The $28 million cleanup of the former Westman Marine site in Blaine Harbor has stalled, Cascadia Daily News reported. The Port of Bellingham had expected to start the project this summer to remove decades of contamination from boatyard maintenance and repair, and bring economic benefits to the Blaine waterfront. After hearing that federal in-water work permits for the project could be approved during summer, the port asked the state Department of Ecology, which administers an account that helps pay for environmental cleanups, to shift money from the Whatcom Waterway cleanup in Bellingham to Blaine. That state cleanup grant would’ve reimbursed the port for up to half the costs of the Westman Marine project. Ecology has previously approved such requests for other projects but didn’t this time because others were ahead of the Blaine cleanup. The port hopes to start the cleanup next summer, according to Cascadia Daily News.
You can ride the historic Plover passenger ferry in Blaine this weekend through Sunday, Sept. 6, in what may be its last touring season. The ferry leaves from Gate 2 at Blaine Harbor Marina every hour starting at noon for a trip around Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay. Built in 1944, the Plover has been used as a tourist attraction since the 1990s. Blaine city leaders have said the Plover is expensive to maintain and insure, with a $1 million liability policy and a second policy for equipment and the vessel itself, according to previous reporting by The Northern Light. Owned and operated by the city of Blaine, it has been financially supported by taxes in the past, but the growing expenses make it difficult to continue to do so, the city has said, although no decision has yet been made about its next season. The 40-minute trip costs $9 per adult, $4 for children ages 3-12, and is free for children under 2. Buy tickets at bit.ly/4uUjqI1.
First responders and school districts are reminding drivers to watch out for buses and students as a new school year has started. Keep an eye on crosswalks, obey flashing signs, and watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists, including near a stopped school bus. Other reminders for motorists include: Stop when heading in the same direction as the bus whenever you see the bus driver put on red flashing lights or extend a stop arm. The same rules apply if you’re driving in the opposite direction of the bus on two-lane roads.
But vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus are the only ones that must stop if a median divides the road.
Washington health officials are warning consumers about food recalls in July and August, including products with undeclared allergens and possible foreign-material contamination. Recent recalls include Donutful Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Cake Donuts for undeclared milk, Momchipz broccoli and cauliflower veggie chips for undeclared wheat, and Prolon Apulian Almond & Cocoa Spread for undeclared tree nuts. Dreyer’s also recalled select batches of Outshine Strawberry, Watermelon, Grape, Tangerine and Black Cherry fruit bars because they may contain glass. Other recalled products include Rooted in Rare aquafaba powder, Maple Leaf Foods bacon, Peter Rabbit Organics banana and strawberry pouches, black sesame glutinous rice balls and certain Korean halibut and flounder sashimi products.
The Pacific Northwest is likely headed into a very strong El Niño this winter, with forecasts giving an 81% chance that ocean temperatures will reach the “very strong” category, according to the University of Washington College of the Environment. El Niño winters typically bring warmer temperatures and lower precipitation west of the Cascades, often reducing mountain snowpack because more precipitation falls as rain instead of snow. That can increase drought and wildfire risks. UW climate experts caution that El Niño shifts the odds rather than guaranteeing specific weather. Current seasonal models are predicting warmer and drier than normal conditions for the Pacific Northwest this fall and winter.
Whatcom County emergency officials are encouraging residents to use September to prepare for disasters ranging from wildfires and windstorms to earthquakes and floods. Officials recommend signing up for emergency alerts, learning which hazards are most likely in your area, preparing enough supplies to be self-sufficient for up to two weeks and making a household emergency plan. Residents are also encouraged to learn the region’s “Ready-Set-Go” evacuation system and consider Community Emergency Response Team training or other volunteer emergency-response programs. County officials note that after a major disaster, police, firefighters and medical crews may be overwhelmed, meaning neighbors could be their own first responders for days or longer.
