like money in the bank for the region when it comes to drinking water, hydropower, and salmon survival. And they make the Northwest uniquely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Ashley Ahearn talks glaciers and climate. (EarthFix)

Navy sonar use in waters off North Olympic Peninsula to be expanded in supplement study under development
The Navy is preparing a supplement to an environmental impact statement that would increase use of sonar in the Northwest Training and Testing Study Area. In January, the Navy released a draft environmental impact study of training exercises and use of sonar and explosives in the training zone that includes areas off the North Olympic Peninsula's Pacific Coast — including the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary — off Indian Island and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. By December, the Navy expects to release a supplement to that draft study, recommending increasing the use of sonobuoys, and open it to public comment. Paul Gottlieb reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

David Suzuki’s Blue Dot Tour touches down in Vancouver
The Blue Dot Tour is David Suzuki’s star-studded call for Canadians to care about clean water, fresh air, healthy food, and having a public voice in environmental decisions. “I have been in this game for a long time, over 50 years, and over that time, we have won a lot of victories,” Suzuki said ahead of the Vancouver show Sunday night at the Orpheum, which featured musicians including Neil Young, Feist and Chantal Kreviazuk. Joanne Lee-Young reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST MON NOV 10 2014
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
 GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
TODAY
E WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 6 FT AT 13 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
E WIND 10 TO 15 KT...RISING TO 20 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT...BUILDING TO 3 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 13 SECONDS.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

11/7 Kinder Morgan pipe, saving orcas film, orca protection zone, Mount Polley mine spill

Show Kinder Morgan Your Food Fish (CBC)

Kinder Morgan pipeline: First Nations fight back with fish
Hundreds of First Nations people have flooded Facebook with photos of their food fish in a bid to show Kinder Morgan the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems. The group Show Kinder Morgan Your Food Fish was created by Adam Olsen, the interim leader of the B.C. Green Party and a member of the Tsartlip First Nation on Vancouver Island. (CBC) See also: Anti-pipeline protesters give dirty looks over remark that facial expressions are ‘assault’  (Canadian Press)

Saving Puget Sound orcas: Local filmmakers’ call to action
A locally produced documentary aimed at saving endangered orcas and salmon is set for its first showing in Friday Harbor this weekend. Southern resident orcas and chinook salmon are nose-diving toward extinction, according to a news release about the film. “Fragile Waters” is an independent documentary addressing the issues of the intertwined fish and whale species. It will premiere Friday night as an “official selection” at the Friday Harbor Film Festival. Filmmakers Rick Wood and Shari Macy of Blaine showcase the fight to save southern resident orcas and chinook salmon in the 57-minute film. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

The Whale Trail’s Orca Talks: Southern Resident Killer Whales’ status next time; protection-zone proposal last time
"...Bruce Stedman of Orca Relief talked about his organization’s proposal of a zone in the San Juans where boats would have to keep a greater distance from whales than they do now. He said it’s not the only action that’s needed to help them – but it’s the one that could make a difference the quickest…" Tracey Record reports. (West Seattle Blog)

Engineering firm lands $1.5-million contract to probe Mount Polley mine spill
The B.C. government has awarded engineering firm Klohn Crippen Berger a $1.5-million contract to help with the investigation into Imperial Metals’ Mount Polley mine tailings dam collapse. The one-year contract starts Monday, more than three months after the collapse. The B.C. Energy and Mines Ministry, which refused The Vancouver Sun’s request for an interview, said KCB started helping out two weeks after the dam collapse. Gordon Hoekstra reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Now, your weekend tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST FRI NOV 7 2014
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PST THIS MORNING
TODAY
SW WIND TO 10 KT...BECOMING SE IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 10 FT AT 10 SECONDS...BECOMING SW 7 FT
 AT 10 SECONDS LATE THIS MORNING.
TONIGHT
SE WIND TO 10 KT IN THE EVENING...BECOMING LIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. SW SWELL 5 FT AT 10 SECONDS.
SAT
SE WIND TO 10 KT IN THE MORNING...BECOMING LIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 5 FT AT 11 SECONDS. WIDESPREAD FOG IN THE MORNING...THEN AREAS OF FOG IN THE AFTERNOON.
SAT NIGHT
LIGHT WIND...BECOMING S 10 TO 15 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES LESS THAN 1 FT...THEN 1 TO 2 FT AFTER MIDNIGHT. W SWELL
 6 FT AT 11 SECONDS.
SUN
W WIND 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING NW 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT...BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT IN THE
 AFTERNOON. W SWELL 8 FT AT 12 SECONDS.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

11/6 Skagit shores, WA greens, Navy tests, Sequim stormwater, Wynne farm, BC pipe, oil trains, BC ferries, mines

Hug my elephant, kiss my ass: Ready to govern?

