An Independent Challenges Democrats On The Olympic Peninsula

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Al Bergstein

Over coffee in Port Townsend, I met with Marcia Kelbon, the independent candidate for State House of Representatives in Washington’s 24th Legislative District. The district spans the liberal stronghold of Port Townsend, the retirement community of Sequim, blue-collar Port Angeles, multiple Tribal reservations, and the economically struggling region of Grays Harbor County. She arrived on her Harley, from her home in the small town of Quilcene along Hood Canal. The Harley is not the only unusual thing about Mrs. Kelbon. She is a former Republican who has left the party to challenge for a State House seat that has been solidly in Democratic control for a couple of decades.


Mrs. Kelbon has an extensive professional background which includes work as a civil engineer, senior executive for a biopharmaceutical company and as a patent attorney. Her law degree is from the University of Washington. She currently serves as Fire Commissioner in Quilcene. She describes her family home as a “tree farm” located next to Rayonier forests whose clear cutting has raised concerns from her about the herbicides used after harvest.


Kelbon left the Republican party over platform disagreements to launch an independent bid for the open seat vacated by retiring Representative Steve Tharinger. She won a spot on the November ballot primarily because the Democrats split their vote between three candidates and a Democratic Socialist of America.


Q: What caused your split from the Republican party”


MK: “Well, I always disagreed with a number of issues, including hard-right stances by some in the party on abortion and marriage, and the party’s enthusiasm for Donald Trump. Contrary to what some claim, I did not vote for Donald Trump as a candidate in the primaries of 2016, preferring instead John Kasich of Ohio. I am dissatisfied with party extremes on both sides. As an independent I aim to bring a moderate point of view to the race and the legislature.”


Q. I understand that you support abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights. Those are positions usually thought of as Democratic positions. Are there other issues related to this that are not aligned with the Democrats?”


MK: “I don’t support minors undergoing gender-affirmation surgeries. I believe children are too easily swayed into irreversible decisions before knowing who they truly are.”


Q. What is your position on immigration?


MK: “I support closing the borders to stop illegal drug and human trafficking. But I don’t support the deportation of immigrants who aren’t criminals – we should instead create paths to green cards. We need immigrants in many sectors.” She named high tech and medicine as areas needing more immigrants to fill roles.


Her position on healthcare comes from personal experience.
MK: “I raised three children, all of whom were adopted including one through the foster care system. Two of our adult children have used the Affordable Care Act.”


She advocates the idea of a base support of government provided healthcare without insurers making profit in the mix, allowing everyone to get some coverage. She believes that would save a huge amount of money while obtaining better outcomes by getting insurance companies out of the job of providing basic healthcare insurance. While a great goal, that has proven to be almost impossible for either party to get close to doing.


Q. “What new ideas would you bring to the issue of criminal justice and the linked issue of addiction?”


MK: “Some people on the streets, not all – truly have had a stroke of bad luck or bad experience. But for many, there are issues of addiction and mental illness. Our current approaches… don’t appear to be effective in stabilizing people and preventing them from getting worse. Sheriffs and police chiefs tell me that the current gross misdemeanor penalty is not enough. I would like to restore a felony penalty for knowing possession of hard drugs – not so we can lock people up and throw away the key, but so that we can convince people to get into drug court and treatment rather than jail. I would also like to fund adequate facilities for addiction and mental health treatment.”


Q. “We have a lot of people wanting solutions to entry level homes for lower income people. What concrete ideas do you have for helping get more homes built here on the Peninsula?”


MK: “My father-in-law was a union electrician, and we have completed several builds, including with solar, so I do understand the issues facing the building trades. I would support revising the latest energy code applying to residential construction based more on a cost/benefit analysis. We have to lower the cost of buying homes for young buyers. I would also like to modify the Growth Management Act to make it easier to build in village centers.”


Q. “Taxes are something that Republicans always are complaining about, wanting to drive down taxes. What’s your position on taxation. What makes you different?”


MK: “Our current tax structure is inequitable, but layering an income tax on top of the current regressive sales tax system is not the answer. While voters have time and again rejected an income tax, I suspect they might support a comprehensive restructuring of state taxes that does not increase the overall tax burden. I am willing to collaborate with either party on meaningful tax changes.”


Kelbon remains opposed to the proposed land transfer of Protection Island and Dungeness Spit to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.

