Rescue tug called on to assist disabled tanker – 12/3

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Happily, another non news item, for now! But this does show that our tax dollars are helping fund ships that leave and transit Canadian waters. It would seem that the Canadians ought to be helping pay for this tug, given that the tug did not originate in our waters.

State-funded tug  helped tanker off Washington coast – From D.O.Ecology

OLYMPIA – The state-funded emergency response tug stationed at Neah Bay was ready to respond to the aid of a 500-foot chemical tanker that lost power Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, off of the Washington coast.

The tug named Hunter was dispatched Wednesday night to assist the Ginga Falcon, a chemical product tanker operating under a Panamanian flag. The tanker was sailing from Vancouver, B.C., to San Francisco.

The Ginga Falcon was carrying paraffin wax, caustic soda (a highly corrosive industrial chemical) and ethylene glycol (a toxic liquid used in antifreeze and deicing solutions). A photograph of the Ginga Falcon can be found here: http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?MMSI=356463000

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) was notified of the situation yesterday afternoon when the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) requested the Hunter be placed on standby for the incident.

At the time of the Coast Guard request, the response tug had already left its Neah Bay berth as a precautionary measure. Ecology then directed the tug to proceed toward the disabled tanker.

The Ginga Falcon can carry up to 20,000 tons of cargo. However, it was unclear how much cargo and fuel was onboard at the time of the incident.

The tanker was about 45 miles off of Washington’s coast when a pipe ruptured on a boiler that heats the ship’s engine fuel. After several hours without power, the crew was able to repair the pipe and restore the ship’s propulsion. The tanker then resumed its journey to San Francisco at about 8:30 p.m. The response tug proceeded back to Neah Bay.

An emergency response tug is stationed at Neah Bay year-round to respond to shipping incidents that pose a pollution threat to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Washington’s outer coast. Crowley Maritime holds the emergency response tug contract through June 2010.

“This incident involving an outbound tanker from a Canadian port and the Nov 19, 2009, grounding of the 800-foot cargo ship Hebei Lion in Canadian waters less than 10 miles from Washington’s San Juan islands once again demonstrates how connected and potentially vulnerable our shared waters are,” said Ecology Spills Program Manager Dale Jensen. “A major oil or chemical spill has the potential to seriously damage Washington’s economy, environment and quality of life. This is why we maintain a 24/7, 365-day-a-year response capability.”

In March 2009, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill passed by the state Legislature requiring Washington’s maritime industry to fund and operate a tug year-round at Neah Bay beginning July 1, 2010. Jensen said the legislation also directs Ecology to encourage Canadian shipping also to help pay for the system.

Since 1999, a state-funded emergency response tug has been called out 43 times to help vessels in distress.

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Monday 12/7- Sierra Club – North Olympic Group meeting in P.A.

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Al Bergstein

This month’s Sierra Club – North Olympic Group meeting will take place:
Monday    December 7th     6:30pm
Sons of Norway Olympic Lodge,  131 West 5th Street,  Port Angeles, WA

This month’s presentation will be from Harley Oien of the Dry Creek Coalition.  His presentation will focus on how the old portion of the Port Angeles city dump is leaching toxins and garbage into the strait, causing serious damage to the near shore ecosystem. Harley will explain what’s happening and what needs to be done to stop the pollution.

In addition, Sierra Club’s North Olympic Conservation Committee member Norm Baker will discuss efforts to create marine protected areas to aid in Rock Fish recovery.

Information on current Sierra Club North Olympic Group priorities and campaigns and how you can get involved will be available, as well as information about future Sierra Club Outings on the Olympic Peninsula.

Questions, please contact North Olympic Conservation Committee Chair, Josey Paul at  <mailto:joseypaul AT starband.net> joseypaul AT starband.net or by phone at (360) 928-0116

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Southern Resident Pod returns to Puget Sound and environs

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Al Bergstein

From our friends at WhaleWatch :Southern Residents have returned to the Salish Sea! Orcas reported off Victoria yesterday afternoon, and off the N. Kitsap Peninsula and SW Whidbey Island today have been confirmed to be members of K and L pods. Also, a Gray whale has been hanging around Bremerton the past two days.

