Call for Nominations for Eleanor Stopps Award

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Al Bergstein

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center is seeking nominations for the 2009 Eleanor Stopps Environmental Leadership Award. As someone who knew how hard Eleanor worked in the 1970s and 80s to make Protection Island a protected national treasure. Recieving this is a truly an honor. Here’s the story…

Eleanor Stopps is a powerful advocate for lasting protection of the North Olympic Peninsula environment. In the 1960s and 70s she recognized the need to protect the uniquely important marine environment of the Salish Sea.  With no special political base or powerful financial backers she testified before the Washington State Legislature and the United States Congress and was instrumental in getting legislation and public support for protection of the area.  She was responsible for the establishment of the Protection Island Sanctuary, which was the only refuge created during the Reagan administration. Today, it is a critical link in the preservation of the whole Salish Sea region. 

Since 2005, Eleanor’s example and legacy of citizen leadership in efforts to protect our environment in the North Olympic Peninsula (Jefferson and Clallam Counties) has been recognized through the Environmental Leadership Award.

The Leadership Award is awarded annually to a citizen of the North Olympic Peninsula who has:

  • Led a successful resource conservation effort that benefits the north Olympic Peninsula and its residents directly;
  • Acted as a community catalyst for programs, initiatives or ventures that demonstrate a commitment to the future of the earth and its biodiversity;
  • Become a model for future leaders in business and education; or has been an exemplary citizen or policy maker who has implemented decisions that, though they may entail risks, have helped our communities take the next step towards environmental sustainability.

 

2009 nominations for recognition of citizens on the North Olympic Peninsula who have provided leadership in protection and stewardship for our environment may be made by downloading the nomination form from www.ptmsc.org, info@ptmsc.org or calling (360) 385-5582 and requesting a form.

 

NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL OR BE RECEIVED IN THE PTMSC OFFICES AT FORT WORDEN BY AUGUST 31st, 2009.

 

Winners and runners up will be honored at the PTMSC Stewardship Breakfast at the Fort Worden Commons at 8 a.m. on October 1st, 2009.  Contact JoAnne Heron at jheron@ptmsc.org for questions about the breakfast or the award.

 

Previous winners include:  2005: Katharine Baril, natural resource educator and planner Washington State University;  2006: Anne Murphy, Executive Director, Port Townsend Marine Science Center; 2007: Tom Jay and Sara Mall Johani, artists and environmentalists; 2008: Al Latham, Jefferson County Conservation District Ranger.

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Navy decides not to do sonar training in Puget Sound – Chris Dunagan

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Al Bergstein

Chris Dunagan of the Kitsap Sun uncovers the news that the Navy has apparently decided to not do any more sonar training use in Puget Sound. Good news for our marine wildlife. —-read the whole story and comment if you wish at…http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2009/07/30/some-sonar-questions-are-answered-others-remain/

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The Navy has decided not to conduct training exercises involving sonar within Puget Sound. That information was revealed in a proposed incidental take permit for the Northwest Training Range Complex, now subject to public review under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. See my story in today’s Kitsap Sun.

While this decision no doubt will be a good thing for area marine mammal populations, I’m still a bit confused about the extent to which sonar may be used in non-training conditions.

Use of sonar in the testing of equipment and new technologies will come under a separate take permit for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, based at Keyport.

But, according to a statement I received from the Navy, that still leaves open the use of sonar for “safety and navigation,” “testing,” and “maintenance.”

As I understand the process, if the Navy were to harm marine mammals in one of these procedures without obtaining a take permit in advance, the Navy would be in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

more at the link above…

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