Latest news with #PugetSound
Washington Post
3 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Flying boats make for a rare sight as Washington clears an island of derelict vessels by helicopter
OLYMPIA, Wash. — As the owner of a marina, Kate Gervais is used to seeing boats in the water. But for the last couple of days, she's been seeing them in the air. The Washington Department of Natural Resources this week used one of its firefighting helicopters to haul abandoned boats off an uninhabited island in the southernmost reaches of Puget Sound, where the vessels had come to rest after drifting with the currents, and fly them to the mainland to be deconstructed later.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Flying boats make for a rare sight as Washington clears an island of derelict vessels by helicopter
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — As the owner of a marina, Kate Gervais is used to seeing boats in the water. But for the last couple of days, she's been seeing them in the air. The Washington Department of Natural Resources this week used one of its firefighting helicopters to haul abandoned boats off an uninhabited island in the southernmost reaches of Puget Sound, where the vessels had come to rest after drifting with the currents, and fly them to the mainland to be deconstructed later. With 14 vessels removed, it was the agency's largest operation of its kind, officials said. 'It was a very, very weird sight,' said Gervais, who owns Boston Harbor Marina, just north of Olympia. 'The sail boat with the mast was the weirdest one to see.' A boat removal by helicopter is typically done by a private pilot, but for this operation, which was funded by a federal grant, the DNR opted to use one of its firefighting helicopters. It was cheaper and helped stretch the $1 million NOAA grant, said Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove. The state agency opts to airlift boats when towing them would disrupt the marine bed or surrounding environment too much. The aquatic lands where the boats land often include kelp beds, which are critical for supporting the forage fish that salmon rely on. Vessels for this operation where found in hard-to-reach coves, at the tree line or in mud that rendered an airlift a better option, agency staff said. Since the boat removal program began in 2002, the department has hauled out more than 1,200 derelict vessels. There are at least 300 more out there, with more found all the time, Upthegrove said. 'It's a real challenge impacting the Puget Sound when people essentially dump their old boats into the water because they don't want to deal with disposing of them,' he said. 'That burden then falls on all of us.' The federal grant allowed the state to clean up boats on Squaxin Island, an uninhabited island that is of particular cultural importance to the Squaxin Island Tribe. The tribe's people once shared vast lands in western Washington state, but following the 1854 Treaty of Medicine Creek, the island — 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers) long and half a mile (800 meters) wide — was the main area reserved for them, according to the tribe's website. Eventually, the tribe's members moved off the island, but they continue to use it for fishing, hunting, shellfish gathering and camping. 'The Squaxin Island Tribe is very enthusiastic about this opportunity to work with DNR to clean-up derelict vessels on tribal lands,' said Daniel Kuntz, the tribe's policy and program manager. 'Maintaining clean beaches and water are essential to the Squaxin Island culture to ensure gathering access for future generations.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Flying boats make for a rare sight as Washington clears an island of derelict vessels by helicopter
As the owner of a marina, Kate Gervais is used to seeing boats in the water. But for the last couple of days, she's been seeing them in the air. The Washington Department of Natural Resources this week used one of its firefighting helicopters to haul abandoned boats off an uninhabited island in the southernmost reaches of Puget Sound, where the vessels had come to rest after drifting with the currents, and fly them to the mainland to be deconstructed later. With 14 vessels removed, it was the agency's largest operation of its kind, officials said. 'It was a very, very weird sight,' said Gervais, who owns Boston Harbor Marina, just north of Olympia. 'The sail boat with the mast was the weirdest one to see.' A boat removal by helicopter is typically done by a private pilot, but for this operation, which was funded by a federal grant, the DNR opted to use one of its firefighting helicopters. It was cheaper and helped stretch the $1 million NOAA grant, said Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove. The state agency opts to airlift boats when towing them would disrupt the marine bed or surrounding environment too much. The aquatic lands where the boats land often include kelp beds, which are critical for supporting the forage fish that salmon rely on. Vessels for this operation where found in hard-to-reach coves, at the tree line or in mud that rendered an airlift a better option, agency staff said. Since the boat removal program began in 2002, the department has hauled out more than 1,200 derelict vessels. There are at least 300 more out there, with more found all the time, Upthegrove said. 'It's a real challenge impacting the Puget Sound when people essentially dump their old boats into the water because they don't want to deal with disposing of them," he said. "That burden then falls on all of us.' The federal grant allowed the state to clean up boats on Squaxin Island, an uninhabited island that is of particular cultural importance to the Squaxin Island Tribe. The tribe's people once shared vast lands in western Washington state, but following the 1854 Treaty of Medicine Creek, the island — 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers) long and half a mile (800 meters) wide — was the main area reserved for them, according to the tribe's website. Eventually, the tribe's members moved off the island, but they continue to use it for fishing, hunting, shellfish gathering and camping. 'The Squaxin Island Tribe is very enthusiastic about this opportunity to work with DNR to clean-up derelict vessels on tribal lands,' said Daniel Kuntz, the tribe's policy and program manager. 'Maintaining clean beaches and water are essential to the Squaxin Island culture to ensure gathering access for future generations.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Seattle Weather: Drippy and Cool End to the Weekend
Seattle - A busy weekend around Puget Sound with Kendrick Lamar and Sza also taking the stage Saturday night at Lumen Field. Rain is forecast at times during the concert with cool temperatures dropping into the 40s. A convergence zone will settle in tonight around the King and Snohomish County area. Rain may be heavy at times with some thunder possible. Another weak disturbance will swing through tomorrow with scattered showers. Onshore flow will keep our temperatures cooler than average through the weekend, but a warm-up is expected by next weekend as we celebrate Memorial Day. Along with the cooler-than-normal weather in Seattle this week, there's an almost daily chance of showers as well. We are still looking drier, though in time for Memorial Day weekend next weekend.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Seattle Kraken's ‘One Roof Foundation' opens new multisport court in Tacoma
A new multisport court at Verlo Playfield in Tacoma opened today as part of an ongoing effort to encourage and support access to youth sports. The court is a joint community project led by the Seattle Kraken and their foundation, One Roof Foundation, and supported by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH), the National Hockey League, and Parks Tacoma. Advertisement A ribbon cutting and opening celebration on Saturday featured the unveiling of youth artwork and a street hockey clinic for 100 youth. Community leaders, Kraken VIPs, and partners gathered for a ceremonial puck drop. According to organizers, the court is the second of five being developed by One Roof Foundation, as part of an ongoing effort to increase access to play by providing equipment, resources, and programs throughout the Puget Sound area. The court will feature ball hockey, also known as floorball or street hockey. 'We know that there are incredible benefits for young people from play and playing sport, from self-esteem to leadership and improving mental health,' said Mari Horita, Executive Director of One Roof Foundation. 'But across our region many children do not have access to low-cost sports or spaces which is why we are so thrilled to see this court come completed, and just in time for the summer vacation.' The project involved resurfacing and upgrading an existing basketball court with approximately 5,000 square feet of fresh concrete, new basketball hoops, and built-in hockey goals, plus back walls and corner barriers to keep balls and pucks in play. Artwork from local students is featured prominently to celebrate the community. With this upgrade, Parks Tacoma expects hundreds of children to be able to utilize the court year-round and will begin offering ball hockey programming at this site starting this summer. To learn more, visit:
