A few years back – Whidbey Island
Archives for category: Whidbey Island
A few years back – Whidbey Island
Sign above once posted at Flintstone Park educates the public on local waters. Is it still there?
Any info available, other than this extinct web page:
Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area
Has any small or large newspaper or TV news reporter ever educated us on the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area?
From 2020:
Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area – Any News Coverage?
Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce
“Oak Harbor is the largest city on Whidbey Island, located on the North end of the island. Whidbey Island is home to Windjammer Park and is known for its gorgeous ocean views.”
The body of water adjacent to the town is called: Oak Harbor.
How long would it take to walk or ride a bike to the nearest Ocean? What route would be best to take?
Has anyone ever posted an ocean photo that was taken at Oak Harbor?
Unfortunately, the body of water closest to town is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvest.
Oak Harbor Beach Park
“Clam, mussel, and oyster seasons CLOSED for harvest year-round.”
“…clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Image above: 7/6/2024
Source/Daily Status Reports: Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety Map
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Over At Penn Cove
Love to see newspeople visit Penn Cove and ask about the Award Winning Sewage Treatment Plant and why the beach adjacent to the Award Winning Sewage Treatment Plant is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvest.
In the news:
August 11, 2023 Whidbey News-Times
Whidbey sewer plants win state awards
“The Oak Harbor Clean Water Facility was recognized as outstanding by the Department of Ecology.”
“The Coupeville treatment plant received the outstanding performance award for the 13th consecutive year, and the Holmes Harbor plant was awarded for the 17th year in a row. The Penn Cove wastewater treatment plant was also a recipient this year.”
Beach adjacent to Award Winning Sewage Treatment Plant:
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“…clams, oysters, and mussels from this beach are not fit for human consumption at any time.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Also Penn Cove
Here is an April 6, 2020 audio file describing recreational shellfish harvest and sewage treatment outfall at Penn Cove.
Has anything changed? Newspeople remain silent.
A 12:44 audio file and local photos of Penn Cove:
Podcast 4 Another Month With An R – Whidbey Sewage Treatment Plant Outfalls
A photo tour of Penn Cove here:
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Department of Ecology Award For Outstanding Performance
Coupeville Ferry?
Coupeville/Penn Cove is on the eastern shore of Whidbey Island-no ferry link to Port Townsend exists there.
Don’t book a bed and breakfast stay in Coupeville and plan to walk from the ferry terminal to your accommodations.
Related:
Fooling Visitors to Oak Harbor
From Libbey Beach
Arnold Road
B.I.L. rolled up after spending the winter in Yuma.
Feels like a sunny & wintry day on Whidbey.
Pork & chicken with apple wood smoke on the grill.
A decent IPA:
Less ABV:
November 2021 Update:
Looks like zero reporting from any source Re: What wind speed is required to shut down traffic on the Deception Pass Bridge.
Nov 16, 2021 Whidbey News-Times
“The first big wind storm of the season toppled a semi truck on Deception Pass Bridge Monday.”
“The semi truck, which was leaning precariously on the inner wire railings on the bridge, blocked traffic for about eight hours, beginning at around 1:30 p.m. The driver of the truck wasn’t injured and managed to get out of the cab before first responders got there.”
“The fire chief said it was too windy for much of the night to safely operate the towing equipment necessary to remove the damaged truck from the bridge; continued strong winds might have blown the towing equipment and truck over the edge.”
Nov 15, 2021 KIRO 7 News
Semitruck tips on Deception Pass bridge
January 2021 incident:
Jan 13, 2021 KOMO News
Mail semi nearly blown off Deception Pass Bridge during windstorm
“And the relentless wind gusts clocked as high as 64 mph at the nearby Naval Air Station continued to slam against the passenger side of the cab, making it too difficult to open the door. So the 60-year-old driver had to climb through the passenger side window.”
Jan 13, 2021 KING 5 News
Semi-truck partially hanging over Deception Pass Bridge removed; SR 20 now open
Axtman said a tow truck couldn’t tip the truck upright for more than four hours due to high winds and “the possibility of it blowing over again.”
Other bridges in the region will shut down during high winds:
Dec 31, 2019 KIRO 7 News
Hood Canal Bridge reopens after closure for high winds
“According to WSDOT, the bridge will generally close to traffic and crews may open its draw spans during storms with wind speeds over 40 mph that are sustained for at least 15 minutes to relieve pressure on the bridge.”
Dec 31, 2019 Peninsula Daily News
Hood Canal Bridge sees several closures due to high winds
“Closing the bridge to traffic by opening the drawspan helps relieve intense pressure on the bridge,” DOT said.
Oct 13, 2016 Kitsap Sun
How strong must winds be to close Narrows bridges?
“We don’t have a specific wind speed criterion for closing the bridge; it’s a call we make based on the (following) criteria, and we err on the side of public safety,” she said.
“Staff at our Traffic Management Center monitor the wind blowing across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge decks in three ways, all low-tech and all effective:
1) They monitor the wind socks on the bridges and issuing a warning when the socks are fully extended.
2) They monitor how well motorists, and large trucks in particular, are staying in their lanes.
3) they use input from WSP and other partners to help gauge when winds are getting unruly.
“We care more about the safety of drivers crossing the bridges than we do about the nautical correctness of the term or the frequency with which the wind conditions justify the warning. After all, it is not unknown for semis to be blown over while trying to cross those bridges.”
Feb 18, 2018 Q13 FOX
Wind and waves close Westbound I-90 floating bridge for 4 hours
“Washington State Department of Transportation says maintenance crews close the floating bridge at 2:18 p.m. when sustained northerly wind speeds reach 26 mph with wave reached at least 2 feet.”
“WSDOT said the closure is necessary in order to prevent damage to the bridge.”
Question for newspeople:
Does the Deception Pass Bridge close to traffic during high winds?
Related:
Love to see newspeople showing initiative and curiosity in asking questions.
People who take no public funds or private donations are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press?
Independent Press Needs Federal Cash?
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Looking towards the Deception Pass Bridge from the Fidalgo Island side of the park.
Not far from here.
A view from Van Dam Road
About a mile south of Deception Pass.
South of Deception Pass.
About a mile south of Deception Pass.
About a mile south of Deception Pass.
South of Deception Pass