Skagit shorelines feature in regional habitat restoration plans
Skagit County’s marine shoreline is imperative to the health of the greater Puget Sound and as habitat for economically and recreationally significant species like Chinook salmon. For that reason, four of 11 projects that government agencies have proposed to restore and enhance shoreline habitat in the region are aimed at river deltas along Skagit’s western edge. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

How Green Was My Election
Tom Steyer spent $57 million to get voters to care about climate change. It didn’t work. Josh Voorhees reports. (Slate) See also: Inslee Says He’s Undaunted And Optimistic About Climate Programs, Even After Election Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KPLU)

Navy to face public tonight on proposed West End electronic warfare program
Five Navy and three U.S. Forest Service officials will answer questions on the Navy's electronic warfare training plans during a public forum from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight. The meeting will be in City Council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St. in Port Angeles. (Peninsula Daily News)

Stormwater master plan is under way
Peering into the future and beyond the engrained concept of “Sunny Sequim,” city officials are developing Sequim’s first stormwater master plan. Among the jurisdictions on both the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas, Sequim is alone in its lack of a plan, program and utility fee for stormwater management. Alana Linderoth reports. (Sequim Gazette)

Wynne family at peace with major land conservation gift
A family tree farm that covers most of the upper Schneider Creek watershed northwest of Olympia has been protected permanently from development. Tom and Charlene Wynne last week completed a conservation easement with the Capitol Land Trust on 530 acres of forestland, pasture and wetlands, plus 3.5 miles of stream, ensuring the tree farm will never be sold to developers. (Olympian)

Scientists find new coral species off California
Scientists have discovered a new species of deep-sea coral in underwater canyons off the Northern California coast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Wednesday. A NOAA research team using small submersibles found the coral in September near national marine sanctuaries off the coast of Sonoma County, the agency said. The coral from the genus  was discovered about 600 feet deep in the first intensive exploration of underwater canyons near the Gulf of Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries. (Seattle Times)

Kinder Morgan lawsuit protested by Burnaby Mountain anti-pipeline activists
Anti-pipeline activists held a colourful protest outside B.C. Supreme Court, as Kinder Morgan attempts to stop demonstrators opposing its survey work on Burnaby Mountain. The energy giant is in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on Wednesday seeking an injunction to stop the protesters, and suing five people for close to $6 million for their part in opposing the Trans Mountain pipeline and terminal expansion. (CBC)

Washington Rail Safety Regulators Voice Concerns Over Oil Trains
Another group in Washington is raising concerns over whether the state’s rail infrastructure can safely support an increase in oil trains. This time it’s the state’s rail safety regulators. The state Utilities and Transportation Commission filed comments this week asking that existing track and crossings be evaluated as part of the Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed crude-by-rail terminal in Grays Harbor. Tony Schick reports. (EarthFix)

BC Ferries Nanaimo-Horseshoe Bay route will not be cut says minister
Only a day after a BC Ferries report went public identifying cuts that included the possible cancellation of service between Nanaimo, and Horseshoe Bay, B.C.Transportation Minister Todd Stone has told reporters in Victoria the route will definitely not be cut. "The B.C. government has no interest in cancelling or seeing the cancellation of the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay run," said Stone. (CBC)

Canadian miners pondering tougher tailings plans after Mount Polley dam collapse
The Mining Association of Canada says it is examining if changes are needed to its safety and environmental mine management program because of the collapse of Imperial Metals’ Mount Polley tailings dam. The tailings dam failure on Aug. 4 released millions of cubic metres of water and tailings containing potentially toxic metals into a Quesnel Lake watershed. Gordon Hoeksta reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST THU NOV 6 2014
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
S WIND 25 TO 35 KT...BECOMING SW IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 6 TO 9 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 10 SECONDS... BUILDING TO 10 TO
 12 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 10 SECONDS IN THE AFTERNOON. RAIN IN THE MORNING...THEN SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
TONIGHT
W WIND 20 TO 30 KT...EASING TO 10 TO 20 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT...SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 3 FT AFTER
 MIDNIGHT. W SWELL 13 FT AT 10 SECONDS...SUBSIDING TO 7 FT AT 10 SECONDS AFTER MIDNIGHT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE EVENING.
--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

11/5 WA Senate, Big BC Oil, 'soil burritos,' resident orca research, Super Natural BC, BC ferries

Liquid Light (Laurie MacBride)

Liquid Light in the Forest
Laurie MacBride in Eye on Environment writes: "The bracket fungus in this photo grows on the side of a fir tree on our property. Usually it looks rather unprepossessing, but the other day, after one of our many recent downpours, a network of raindrops clung to its edge and that ordinary bracket fungus became something very special…."

