EVENT: WWU Lecture on Fossil Fuel Pollution in Puget Sound

Event: Mining Risks to the Salmon Watersheds of Northwestern North America

A Speaker Series: Toxicology and Societies
The Impacts of Chemicals in Our Lives

Thursday, October 5, 2023  |  11:00am to 12:00pm PT on Zoom
In northwestern North America, a new rush of mining exploration and production is underway. The valuable mineral reserves in this region underlie watersheds that support critical water resources and cultural keystone species such as Pacific salmon. The scale of current-day mines dwarfs many historical mines. And, despite improvements to modern-day governance processes, we still witness mining operations causing harm to salmonid-bearing watersheds. This presentation will describe the basics of industrial-scale mining operations, the ecology of salmonid-bearing watersheds, and the negative impacts that metal and coal mining can have on salmonids and their habitat. This information can be applied to four key scientific questions intended to promote transparent discussions of whether the risk and uncertainty of mining impacts are sufficiently considered in governance processes.  More information about the speaker series is available, as are all past Toxicology and Societies recordings.
Brought to you by:
Institute of Environmental Toxicology and ChemistryWWU Alumni Office

Register here:
Mining Risks to the Salmon Watersheds of Northwestern North America | The Foundation for WWU & Alumni | Western Washington University
Chris Sergeant – Speaker
Chris Sergeant is an applied watershed scientist working where freshwaters, fish, and people converge. He grew up in Des Moines, Washington, and currently lives in Seattle working remotely as a research scientist with the Flathead Lake Biological Station. Chris is also an Affiliate Instructor with the University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. Before moving back to Seattle with his family in late 2020, he enjoyed living 10 years in Juneau, Alaska, which had a huge influence on his perspectives on life and science. Chris studies mining impacts to freshwater ecosystems, climate change implications for Pacific salmon, best practices for developing long-term ecological monitoring plans, and the governance of transboundary watersheds. Chris received his BS and MS from the University of Washington and his PhD from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. 
Questions & Accommodations
Contact the WWU Alumni Office for this event by calling (360) 650-3353 or emailing Alumni@wwu.edu. There will be auto-captions available for this event. 

EVENT: Meet Lorna Smith Commissioner Dept of Fish & Wildlife Sept 21 online

Well worth an hour to hear from a key State Commissioner. Click anywhere on the photo below to be taken to the signup page. The RSVP link does not work in the image.

Pat Neal again denounces fish restoration projects.

The Peninsula Daily News mentions that the Kiwana’s of Port Angeles invited fishing guide, columnist and long time “salmon restoration industry” critic Pat Neal to speak at their recent meeting. We have long documented Neal’s rants against any and all efforts to restore the rivers he claims to love.

Neal blames virtually all parties, the Federal government, State government, and Local Governments for spending millions of dollars and having nothing (in his mind) to show for it. The article says that he ended by saying the Tribes should be running fish restoration, as if they haven’t been for decades. He clearly has been out of touch with what has been happening all around him.

Having done volunteer environmental work on the Peninsula for 20 years, along with producing films for the Jamestown S’Klallam and my film “Voices of the Strait” in 2010 for the Puget Sound Partnership, which was a documentary on the “old timers” that grew up fishing and hunting here, I can state that what Neal conveniently leaves out, is as important as what he says.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Clallam-Bay-Roads-1920s-734x1024.jpg
1930s roads in Clallam Bay

First off, Neal does not seem to understand that the efforts of restoration will take far longer and far more than the little we have already done. Why? Because we are dealing with 150 years of rampant exploitation of the Peninsula and it’s environment by a variety of people and companies operating with a worldview of “unlimited resources.” They were people of a very different time, legal framework and perspective.

Logging companies commercially cut over 95% of the old growth timber here. While doing that, they destroyed the 12,000 year old forest floors right down to the streambeds. A recovery from this destruction will take over another 100 years, if ever. This ecosystem was where the salmon (and numerous other unique species) thrived. They couldn’t and can’t live without it. There is no “blame” here, these people did not have a scientific understanding of how the ecosystem worked. They simply thought there was so much abundance, it could never end. The last “one log” truck went out on this peninsula as late as the early 1970s, while the Congress allowed raw logs to go out to Japan without using our sawmills. I watched as the ships were loaded with giant cedar and fir. Who profited from those decisions? Yet many still want to blame the Spotted Owl or the Boldt Decision for the end of the logging era and the almost simultaneous collapse of the salmon runs. The Spotted Owl fiasco was an outcome, not a cause. The Boldt Decision simply recognized that our neighbors indeed had “Treaty Rights” and they were going to be asked to help manage a fishery they had historically successfully managed for centuries.

