Puget Sound

New Protections Proposed For Giant Pacific Octopus in Puget Sound

Ashley Ahearn — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:51:41 +0000

Host Intro: The harvesting of a giant Pacific octopus near Alki Beach in Seattle last October prompted a public outcry. Now the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is considering new protections for octopuses. Ashley Ahearn reports for EarthFix.

Tidal Power Project In Puget Sound One Step Closer To Approval

Ashley Ahearn — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:54:22 +0000

A proposal to generate power from Puget Sound tides moved one step closer to approval with the release of a new government review. Ashley Ahearn reports for EarthFix.

Seal Sitters Ask Beach-Goers To Share The Shore

Katie Campbell — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:01:34 +0000

It's common for people strolling the beaches of Puget Sound to encounter a gray lump that turns out to be a seal pup. It's also common for well-meaning people to want to shoo them back into the water -- but this can do more to harass than help. A band of volunteers is making sure that doesn’t happen. Reporting for EarthFix, Katie Campbell explains.

Oil Trains On The Rise In The Northwest

Ashley Ahearn — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:09:50 +0000

Regulators in the region are weighing the potential impacts of trains full of coal moving along the Columbia River and the shores of Puget Sound. Meanwhile, trains full of Oil are quietly on the rise.

Ocean Acidification Takes Toll On Northwest Shellfish

Ashley Ahearn — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:33:03 +0000

Governor Chris Gregoire has just released a long awaited report on ocean acidification.

Puget Sound Ports Curb Emissions

Ashley Ahearn — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:22:44 +0000

Air pollution from the major shipping ports in Puget Sound has decreased, according to a new report released Tuesday.

Even With No Electoral College, Statewide Races Have Math To Victory

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:22:35 +0000

In the presidential race, we hear a lot about the electoral map and the math to winning the presidency. It’s all about swing states like Ohio and Florida. At the state level, there’s no electoral college. The candidate with the most votes wins. But there’s still a formula for victory.

Fire In Western Wash. Raises Fears For Spawning Salmon

Ashley Ahearn — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:09:02 +0000

A fire that burned roughly 250 acres in Mason County two weeks ago has been put out. Now biologists are concerned about the potential impacts on local salmon runs.

Shell Delays Arctic Oil Drilling Until 2013

John Ryan — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:01:39 +0000

Problems in Puget Sound have led Shell Oil to cancel its plans for drilling for oil in the Arctic Ocean this year. KUOW's John Ryan reports from the Bellingham waterfront.

The Arctic Challenger is Shell's oil-spill containment barge. It's here behind me at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. It's supposed to be in place in the Arctic to help mop up any oil spills. It's been under construction here at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal for months.

This weekend, a tugboat pulled it out into Puget Sound so its "containment dome" could be tested in 160 feet of water.

People For Puget Sound Is Shutting Its Doors

John Ryan — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:55:46 +0000

One of Washington's largest environmental groups is shutting down. People for Puget Sound announced it will close its doors at the end of the month.