Cascadia today: Seattle limits NIMBY appeals + proposed BC pipeline faces hurdles + what's causing rise in whale deaths?

Want to help our neighbors without shelter cope with high temperatures and wildfire smoke? Cascadia Democratic Action is organizing a water bottle and N-95 mask drive this Saturday, Aug 1 from noon to 4 pm at Cal Anderson park in Seattle. Donate bulk bottled water, N-95 masks, or make a monetary donation to CDA's Ko-Fi

Seattle to limit NIMBY appeals to plans

The Urbanist reports that the Seattle city council voted 5-4 to limit types of appeals made to zoning changes in Seattle's comprehensive plans. Seattle's current plan has been stalled by endless State Environmental Policy Act appeals from NIMBY homeowners that have nothing to do with the environment and everything to do with keeping more renters out of Seattle. If you spoke out in support of this measure, please take a moment to thank city council members who voted in favor.

OR police suggest we ask ICE to show us badges

Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that, after several ICE impersonators have pulled over people in Woodburn, OR – a city with a high Latino population, Oregon state police are advising people to ask to see badges from federal agents. Trouble is, even though Oregon passed a law requiring all police (including ICE) provide identification and prohibiting them from hiding their faces the state is not enforcing the law. Until thrown out by the courts OSP and other local law enforcement should enforce the law. Same in Washington. And King County Sheriff's office, are you citing ICE for breaking rules at Boeing Field by refueling planes while shackled passengers are on board?

Meanwhile, RANGE Media has a detailed report on sexual abuse that Spokane-area veteran Garnet Smith experienced while he was detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, WA. RANGE also reports on a recent fundraiser and talk to support legal costs for Justic Forral, Jac Archer and Bajun Mavalwalla II, three protesters against ICE who were convicted of federal conspiracy charges and are awaiting sentencing.

New BC oil pipeline faces hurdles

The Tyee looks into the immense hurdles facing a proposed $43 billion oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia. Not only the cost, and the questionable effectiveness of a supposed carbon capture program to be built in tandem, but also opposition from First Nations and environmental groups. Oh, and China, the supposed number one customer, is seeing declining demand for petroleum as it shifts to electric vehicles. Time to stop this expensive, climate-killing proposal. In related news, residents of Kitimat, the terminus of a huge LNG pipeline on BC's coast – are demanding to know what sorts of pollutants are in the constant emissions and flares at the fossil gas terminal.

Gray whales struggling in Cascadia

Salish Current reports on research that wildlife biologists are undertaking to determine what might be the cause of a rise in the number of gray whale strandings across the Cascadia bioregion. They're using drones and other tools to study the whales migration and feeding patterns. Thirty whales have stranded in Washington this season, a record.

Picturing Portland's mermaid parade

Oregon Arts Watch has a great photo essay by K.B. Dixon documenting the 11th annual Mermaid Parade in Portland. Lots of fun costumes from mermen, mermaids and various gender-bending nymphs of the seas. Ahoy there!

Thanks for reading! Keep loving and keep fighting. --Andy