Document Actions
Spotlights
Up one levelPuget Sound Orca Recovery Plan Released
The National Marine Fisheries Service on Thursday released its recovery plan for Puget Sound's endangered killer whales, aimed at lessening the threats posed to the orcas by pollution, vessel traffic and decreased availability of food.
2/27/08 Response tug assists cargo ship north of Neah Bay
Feb. 27- Gladiator assists a 651-foot bulk carrier ship which lost propulsion while entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Reserves & Protected Areas: It's the Ecosystem
Aquatic reserves, marine protected areas, marine parks are ways to protect and restore marine species by designating areas that are protected, rather than individual species. Can these site-based management strategies help save Puget Sound?
MAY 8!- A NEW DAY FOR PUGET SOUND
THERE ARE ONLY A FEW MORE TICKETS LEFT--People For Puget Sound hosts its 3rd annual 'New Day for Puget Sound' Spring Breakfast Fundraiser on May 8. Keynote speaker is the Hon. Bruce Babbitt, former Secretary of the Interior and Arizona governor, and the Magnuson Sound Legacy Award winners will be honored
What's Happening on Bainbridge Island?
Groups are working to protect Bainbridge Island's shorelines through the critical areas ordinance and by advocating for protections before the City Council July 30. Read all about it here.
Talkin' 'bout Puget Sound
The Seattle Times special report on Puget Sound this week included a webcast on Wednesday with Kathy Fletcher, David Dicks of the Partnership, and Peter Orser of Quadrant Homes. Interesting listening and web viewing.
Saving Puget Sound: A Call To Action
What’s at stake in saving our Sound and what’s it going to take? Take a look at our new seven-minute video for a good, hard look at the challenges and opportunities before us.
Tacoma's Marine Shoreline Protected
People For Puget Sound, along with partners Futurewise, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, and Tahoma Audubon, were successful in getting increased marine shoreline protections for the City of Tacoma. Read more here.
High Court's Ruling Puts Puget Sound Further At Risk
The Washington Supreme Court issued a decision today that is likely to significantly delay Puget Sound recovery. Read the press release here.
Climate change and Puget Sound
If things continue the way they have Puget Sound may be in grave danger. Global warming seems no longer a theory but a reality.
Neah Bay rescue tug assists 106-ft fishing boat
Our state-funded rescue tug was dispatched yesterday to help a fishing boat adrift with a stalled engine and towed the vessel back to port.
Where's Fern Cove...and what makes it special?
At the northwest corner of Vashon Island there is a very special place that speaks to all that is valuable and worthy of protection in Puget Sound. Learn more here.
Last Month for Waters Alive! Women Painters of Washington Exhibit
January is the last month to see works by 30 regional artists celebrating Puget Sound’s natural beauty. Artwork purchased benefits People For Puget Sound, too. The Washington Gallery in Seattle’s Columbia Center, details here.
Toxic tales emerge... As The Sea Churns
Can Timmy the Octopus be saved? What's happened to Alexis the Crab? Will Tad and Crystal the Oysters find true love? Watch here.
Why Christine Mead of Woodinville Supports People For Puget Sound
Christine Mead of Woodinville is a new board member of People For Puget Sound. Read here why she's a supporter.
7 Resident Orcas Feared Dead
One of the main causes of our orcas' decline is the continued discharge of toxic chemicals into Puget Sound by the major loophole of "mixing zones." Learn more here.
Read The Comments on the Draft Puget Sound Action Agenda
The whales and fish and birds don't have voices to say what needs to be done to bring the Sound back to health by 2020. Read here what People For Puget Sound and the Puget Sound Environmental Caucus said on their behalf.
Stormwater's Toxic Runoff
What do you think it looks like when stormwater flows into Puget Sound? It's been called the silent killer and the biggest challenge in bringing the Sound back to health. Take a look and learn more here.
Despoiling our Sound
**CLICK ABOVE TO SEE VIDEO AND PHOTOS OF MONDAY'S PROTEST DEMONSTRATION AND WHAT BLOGGERS ARE SAYING. ALSO VIDEO OF THE ORCA POD VISIT 12/7** The day after the Puget Sound Action Agenda was adopted, lame duck Public Land Commissioner Doug Sutherland signed a lease to allow the construction of a huge gravel export operation on the shores of the Maury Island Aquatic reserve, home to endangered orcas, salmon and seabirds. What's it cost to screw our Sound?
