San Juan Preservation Trust earns national recognition
Contributed photo
It may now display the land trust accreditation seal
February 22, 2012
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Derelict Vessel Program is back
In 2010, Friday Harbor Power Squadron, Roche Harbor Resort, the San Juan Island Yacht Club, the Port of Friday Harbor, the Marine Resources Committee, Jensen Shipyard, Island Marine Center on Lopez, the Common Sense Alliance, and the Friends of the San Juans, joined forces to support the county in managing derelict vessels.
The program reinstated with a $10,000 budget, on the assumption that $5,000 of that would be paid by the local citizen group.
February 21, 2012
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Town Hall: Cantwell, Salazar focus on San Juans conservation area
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will join Sen. Maria Cantwell Saturday, in Anacortes, to host a town hall about the ongoing progress to conserve and protect the San Juan Islands.
February 21, 2012
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New lease on life for small farm internship program
Originally created with just San Juan and Skagit counties in mind, Washington state's small-farm internship pilot program is poised to expand. The state Senate last week approved extending the pilot program through 2017 and adding 11 more counties to the list of those of where the program would apply.
February 21, 2012
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12th Annual Orca Sing | Slide show
The City Cantabile Choir celebrated the life of Ruffles the killer whale, who has been missing since the fall, during the 12th annual "Orca Sing"
$1 million bond measure could be approved
It looks like Lopez Island School District will recieve approval of a $1 million bond measure.
Voters approved the measure by almost 75 percent in a preliminary count.
February 16, 2012
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Wetland dispute prompts viral video
Charles Dalton shares a four-acre property with another islander on Orcas Island, and said his troubles started because he made a mistake when he built a barn and a shed without a permit. The issue, according to the Friends of the San Juans, is not about farming, as the video suggests, but about following the rules and getting construction permits before developing.
Traumatic injury cited as probable cause in death of 3-year-old orca
Known as Victoria, L112 was a member of the southern Resident killer whales that make their seasonal home in waterways of the San Juan Islands. While the cause of L112 death has yet to be determined, its body reportedly shows signs of traumatic injuries.
Governor signs same same-sex marriage bill making Washington the seventh state with such a law
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law the bill authorizing civil marriage for same-sex couples, SB6239, Valentine’s Day making Washington the seventh state with such a law. It may not take effect on June 7, as scheduled, however, as a referendum challenge is in the wind.
San Juan Islands push for statewide plastic bag ban
While many cities have banned plastic grocery bags, Washington may become the first state in the nation to outlaw these consumables.
House Bill 1877 and Senate Bill 5780, both bills to ban plastic bags and promote reusable bags, were introduced last year and both failed to pass.
Similar bills House Bill 2404 and Senate Bill 5780 were reintroduced again this year by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon and Rep. Marko Liias. The legislation is aimed at protecting Puget Sound wildlife and the environment from plastic bag debris.
February 13, 2012
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Gay marriage bill passed by the House
A House committee on Monday approved a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state, setting the stage for final passage this week.