One Log Truck c1960s. Photographer unknown.

Additionally, well meaning farmers gutted the rivers for irrigation, especially in the Sequim/Dungeness basin. One long time fisherman named Vince Cameron I interviewed for “Voices of the Strait”, told me that as a young boy, growing up on the Dungeness, he witnessed a tractor come into the river and cut a channel to create an irrigation ditch, during the middle of a salmon run, stranding thousands of fish as they moved upstream to spawn. He also discussed that channelizing the river, to end the flooding of the valley, created a high pressure hose effect, essentially scouring the banks where the salmon spawned.

Vince Cameron on the Dungeness River. Photo by Al Bergstein

The reversal of this entire mess has taken hundreds of millions of dollars, decades of the efforts of the Jamestown S’Klallam and the collaborative work of the Dungeness River Management Team, which included the Tribes, fishermen, hunters and farmers. It has been a successful effort. But it will likely take many more decades before we see significant numbers of salmon, especially the runs of Chinook. Neal would apparently rather sit on the sidelines and complain than take part in these efforts.

Another old timer told me that once the Hood Canal Floating Bridge came in, he noticed that the fishing in Hood Canal seemed to collapse. Since that comment to me, we have scientifically found out he was right, that the bridge is contributing to deaths of millions of fry on their way out to sea. Efforts to understand how we can keep the bridge and yet make it safe for salmon fry are ongoing.

Alexandra Morton in Canada scientifically proved that net pens were contributing to sea lice that were killing and weakening salmon as they passed by on their way to the sea. I witnessed the PR people employed by major aquaculture companies we all love here in Puget Sound, denounce her and her work over and over again. She was finally, after decades of work, successful in getting the Canadian Government to remove these farms. The runs this year, the first year that returns came back having not passed the farms, were spectacular. The people who denounced her have continued to be members of influential committees here on the Peninsula and continue to denounce efforts to reign in their ongoing takeover of our beaches.

We also have witnessed extensive construction of homes and businesses along the banks of salmon streams, destroying the natural habitat for a mixture of concrete and lawns. The reversal of that is taking decades as homes are bought out, removed and flood plains put back in place. Flood plains are the “lungs” of the river, and our destruction of them was incredibly bad news for salmon. Now we are on a path to restoration with best available science helping guide decisions being made by large groups of representatives from our cities, counties and environmental organizations.

I interviewed men who ran sports fishing boats out of Sekiu and other places. Herb Balch told me how he and other sports fishing fleet owners begged the Department of Fisheries to put limits on the salmon fishing during the 50s and 60s because they felt it was wasting the resource. He mentioned to me he would take out a boat of Boeing executives who would want to fish the “limit” and would come back with a boat of 30 to 50 fish. The customers might take one or two leaving him needing to gut and give away the rest. He could never find high school kids to be ready to do the work and in disgust, would dump the remaining fish over the side. This went on, day in and day out during fishing season.

Herb Balch, photo by Al Bergstein

Dick Goin, the late long time fisherman who was the spark for removing the Elwha dam, also documented the dramatic decline in salmon from the 1930s, when he arrived, to when he ended his fishing career. I have a copy of his legendary document, “Roll Call of the Lost” if anyone would like to see it.

Dick Goin photo by Al Bergstein

Ray Hunter, who grew up in Dungeness Bay, recalled the day that the boats came in and swept across the bay, dragging nets that destroyed the bottom and brought an end to many of the fisheries that he experienced growing up in the 40s and 50s.

Ray Hunter photo by Al Bergstein

Peter Becker told me of being on fishing boats in the late 70s with the latest fish finders and him and the crews wondering who would catch “the last salmon”.

