Cascadia today: How BC parties stand on environment + tribe gets land back in Elwha valley + an evil Jimothy on Bainbridge Island
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Do you appreciate Cascadia Journal's exclusive reporting on the ways the Pacific Northwest is pushing back against US fascism? If you have the means, please consider a paid subscription of just $5 per month. Each subscription helps me produce original reporting and opinionated notes on Cascadia's fight to build a more resilient and autonomous bioregion. And to those who already subscribe, thank you! --Andrew
How BC parties stand on the environment
The Narwhal looks at how the three major parties in British Columbia stand on environmental issues, including LNG export, Indigenous consent and consultation, land protections, logging, and conversion to renewable energy. Not surprisingly, the NDP and BC Conservatives are competing to see who can be more supportive extractive, climate-killing industry. The BC Greens, however, have a solid platform that includes ending fossil fuel development, support for DRIPA (Indigenous consultation), permanently protecting old growth forests, and a fund to convert existing residential heating to electric heat pumps. The choice is clear: vote BC Greens.
Oh, if you want to read about how BC Conservative Lorne Doerkson came to be the accidental leader of his party, the Tyee has an article for you. Notable about the MLA representing Cariboo-Chilcotin south of Prince George: he's worked for small town newspapers and was once a competitive rodeo rider.
Tribe gains land back in Elwha river region
KNKX reports that the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe on Washington's Olympic peninsula is set to gain more than 1,000 acres of land back in a deal with the feds after the historic removal of the Elwha river dam. The tribe will gain river shoreline, forests and fishing grounds all recovered after the removal of the dam 12 years ago.
Climate fund helps build solar on former PDX dump
OPB reports on a great project in Portland: a community solar energy project in the southeast corner of the city which will help 140 low-income households reduce their energy costs. The project, funded by Portland's clean energy fund (PCEF), is on the site of a former garbage dump, and will save local residents nearly $1 million a year in electricity costs.
Seattle restricts homeless RV camping
KUOW reports on the Seattle city council's vote to forbid overnight camping in RVs within the city unless users obtain a permit – which includes restrictions and pushes those who don't have other shelter to find permanent shelter. Mayor Katie Wilson has expressed reservations about the plan, and I recommend that she veto the legislation.
Judge blocks attempt to move Forest Service headquarters
Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that a federal judge has block an attempt by the Trump regime to move the headquarters of the US Forest Service from Washington, DC to Utah. Critics say the plan is designed to force many longtime staff to quit and to eviscerate the agency, which has already seen huge cuts to research facilities and other offices in Cascadia. In related news, Portland Mercury reports that the feds' plan to end protections for roadless areas in federal land in Oregon and Washington will likely increase fire risk and reduce water quality.
It's time to transfer ownership of Cascadia's federal lands to states and tribes.
Andrew Engelson
A creepy massive Halloween Jimothy
The Stranger reports on the creation of a massive, creepy take of the famed little local racoon Jimothy on Bainbridge Island west of Seattle. The creators, the folks behind The Oatmeal web comic, have built a gigantic Grimothy (supposedly, Jimothy's evil father) with glowing eyes and animated paws. See more spooky views on the Oatmeal's Instagram site.
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