The rest of the story at:   http://orcanetwork.org/sightings/map.html

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Fighting to save the Rockfish – Your input needed!

Posted on November 28, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Want to take action to help save our dwindling population of rockfish? Send in your comments on the EIS to the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. They have extended the comment period to January 17th, 2010. My thanks to Norm Baker for forwarding this along. People For Puget Sound, Sierra Club, and many others will be taking a stand on this issue. Here’s the facts…

Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation Plan (PSRCP).

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish Program.

Natural Resources Building, 6th floor, 1111 Washington St. SE. Olympia, WA98501-1091

 

Date Issued. The DEIS is available for review and download beginning October 19, 2009 at http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hab/sepa/sepa.htm.

Mail comments. Theresa A. Eturaspe; SEPA/NEPA Coordinator, 600 capital way north, Olympia WA 98501-1091. E-mail comments to SEPA desk2@dfw.wa.gov or through the WDFW SEPA website comment link at http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hab/sepa/sepa.htm or fax to (360)902-2946. Make sure the title to your comments includes “Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation Plan DEIS”.  The comment period has been extended from Nov. 19th through to Jan 4th, 2010.

Date of Final Action Plan. The final environmental impact statement will be released in 2010.

Future phase: Agency actions are anticipated as detailed regulations are developed for specific water basins. The plan applies to the entire Salish Sea (i.e. Puget Sound, Straits of Juan De Fuca, San Juan Islands and Hood Canal) north to the US-Canadian border and west to the mouth of the Sekiu River. Due to oceanographic, biological, bathymetric and geographical differences, the area of the plan is broadly divided into North Puget Sound and the South Puget Sound.

Plan Support. Environmental groups need to show strong support for the Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation Plan and the creation of a network of marine reserves. No actual marine reserves are proposed in the PSRCP plan. The Coastal Conservation Association, representing recreational fishermen, is aware of the benefits of marine reserves but is taking a cautious but positive proactive approach. Due to the enormity of the problem, many environmental organizations are starting to partner as PACs for legislative reform of our fisheries management. Implementing marine reserves, amongst other issues, is believed by fisheries scientists to be absolutely essential to fisheries management reform and ecosystem restoration.

Purpose of the PSRCP. Restore and protect Puget Sound Rockfish populations, ecosystem and provide opportunities for sustainable fishing. Four alternatives are being considered. Alternative 1 will provide the greatest in-depth benefits to all rockfish species. However, the WDFW PSRCP prefers a mix of the four alternatives based on the professional judgment of the fisheries biologists. Of the 15 elements reviewed for potential impact on the environment, the most significant is that recreational fishing opportunities could be reduced or severely modified apparently on a case by case implementation of each marine reserve. There is no mention of any impact or curtailment of commercial or tribal fishing and this is a significant and serious criticism. Thirty two endangered or threatened species endemic to Puget Sound are listed with known food web interactions with rockfish species. Sixteen of the endangered or threatened species are Rockfish species (Sebastes spp.). Currently, 47 species are listed as endangered or threatened for the Salish Sea. Currently, Washington has 62 endangered or threatened species state-wide.

 

Governing Environment. Implementing this plan will be difficult because of the number of governing agencies – ten in all. Each marine reserve proposed in the future will be accomplished on a case by case basis asking for public input and support.

 

Rockfish Biology. In Puget Sound, there are 28 species with very diverse biology’s, habitat requirements, depth requirements and life spans – as short as 5 years but commonly 50 years and up to 200 years.  Some are not sexually mature until they are 20 years old. All rockfish species have live-birth of young and exhibit low reproductive potential and erratic infrequent successful yearly reproduction. Rockfish have swim bladders and suffer extremely high mortality when released after being caught by fishermen. Most are associated with rocky habitats which are relatively few and easily disturbed. These factors make effective management and protection difficult and complex. Artificial reefs made from deconstruction materials have proven very useful for reestablishing rockfish.