Peter Becker photo by Al Bergstein

None of these men were environmental radical activists. They were simple fishermen, paper mill workers, truck drivers and businessmen that were appalled by the destruction they watched. They watched the ‘baseline’ as it’s called in science, move, and understood what was happening. From a baseline of virgin forests to a pillaged clear cut, from dozens of dead salmon floating away in the Strait, it was clear to them what was happening. Dick worked hard to reverse it, and the removal of the Elwha Dam and the return of the chinook and other fish to the upper reaches is now being seen. It’s not yet to a place where river guides can make a living, but we are headed that way. Unfortunately, it is not likely to be done in Pat Neal’s lifetime. It just isn’t that simple.


You can watch my film, “Voices of the Strait” on YouTube. Unfortunately, I was requested at the time to keep the running time short, and had to cut many interviews. I’m hoping to return to the film someday and make the running time long enough to include much of what was left “on the cutting room floor”.

You can watch my film, “Working for the River” about the Dungeness recovery efforts, on Vimeo.

September 2023 Events at Fort Flagler

Friends of Fort Flagler

Wednesday, Sept. 6th @ 9:00am 10:30am

Program: River Otter Beach Walk/Talk

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/616275967007Location: East Beach past Wansboro BatteryJoin us to learn about these cute and curious creatures that live throughout the Puget Sound.  We’ll be taking a beach walk on East Beach past the Wansboro Battery and discussing the river otter’s life cycle, behavior and where you might find them.  If we’re lucky, we may even see one!  Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothes and a rain jacket. Presenter: Jennifer Riker has a deep passion and love for the Pacific NW and all the beauty and wildlife that can be found here. She is a social worker that has also volunteered as a mountain steward with the Mt Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest and volunteered at the zoo in Seattle Jennifer loves learning everything she can about her beautiful home and all the wildlife that she is fortunate to co-exist with and continues her education taking many classes at North Cascade Institute on plants, birds, dragonflies and is a naturalist for the Mountaineers.  

Saturday, Sept. 16th @ 9:00am – 1:00pm

Program: International Beach Clean Up – Beach Grass Removal

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/691931254007Location: Lower Campground, upper part of spit next to playground.Join us to help restore our beach to a natural state.  Protecting our beaches includes removing invasive species that are choking out our natural grasses.  Friends of Fort Flagler is organizing an invasive beach grass removal on September 16th from 9am and 1pm. The Park will be giving free day passes to any volunteer who does not have state park passes. Please bring garden or work gloves and come ready to pull grass.  If you have garden hand forks and shovel, please bring as well.Naturalist Lead: Lynn Schwarz For more information about future events, volunteering, members or donations visit: //friendsoffortflagler.org/

Forest Protection Advocates Banner Port Angeles

This morning, Clallam County residents joined forest & climate activists across the PNW in hanging banners calling for forest protection as key to mitigating the worst impacts of climate change.

A local hike in Clallam County took place on Saturday as part of the region-wide Week of Action for Forests & Climate.

On the Anniversary of the 2021 Heat Dome, PNW Communities Mobilize for Massive Week of Forest and Climate Action

PORTLAND, OR – Today, on the two year anniversary of the 2021 Heat Dome, communities throughout the Pacific Northwest are mobilizing a massive week of action to shine a spotlight on the significance of forest defense as climate defense. From the Rogue Valley in southern Oregon, to Bellingham, Washington and out east to the Rockies, communities are holding events to call on elected officials — from the White House and Forest Service to governors and state forestry agencies — to protect PNW forests as a vital strategy to mitigate the worst climate impacts, create jobs restoring lands and waters, and ensure forests and communities thrive for generations to come. The week of action comes just days after Multnomah County filed Multnomah v. Exxon, a bold lawsuit seeking to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for the Heat Dome which caused more than 100 deaths in the state of Oregon.

Brenna Bell, Forest Climate Manager for 350PDX says, “It is beyond time for all levels of government to treat the climate crisis like the emergency it is. I am heartened by Multnomah County’s bold action last week to hold Big Oil accountable for their role in creating the climate crisis. Now, governments need to recognize that Big Timber has also massively profited off clearcutting Oregon’s best defense against climate chaos and act quickly to protect and restore our forests.”