Mk: “I am not in favor of that transfer at this time,” she explained. “I am concerned about commercial oyster farming and potential herbicide applications on Protection Island.” She also wondered about whether the Elwha and Port Gamble S’Klallam are supporting this land transfer.


Her path to victory is uncertain. She is banking on the fact that while Jefferson County remains solidly Democratic, Clallam and Grays Harbor counties are more conservative.

Even if she does win, it is unclear what she can accomplish in Olympia. Committee assignments are assigned by the two main parties. With the Democrats holding a large majority, it could be very hard to find an assignment. But that’s a long ways off. Until November, she needs to convince independents, disillusioned Republicans, as well as the people who never vote to turn out for her in this huge geographic district. She is trying to do that with a minimal campaign staff. That is not a small challenge. But if she can win and bring an ability to force the Democrats to modify positions to accommodate her vote, it could see some new policies that bring change to the Peninsula.

Filed under: Government, Olympic Peninsula | Tagged: , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Tribes seek ownership of National Wildlife Refuges in the Salish Sea

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Al Bergstein

Exclusive to the Olympic Peninsula Environmental News

Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge

In a surprising statement Monday in a meeting of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, Jamestown S’Klallam Chairman and CEO Ron Allen stated that a number of tribes in the Salish Sea and coastal waters seek to transfer ownership of National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and incorporate them into their tribal reservations.

This proposed transfer of numerous public lands to private entities like the tribes, is unusual and raises questions about the process of transfer of public lands out of public hands.

Chairman Allen came to the meeting to discuss the proposed “Land Transfer of Dungeness Spit and Protection Island”, and was commenting on this transfer to the three County Commissioners (and public in attendance) when he mentioned that this land transfer is only part of a larger effort by all the tribes to take back public lands that are National Wildlife Refuges. He said that the Makah tribe was seeking land transfers of three properties off the coast, the Nisqually were looking to transfer one adjacent to theirs, and the Lummi Nation or Swinomish (he wasn’t sure which) were looking to transfer the San Juan Islands Wildlife Refuge.

“…Because we know (the) Makah’s going to go after the three (refuges) on the coast. And we’re pretty certain that (the) Lummi or “Swin” (Swinomish) will go after the San Juan (reserve)… We know that that once we get this done they’re gonna go after the other three or four.” Allen said.

He went on about the Nisqually Tribe: “…There’s other tribes doing exactly the same thing just like this…. They’re (The Nisqually Tribe) are always pursuing the refuge in their area in Nisqually Valley area.” It is likely that what Chairman Allen was referring to was the current Nisqually Clear Creek Land Transfer Act of 2026 which is sponsored by Representative Marilyn Strickland and Senators Cantwell and Murray. The tribe is in the process of having U.S. Fish and Wildlife transfer buildings at the hatchery which sits on tribal land to the tribe. It is not seeking to transfer the Billie Frank National Wildlife Refuge to them at this point, but Allen’s comments raise questions about the future of the refuge.

There are six maritime National Wildlife Refuges in Washington State managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They are considered the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex:

They include:

The Jamestown S’Klallam currently have been in a co-management agreement with Fish and Wildlife, being paid approximately $800,000 for their work on Protection Island and Dungeness Spit. It is unclear if the Trump administration would be in favor of granting these annual funds if the properties were no longer owned by the Federal Government. It is agreed by all parties that they have been doing exemplary work for the government, and their ability is not being questioned. There have been no calls from the Trump Administration, the Federal government nor the State government to transfer these two particular lands. The request has come only from the Tribe and not from the public. Many public comments ask that nothing change in the relationship.

Washington U.S. Representative Emily Randall (D) has been in talks with the tribe for months if not years, and has openly acknowledged her support of the goal of a land transfer of Dungeness Spit and Protection Island to the Tribe. At a recent public meeting Representative Randall seemed taken aback at the level of public concern over the transfer. The public has only been aware of this land transfer since April. The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, City of Sequim and Clallam County Commissioners meetings have been the only local way for the public to comment in person despite this being a federal issue. The Clallam County County Commissioners meetings have been very contentious. The lack of federal sponsored meetings from Randall on the subject is unusual, given the outpouring of negative comments at both counties meetings.

The Trump Administration has been giving up public lands like these refuges as part of their announced Project 2025, which calls for government to get out of the vaguely worded business of “conservation”. In Texas, the administration is in the process of giving away part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas to SpaceX in exchange for other properties by SpaceX. A lawsuit has been filed on June 10th to stop this transfer.