 

Management. Traditional fisheries management tools have not helped restore rockfish. Commercial overharvest between 1970 the early 1990’s led to declines in rockfish populations, which have been further impacted by recreational fishing since the early 1990’s. Several forms of commercial fishing are no longer allowed. Currently, ghost nets and derelict gear are killing numbers estimated to be almost twice the recreational harvest. Incidental recreational catch while fishing for other species (salmon, halibut and lingcod) is also a problem. Juvenile rockfish in particular are significantly affected by disruption of aquatic vegetation and armoring shorelines. Due to the large number of rockfish species, the current conservation plan utilizes a “Key Species” concept to simplify management and restoration. Seven representative “key” species are identified in the plan.

Management decisions that impact recreational fishing could be negative and substantial. Season and area closures and gear limits are anticipated. In particular, marine reserves will be a particularly contentious point. Marine reserves are generally defined by the scientific community has “no take” areas of suitable habitat. A common attitude amongst commercial fishermen, recreational fisherman and the tribes is that fish stocks are already depressed and that marine reserves means that they will be losing extremely desirable fishing spots. Consequently, they oppose all marine reserves since livelihoods can be affected. This will be a very difficult problem to circumvent and will quickly become the most polarizing issue that modern fisheries management must face.

Points to be Made Supporting this Plan:

