by Deborah Bach
Apr 16 2013 in Environment by Deborah Bach
Greater protection for Puget Sound’s giant Pacific octopus population is the intent of a range of options approved by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. The four options, developed by the commission in consultation with a 12-member citizen advisory group, range from making no change to current rules to a ban on harvesting octopuses anywhere [...]
by Ben Lee
Apr 13 2013 in Environment, Guest Dock by Ben Lee
Puget Sound’s health relies on all of us to remain mindful of our actions and impacts. Discharge of black water into Puget Sound is one of those actions. But there are rules to follow already (like no dumping of black water within three miles of the shoreline) so another regulatory “stick” like the proposed No [...]
by Deborah Bach
Apr 1 2013 in Currents, Environment by Deborah Bach
The Washington Department of Ecology issued an order on Monday for those responsible for the Helena Star to remove the decrepit, oil-spilling vessel from Tacoma’s Hylebos Waterway. The 176-foot steel vessel and a fishing ship, Golden West, are tangled together at Mason Marine docks at the head of the Hylebos Waterway and both are in deteriorating condition. [...]
by Peter Schrappen
Mar 28 2013 in Environment by Peter Schrappen
Have you been following the desire by the Federal government to increase the amount of ethanol that comprises gasoline? Currently, the blend with the abbreviation “E10″ is what is allowed. That means that at most 10% of your gasoline may contain ethanol, generally made from corn. We haven’t discussed this topic much on this blog, but [...]
by Deborah Bach
Mar 22 2013 in Currents, Environment by Deborah Bach
Washington’s Department of Ecology is considering the introduction of a “no-discharge zone” that would prohibit all boats from pumping sewage overboard in Puget Sound, regardless of whether it is treated or not. Current federal law prohibits pumping untreated sewage overboard in Puget Sound and within three miles offshore. But boats with toilets that use maceration [...]
by Deborah Bach
Mar 21 2013 in Currents, Environment by Deborah Bach
Anacortes-based New World Yacht Builders will construct a new patrol boat for the city’s parks and recreation department as part of a settlement over hazardous waste violations. Under the settlement with the Washington State Department of Ecology, the company will pay Ecology $18,000 and provide $25,000 for the boat project. The 15-foot runabout will be [...]
by Ben Lee
Mar 18 2013 in Environment, Guest Dock by Ben Lee
As issues come to the forefront, the idea of whether or not to create a No Discharge Zone in Puget Sound continues to percolate. Department of Ecology has reached out to many of the stakeholders (Clean Boating Foundation, Clean Marina, WA Boating Alliance) but when it comes to meaningful boater engagement, I’d give the group [...]
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