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WASHINGTON STATE Open Thread
This is a community series giving our Washington Kossacks a virtual meeting place to discuss issues of concern to our state and share what's happening in our lives. Share your activist efforts, plug for your favorite candidate, share a LTE you've gotten published or educate us on the issues you are passionate about. Tell us an interesting or funny story, ask for advice from the community or share a recipe. Tell us anything that has happened out there. Nothing is off topic. Let's connect, unite and act!
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As reported on King 5 news August 13, 2015:
New geoduck farming rules are rolling out across Puget Sound, prompting a renaissance in the clam harvest and a growing movement to stop it...
It comes after several years of stagnation, as state officials worked on better regulation. Now, counties across Puget Sound are adopting the new geoduck rules.
That's prompted renewed interest, along with big demand in Asia. The Department of Ecology counts 28 new geoduck farm permits since 2012.
But geoduck farming is controversial creating conflicts with shoreline property owners and nongovernmental organizations.
In southern Puget Sound, the effect of geoduck farming on large mobile animals is ambiguous. A 2004 draft biological assessment, commissioned by three of the largest commercial shellfish companies in the Puget Sound region, identified no long-term effects of geoduck farming on threatened or endangered species.
However,
geoduck growth has also grown grit from critics.
"It's something we need to be aware of," said Sandy Newell.
Newell and her neighbors are fighting the proposed Detienne/Chelsea subtidal geoduck farm in Wauna on Hederson Bay. They point to shellfish aquaculture debris that continues to wash ashore.
They've spent tens of thousands of dollars to stop the farm from getting a permit. So far, Newell is winning the fight. The Shoreline Hearings Board found the farm could have negative effects on herring and eel grass.
Follow below the DailyKos geoduck for more background.
Background:
The geoduck is native to the west coast of North America. The shell of the clam ranges from 15 centimetres (5.9 in) to over 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length, but the extremely long siphons make the clam itself much longer than this: the "neck" or siphons alone can be 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length. The geoduck is the largest burrowing clam in the world, and one of the longest-lived animals of any type.
The geoduck is native to the west coast of Canada and the northwest coast of the United States.
The large, meaty siphon is prized for its savory flavor and crunchy texture. Geoduck is regarded by some as an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape.A team of American and Italian researchers analyzed bivalves and found they were rich in amino acids that trigger increased levels of sex hormones. Their high zinc content aids the production of testosterone.
It is very popular in China, where it is considered a delicacy, mostly eaten cooked in a fondue-style Chinese hot pot. In Korean cuisine, geoducks are eaten raw with spicy chili sauce, sautéed, or in soups and stews. In Japan, geoduck is prepared as raw sashimi, dipped in soy sauce and wasabi.
The
world's first geoduck fishery was created in 1970, but demand for the half-forgotten clam was low due to its texture. As of 2011, these clams sell in China for over $150/lb (US$330/kg).
The geoduck's high market value has created an $80-million US industry, with harvesting occurring in the states of Alaska, Washington, and Oregon and the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is one of the most closely regulated fisheries in both countries.
Washington State Political Alert:
National Republicans have identified their next target: the Washington House of Representatives.
The Republican State Leadership Committee, a GOP fundraising powerhouse, recently named our State House in Olympia one of their top six targets for this election cycle – out of 99 state houses nationwide. Now they’re going after the House with a vengeance, attacking Democrats like Representative Carol Gregory, who has a key seat in our razor-thin majority and faces a competitive special election in November.
Bleedingblue made this comment in our
August 30th open thread post:
There is an important race in the Federal Way area for State Representative.
Carol Gregory in the 30th LD.
She was appointed to serve Roger Freeman's seat. Sadly he passed away mere days before his re-election last year. She faces election this year, and it's important that we hold onto this seat to help maintain Democratic control in the House.
She has been hampered due the three(!) special legislative sessions in 2015. And as that was the case, she has been unable to accept donations, nor could she actively campaign. If I was a CT advocate I'd say that the Republicans delayed the budget process on purpose...geez.
She was down 540 votes in the primary, but now she's able to get out there. It's a doable deal.
Please consider helping her out in any way you can. I've already been down there once to doorbell.
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Washington State Wildfire Update:
SEATTLE (Reuters)-
Crews battling the largest array of wildfires in Washington state history gained more ground against the flames on Tuesday, as property assessors reported the deadly conflagration had destroyed more than 170 homes and dozens of other structures.
Containment of the sprawling cluster of blazes dubbed the Okanogan Complex, roaring through north-central Washington since mid-August, was estimated at 40 percent on Tuesday, up from 30 percent a day earlier, as firefighters capitalized on cooler, damper weather and lighter winds, authorities said.
Latest here.
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Seattle & Puget Sound Kos has their next meet up planned.
Where: Columbia City Ale House
4914 Rainier Ave. S.
Seattle, WA
Date: Saturday 10/3/15
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Why: Connect and catch up!
Cost: What you spend in food and drink.
Parking: 2 hours free on street. There is also a paid parking lot close by located around
the corner on Ferdinand.
Max. Occ: 24.
If you haven't been to Columbia City lately you're in for a treat. Interesting shops and an artsy vibe await.
If you wish to attend this event please RSVP to me at johncrapper51@gmail.com.
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As the Daily Kos Community Builder for Washington State. I'm always on the lookout for others interested in starting their own local Connect! Unite! Act! group in their locale. I'd love to see a huge number of markers covering Washington State on the map below.
I'm here and ready to help. And the Connect! Unite! Act! team is ready to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
Please consider joining in this effort to build our community in Washington State. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
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This is one of four weekly open threads for a state. The other three are North Carolina started by randalt Michigan organized by peregrine kate and Colorado by Leftcandid.
Michigan: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Eastern
North Carolina: Sundays, 1:00 PM Eastern
Washington: Sundays, 3:30 PM Pacific
Colorado: Wednesdays - 6:30PM Pacific
For those in other states, please join us as we strive to establish state open threads in all fifty. Please drop me a line if you are interested in hosting an open thread in your state. Keep in mind, you can create your own State Open Thread group and set up a system and schedule for rotating the weekly contribution.
We have started a State Open Thread group that you can follow to catch the weekly round ups. Scheduling is still in the works but we are striving for an advertised and promoted regular date and time for each of these so readers can depend on a schedule to check out their state's happenings. Please help support and contribute to this project. 4 down, 46 to go!