  • Over all, this draft of the EIS for the restoration of rockfish and the Salish Sea is quite sound and is clearly based in solid science. It continues the Washington Department of Fish and wildlife’s tradition of excellence in fisheries management and the implementation of marine reserves. In fact, Sobel and Dahlquist (1) compliment the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on a particularly incisive application of marine reserve science.
  • The EIS is also a significant positive science based step toward resolving a difficult and complicated problem of multi-species fish management in an effort to reestablish sustainable population levels for all species.
  • A review and consensus policy statement by the American Fisheries Society found several species of Salish Sea Rockfish (Sebastes spp.) to be particularly vulnerable.
  • Over harvest, especially commercial over harvest, is the principal cause for decline of rockfish. Current recreational harvest and incidental by-catch of commercial operations has kept populations suppressed.
  • Puget Sound has the distinction of being the second most threatened complement of fish stocks in North America. Only Chesapeake Bay is worse.
  • Current academic treatises on marine reserves (1) and marine conservation biology (2) recommend scientifically designed marine reserves and advocate 20% of the management area be established and regulated as “no take” fishing zones. Washington State currently has 0.02% of its fisheries management area designated as marine and aquatic reserves and those reserves only qualify as small research projects.
  • Total marine reserves on the West Coast currently contain less than 1.5% of ocean waters in protected habitat. Also, only 0.04% of the west coast Exclusive Economic Zone is protected. In contrast, 13% of global land areas are protected as parks, reserves and refugia.
  • Recreational, commercial and tribal fishermen are currently harvesting all fish species and populations endemic to the Salish Sea at less than 1% of historic levels. Hatchery production alleviates that production problem. Marine reserves will restore and help make our fisheries sustainable. Unfortunately, fisheries scientists have also shown that hatcheries contribute to genetic drift and harm wild fish populations. They have also shown that net pen farming harms wild fish populations by acting as centers for parasite dispersal to smolts.
    • Around the world 23 nations have established marine reserves to protect biodiversity, ecosystems, manage important fisheries and restore depleted populations of marine plants and animals. Restoration results are generally outstanding if the reserves are large enough and old enough. In a global review of marine reserves, biomass increased 413%, density increased 200%, fish size increased 82% and species diversity increased 71%. Additionally, the global average increase in fish biomass for many different reserves showed a range of 20% to 800% (1,2).
    • Of all the states with significant marine fisheries, Washington has the smallest and least effective system of marine reserves. Coincidentally, it also has the most severely degraded fish stocks and one of the largest lists of endangered and threatened species.
    • Marine reserves have been shown to be the best, most cost effective, fisheries management technique to combat genetic drift due to overfishing and combat ecosystem degradation.
    • Marine reserves, if well designed, large enough and given sufficient time, nearly always reestablish the natural biodiversity and functioning ecosystems within five to eight years.
    • Many environmental organizations, (for example – Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Wild Fish Conservancy, Coastal Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, People For Puget Sound, American Fisheries Society, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, National Research Council and many others) all have policy and position statements dedicated to marine fisheries reform and the establishment of marine reserves.  Additionally, President Obama established the Interim Report of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force “…in order to meet our nation’s stewardship responsibilities…..”
    • The Ocean Conservancy has published A Scientific Consensus Statement Supporting Marine Reserves where 1900 leading marine scientists and experts advocate more marine reserves and more research.
    • Marine reserves have been shown to be the key to establishing protected areas that allow large old fish to produce more offspring and higher-quality offspring than exist in fishing zones. Those larvae and juveniles have been shown to be the principal source of fish outside the marine reserves.  For example, a 50-pound female halibut can produce about 500,000 eggs, while a female over 250 pounds can produce four million eggs – an increase of 800%. Halibut can grow to nine feet long and weigh from 500 to 700 pounds and the oldest on record was 55 years old. World record is 459 pounds. Clearly, marine reserves create successful trophy fisheries for recreational fishermen.
    • Acceptance of the Marine Reserve concept and the restrictions on recreational, commercial and tribal fishing will require a truly exceptional education and outreach program. The one outlined in the Rockfish Conservation Plan is wholly inadequate. We suggest the Department of Fish and Wildlife, especially the Fish Program, develop a special contact form on their website to secure in-house WDFW speakers for fishing clubs, environmental organizations, and sport shows. Every major sport show should have a speaker discussing marine reserves. That seminar should be preceded by considerable advertising and marketing to marinas, boat dealers, fishing tackle manufacturers, marine trade shows, etc. The speaker should come armed with an amazing amount of information and many successful examples of marine reserves and the benefits to all forms of fishing and fisheries management. This is the only way to effectively inform the public at large about the benefits of marine reserves as a necessary step toward sustainable fisheries.
    • The plan makes no mention of curtailing commercial or tribal harvest of any fish species that incidentally takes rockfish. To gain acceptance of this plan amongst the fishing community and have a positive impact on Puget Sound rockfish, curtailment of commercial and the tribal catch must be discussed in the revised plan. We suggest that strong provisions be added to the conservation plan that discuss selective harvest measures for tribal and commercial fishermen. Selective harvest should be aimed at hatchery fish while catch and release is applied to wild fish. Recreational fishermen would be far more receptive to the idea of marine reserves if they knew closures and restrictions impacted all fishermen more or less equally.
    • Marine reserves have a revolutionary potential that is becoming a mainstream fisheries management tool. Sustainable fishing cannot be accomplished without the ecosystem based management that marine reserves offer. Consequently, the goals of fisheries management and environmental conservation have become one and the same.

 

 

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Sea Turtle in Puget Sound?

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Seems as though there may have been a sighting of what looked like a sea turtle. Does anyone know if there has ever been a sea turtle sighted in the Sound? Seems too small to have been an Orca, unless they all were mistaking the size. Maybe a seal?
—————–
Reported on Orca Sighting Network: “Yesterday, Monday, November 23, about 2:30 pm, two sets of my neighbors said they saw a large sea turtle heading slowly northward in Eld Inlet near the north end of Cooper Point (Olympia, WA).”

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Update on Canadian Tanker Grounding

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Exclusive to the Olympic Peninsula Environmental News: SUNDAY NIGHT 11/22 Update

The Canadian Gulf Islands and the U.S. San Juans dodged a bullet over the last two days, as the Canadian Coast Guard and others refloated a 794′ freighter that had run aground on Mayne Island, at Plumper Sound in the Strait of Georgia. Apparently no oil was spilled, though the freighter could have been carrying as much as 1.2 million gallons of heavy oil. The freigher apparently drug anchor during the storm, and ended up on “the reef” for as long as an entire night. Early reports stated  that may the ship may have  punctured it’s bottom, though the limited reports now out there are unclear on that issue. It was refloated Friday by the Canadians. Washington State oil spill response teams were shifted into action, according to  Dave Beyers of the Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program for the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Five sites in the San Juans that have been prepositioned by the state program were alerted,with staff and volunteers standing by. Since the freigher was righted and  assessments made relatively quickly, there was no moves to move additional equipment in from other, further counties, but it could have been if conditions warranted it, according to Mr. Beyers. (these spill prevention units are trailers that can be easily hauled around by truck or van.)