Chairman Allen said that they took a big ad in the Peninsula Daily News and Port Townsend Leader because they wanted to be as transparent as they possibly could be …but he added, “Congresswoman Randall asked us to kind of back off on it and we said, okay, that’s fine.” (emphasis mine) This raises the question of whether Congresswoman Randall asked the Tribe to not advertise their intentions to the public.

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell has also been in discussion with the Tribe but has not yet fully committed to the transfer and would like to see more public input, according to a person who discussed it with her staff. However she has not held any public meetings on this. There has been no mention of the Governor being involved in the discussions at this time, but it could be deduced that this kind of large scale planning would have been mentioned at some point to him.

This reporter has seen the draft bill that has been written by tribal lawyers that is assumed to be entered into the U.S. Congress at some near future date. The draft bill does not contain any legally binding language that would protect the island, spit, nor the nearshore waters that are owned by DNR from the tribe using it for commercial aquaculture. The concern by the environmental community is that the rare protected species on the island feed off the marine flora and fauna of the waters and beaches around the island. Creating a monoculture “farm” could impact the amount of food available for the birds. The current tribal council and Chairman Allen claim they have no plans. But it is easy to petition the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to open privately held shoreline to commercial use. DNR have a long history of supporting aquaculture and the State of Washington legally views aquaculture as a desired commercial priority. Once it becomes part of tribal lands, it would also be exempt from state or federal oversight as negotiations would be nation to nation based on treaty law.

The Protection Island National Wildlife Reserve was created in 1982 after almost 20 years of work by bird lovers Zella Schultz, Eleanor Stopps and the coordination with Seattle Audubon. It is the breeding ground of most of Puget Sound’s glaucous wing gulls as well as rare Tufted Puffins and Rhinoceros auklets. It’s creation was supported by virtually all the Washington State federal and state senators and representatives, including Senators Warren Magnuson, Henry Jackson and Slade Gorton along with Republican governor John Spellman.

The tribe has admitted that they look forward to writing their own rules for use of the island. In an interview in the local Port Townsend Leader Tribal Vice Chair Loni Greninger stated, “If we’re able to have that fuller ownership instead of co-management, then I don’t have to rely on any other government and their rules and regulations. I can take my deeper regulations from an ancestral standpoint and be able to infuse that and implement it.”

Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website.

Filed under: Clallam County, Government, Jefferson County, Olympic Peninsula, Straits of Juan de Fuca, Washington State | Tagged: , , | 12 Comments »

Cougar Sitings along the Dungeness

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Al Bergstein

The Peninsula Daily News today reports on a man who had two cougar encounters over two days along the Dungeness. Luckily his dog was well trained and did not chase the cat. But it points out that we live in cougar country and it is well advised to be alert and prepared to back away and not do anything to engage a cat if seen. The PDN allows three free articles before you need to be a subscriber.

Sequim man recounts cougar encounter

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Election: Low voter turnout – usual results, some surprises

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Al Bergstein

As usual at this moment the Democratic Party is sweeping the primaries with better turnout than Independent or Republican candidates. However, in the multi-county race for State Representative, Independent candidate Marcia Kelbon is heading to a run off with Kaylee Kuehn.

Even though ballots are mailed directly to the home only 31% of the population that could vote did in Jefferson County.If I were the Democrats I’d be asking why they can’t turn people out to vote.

US Representative Emily Randall easily defeated all other candidates. This bodes ill for saving Protection Island and Dungeness Spit. Randall got 6400 votes as of this moment.

State representative Adam Bernbaum also managed to crush all opposition with 76% of the votes counted.

The more interesting race for state Representative position two so far appears to be going to Kaylee Kuehn with independent candidate Marsha Kelbon scoring an impressive 36% of the vote. Mrs. Kelbon in an interview with this reporter, stated that she is not in favor of giving away Protection Island or Dungeness Spit. Her moderate stance on many issues led her to break away from the Republican Party and this blog is supporting her candidacy as an independent. Our feeling is that with a moderate Republican representing this district it will force the Democrats into more of a negotiating position on many issues. The Democratic Party has become too lopsided in Olympia and the results of their dominance are not impressive at all. Social services have been cut including support for foster care, education is still not in even the top 10% of the United States, and the massive budget cutbacks by the governor are not what many voters expected from Ferguson when he ran.