To kick off the week of action, today activists hung 20 banners that called for forest protection over highway overpasses across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana in a coordinated action to highlight the growing grassroots movement to protect forests for climate mitigation. This action coincided with the release of an open letter from more than 30 organizations to the Biden Administration and federal leaders, calling on them to:

Protect federally-managed old-growth and mature forests in the Pacific Northwest as foundational to protecting our communities and a livable climate;

Listen to, resource, and support communities on the frontlines of the climate crises;

Support rural economies by redirecting federal subsidies away from the extractive timber industry and towards sustainable restoration and reforestation jobs;

Start acting like the climate crisis is the emergency that it truly is, and be a bold and decisive leader in protecting both the current and future generations.

“Protecting our remaining mature and old growth forests is crucial to mitigating the climate crisis and creating thriving climate-resilient communities,” says Madeline Cowen, Steering Committee member with the PNW Forest Climate Alliance. “Our forests have tremendous capacity to absorb and store carbon — we must prioritize safeguarding them for community benefit over short-term corporate profit.”

“We’re calling on our elected officials–from the White House and Forest Service to our Governor–to stand with our communities and protect our forests as a core part of meaningful climate action,” says David Perk, of 350 Seattle. “In Washington, we call on the Commissioner of Public Lands to follow through on her commitment to propose and implement an improved policy for the preservation of our remaining mature forests.”

Residents and organizations from around the region see a significant need to raise awareness around the need to protect PNW forests – some of the most carbon-rich in the world – as a key pillar of climate action and connect the dots between destructive logging and catastrophic climate impacts. They believe that these must be managed for community benefit, not to maximize profits for Wall Street corporations and shareholders. The actions will focus on the climate, water, wildfire, biodiversity, and economic impacts if their elected do not act now to protect PNW forests.

Dozens of actions are planned in 18 towns and cities across the PNW.

For the full list of actions visit: forestclimatealliance.org/weekofaction

The PNWFCA is a network of organizations and activists working at the intersection of forest defense and climate justice.

Event: Weaving the Web: Soil, Pollinators and Human Health

Registration:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/606771559067

Join Jill Allison to learn about techniques to create a healthier home garden which include pollinators! This is a virtual event.

Starts on Wednesday, August 2 · 5pm PDT  (Changed from May 20)

Jill will review the effects of pesticides on pollinators, soil and human microbiome and how we as a community can affect change.

Presenter: Jill Allison – Jill has a background in science and medicine which adds to her understanding of the interactions (and the biology and chemistry) relating to the interactions between soil health, pollinator health and human health. Jill has a B.S. in biology, graduate studies in bacteriology and public health and a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoring, preserving, and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park. Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering, or donating to our organization. To learn more, visit https://friendsoffortflagler.org/.

Event: Clamming at Fort Flagler

Program: Clamming at Fort Flagler

Sunday June 18th @ 10 AM. (Changed from June 4th)

Location: Lower Campground – Fort Flagler State Park

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/606796955027

Join the Friends of Fort Flagler to explore and harvest our local clams at the lower campground of Fort Flagler next to the Beachcomber Café.  We will identify local shellfish, discuss the common harvest tools and how to use them, how to read a tide table book and why!  How to care for your catch after harvest and finally a few
suggested ways to prepare them. As Michael Zimmerman said, “It’s a treasure we have in Puget Sound and particularly at Fort Flagler to spend a low tide watching the sea and beach life and the rewards of harvesting your own dinner, fresh from the beaches.  If we do it right, the resource will be there for us, generations to come.”

What should folks bring? (shovel, rake, gloves) #2 shovel-long handle, tined garden scratcher, separate small or medium size bucket (each digger must have their own container), gloves–rubber garden gloves are best but not required, shellfish license if over 16 years old.  For Fishing License in Washington State, the age limit for residents is 16 to 69 years. For Youth, they must be 15 years of age. And For senior citizens, the age limit is 70 and above. There are special reduced-fee licenses for disabled residents and non-resident disabled veterans.  A one or three day license might suffice for some folks if they don’t plan to shellfish again.

PS–ALL nonresidents must have a license regardless of age.

Presenters

Michael Zimmerman was a Washington State Park Ranger for over 40 years.  Michael has a lifelong love for parks and the beach and earned his Bachelor of Science in Fisheries. He helped raise two boys and taught them as well as friends, neighbors and thousands of park visitors how to identify, harvest and prepare all
types of shellfish–clams, oysters, crab, shrimp and even seaweeds. 