"Storming The Sound" Educator Workshops Begin
"Storming The Sound" brings together environmental educators to share environmental resources to further environmental education. The 9th annual North Sound session is January 30. Read more here.
2010 Resolutions: Simple Things to Save Our Sound
Here are some simple things you can do to Save Our Sound. Become a Sound Citizen in 2010, right here.
Students Win Big Prize for Saving Puget Sound Project
See the "Water Babies" team web site about saving Puget Sound that earned them a $10,000 cash prize. Read more here.
Who Are The "Stewards of the Sound"?
Sound Stewardship training is underway. Who are these stewards? Read their stories here.
Call for Volunteers Issued for Duwamish Alive! Earth Day
Hundreds of volunteers are needed at 12 restoration work sites along Seattle's hometown river April 18. Will you be among that number? Details here.
Puget Sound Stormwater Crisis Detailed in New Stormdrain Map and in PBS 'Poisoned Waters' Report
People For Puget Sound released a new map on stormdrains carrying pollutants into the Sound, reinforcing Hedrick Smith's Frontline documentary on what ails Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound. Both are 'must' viewing.
Puget Sound at Night: The Pier Peer Adventure
Watch and listen to the night adventures of discovering Puget Sound off the edge of a pier at night
What's Happening on Vashon Island?
We began the battle against invasive weeks at Maury Park on May 24 and lots of folks enjoyed the Low-Tide Festival on May 25. Look for summer improvements at Fern Cove... and there's still the gravel pier to fight.
Got Whales? June is Orca Awareness Month
Check out this Sunday's Whale Trail open house and on June 20, it's Orca Sing!
House Appropriations Committee recommends $50 million to clean up Puget Sound pollution
(6/10/09) This funding level would put Puget Sound cleanup on a par with Chesapeake Bay. This requires full House and Senate approval but it's a big step forward. Read more here.
Algae Blooms in Puget Sound
Several reports of colorful but harmless algae blooms. See a photo and get the straight story here.
Coming Up: Puget Sound Low Tides
The tide comes in, the tide goes out-- way out this coming week. Check out tide tables, outdoor events, and a few tidal facts by clicking on the title above.
Puget Sound Weather Watching
What's the weather like around the Sound? Check out these remote webcams here.
Spartina Survey: Volunteer Kayaks Needed
Kayakers in the North Puget Sound are trained in a groundbreaking program that is mobilizing the paddling community to protect Puget Sound from invasive plants! Read more here.
New Ground Broken to Handle Stormwater On Site
June 24 marked the public debut of Clearwater Commons, a 16-unit zero-discharge development along North Creek in Bothell. Details here.
DNR calls for halt to Maury Island gravel loading operation
Associated Press reports (7/7/09): Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark has asked Northwest Aggregates to halt operation of its Maury Island gravel mine until it shows how it's complying with terms of a state lease. In a letter to the company Tuesday, Goldmark said he has "grave concerns" about how its dock and gravel loading operation may affect the health of Puget Sound. Click the link in the headline and read more.
Restoring the Nisqually
Rob Carson of the News Tribune of Tacoma goes deep into restoring the Nisqually River delta to its natural condition. Good pictures and diagrams on the biggest restoration project in Puget Sound.
Habitat Heroes Wanted: Summer Work Parties '09
Bring your family and friends to a summer restoration work party and join in the fun, get outside and do something good to help Save our Sound! Click on the title for a calendar of work party events.
The Real Significance of the Maury Island Legal Decision
Federal Judge Ricardo Martinez's ruling stopped construction of the gravel-loading dock in an aquatic reserve-- but the real significance for Puget Sound goes far beyond that. Read this.
'Puget Sound Starts Here' Launched
The Puget Sound Partnership's new campaign encourages people to take four actions to help the Sound. Check out the TV ad and web site.
New Study Shows Household Sources of Sound Pollution
It is well known that toxic chemicals pose a major threat to the health of Puget Sound. For many chemicals, however, how they are getting from the products in our homes to the waters, sediments, and wildlife of the Sound remains mysterious. Now, a new study shows how.
NOAA hearings on orca recovery get underway
What is it going to take to recover the health of our endangered Southern Resident orca whales? We think there are more important things to be done over and above making rules for vessels-- and here's how you can have your say on the subject.
Voters Defeat Tim Eyman's Initiative 1033
Take a look at the TV ads airing to defeat Tim Eyman's I-1033. This is a bad one that will make it very hard to clean up Puget Sound. Read the latest on who's working to defeat Tim Eyman's I-1033.