In Jefferson County, Anji Scalf defeated Jean Ball, and will face Republican Stephen Nieman .

Another surprise is that Independent candidate for County Commissioner Jake Seegers is currently leading Democrat Mike French. There has been a concerted efforts to discredit French in the Clallam blogs and it appears to have been successful.

Thank you to those who have actually filled out a ballot and please talk to your friends and ask them whether they did as well and if they didn’t, why didn’t they. There are so many important issues facing us right now, and we should be seeing more turnout rather than less. Ultimately I think the turnout is because their really is not a lot of choice. Our two party system is so skewed that people that don’t buy into their platforms simply feel left out. That’s one reason we have decided to support Marsha Kelbon as an outsider, who we may not totally agree with, but will bring a fresh perspective to Olympia. It is worth saying that we do support Adam Bernbaum. As a junior member of the state legislature he has done a good job of listening.

Filed under: Olympic Peninsula | 2 Comments »

Appeals Court Says E.P.A. Cannot Block Billions in Climate Grants NY Times

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Al Bergstein

While the northern hemisphere burns with thousands of people losing everything both here in Canada, and we sit around breathing the air of the fires, there is some good news on the environmental front. It’s small but somewhat significant.

“An appeals court on Tuesday handed a victory to a group of federal grant recipients that the Trump administration has prevented from spending billions of dollars in climate funding for over a year.

In a split decision, 10 judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld an earlier injunction that said the Environmental Protection Agency could not terminate $20 billion in climate grants, and that the recipients should have access to the funds as their case proceeds.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/climate/epa-climate-grants-appeals-court.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

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Jefferson County Commissioners Debate & Kill Draft of Wildlife Land Swap Letter

Posted on August 3, 2026 by Al Bergstein

The Jefferson County Commissioners today published a draft of a new version of the letter about their level of support for the proposal to transfer the two National Wildlife Refuges into the sovereign nation of the Jamestown S’Kallam tribe. The final letter would have been sent to U.S. Representative Emily Randall, the politician who has bought into this proposal on behalf of the Tribe, and who has done zero public engagement on this issue. The Commissioners debated the issue and ultimately, after debate, the Commissioners decided not to send the letter and simply pass along the written comments to Representative Randall. This is a positive step, allowing Randall to go get the public input she should have done all along. Randall’s junior status as a Representative has been on display during this entire process, and we are hoping she has learned something from this.

The draft letter significantly tempered their support, clarifying a few key points. For sake of the public understanding the debate, here’s points from the draft letter:

Public Input:

“One central piece of input we’ ve gotten from residents of Jefferson County is a desire for more public engagement about this proposal.” – That is perhaps an understatement.

Importance of the lands in question:

“These sites are not only central to the Tribe’ s heritage but are also integral to the ecological health and quality of life for our entire region.”

Is title transfer necessary?

“…there is concern about losing protections provided with oversight by the USFWS.” Finally the Commissioners are recognizing the very real concerns that moving these lands into sovereign nation status would possibly create.

Hope instead of concrete assurances from the Tribe:

“It is our sense (emphasis mine) that if the island were transferred into trust, the Tribe would continue to manage it to a standard that would meet or exceed federal requirements.” There is absolutely no guarantee that is being given nor could one be enforced if promised once the lands are transferred. It is all based on faith that nothing would ever change. The very fact that this transfer is being considered now is proof enough that some future tribal council would decide on a very different use of Protection Island and Dungeness Spit.

Admission of commercial concerns:

“However, we’ve also heard concerns from several constituents that the Tribe may take a more business- forward approach in managing Protection Island and, in neighboring Clallam County, Dungeness Spit Refuge lands.” Never heard the use of “Business-forward” to describe actual conversion of tide lands into an aquaculture farm before. Also they heard from constituents as if this is a secret project of the Tribe. The Tribe has been very open about this and it has been known publicly for many years. Are the Commissioners that out of touch? Or are they wanting to blame the opposition to the transfer for somehow bringing the Commissioners new information? The answer is “yes” they are trying to blame opponents of the transfer. They did so in the next paragraph:

The Opposition:

“…we have observed a recurring argument among some opponents who use the phrase “public land in public hands” to justify federal retention. Within the context of our region’ s history, there is a certain irony and arrogance in this framing. It overlooks the historical reality of colonization and the systemic dispossession of Indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands. To claim these areas are only ” public” when under federal control ignores the thousands of years of stewardship practiced by Tribes prior to European arrival.”