Harry Louch was a Washington State Park Ranger for over 30 years.  He has been digging clams his entire life.  He passed the joy of clam digging to his kids, as well as park visitors. Harry found that it “was great fun helping
those new to the sport learn the best harvesting methods and where to look for clams.”

Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoring, preserving, and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park.  Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering or donating to our organization.  To learn more, visit https://friendsoffortflagler.org/.

The Washington State Standard begins publication

A new news web site covering all doings in Olympia has launched. The Washington State Standard. From their “About” page.


If you care about Washington state, you should be reading the Standard. The Washington State Standard is an independent, nonprofit news organization that produces original reporting on policy and politics. We help readers understand how Washington state government works and how decisions made by those in power affect people living and working here. Our stories shed light on how the state is spending tax dollars, implementing laws and carrying out major projects. At election time, you can turn to us for campaign coverage and during the legislative session we’ll have the latest on all the action in Olympia.

We do not shy away from tough stories and we delve into the state’s most critical issues, like housing, homelessness, education, environmental concerns and criminal justice. We Always strive for fairness with our reporting and make sure underrepresented communities have a voice in our coverage. On our Commentary pages you can find thought-provoking opinion articles by writers who are not part of our nonpartisan news reporting staff. 

As a nonprofit, funded by donations, we have no paywalls, no ads and no subscription fees. Thanks for reading!

The Washington State Standard is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Standard retains full editorial independence. Consider a tax-exempt donation to support our work.

Free to Republish

Our articles are available to other outlets under Creative Commons licensing. If you have any questions about republishing, contact us at: info@washingtonstatestandard.com.

Tips, Questions, Comments, Corrections

You can send news tips, feedback and questions to editor, Bill Lucia, via blucia@washingtonstatestandard.com. Please also let us know about errors, clarifications or suggestions for followup stories. We appreciate you taking time to do so.

Commentary Submissions

If you would like to write a guest opinion column, please visit our Commentary Submissions Page.

PT Marine Science Center- ED Bee Redfield resigns, Diane Quinn chosen as replacement

From PTMSC: We are both sad and happy to report some important news about PTMSC. As you may know, Bee Redfield, our executive director, assumed a more limited role in February in order to prepare for her final PhD requirements at Purdue University. While this plan for a temporary hiatus was in place since her hire last spring, Bee more recently made the decision for personal reasons not to return to the ED position and asked the board to seek a replacement. She says, “I am fully dedicated to supporting PTMSC through this transition and beyond. I love PTMSC, the team, and the Port Townsend community, and I am so grateful for the time that I spent with you all.” The board appreciates Bee’s exemplary performance as ED and is grateful for her many accomplishments. And Bee’s achievements are many. Her biggest legacy will probably be what we think will become an iconic landmark in Port Townsend: a gray whale skeleton on Union Wharf which is scheduled to be installed this summer. She also expanded the Future of Oceans lecture series, oversaw new programming at the Flagship Landing building downtown, and strengthened the internal systems of the organization.Upon receiving the news, the board carefully assessed the organization’s evolving needs and prioritized the talents, skills, knowledge, and experience that the ideal ED candidate would bring to the job at this time. They recognized that this talent existed within the organization and were delighted when Diane Quinn, our Program Director of over six years, accepted the position. 
Diane Quinn, PTMSC's new Executive DirectorQuinn brings extensive leadership experience from her two decades at the Burke Museum in Seattle. As Director of Education, she helped to expand the scale, budgets and impacts of school and public programs. She nurtured innumerable community partnerships, contributed to the development of major exhibitions and participated in long-term, new museum planning resulting in a major capital campaign.Quinn’s long relationship with PTMSC started in 1998 when the Burke and PTMSC collaborated on a new exhibit at Fort Worden. She remembers, “In working with Libby Palmer, Judy D’Amore, and Anne Murphy, the founders and founding executive director, it was clear that the organization has a unique role in the local community, that community marine science centers have a critical role in the broader community of practice, and that change for the better happens in communities and in the world through sustained effort and commitment.”Besides her track record of successful regional collaborations, and her pre-existing relationships with many community leaders, Diane has developed a deep mutual trust between herself and the PTMSC staff over the past six years in her role as Program Director. Her comprehensive knowledge of the organization, especially in terms of program and operations, as well as her experience with creative program design and organizational transformation, makes her an ideal fit for the top leadership position at this time in PTMSC’s journey. We are all very excited about the future of PTMSC and thank you for your part in making that future possible.