Democrats trailing in state Senate races
Despite record spending on both sides in the contest for control of the state Senate, incumbent Republicans were winning re-election in Tuesday’s returns, retaining a narrow working majority. Republicans leaders praised the resulting 26-23 majority, saying state voters want balance and bipartisanship in the legislature where Democrats control the House and the Governor’s office…. The results mean it will be harder for Gov. Jay Inslee to act on an aggressive plan to reduce carbon emissions in the state, or to pass legislation that’s been a priority for Democrats including education and transportation funding. Lynn Thompson reports. (Seattle Times)

Pete McMartin: When Big Oil acts like a big bully
You would think that, in the name of public relations, somebody at Kinder Morgan might take a clue from the company’s name to work on its image. It could do with some “kinder.” But no. Quite the opposite. In its clumsy handling of its proposed pipeline expansion to bring diluted Alberta bitumen to Vancouver, Kinder Morgan — through its pipeline subsidiary Trans Mountain Pipeline — has alienated the city of Burnaby, the city of Vancouver and, well, me, for one. As part of its survey work, it took down trees in a public park. Pete McMartin reports. (Vancouver Sun)

‘Soil Burritos’ Hold Together Northwest River Banks More Like Nature Does
The Environmental Protection Agency is testing out a new technique for keeping heavily-used river banks from eroding into the water. The EPA wants to see if these living retainer walls can contain lead pollution at a Superfund site in north Idaho. To make these “soil burritos,” a construction crew pours a layer of dirt into what looks like a car-sized piece of burlap. Then they put down willow branches. If all goes according to plan, those willows will start taking root in the dirt next spring. Jessica Robinson reports. (EarthFix)

"Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales: 10 Years of Research and Recovery Efforts" is a talk by Dawn Noren, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, on Nov. 11 at 7 PM at C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave. SW, in Seattle. Dawn discusses results from research on risk factors and data gaps associated with the Southern Resident Killer Whale population as well as how the results are critical to informing management actions. Sponsored by The Whale Trail. Tickets: $5 suggested donation, kids free, Brown Paper Tickets

If you like to watch: Video: Exciting new look to showcase Super, Natural British Columbia
Destination BC (formerly Tourism BC) has revitalized the Super, Natural British Columbia® brand to focus on the power of B.C.’s natural wilderness and beauty to entice tourists from around the world. The first of a continuing series of campaigns will be used to market the ski season this month through a number of social media, advertising and PR initiatives. Watch “The Wild Within: British Columbia, Canada”  (Vancouver Sun)

B.C. Ferries considers closing Nanaimo terminal, axing Horseshoe Bay route
B.C. Ferries is considering major changes to service between Vancouver Island and the mainland, including closing one Nanaimo terminal and funnelling mainland-bound traffic through Tsawwassen instead of Horseshoe Bay. The proposals are part of a massive rethink of B.C. Ferries’ mid-Island service, in an attempt to drive down billions in new capital costs and slow the rise of ticket prices. Rob Shaw reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST WED NOV 5 2014
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON PST TODAY THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
 GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON
TODAY
SE WIND 10 TO 20 KT...RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT...BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT IN THE
 AFTERNOON. W SWELL 6 FT AT 11 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
SE WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. W SWELL 5 FT AT 10 SECONDS. RAIN.
--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

11/4 Floods, train trench, Marshland, Seattle shore, sea star wasting, pipe hearings, hi-def sonar, BEnv degree

Tom Magliozzi (Richard Howard/NPR)

Tom Magliozzi: As Warm In Real Life As He Was On The Radio
Susan Stamberg remembers the elder half of "Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers" of Car Talk. (NPR/KPLU)

North Shore flooding: Lynn Valley creeks overflow, heavy rain hits Dundarave
Creeks overflowed and flooded streets and homes in Lynn Valley in the midst of heavy rainfall Monday night. Multiple flooding calls have also been reported in West Vancouver. (CBC)