Thank You for a Successful Harbor Lights 2009
We partied on October 10 for Puget Sound and, thanks to 600 attendees, our auction fundraiser for the Sound was a success. Take a look at some of the pictures, a video of the Governor's talk, and a video clip of attendees.
We Get Results, July-September
We're working to make the Sound a healthier place. Take a look at some of the Science & Restoration and Community Education highlights from the last three months.
Fall Duwamish Alive! Work Day Brings Hundreds to River
Last Saturday volunteers worked at nine restoration sites in heavy rains removing invasive plants and garbage and planting over 1500 native plants and shrubs. Read the report and see some pictures.
It's now the Salish Sea
What we've informally called our inland waters from Oympia to Quadra Island and out to the Pacific has been formally designated by a state board. What difference do you think that makes?
Gov. Gregoire appoints new director of Department of Ecology
Ecology director of Governmental Relations Ted Sturdevant named to top post.
GETTING RESULTS: Increased Wastewater Discharge Permit Fees For Clean Water
The Department of Ecology recently raised wastewater permit fees, averting staff reductions that would have paralyzed the Water Quality Program. Here's how we helped.
Puget Sound Weather Watching
Track this week's story at Cliff Mass' weather blog, a great resource for us weather watchers. Also check out the weather cams 'round the Sound for weather couch potatoes.
Poll finds people willing to pay to save the Sound
The Puget Sound Regional Council reports that the top environmental concerns of central Puget Sound residents were protecting Puget Sound (85%) and clean air (83%). And, that 75% of the 85% who rated protecting the Sound as important would be willing to pay more in taxes and/or tolls to achieve the result.
Puget Sound Action Agenda Marks First Anniversary
This week marks the one-year anniversary since the Puget Sound Partnership unveiled its road map for recovery of Puget Sound by the year 2020. See what David Dicks had to say on that occasion and read here what the Partnership says it's accomplished.
Clean Water, Toxic Elimination and Budget Named Top Environmental Priorities
The Environmental Priorities Coalition has named its top priorities going into the 2010 legislative session. You can be a part of making the campaign a success.
Stone Gossard on Saving Puget Sound
“I support People For Puget Sound because there’s no other group working harder or more effectively to save the Sound for future generations. We all need to step up, or Puget Sound’s clean water, orcas and amazing biodiversity could be gone within a generation.” Thanks, Stone.
Why is Kiket Island such a big deal anyway?
Kiket Island is one of those places named in hushed reverent tones as if to speak it aloud might jeopardize the conservation community’s efforts to acquire it. Ever since the bullet of a saltwater cooled nuclear power plant was dodged on Kiket Island’s unique shorelines, it has been seen as a crown jewel. Doug Myers explains why...
Surviving sewage spills and asking hard questions
10 million gallons of raw sewage going into Puget Sound is nothing to shrug about and needs to be held to account. But there are worse things, really worse things.
How many resident whales are there in Puget Sound?
With the recent birth of J47, we're up to 88 Southern resident orca whales. That's good news. Will it continue?
McLerran named EPA Region 10 Administrator
Dennis J. McLerran will oversees EPA’s Region 10 which includes Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Pacific Northwest Indian Country. Read more.
Curbing Stormwater Pollution: Cleaning Up Washington’s Toxic Runoff
Sightlines Institute's new, must-read report on the threats storm water poses to health-- and what must be done to correct the problems of polluted runoff.
DNR issues draft strategic plan
The Washington Department of Natural Resources has issued a draft strategic plan for its stewardship of public lands and will be holding public meetings.
Partnership issues 'State of the Sound' report
The Puget Sound Partnership issued its 2009 'State of the Sound' report yesterday-- but are we on track to restore the Sound to health by 2020?
Take a Trip to the Nisqually
Martha Baskin of Green Acres Radio takes you on a trip down to the Nisqually Delta where the tide now comes in to restore the estuary. Come, listen.
A week of night beachwalks
The tide's out in the evening this week and now's the time to take a guided low-tide, night beach walk along the shores of Puget Sound.
Capitol Estuary: Getting Comfortable
Capitol Lake is in the news again, this time about the effort to rid it of those pesky, invasive New Zealand mudsnails that have found its fresh-water environment a hospitable habitat.
Bitches for Beaches in Concert March 21
Duo Tai Shan and Angela Reed play for Puget Sound at the Nectar Lounge in Fremont, 8 PM. $10 : : 21+