EVENT: Puget Sound Day on the Hill Livestream! May 9th

Dear Puget Sound recovery community, 

Registration is now open for two Puget Sound Day on the Hill livestream events!


 

Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force – coordination of resources, policies, and programs to support ecosystem and salmon recovery and the protection of treaty rights

May 9, 2023 | 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. PDT

REGISTER HERE

The first livestream event, on May 9, will be a panel discussion about Puget Sound recovery with representatives from federal agencies moderated by Peter Murchie, Puget Sound Geographic Program manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Tentative panelists include:

  • Sara Gonzalez-Rothi, senior director for water, Council on Environmental Quality
  • Zach Penney, senior advisor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Steve Kopecky, deputy chief, Northwest Division Regional Integration Team, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Zach Schafer, senior advisor, Office of Water, EPA
  • Karnig Ohannessian, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for environment and mission readiness

 

Puget Sound Day on the Hill event with Congressional delegation and Admiral Hann

May 10, 2023 | 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. PDT.

REGISTER HERE

The second livestream event, on May 10, will feature members of the Washington Congressional delegation and Admiral Nancy Hann of NOAA’s Commissioned Officer Corps. The livestream will take place from 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. PDT.

Tentative schedule:

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.Rep. Strickland
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.Rep. Larsen
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Admiral Hann
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.Rep. Schrier
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Rep. Jayapal
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.Rep. Kilmer
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.Sen. Murray
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Sen. Cantwell
  

Rep. DelBene will stop by between Rep. Kilmer and Sen. Murray

Please join us for these livestream events to support Puget Sound and salmon recovery and to encourage the good work done by federal agencies and our Congressional delegation. Both events will be recorded and available to view for registered participants.

We hope you’ll join us on May 9 and 10!

EVENT: Heroes of Our Time May 6th

The Northwest Toxic Communities coalition is proud to present our annual Summit 

 “Heroes of Our Time”

Hear the challenges they have faced along the way to success

Saturday May 6  –  9 AM – 3 PMJoin us virtually to celebrate Dr. David Carpenter, public health champion for communities v. Monsanto Attorney Marc Zemel on the Spokane River PCB cleanup against the USEPA Attorney 

Charlie Tebbutt, author and public advocate for cleaning up CAFOs

RSVP here: https://nwtoxiccommunities.org/event/annual-summit-2023-heroes-of-our-time/  (And see an enlarged flyer)

Option:  If the RSVP Google.doc link above does not work for you; email me your name and email address:  darlenes@olympus.net

The URL to the meeting will be released Friday, May 5.

EVENT: NHS hike in Miller Peninsula 4/26

Join the Natural History Society for a hike in Miller Peninsula State Park on Wednesday, April 26. Ken Wilson will lead this 7.7 mile round-trip hike. Please RSVP (and say whether you will drive yourself or carpool), or ask Ken questions:  jltnatural@saveland.org  

If carpooling, meet at Haines Place Park&Ride at 9:15am. We will all meet at 10am at Miller Peninsula State Park parking area, approximately a 30-minute drive as you travel towards Sequim from Port Townsend. Expect to be back at cars by 3pm.

The park is located off highway 101: turn right at Diamond Point Road and travel 1.2 miles, then turn left to the parking area. (There’s just a tiny sign.) Print a trail map in advance, or take a photo of the map in the parking lot. The state’s newest park has a trail through the best old-growth madrone forest we’ve seen, leading to a deserted beach on a shoreline facing Protection Island. We will visit Thompson Spit, known for birding and flowers. The best description of this hike is found in Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula by Craig Romano.

Briefing: Legislative Priorities Lobby Days

From the newly named Washington Conservation Action organization.

Join us at Washington Conservation Action for our first, action-packed virtual briefing of 2023! 