City of Edmonds releases train trench costs, estimated at $250 million to $290 million
Building a train trench to address increasing train traffic along the Edmonds waterfront could cost between $250 million to $290 million, according to a preliminary cost and feasibility analysis conducted by engineering firm Tetra Tech on behalf of the City of Edmonds. The initial study was commissioned by Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling as part of the city’s effort to assess the feasibility of potential solutions to what he calls an “alarming increase” in train traffic blocking critical access to the Edmonds waterfront. This study comes on the heels of the Mayor’s town hall meeting last month about train traffic in Edmonds. (My Edmonds News)

Everett Marshland’s future a bit muddy
Low-lying farmland could be turned into hundreds of acres of restored wetland. Or, in the opinion of one farmer, it could be a huge boondoggle. The area is the Everett Marshland on the eastern edge of the Lowell neighborhood, on the west bank of the Snohomish River. It's 829 acres of mostly agricultural land, with small landholders, community gardens and larger farms. The city of Everett owns more than 300 acres of the area. Chris Winters reports. (Everett Herald)

The shoreline that once was
In today’s highly-regulated, environmentally-conscious shoreline development era (well, mostly; the occasional rogue goes off and reroutes a river without permission) you might be forgiven for imagining the Puget Sound shoreline as ancient, historic, and immutable. Certainly, at least in the Seattle area, little has changed at the wave-lapped edges of the waterfront in the past decade or so. But the coming changes proposed to the downtown Seattle waterfront on the heels of the viaduct demolition and replacement project is sparking new discussion about what the urban waterfront might be — including proposals for a new public marina (although as cost estimates have increased, the city has made noise about dramatically scaling back any redevelopment efforts there). Scott Wilson blogs. (Three Sheets Northwest) See also: Brighter future for salmon at downtown seawall   (Salish Sea Currents)

Seattle Aquarium awarded grant to study sea-star wasting disease
The Seattle Aquarium has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Boeing Company to support the aquarium’s efforts to investigative and respond to a disease that has affected millions of sea stars along the West Coast. Paige Cornwell reports. (Seattle Times)

Kinder Morgan pipeline hearings a 'farce,' says former BC Hydro head
The former head of BC Hydro, Marc Eliesen, has pulled out of the federal hearings on the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline project. In a scathing letter to the National Energy Board, Eliesen calls the public hearing process around the project "a farce," noting the removal of the oral cross-examination phase. "Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that the board, through its decisions, is engaged in a public deception," the letter states. "Continued involvement with this process is a waste of time and effort, and represents a disservice to the public interest because it endorses a fraudulent process."   (CBC)

If you like to watch: High definition comes to ocean floor
On Lake Union the University of Washington oceanographic research vessel Clifford Barnes is being used to showing scientists and students the newest in underwater mapping imagery that creates pictures using sound waves. The technology was developed by Konsberg Underwater Technology out of Norway, that maintains offices in Lynnwood. It's been used around the world to help scientists map the bottom of lakes, rivers and oceans in detail. Glen Farley reports. (KING)

SFU degree will train environmental managers
A new Simon Fraser University four-year program will train students to become better decision-makers and consultants when it comes to environmental stewardship. The Bachelor of Environment (BEnv) degree, the only one offered in Canada, brings disciplines together for an integrated approach to the effects and science of global environmental issues, as well as possible solutions. Unlike Bachelor of Environmental Studies or Bachelor of Environmental Science degrees, the interdisciplinary program combines humanistic, socio-economic and scientific approaches. Shawn Conner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST TUE NOV 4 2014
TODAY
W WIND 10 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 2 FT. W SWELL 9 FT AT 11 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
TONIGHT
SW WIND TO 10 KT...BECOMING S AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 11 SECONDS. A CHANCE RAIN.
--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

11/3 Elwha, warm ocean, oil-train meet, hydraulics code, Burnaby protest, Taylor geoduck, Beaconsfield bluff, Shawn Atleo, septic fee, Gabriola bridge

Elwha (Tom Roorda/Peninsula Daily News)

Elwha River mouth grows as sediment creates new habitat, estuaries
Sediment once locked behind two dams has built some 70 acres of new estuary at the mouth of the Elwha River since 2011, according to the Coastal Watershed Institute. That has created new habitat that fish are flocking to use, said Anne Shaffer, a biologist who is executive director of the Coastal Watershed Institute based in Port Angeles. Leah Leach reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Bizarre sea-life visitors arrive with North Pacific’s historic warmth
Ocean waters off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, Canada and Alaska appear this year to be warmer than they’ve ever been, prompting the arrival of some very unusual visitors. Craig Welch reports. (Seattle Times)