The 1.2 million gallons of potential fuel would have been a ‘disaster’, said Beyers, equivelent to 1/10th the oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez, but easily the largest spill ever seen in these waters. There was no readily available ‘rescue’ tug, as the Canadians rely on a loose coalition of independent tugs that would have to be called out to respond, based on availability. The tug at Neah Bay, paid for by Washington tax payers, is the only response tug on the Straits or the greater Salish Sea, composed of Canadian and American Sound waters. However there has been a Transboundary Oil Spill task force in place for a few years, which includes representatives of Washington, B.C., Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, and Idaho. Mr. Beyers said that the work, “paid off, in that we were in much greater communication, faster, because of these efforts.”

A report in the Gulf Islands Driftwood on Friday, the freighter ended up on “the reef, overnight” (meaning Thursday to Friday), “the call from a ashore at 9:53 PM” and the Hebel Lion called back “saying it was aground  at 10:12”.  It apparently went aground, “at low water with a rising tide” which may have been the saving grace of the incident. As the article states: “Industrial use of Plumper Sound, near Mayne, Pender and Saturna islands, has been an issue of concern for the Islands Trust. Trust Council passed a Dec. 6, 2007 motion expressing its opposition to offloading of industrial freight, specifically gypsum, in that area.”

Just a month ago, many of the key players in the U.S. and Washington State efforts met at the Jamestown S’Klallam tribal conference center on the Straits of Juan de Fuca, and discussed current state of the art oil spill prevention issues, along with questions on what more needs to be done to protect the Salish Sea. Members of the Puget Sound Partnership Straits Working Group, including this reporter representing People For Puget Sound, were present. The efforts to properly protect our waters is still a work in progress, and we were extremely lucky this time, it appears.

There is a background story worth noting here. The Canadians are planning to run a pipeline from central Canada to pump the ‘tar sands’ dirty oil to ports in B.C., where they would then transship it to China (so much for using this oil for North America).  There is opposition growing in B.C. to this proposal and it would be very inconvenient to upset the population at this point with a story such as this. There has been some comment already on Canadian blogs.  And it strikes me odd that no news sources other than this one and the State DOE have had anything to say about it. More to come this week, as I get feedback from others on this story.

For more on this story, contact Al Bergstein in Port Townsend. Email al at mountainstoneconsulting dot com. Replace at with @ and dot with .

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Olyopen.net now on iPhone!

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Check out our new look on your iPhone! Nothing to do on your part but go to our web site, and see the posts as they should be shown! Your Olympic Peninsula Environmental News as you want it, easy to read, and convenient.

Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Under Water, Old Nets Are Silent Killers – Kitsap Sun

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Al Bergstein

11/13 Kitsap Sun
Under Water, Old Nets Are Silent Killers
By Tara Garcia Mathewson

KINGSTON —
An old gill net covers the seafloor like a blanket. Small forage fish swim through its holes untouched — but a baby seal is not so lucky. When Jim Norberg and Jake Johnston dive down from the Twila Dawn to recover the lost net, they find the seal, dead and still bleeding.

Casualties like this are far too common throughout the Puget Sound because of gill nets that keep fishing long after boats have lost them. Norberg and Johnston are part of the Northwest Straits Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Program. On Thursday, they dove in Apple Tree Cove off Kingston. They and others have been have been pulling up nets — as well as the sea life they’ve trapped — in the waters of Puget Sound since the end of July.

More at
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/nov/13/under-water-old-nets-are-silent-killers/

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Cocaine, Spices, Hormones Found in Drinking Water and the Sound

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Al Bergstein

It’s worth noting that the article points out that Richard Keil is  working with People For Puget Sound as part of the Sound Citizen  program. P4PS current has a fundraising drive to keep programs like this going. Please join us to support projects like these!