What: Insider Briefing: Legislative Priorities, Lobby Days & our New Brand
When: Friday, February 10th, 1-2PM
How to Join: Via Zoom 

RSVP here to receive Zoom meeting link and login details 

As of January 1st, our former organizations Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters have joined forces to become Washington Conservation Action! We’ll kick off this briefing with a short update from Communications Director Zachary Pullin, who will share the latest about our new name and brand and answer your questions. From that point, we’ll dive right in and provide you with an insider peek on the work at hand.

With the 2023 legislative session in full swing, our Government Affairs Director, Darcy Nonemacher, will talk about our priorities in this long legislative session, how they build on previous environmental wins in the last few sessions and share her insights. Then they’ll provide an overview and sneak peek of Environmental Lobby Days 2023, which will be held on February 14-16th. They’ll share why this annual coming together of activists and advocates concerned about Washington’s environment is so important, provide a preview into the online sessions we’ll be offering, and offer thoughts on why you should get involved. Zachary, Darcy and I are excited to give you the inside scoop, so please join us! 

Kat  
Kat Holmes (she/her) 
Field Director
Washington Conservation Action
Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters are now Washington Conservation Action.

Event: Northern Elephant Seals in the Pacific Northwest virtual program

Northern Elephant Seals in the Pacific Northwest virtual program on January 25th@7pm

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northern-elephant-seals-in-the-pacific-northwest-tickets-483953085707

Please join the Friends of Fort Flagler to learn more about Northern elephant seal natural history and distribution. We will also discuss common causes of stranding in Northern elephant seals, field assessments and our recent hospital cases.

Presenters:

Casey Mclean has over 12 years’ experience working with marine animals, and is the Executive Director of SR3, Washington’s first dedicated marine animal hospital.  SR3 is a nonprofit organization that focuses on response, rehabilitation and research of local marine wildlife. The hospital opened the summer of 2021 and immediately started helping harbor seals. is fall they will be opening a marine animal hospital in the Des Moines marina, just south of Seattle. To learn more about SR3, visit https://www.sealifer3.org/

Michelle Rivard is the veterinarian for SR3.  Dr. Michelle Rivard is an aquatic animal veterinarian focused on clinical medicine, pathology, and health of free-ranging marine mammals. In her role at SR³, Michelle provides medical management and care of stranded aquatic wildlife, performs postmortem examinations, and participates in ongoing research projects.  Michelle attended veterinary school at Michigan State University. 

Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoring, preserving and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park. Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering or donating to our organization. To learn more, visithttps://friendsoffortflagler.org/.

Ken Balcomb walks on

“It is not enough to have compassion. You must act.” Tenzin Gyatso 14th Dalai Lama

Incredibly sad news this morning that Ken Balcomb, the founder and senior scientist of the Center for Whale Research has passed. His influence on the protection of orcas in the Pacific Northwest cannot be underestimated. He was a giant in the world of whale research and environmental protection. While others may choose to work only on restoration, he was involved in restoration and protection. He didn’t just have compassion for the orca. He acted on it. All too few these days are really acting for protection of our natural world. Ken’s life is an example for all of us.

He will be missed.

Rather than write an obit, here is where you can read about his life and career.

kcb | CWR (whaleresearch.com)

What you should know about Industrial Raised Shellfish Aquaculture: An overview

Kristina Sinclair gave a presentation to the Protect the Peninsula’s Future’s (PPF) meeting last night. I share her presentation with you with her permission. The questions that this presentation raises are many. What is the limit to these operations on our beaches? How much of the Sound and Hood Canal do we the people of this State want to see turned into the images in this presentation? Since 2000 the State has engaged in a promotion of commercial geoduck aquaculture for the profit of a small number of companies selling almost entirely to China. Do we want this to continue unabated? Can we expect local state and federal legislators who receive significant political contributions from these businesses to make changes on our behalf? Without considerable public outcry this will continue. Watch this slideshow, look at the map and you make up your mind.


Kristina Sinclair is an Associate Attorney at the Center for Food Safety (CFS), where she focuses on environmental cases challenging industrial agriculture, including commercial shellfish.

Kristina earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. While in law school, Kristina was an Articles Editor for the California Law Review. She also participated in the Environmental Law Clinic, served on the steering committee for Students for Economic and Environmental Justice, and worked as a teaching assistant for Appellate Advocacy. Upon graduation, she received recognition for her pro bono work and a Certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law.