The opposition doesn’t claim that the lands are “public lands”, they are public by definition. The legal national definition of “public lands” which the Commissioners themselves should be aware of is this Statutory definition: Under 43 U.S.C. § 1702, “any land and interest in land owned by the United States within the several States and administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management… except... Outer Continental Shelf; and lands held for the benefit of Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos.”, as stated in the U.S. Code. General federal usage: Commonly refers to all real property owned collectively by the American people and managed by various federal stewardship branches.

The opposition doesn’t appear to be ignoring the historical reality, and anyway, what does that have to do with the proposed transfer of these lands to the Tribe? Does the historical reality dictate that we give back the Wildlife Refuges we fought so hard to create by keeping them from “business forward” real estate development? If there is any irony to be found at all in this it is that the Tribe, who claims to have the protection of these wildlife refuges as their reason for doing it, are already engaged in putting a commercial oyster farm of up to 80000 bags of oysters against the very shores of the Dungeness Spit, burying the bottom where many of the birds we are protecting feed.

Who are these two refuges supposed to be for? They were established to recognize that before the Europeans arrived, and actually before the tribes arrived, this island and Spit were “owned” by the wildlife on them. The birds. The American public are currently protecting the habitat of these animals for all of humanity, not just for a “business-forward” entity, no matter who they are or however many generations they have been here.

Given the definition of the Commissioners in this ill worded paragraph, then *all* lands in the U.S. are not public or somehow deserve to be given back to all tribes because we took them all.

The Commissioners should strike that paragraph. It serves no purpose other than add fuel to the idea that somehow anyone opposing this is anti-tribe or racist. The opposition simply wants this co-management to continue.

Finally

“For these reasons, Jefferson County urges the delegation to carefully consider these complexities before advancing the Act.” As usual, when confronted with public opposition, the politicians decided to simply ask for more information and public input by Representative Randall.

To the public and Commissioners, let me simply state that I know the opposition people quite well. Virtually all of them have worked for and possibly even donated to your campaigns. Most of them own homes and businesses in Jefferson County. They pay taxes to this county. They appreciate that you listen to them as well as you listen to the Tribe, a sovereign nation demanding something that no one but them has asked to be given away.

Here is the DRAFT letter

Filed under: Around the Salish Sea, Environmental Law, Environmental Protection, Government, Jefferson County, legislation, Protection Island, Straits of Juan de Fuca, Washington State | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

WA shellfish growers worry for future after Hood Canal closure – Seattle Times

Posted on August 1, 2026 by Al Bergstein

A toxin, Alexandrium catenella cells have been found in shellfish in Hood Canal. It’s closed down shellfish harvesting during this summer. The question is, “Is this the new normal”?

“We start to have to plan around this more and think about — going forward — what our business model would look like if we weren’t selling in the hot months anymore at all,” Wight said.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/wa-shellfish-growers-worry-for-future-after-hood-canal-closure

Behind a paywall.

Filed under: Climate Change, Environmental Science, Jefferson County | Comments Off on WA shellfish growers worry for future after Hood Canal closure – Seattle Times

Trump administration admits grants for clean energy were canceled based on politics- AP

Posted on July 28, 2026 by Al Bergstein

The only ones to “win” by this are the Oil companies. You Republicans out there need to remember that position of a President and his administration is to serve *all* the people. Killing clean energy projects only will hurt your pocketbook. These projects save money for all of us, not just those voting Democratic or Independent. His “clean coal” is going nowhere because solar and wind are now cheaper by far. And your homes may be the next to burn in an uncontrolled wildfire. Our planet is literally burning and he and his supporters do not care. It’s all about them. Not you.


The Trump administration has again acknowledged in court documents that it terminated $7.6 billion in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects “based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient’s state,” in this case, 16 states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Matthew Daly report. (Associated Press)

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Pollinator problem: A new predator is stalking mason bees

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Al Bergstein

As usual, the growth of a pollinator to help honeybees is now bringing its own problems…we know so little about what we are doing. I’m one of the people who bought a Mason bee hotel thinking it would help pollinate my apple trees.


