Press release issued 8/5/21
REF. https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-suspected-death-southern-resident-orca-k-21
"I am saddened to hear the news that one of the 75 remaining endangered Southern Resident orcas, K-21 - a 35-year-old male - was seen this week emaciated and struggling off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The whales have been seen less and less frequently in Puget Sound, their usual summer home, a clear sign that the health of the Puget Sound ecosystem is not improving fast enough.
"K-21’s struggle highlights just how important it is that we all continue to do our part to give these iconic and beloved whales the best chance of survival. The whales need space from boats. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) issued an emergency rule last week requiring commercial whale watching boats to stay a half mile away from K-21, who is now presumed deceased. If you’re boating in Puget Sound, please be Whale Wise and keep your distance to give orcas the opportunity to feed, travel and socialize. Thank you to NOAA for announcing an expansion of the Southern Resident orca critical habitat designation to the coastal waters of Washington, Oregon and California today.
"It is time for big, bold changes in how we look at salmon and orca recovery. The Southern Resident orcas are suffering from multiple threats, including a lack of food, which is primarily Chinook salmon, and as keystone species, the orca and salmon are telling us to do better in protecting our waters. While we have done some transformative work recently, we must do more. The health of our salmon and the Southern Resident orcas are irreversibly intertwined and the recovery of one hinges on the survival of the other.
"Despite progress, too many salmon runs are on the brink of extinction. We have to look at the roles of hatcheries, hydropower, habitat and harvest. It is time for transformative clean water infrastructure for salmon and people, time to make major advancements in salmon habitat, including fixing fish passage barriers, and time to address climate resiliency in all the work we do. This also highlights the critical importance that the Federal Infrastructure package can play in salmon and orca recovery in our state.
"We have a once in a generation opportunity to make a difference so that we do not lose Southern Resident orcas from our state. To be from the Northwest is to know salmon and orca as part of our landscape and our shared heritage – and we must dedicate ourselves to their protection."
Inslee statement on Biden's push to accelerate electric vehicle use.
Press release issued 8. 5.21
Ref. https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-bidens-push-accelerate-electric-vehicle-use
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today in response to the Biden Administration's executive order calling for half of new car sales to be electric vehicles by the end of the decade.
"The Biden administration has taken much-needed actions to meaningfully reduce pollution from cars and trucks. Transportation is our country’s number one source of emissions. We thank President Biden for building from existing efforts between California and auto manufacturers in order to move swiftly.
"As we’ve seen from the devastating droughts and wildfires raging across the West, climate change is already here. We must act boldly and urgently. As federal agencies take next steps, we urge the Biden Administration to enable state leadership by empowering states to accelerate the transition to clean cars and trucks through strong vehicle standards, and to deliver on its commitments of a nationwide build-out of clean vehicle and mass transit infrastructure.
"Washington looks forward to its continued partnership with the Biden Administration, industries and other states to realize our clean energy future."
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES...
What WDSA Does Part 1: How cannabis testing helps ensure proper pesticide use.
Hungry hornet babies – what’s on their menu in the PNW?.
AG Ferguson statement on court order against Johnson & Johnson.
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson offers the following statement on a recent ruling in his lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson:
Innovating Justice Awards: Judge and Technology Integrator Recognized for Tireless Work
August 05, 2021
Wastewater treatment plant operators protect water during pandemic
126 facilities recognized for their outstanding performance.
Initial regular claims increased while continued claims decreased during the week of July 25.
WDFW seeks applicants for ad-hoc coastal steelhead advisory group.
FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DC...
(2) THIS WEEK'S HEADLINE NEWS...
WORLD NEWS:
Displaced Afghans face ‘continued deterioration’ in country.
Myanmar: COVID-19 third wave has hit like a ‘tsunami’, warns WFP.
Hiroshima memorial: UN chief laments slow progress on nuclear-free goal.
COVID-19 vaccine equality, ‘most pressing issue of our times’ – UN chief.
Mali violence threatens country’s survival, warns UN human rights expert.
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Afghanistan--USUN
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Travel to Japan and Thailand.--USUN
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
Remarks by President Biden on Strengthening American Leadership on Clean Cars and Trucks--WH
Palauan President, Austin Discuss Indo-Pacific Security Concerns--DOD
Tennessee Department of Human Services Agrees to Pay $6.8 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Liability in Connection with SNAP Quality Control
HUD AWARDS $30 MILLION TO HELP LOW-INCOME ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS AGE IN PLACE
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Celebrating National Farmers Market Week
Pipeline Company to Pay $35 Million in Criminal Fines and Civil Penalties for Largest-Ever Inland Spill of Produced Water from Oil Drilling
Pipeline Rupture Caused 29 Million Gallon Spill Over 143 Days Before Discovery--DOJ
(3) NEWS COMMENTARIES & LOCAL MEETINGS
The Yellow Badge of Vaccines--PJ MEDIA
In Progressive Washington State, Criminal Justice Reform Only a Criminal Could Love.
Cori Bush Hates Cops but Loves Security
The St. Louis Democrat doubles down on her “defund the police” lunacy.--The Patriot Post
Biden Steps on the Constitution and American Landlords
Conservative pundit says that the president “knows he’s violating his oath.”--American Spectator
Big-spending Biden and Democrats steel themselves for debt ceiling fight
LOCAL MEETING AGENDA'S
CLALLAM COUNTY:
Clallam County work session for 8. 9. 21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1275
Clallam County board meeting for 8. 10. 21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7277
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 8. 10. 21
https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102021-535
City of Sequim Council meeting for 8.9.21
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2468
City of Forks Council meeting for 8.9.21
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Agenda_20210809.pdf
Clallam PUD meeting for 8.9.21
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/8-9-21-WEB-Packet.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County board meeting for 8.9.21
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA for 8.9.21
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=1946
Port of Port Townsend Commission meeting for 8.11.21
https://portofpt.com/event/aug-11-commission-meeting/