Environment
Environment

Federal Government Expands Hunting And Fishing At National Wildlife Refuges
The Trump administration says it is expanding hunting and fishing in 77 national wildlife refuges, including those in Washington, Idaho and Oregon, in a move that critics contend is deferring management to states and could harm wildlife. Continue Reading Federal Government Expands Hunting And Fishing At National Wildlife Refuges

Controversial Biofuels Project Gets Lease On Lower Columbia River
A port on the Lower Columbia River has approved a controversial lease for a biofuels project. The county says it will bring jobs to the area. Some environmental groups are concerned about previous deals gone bad involving the project’s backers. Continue Reading Controversial Biofuels Project Gets Lease On Lower Columbia River

Return Of ‘The Blob’? Marine Heat Wave Similar To 2014 Disruption Shows Up On West Coast
Scientists have detected a marine heat wave off the West Coast that they say is reminiscent of the massive stretch of warm water nicknamed “the Blob” in 2014-15. Continue Reading Return Of ‘The Blob’? Marine Heat Wave Similar To 2014 Disruption Shows Up On West Coast

‘It’s The Stone Age Of Fossil Fuels’: Coal Bankruptcy Tests Gillette And Mining Across The West
Hundreds of coal miners in Wyoming are still out of work two months after their employer declared bankruptcy. It’s a moment of reckoning for a town some think relies too much on the energy industry. Continue Reading ‘It’s The Stone Age Of Fossil Fuels’: Coal Bankruptcy Tests Gillette And Mining Across The West

Federal Interior Department Official Who Pushed Arctic Drilling Joins Oil Company In Alaska
Joe Balash, a top U.S. Interior Department appointee who pushed to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil leasing, is taking a job with an oil company seeking to develop a major project in Alaska. Continue Reading Federal Interior Department Official Who Pushed Arctic Drilling Joins Oil Company In Alaska

Could Relocating Sage Grouse Save The Birds In Washington?
Moving imperiled sage grouse from one spot to another can be hard on the birds. But research from Washington State University suggests that after a restless adjustment period, the birds eventually get used to their new homes. Continue Reading Could Relocating Sage Grouse Save The Birds In Washington?

Public Can Comment On Killing Of Sea Lions In Columbia River Until October 29
Three Northwest states’ request to lethally remove sea lions from the Columbia River is now open for public comment. Continue Reading Public Can Comment On Killing Of Sea Lions In Columbia River Until October 29

Washington Wildlife Officials Cancel Public Meetings On Wolves Under Threats Of Violence
Threats of violence have caused Washington officials to cancel a series of in-person informational wolf management meetings. In a news release, state Fish and Wildlife director Kelly Susewind said the tensions this summer were “on both sides of the issue.” Continue Reading Washington Wildlife Officials Cancel Public Meetings On Wolves Under Threats Of Violence

Giant Pumice Raft Floating Towards Australia Could Help Replenish Great Barrier Reef
An underwater volcano is thought to have produced a sheet of pumice that stretches 58 square miles. Continue Reading Giant Pumice Raft Floating Towards Australia Could Help Replenish Great Barrier Reef

Proposed Southwestern Washington Coal Export Terminal Dealt A Blow By Appeals Court
A coal company has been dealt another legal blow in its attempt to build an export terminal on the lower Columbia River. The Washington Court of Appeals
upheld a lower court ruling Tuesday that was being challenged by Millennium Bulk Terminals and Northwest Alloys Inc. Continue Reading Proposed Southwestern Washington Coal Export Terminal Dealt A Blow By Appeals Court

What Is An Endangered Species Worth? New Federal Rule Updates Calculation — And Sparks Debate
What is the cost to the economy when an animal is listed as an endangered species? The Trump administration could soon start to publicize that calculation, along with the cost and benefits of categorizing an animal that way, under new rules it finalized earlier this month. Continue Reading What Is An Endangered Species Worth? New Federal Rule Updates Calculation — And Sparks Debate

U.S. Forest Service Proposes Plan To Reduce Environmental Scrutiny For Public Lands Projects
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to reduce the public’s role in shaping the way it applies federal environmental laws to projects on public lands. The agency says the changes would help land managers “make timelier decisions based on high quality, science-based analysis.” Continue Reading U.S. Forest Service Proposes Plan To Reduce Environmental Scrutiny For Public Lands Projects