A commentary on the Washington State's Department of Ecology -Using Taxpayer's Money to Propagandize?
by Norm MacLeod
I’m wondering something here . . .
Seasonal high tides happen, seasonal high tides happen during El Niño events, and seasonal high tides can happen on windy days.
None of these events are connected to sea level rise resulting from climate change. That being the case, how can the Department of Ecology ethically proclaim these events as previews of the consequences of climate change?
So far as I’m concerned, this only serves to further impair the credibility of the Department of Ecology.
Now, there are some concerns I have arising from this . . .
First, the Department of Ecology is encouraging the public to go out and take photos of this natural occurrence so that the agency can presumably use them in climate change alarmism advocacy (propaganda?).
Second, they are doing this in the face of growing evidence that the entire AGW climate change shambolla is collapsing around their ears.
Third, they are doing this on taxpayer-funded time, using taxpayer-funded resources.
To top that off, just in case it needed topping off, Jefferson County employees are amplifying the message using still more taxpayer-funded time and resources . . . but that’s something we’ll have to take up locally.
What a spectacle this is all turning into!
Messages from WA State Dept. of Ecology follow:
From: Michelle McConnell [mailto:mmcconnell@co.jefferson.wa.us]
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:00 PM
To: Michelle McConnell
Subject: SMP: Upcoming Winter High Tides: A Preview of Future Sea Level Rise
Greetings All,
Keep an eye out early next week for the high tides expected to occur. Take photos and send them to state researchers – and to us here at DCD – if you like!
See the WA Dept. of Ecology notice pasted below – lots of web links and amazing photos. This is a good reminder that our shorelines are dynamic natural systems affected by human activities.
Best wishes to our waterfront property owners – hope they fare well through this event.
Stay safe & dry,
Michelle
PS: Wondering if/how the new SMP might address climate change and sea level rise? Check out these provisions of the Locally Approved SMP:
· Programmatic goal at Article 3.7.B.10 on page 3-5;
· General regulation at Article 6.6.A.2 on page 6-23;
· Standard buffer of 150’ for new development/redevelopment – Article 6.1.D.6 ; and
· Vegetation management standards to help protect bank stability – Article 6.4
No reply to this message is required. You have received this message as a member of the Jefferson County Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Interested Parties Email Distribution List. If you do not wish to receive further project notices, reply to this message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" as the subject and body text. Anyone who wants to be added to the list may send an email with "SUBSCRIBE" as the subject and body text. Please note: Recipient names and email addresses are not shown to keep that information private.
Michelle McConnell, Associate Planner - LRP Lead - Jefferson County Department of Community Development
All e-mail sent to this address will be received by the Jefferson County e-mail system and is subject to Public Disclosure under Chapter 42.56 RCW and as such may be viewed by parties other than the intended recipient.
From: "North, Teri (ECY)" <teno461@ECY.WA.GOV>
Date: January 28, 2010 2:56:19 PM PST
To: WA-CLIMATE-CHANGE@LISTSERV.WA.GOV
Subject: Climate Updates
Reply-To: "North, Teri (ECY)" <teno461@ECY.WA.GOV>
Upcoming Winter High Tides: A Preview of Future Sea Level Rise
Seasonal high tides occurring throughout the region early next week will provide a preview of what the state might expect to see on a more regular basis as a result of rising sea levels.
The region experienced seasonal high tides in early January. At that time, we asked you to take photos and send them in to us. We got some great shots and a few are represented here: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/ipa_hightide.htm. Thank you to all of you who responded!
Now we have another opportunity to document these seasonal high tides. Those of you who happen to photograph the high tide events February 1 - 3 are invited to submit your images to the Washington State Department of Ecology. We are interested in using these images to help document the coastal impacts our state is likely to face with increasing frequency as sea levels continue to rise.
Images can be submitted via email to ‘ecologyoutreach@ecy.wa.gov’ – along with the date, time, and detailed location information. Please provide contact information if you'd like us to send you a release form for future publication of your photos. For more information, visit the Washington Department of Ecology blog:
http://ecologywa.blogspot.com/2010/01/grab-your-waders-and-your-camera-and.html
Washington Department of Ecology Climate Change Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/
To unsubscribe to Ecology's Climate Change Update, point your browser to http://listserv.wa.gov/archives/wa-climate-change.html or send a "SIGNOFF WA-CLIMATE-CHANGE@LISTSERV.WA.GOV" command to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.WA.GOV