Surprising Ingredients Found in Puget Sound Waters
By David Bois

Scientists working in and around Washington state’s Puget Sound have compiled what sounds like a pretty festive and flavorful shopping list: let’s see, there’s cinnamon, thyme and sage, some vanilla, and chocolate too.

Unfortunately, as reported by National Geographic <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/pf/57849969.html&gt; , this is not a shopping list, but the results of water quality analysis from Puget Sound water samples, and the mechanism for how these items found their way into regional waters is, shall we say, not terribly appetizing.

Richard Keil is a professor of oceanography at the University of Washington and heads up the People for Puget Sound’s Sound Citizen program <http://www.pugetsound.org/act/citizen> that focuses effort on understanding how what we do on land has an effect on our water resources. Among the things we do on land are eat, drink and use the facilities, which leads us back to Keil and group’s recent discoveries.

More at
http://www.tonic.com/article/surprising-ingredients-found-puget-sound-waters/

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Volunteers needed – Conservation/Environmental seat for the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Al Bergstein

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Notice and request for applications. Availability of Conservation/Environmental seat for the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council DATES: Applications are due by November 27, 2009

The ONMS is seeking applications for the following vacant seat on the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: The Conservation/Environmental seat. ONMS is seeking both a primary member and an alternate for this seat. The selected applicants will serve out the remainder of the current terms which expire December 31, 2011. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 3year terms, pursuant to the council’s Charter.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Sanctuary Advisory Council members and alternates serve three year terms, unless the member and alternate are selected to fill unexpired terms. In that case, the member and alternate will serve out the remaining time on the unexpired term. The Advisory Council meets bimonthly in public sessions in communities in and around the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council was established in December 1998 to assure continued public participation in the management of the sanctuary. Serving in a volunteer capacity, the advisory council’s 15 voting members represent a variety of local user groups, as well as the general public. In addition, five Federal Government agencies and one federally funded program serve as non voting, ex officio members. Since its establishment, the advisory council has played a vital role in advising the sanctuary and NOAA on critical issues. In addition to providing advice on management issues facing the Sanctuary, the Council members serve as a communication bridge between constituents and the Sanctuary staff.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Andrew Palmer, 115 E. Railroad Ave., Suite 301, Port Angeles, WA 98362, email Andrew.palmer@noaa.gov.

 

 

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Nanoparticles found in oyster livers

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Al Bergstein

For the first time, research shows that nanoparticles called fullerenes are filtered out of water by oysters and taken up by their liver cells. The particles accumulated in special cell compartments and affected the cells’ ability to regenerate and process nutrients. Adult oysters, embryos and liver cells that were exposed to moderate levels of the carbon-based nanoparticles were all sensitive to the fullerenes, possibly more than other aquatic animals tested to date.

Editor- The debate on the safety of nanoparticles, generated by the nascent nanotechnology industry, is of great concern to many scientists. As this technology expands, it’s effects on human and animal life is unknown, other than a few studies like this. The next step is to get the shellfish industry to test their products for possible exposure to these particles, and if necessary, call for an outright ban on them around the Sound.

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/oysters-sensitive-to-fullerene-nanoparticles/

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Rescue tug assists fishing grounded fishing boat

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Al Bergstein

I think this would have been an amazing experience. The winds were howling here at my home in Port Townsend, at least 40 MPH, and I’m sure higher in the Straits.

—————————–State-funded tug protects coast during overnight response

10/4 Ecology news release on tug assist at Strait of Juan de Fuca

OLYMPIA – The state-funded emergency tug responded overnight to a 100-foot fishing vessel that ran aground near Neah Bay.

The tug Hunter arrived on scene to assist the Misty Dawn which grounded itself at Baada Point near the southern entrance to Neah Bay. The Hunter checked the area but didn’t detect any fuel spilled to the water.