The backyard conservation success of Mason bee hotels brings with it the unexpected consequence of providing infiltration by the parasite Houdini fly. Michael Williams writes. (Columbia Insight)

The houdini fly’s method of infiltration is ingenious. Adult fles inflate their heads to break through the mud wall of the mason bee’s brood chamber. Female flies then lay eggs on the pollen and nectar provisions meant for mason bee larvae. When houdini fly maggots emerge they eat the food meant for the mason bee larvae, causing the young bees to starve.

https://columbiainsight.org/pollinator-problem-a-new-predator-is-stalking-mason-bees

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Washington’s heat wave has marine scientists keeping a close eye on Puget Sound – FOX NEWS

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Al Bergstein

Twice a week this summer, divers from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium have been surveying bull kelp forests off Owen Beach in Tacoma, documenting the underwater ecosystem and tracking changes from year to year as part of a broader statewide effort to restore 10,000 acres of underwater forest by 2040. Lauren Donovan reports. (Fox 13)

During the FOX 13 dive, Schare recorded a water temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit at a depth of 39 feet.

“During the winter that’s even considered pretty high,” he said. “To see that tens of feet underwater in the summer is quite alarming.”

He said rising surface temperatures are putting additional stress on bull kelp, which thrives in cooler water, generally in the upper 40s to low 50s Fahrenheit.

Good short story reporting by FOX news in Tacoma.

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/warm-weather-puget-sound-ecosystems

Filed under: Around the Sound, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Global Warming, Washington State | Comments Off on Washington’s heat wave has marine scientists keeping a close eye on Puget Sound – FOX NEWS

Looking back over 200 years of the salmon killing tire chemical 6PPD

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Al Bergstein

Fascinating story. Untangling chemical names and looking back over 200 years of 6PPD history.

The tire chemical 6PPD is known worldwide for its deadly effect on salmon, but it also has a complex history. We look at how this history connects to important breakthroughs in modern transportation and medicine and how the unique chemical structure of 6PPD makes it an environmental hazard.

https://www.eopugetsound.org/article/history-and-chemical-structure-tire-chemical-6ppd-q

And for a more comprehensive look at the issue we face with tires killing salmon, read any of the stories at the following link.

https://www.eopugetsound.org/seeking-alternatives-to-6PPD

Filed under: Around the Salish Sea, environmental education, Environmental Science | Comments Off on Looking back over 200 years of the salmon killing tire chemical 6PPD

The false promise of Carbon Capture

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Al Bergstein

The politicians have done it again. Promises of gains from an unproven technology to shut up the “greens”. At least with Trump we know we have no chance of any lies from the Federal Government. It’s all up to us. They won’t help.

Canada’s promises to capture carbon span almost 20 years, with little gains.


Stephen Harper swore by it; Mark Carney is ready to invest taxpayer dollars in it. A Narwhal investigation reveals how Canadian politicians have bought into an unproven technology they tout as a climate fix. Carl Meyer reports. (The Narwhal).

Canada’s promises to capture carbon span almost 20 years, with little gains

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Washington Wildfires

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Al Bergstein

And in Washington, the recent storm brought thousands of lightning strikes starting multiple wildfires. Here’s the update:

Filed under: Olympic Peninsula | Comments Off on Washington Wildfires

Oregon Is Burning

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Al Bergstein

Closer to home, Oregon has numerous wildfires burning, mainly east of the Cascades, but one is very close to Sisters.

Filed under: Olympic Peninsula | Comments Off on Oregon Is Burning

Ontario is burning

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Al Bergstein

This is the best daily overview of a totally out of control situation. Nearly 200 fires are burning, more than half are completely out of control. The total area  has already surpassed the total of all fires from last year.  The takeaway from the report is that one of the fires is 5 km from the Transcanada Highway. This would cut off all truck commerce between the providences.  Of course, the people paying the cost for this situation, fueled by climate change and  our use of fossil fuels are the indigenous communities of Canada. They are literally losing everything to these fires. The irony is that the province is governed by a man who denounces climate change and has torn out long standing bicycle lanes in Toronto. 

We are not immune from these dangers to the north of us. Luckily we had a heavy rain this week that dampened a lot of the current red zone warnings. But we are literally “not out of the woods” yet. 

The Canadian military has been deployed. The area of the fires is now larger than Prince Edward Island, which is huge. 