More than 750 people turn out for meeting on oil-train study
State officials are proposing more funding and more regulatory authority to step up oversight of the surging numbers of oil trains carrying crude through Washington, and to better prepare for any possible spills. The proposals are included in the preliminary findings of a state Department of Ecology study, which was reviewed at a Thursday evening meeting that drew more than 750 people, the vast majority of whom are opposed to increased oil train traffic in the state.  Hal Bernton reports. (Seattle Times)

Fish & Wildlife commission updating hydraulics
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider approving an update of the state’s hydraulic code rules and will conduct a public hearing on a proposed Willapa Bay salmon-management plan at a meeting scheduled Nov. 7-8 in Olympia. The commission, a nine-member panel that sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will convene at 8:30 a.m. both days in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St ., on the state Capitol Campus. An agenda for the meeting is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/. (Wahkiakum County Eagle)

Burnaby protesters win time to respond to Kinder Morgan injunction
Lawyers for Trans Mountain pipeline will be back in B.C. Supreme Court Nov. 5 to seek an injunction against protesters who have blocked survey work in a Burnaby Mountain conservation area. The subsidiary of energy giant Kinder Morgan filed two separate court actions against protesters after demonstrators confronted Trans Mountain crews Wednesday. Kevin Drews and Vivian Luk report. (Canadian Press)

Hearings and appeals follow Taylor Shellfish’s permit request for geoduck farm
The issue of geoduck aquaculture is back front and center on the Key Peninsula. Geoduck farming elicits strong feelings. Neighbors are concerned about aesthetics, debris and noise. Environmentalists raise concerns about the effects on water, biodiversity and beach structure. Those in the industry note that shellfish farming has been a highly renewable crop that benefits the economy. Taylor Shellfish has applied for a permit to establish a geoduck farm on the west shoreline of the Key Peninsula and east shoreline of Case Inlet, approximately ¾ mile south of Dutcher’s Cove, leasing 11 acres of tideland from the Haley family. Sara Thompson reports. (Key Peninsula News)

Restoration of Beaconsfield Feeder Bluff to begin soon
The Beaconsfield Feeder Bluff, a 1,000-foot, 5.5-acre stretch of shoreline in Normandy Park, will be restored soon at a cost of $4.4 million dollars as part of a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the project is to “restore and protect one of the last undeveloped and restorable feeder bluffs in Central Puget Sound,” according to a statement. The Beaconsfield Feeder Bluff is located north of Marine View Park. The bluff restoration site is composed of several narrow residential parcels along 1,000 feet of shoreline. About 80 percent contains intermittent concrete vertical bulkheads and rock revetment armoring. This armoring blocks sand and gravel movement necessary to sustain beach structure and function. The proposed project should provide a sediment source to the degraded drift cell by restoring a connection between the feeder bluff and beach. (Normandy Park Blog)

B.C.’s Clark appoints Shawn Atleo to help improve dialogue with First Nations
Shawn Atleo has listened to grandmothers in the Arctic, heard the concerns of the youth in his home village of Ahousaht on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and felt Ottawa’s cold winters and its harsh politics, making him ideal for the new British Columbia position of Shqwi qwal. A Shqwi qwal, pronounced she-qwall, is a West Coast aboriginal name given to a community leader who helps build new paths and relations. B.C. Premier Christy Clark said that there is no better connected, respected or qualified aboriginal communicator in Canada as she appointed Atleo as Canada’s first Shqwi qwal at a ceremony at Vancouver Island University on Thursday. Dirk Meissner reports. (Globe and Mail)

State committee suggests fee to finance septic maintenance
A state Septic Finance Project advisory committee recommends charging septic system owners in the Puget Sound area an annual fee to support county management programs and setting aside state and federal money for a maintenance loan program. As one of 12 counties in the Puget Sound region, the proposed program changes would apply to the 13,500 homeowners with septic systems in Skagit County if approved. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Gabriola Island Bridge project prompts new opposition from residents
A group of Gabriola Island residents called 'Bridge-Free Salish Sea' is planning to mount a petition campaign to gauge concerns over how a new bridge to Gabriola Island could change life in the remote B.C. community. Last month, Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced a provincial study to look at the idea of building a bridge to Gabriola Island to replace BC Ferries' service to the Southern Gulf Island. (CBC)

Now, your tug weather--
 WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST MON NOV 3 2014
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS LATE AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
TODAY
S WIND 5 TO 15 KT...RISING TO 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS...BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FT IN THE
 AFTERNOON. W SWELL 7 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
S WIND 25 TO 35 KT...BECOMING SW 10 TO 20 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 8 TO 10 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF 13 SECONDS.
 RAIN.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato@salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter.

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told