Since joining CFS, Kristina has been working on a lawsuit challenging highly disruptive industrial shellfish operations in Washington. In this case, CFS and Coalition to Protect Puget Sound allege that the U.S. Army Corps (USACE) failed to properly consider the potential risks before reissuing the nationwide permit for commercial shellfish activities in January 2021, in violation of the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. In addition, USACE has authorized over 400 commercial shellfish operations without any public notice or environment review. Consequently, these operations have significant adverse effects on Washington’s local environment and wildlife.  In this presentation Kristina provides an overview of USACE’s shellfish permitting requirements, as well as the ongoing litigation challenging USACE’s unlawful shellfish permitting actions. She also shares some insights from this legal work and potential opportunities for future advocacy.  

  • Background on USACE’s Permitting Requirements
  • History of USACE’s Unlawful Permitting Actions in Washington
  • Previous Case
  • Current Case
  • Future Opportunities

Interactive map of Industrial Shellfish Aquaculture in Puget Sound & Hood Canal.

Below is the PDF of the Slideshow. It is over 4MBs so it might load slow on a slow link.

A Stark Assessment

Photos from around the world by New York Times photographers. Got friends or family who don’t believe Climate Change is real? Send them this set of photos.

Our Changing World: The Climate Crisis in Pictures – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

EVENT: Join Protect the Peninsula’s Future for its 49th Year Celebration (Virtual) 

The PPF has been spearheading environmental challenges to the most difficult problems we have faced: a nuclear power plant on Miller Peninsula, Northern Tier pipeline that would have gone in right off Protection Island, and more recently, the ever-growing industrial shellfish industry and their often illegally permitted farms, as proven in a court case against the Army Corps of Engineers.

Thursday, November 17, 7:00 PM        RSVP to PPF@olympus.net to receive the Zoom connection*

Our featured speaker this year is Kristina Sinclair, Associate Attorney at the Center for Food Safety

Topic: “What You Should Know About Industrial Raised Shellfish

*Space is limited to 100.

Kristina Sinclair is an Associate Attorney at the Center for Food Safety (CFS), where she focuses on environmental cases challenging industrial agriculture, including commercial shellfish.

Kristina earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. While in law school, Kristina was an Articles Editor for the California Law Review. She also participated in the Environmental Law Clinic, served on the steering committee for Students for Economic and Environmental Justice, and worked as a teaching assistant for Appellate Advocacy. Upon graduation, she received recognition for her pro bono work and a Certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law.

Webinar: Since joining CFS, Kristina has been working on a lawsuit challenging highly disruptive industrial shellfish operations in Washington. In this case, CFS and Coalition to Protect Puget Sound allege that the U.S. Army Corps (USACE) failed to properly consider the potential risks before reissuing the nationwide permit for commercial shellfish activities in January 2021, in violation of the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. In addition, USACE has authorized over 400 commercial shellfish operations without any public notice or environment review. Consequently, these operations have significant adverse, effects on Washington’s local environment and wildlife.  In this webinar, Kristina will provide an overview of USACE’s shellfish permitting requirements, as well as the ongoing litigation challenging USACE’s unlawful shellfish permitting actions. She will also share some insights from this legal work and potential opportunities for future advocacy.  

  • Background on USACE’s Permitting Requirements
  • History of USACE’s Unlawful Permitting Actions in Washington
  • Previous Case
  • Current Case
  • Future Opportunities

Event: Birding in the Park: Fort Flagler

Birding and nature tours are now being held on the 4th Saturday of each month. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for changeable weather. bring binoculars and your own water.

Registration: Please send Bev an email, subject: Birdwatching Walk to Bevybirds53@gmail.com and she will plan directly with you. Please note this program is dependent on good weather.

Presenter: Beverly McNeil, Admiralty Audubon trip leader and photographer, has been conducting bird walks at Fort Flagler. Beverly’s photographs are displayed at the Port Townsend Gallery: http://porttownsendgallery.com/artists/beverly-mcneil/.

Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoring, preserving and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park. Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering or donating to our organization. To learn more, visit https://friendsoffortflagler.org/.

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