Filed under: Climate Change, Global Warming, Olympic Peninsula | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Environmental Voter Guide

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Al Bergstein

The Voters’ Pamphlets are out and soon you will get your ballot. Here are my recommendations for environmental focused voters. There are some surprises.

Federal Representative – Macy Jones – No Party Affiliation.

Representative Emily Randall has shown that she does not represent environmental interests in our two counties. She is the main backer of the giveaway of our federal lands, The Dungeness Spit and Protection Island, to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. No one other than the tribe has asked for this and Randall is acting on behalf of the Tribe and not the other voters of these counties, including the grandchildren of the woman who saved Protection Island, Eleanor Stopps and the other woman who was instrumental in this, Lorna Smith. This reporter also was there at the beginning of the efforts and does not accept the idea that the Tribal Corporation will do a better job than they are doing now, as co-manager of the tribe. If you want to send a message to Ms. Randall, vote for the woman who does not represent a political party, Macy Jones. She is in support of many of the same things the Democrats are in favor, she is against foreign wars, she supports fully funding schools, more infrastructure, more spent on healthcare, senior care, environmental protection, food security and strong local economies. She is currently a Grange member (as my late wife was), specializes in elder care, and is enrolled in Peninsula College. Read her information in the Voter Guide.

Representative Emily Randall was one of two Democrat votes that missed a key vote that would have saved PBS and billions in foreign aid in June 2025. She has never explained her absence from that vote, despite numerous local Democrats asking why she missed this vote. To be clear, the PBS and foreign aid vote would have LOST if she had been there to vote against it. That is why I am not supporting a Democrat in this role because I believe we need to send someone back to Washington D.C. who will represent our needs and not the specialized interests of the current Democratic Party. It is worth shaking things up to actually accomplish the goals we seek. Rep Randall is not that person. I am willing to take a chance on Macy Jones. I hope you will too.

Legislative District 2 – Adam Bernbaum – Democrat

Adam has done a good job in his first term. I have worked with him on a few issues and he has been very open and willing to discuss issues he is not familiar. He is vice-chairman of the Transportation Committee in the House, and has done significant community service. He has supported expanded access to childcare, rural housing, and infrastructure upgrades. He is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, Firefighters, Nurses and Educators. He is a Democrat worth sending back to Olympia.

Legislative District 24 – Marcia Kelbon – Independent

I spent an hour interviewing Mrs. Kelbon. She is a former business woman, patent attorney, and US Navy Civil Engineer. She comes out of the Republican Party but is no longer supporting the policies of Donald Trump. She has a long local history of being on the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity and a Girl Scout leader among other groups. She has been a foster parent and supports the foster community and knows its needs. She is a well respected member of the South Jefferson County community. She rides a Harley. She is willing to wait on deciding about the issue of giving away Protection Island and Dungeness Spit and is inclined not to support this land transfer at this time. She is wanting to promote business (which is needed to generate more jobs here!) and she emphasized to me that she would love to find a solution to homelessness. She is supportive of all people’s personal persuasions, and does not want government involved in peoples personal lives. I was very impressed with Mrs. Kelbon and for the first time since voting for Secretary of State Ralph Munro in the last century, I’m willing to support an ex-Republican over a Democrat. That should say all you need to know. Can she win the general election? I don’t know, but I am fed up with seeing cuts in Foster Care and youth mental health by a Govenor who told me to my face two years ago it was a priority of his. Also, our public schools continue to rank near the bottom of all states, despite decades of Democratic dominance. Mrs. Kelbon will bring an ability to consider both Parties positions, which may be worth debate, rather than dominance.

If you really can’t stomach voting for a former Republican, shame on you. I hear so many people in Washington state always raving about former governor Dan Evans and Ralph Munro. You would think that people would be willing to entertain a moderate Republican. But if you need another candidate to vote for, choose Mark Hodgson. He seemed in the debates to be the most likely to not follow party line of the Democrats, which is what is needed. He was on the Port Angeles City Council, was raised in Port Angeles and has been endorsed by former Senator Kevin Van De Wege, and former Representative Mike Cooper.

UnOpposed candidates. – No recommendation.

Jefferson County Commissioners District 3 – Anji Scalf

Anji has deep roots in the community. Her family has been here serving the county honorably for decades. She has been an ED for a chapter of the Chamber of Commerce, has a degree in environmental science and early childhood education and public administration. She has been a volunteer for the Fairgrounds Association, and 4-H. She has a long list of endorsements including from former County Commissioner Kathleen Kler, and John Austin.