After the Misty Dawn crew verified its vessel’s steel hull was still intact and transferred fuel to other tanks to minimize any risk of a spill, the Hunter crew used a line to help pull the boat back into deeper waters. The Misty Dawn returned to port in Neah Bay after the incident.

The Misty Dawn had the potential to carry 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel although it is unclear exactly how much was onboard at the time of the grounding.

The Washington Department of Ecology received calls shortly after midnight Oct. 4 and coordinated response with the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard issued a captain-of-the-port order requiring the Misty Dawn prove its seaworthiness before it can leave the port.

A tug is now stationed at Neah Bay year-round to respond to incidents that pose a pollution threat to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Washington’s outer coast. Crowley Maritime holds the emergency response tug contract through June 2010.

In March, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill passed by the state legislature to require the maritime industry to fund a tug year-round at Neah Bay for situations like these. Previously, the state paid for a tug to be stationed there during in the winter months only.

This is the 43rd time a state-funded tug has been called out to a vessel in distress.

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Event -Sierra Club—North Olympic Group Meeting

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Al Bergstein

This month’s Sierra Club – North Olympic Group meeting will take place on Monday, December 7th at 6:30pm at the Sons of Norway Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles.  The meeting will include information on current North Olympic Group priorities and campaigns and how you can get involved.  We will also have information about future Sierra Club Outings on the Olympic Peninsula.  

There are two presentations this month:  Harley Oien of the Dry Creek Coalition.  His presentation will focus on how the old portion of the Port Angeles city dump is leaching toxins and garbage into the strait, causing serious damage to the near shore ecosystem. Harley will explain what’s happening and what needs to be done to stop the pollution.  In addition, North Olympic Conservation Committee member Norm Baker will be discussing efforts to create marine protected areas to aid in Rock Fish recovery.

WHERE:  Sons of Norway, Olympic Lodge (131 West 5th Street – Port Angeles, WA)

WHEN:  Monday, December 7th—6:30pm

Questions, please contact North Olympic Conservation Committee Chair, Josey Paul at joseypaul@starband.net or by phone at (360) 928-0116. 

 

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KUOW story on coastal Algae bloom

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Al Bergstein

KUOW did a short piece on the coastal algae bloom problem. Only issue that they might have changed in the coverage could have been that the lack of dead birds now might not be from the algae being less dangerous, but from the fact that the birds might all be dead!
http://kuow.org/program.php?id=18818

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Razor clam closure would be costly – AP story in News Tribune

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Al Bergstein

11/17 Associated Press–Study: Razor clam closure would be costly
THE NEWS TRIBUNE

A yearlong closure of recreational razor clam digging would result in as much as $22 million in lost revenue to counties on the Washington coast, says a study by NOAA and the University of Washington.

The razor clam season runs from October through May. But occasionally it is closed due to algae blooms that produce domoic acid, which makes the clams and other shellfish toxic. Eating the shellfish can make people sick and, in rare cases, result in death.

Dan Ayers, a biologist with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, says the fishery is critical for many coastal businesses to survive during the offseason for tourism. The study estimates that on prime digging days, up to 30,000 people may head for the beaches.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/957737.html

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Third new calf this year born to resident orca pod!

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Al Bergstein

From the Center for Whale Research — New calf J46 – named “Star”

A Star is born! On November 11, 2009 a brand new baby whale was seen in J pod swimming next to its mother at mid-day near the west side of San Juan Island. A few hours later at sunset the new baby and its extended family swam past the Victoria, BC waterfront before turning back toward Admiralty Inlet and Puget Sound for the night. On the 12th and 13th of November the new baby and family traveled extensively near Seattle, WA where they were received with great media excitement; and, on the 14th of November they were back near Victoria, BC. This family tour of the endangered whales’ core habitat with a new baby seemed to be like “showing off” for a well- wishing crowd of humans that swarm the shores and waters watching them, but really they were looking for food – salmon. Puget Sound Chum salmon are in season for the whales’ diet in early winter, but Chinook salmon are their mainstay diet year-round throughout their range, and they too are endangered. For more on this story, go to:

http://www.whaleresearch.com/encounter_pages/News_calves_2009.html

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Warning issued on cannisters on beaches

Posted on November 11, 2009 by Al Bergstein

From Chris Dunagan’s blog site, Watching our Waterways. Also link to original info at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/incidents/ocean_shores/ocean_shores.html

 

Washington departments of Ecology and Agriculture are reissuing a warning that first came out in March of 2008 regarding metal canisters washing up on ocean beaches.

