December 7, 2012: Urban Creek Gets An Assist with New Street Upgrade, Bio-Swales and Established Rain Gardens

Despite poor publicity after a drainage and rain garden project backfired in Ballard, a cluster rain garden project in Delridge is moving forward with the addition of new bio-swales on city parking strips. Neighbors would have liked more than the few the city and private sector found money for, but for now, one more city block is holding back hundreds of gallons of polluted run-off from the local creek and Puget Sound.

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November 15, 2012: Downstream or Upstream, It’s Uphill for Salmon: Tribes Work to Protect Habitat

Wild salmon runs have been in steep decline in the Pacific Northwest for decades. Restoring runs to historic levels involves substantial economic costs, competing societal priorities, and entrenched policy stances. The Stillaguamish Tribe and Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission say there’s no time to wait. If we don’t act there won’t be any more salmon. Martha Baskin has our report.

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November 8, 2012: Thousands of Citizens Weigh in on Proposal to Build North America’s Largest Coal Export Terminal - Part Two

This week Martha Baskin brings us more public testimony from hearings held in the San Juan Islands and Bellingham about Peabody Coal’s proposal to build North America’s largest coal export terminal at Cherry Point, Bellingham. We hear from those concerned about raising children in a healthy place, climate change, tribal fishing rights and the impact of increased vessel traffic on tourism, marine life and oil spills.

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November 1, 2012: Public Weighs in on Proposal to Build North America’s Largest Coal Export Terminal

A proposal by Peabody Coal to build North America’s largest coal terminal in Bellingham to ship coal from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin through Washington to Asia, drew thousands at the first formal public hearing. The hearing is the first phase in an environmental review process where key agencies will decide what factors to consider as they determine whether to approve or deny permits for the terminal. Martha Baskin has the first in a two part series.

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October 25, 2012: Push to Label GMO Foods Ramps Up On the West Coast

Referendums to label genetically engineered foods are on the rise – especially on the West Coast. California’s Prop 37, the “Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act” is on ballot in November. In Washington state signatures are being gathered in support of Initiative 522. If the initiative is successful, voters could decide whether to label GMO foods here in 2013. Martha Baskin has our story.

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October 18, 2012: A Governor’s Race Where Clean Energy Is An Answer to the Jobs Crisis. The Climate Crisis? Not Much Talk About That

One big topic largely missing from this year’s election debate is climate change. In a year of catastrophic wildfires, record heat waves and blistering droughts, it’s unusual for candidates in any race to talk about clean energy as a solution to not only the jobs crisis but climate change. In Washington State the governor’s race gets about as close as any race to talking about the issues. Martha Baskin has our story.

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October 4, 2012: If Trees Like the Pacific Madrone and Zebra Cedar Could Talk, What Would They Say About Seattle’s Proposed Tree Protection Ordinance?

For the past two years the City of Seattle has worked to update its Tree Protection Ordinance. Last year the proposed ordinance was sent back to the drawing board by the City Council because it lacked even basic protections for trees. A new version was sent to the City Council this week. What’s the fuss? Martha Baskin checks in with tree ambassadors and tree advocates and has our story.

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