Judicial Non Partisan Offices

State Supreme Court – Position 1 – Colleen Melody

Former Civil Rights lawyer, pro bono lawyer for immigrants and veterans. Former UW teacher. Graduated from UW with high honors.

State Supreme Court – Position 3 – Mike Diaz

Experienced jurist whom Governor Inslee twice appointed to bench, first in Superior Court and then the Court of Appeals. Has over 200 opinions, and on the superior court oversaw 45 trials. Has helped volunteer with the legal clinic of El Centro de la Raza.

State Supreme Court – Position 5 – Theo Angelis

Appointed by Governor Ferguson. Distinguished jurist. Strong human rights record.

State Supreme Court – Position 7 – Deborah Stevens – Current Chief Justice.

Re-elect her. She is doing a great job.

Filed under: Clallam County, Environmental Law, Government, Jefferson County, Olympic Peninsula | Tagged: | 4 Comments »

Oregon lawsuit could upend federal management of public lands

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Al Bergstein

From the Washington State Standard.

“A new lawsuit challenging a logging project in Oregon threatens to unravel the management plans governing hundreds of millions of acres of federal public land….“They’ve opened Pandora’s Box here,” said Susan Jane Brown, the attorney who filed the lawsuit and serves as principal at Silvix Resources, a nonprofit environmental law firm.”

If there ever was an environmental reason to make sure Democrats take back Congress this fall, this is it. You likely have never heard of this issue before now, but it’s been used to undue numerous environmental protections across the country.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/26/repub/oregon-lawsuit-could-upend-federal-management-of-public-lands/

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Grants Available:

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Al Bergstein

Up to $9,900 in turned-back grant dollars are being made available to new projects by the North Pacific Coast Marine Resources Committee (NPC MRC). Sponsors of past and current NPC MRC projects are invited to apply as well. Projects must promote marine stewardship, restoration and citizen engagement focused on the resources and communities of the North Olympic Peninsula’s Pacific Coast. Please see the attached application or contact me for more information. The deadline is July 17, 2026 by email to tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us. Proposals will be ranked by the NPC MRC at its regular meeting on July 21, 2026, 4-6pm.

For more information, see this file:

NPC MRC 2026 MIni Grant Round Request for ProposalsDownload

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Solar generated more power than coal for the first time in US history

Posted on June 20, 2026 by Al Bergstein

This posted today from the great website Chartr. If you don’t subscribe to it you should. There is nothing that Trump can do to bring back coal, it’s on its way out. Gas fired is replacing it, with solar a distant second.

At the same time that the Trump administration is pushing further toward coal power, announcing plans only last week to invest almost $700 million into reviving the industry, a key renewable energy source has just hit a major milestone in the US.

New data from energy think tank Ember, released Wednesday, shows that solar supplied 12.8% of US energy generation in May — marking not only the highest share ever recorded for the clean energy source, but also the first time that solar has generated more monthly energy than coal in the US, which supplied 12.2%.

The figure for May denotes the fourth-lowest monthly share that coal has ever seen, only slightly greater than the all-time low of 11.7% observed for April. From 1984 until 2010, coal was America’s largest source of energy. However, as the fossil fuel continues to fall out of favor, that share has been almost cut in half in the last five years alone.

Meanwhile, demand for renewables like solar has boomed as America’s energy use keeps surging to new highs. On top of surpassing coal last month, solar became the third-largest source of electricity overall in the US, behind natural gas and nuclear, and remains the nation’s fastest-growing power source, per Climate Central.

Even after the Trump administration terminated $7 billion in solar project funding last August, it seems the energy source remains a clear bright spot. Another report released this week from the Solar Energy Industries Association found that the US added 7.8 gigawatts of new solar capacity in the first quarter of 2026 across more than 6 million solar installations nationwide.

https://sherwood.news/world/solar-generated-more-power-than-coal-in-the-us-for-the-first-time-ever/

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New Orca calf seen

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Al Bergstein

More good news:

Center for Whale Research confirms new southern resident orca calf in L Pod
The Center for Whale Research has confirmed the sighting of a new calf, designated L130, among the endangered southern resident killer whales of L Pod.

Filed under: Around the Salish Sea, Endangered Species, Orcas, Puget Sound, Salish Sea | Tagged: , | Comments Off on New Orca calf seen

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