Canisters found on ocean beaches may contain dangerous aluminum phosphide.
Department of Ecology photo

The canisters are the type that often contain aluminum phosphide, a chemical that turns into poisonous phospine gas when exposed to moisture. This gas is commonly used to kill insects and other pests on cargo ships.

The problem comes about if someone finds one of these canisters with the lid still on. If the person then opens the canister, he or she may breathe the residual phosphine gas.

I’m not sure anyone can predict potential exposures, because it would depend on the amount of aluminum phosphide or phosphine in the canister. But I found the following info in medical management guidelines issued by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:

“Phosphine is a respiratory tract irritant that attacks primarily the cardiovascular and respiratory systems causing peripheral vascular collapse, cardiac arrest and failure, and pulmonary edema.”

In other words, this stuff is nothing to mess around with. Lots of folks walk the ocean beaches in winter. If you find a canister like this, keep the lid on and alert authorities.

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Early Warning! Environmental Lobbying Day 2010

Posted on November 11, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Environmental Priorities Lobby Day 2010

What Activism Featured
When Jan 26, 2010
from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm
Where United Churches of Olympia, 110 East 11th Ave.
Contact Name Rein Attemann
Contact Email rattemann@pugetsound.org
Contact Phone (206) 382-7007
Add event to calendar vCal (Windows, Linux)
iCal (Mac OS X)

Jan 26 Annual citizen lobby day in Olympia advocating for major conservation legislation

Come to Olympia and speak out for a clean and healthy Washington.

Join hundreds of citizen lobbyists for a day learning about the major conservation issues before the state legislature and learning how to lobby your elected representative– and make a difference!

Citizen Lobby Day features guest speakers, training workshops, appointments with legislators, snacks and lunch, and a post-Lobby Day reception.

Transportation by bus and carpools.

Registration details will be posted in December.

For information, go to the Environmental Priorities Coalition website or contact Rein Attemann, (206) 382-7007.

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Ted Sturdevant named new WA State Ecology director

Posted on November 10, 2009 by Al Bergstein

I must say that $141k does not seem to be ‘excessive’ for running a huge organization such as Ecology.

11/9 Associated Press
Ted Sturdevant named new Ecology director
by Associated Press

OLYMPIA (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire has named Ted Sturdevant as director of the Washington state Department of Ecology.

Sturdevant, who was the agency’s director of governmental relations, replaces Jay Manning, who recently become Gregoire’s chief of staff.

Sturdevant’s appointment was announced and took effect Monday.

Before joining the Ecology Department in 2003, Sturdevant led former Gov. Gary Locke’s external affairs team. He also has worked for lawmakers in Oregon.

Sturdevant’s salary will be $141,549 a year.

http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/ted_sturdevant_named_new_ecology_director/

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Comments needed on Brinnon Black Point development EIS

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Al Bergstein

So you now have a chance to comment on the proposed EIS for the Brinnon Black Point EIS. Having visited the site, I can tell you from first hand knowledge that the beautiful and somewhat wild site would be lost forever under the development plans to turn this into Ludlow South. Given the nature of salmon recovery along this wild shore, (the south side of the peninsula in particular is covered with huge beautiful second growth trees), it seems insane to allow it to be clearcut and developed. Also given the economy, and the failing of development efforts like this world wide right now, that the worse case would be to see the development start and clear the peninsula, only to run out of money to actually complete anything. That, my friends, is a very likely scenario. They already have made it public that they need additional funding to get this done. Their original glowing optimistic forecast has not panned out.

Send comments to:

Al Scalf

Jefferson CDCD

621 Sheridan

Port Townsend, WA 98368

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