Climate Record Suggests Drier Times for Pacific Northwest « State of the Planet

http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/02/28/climate-record-suggests-drier-times-for-pacific-northwest/

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

WSDOT North Cascades Highway Update

Hi all,
Our Avalanche Control Team and the Twisp Maintenance Superintendent were planning to do the assessment of the North Cascades Highway on Tuesday and then it was postponed to Wednesday and now the trip is postponed until next week. 
We've got mountain snow forecast through Thursday and the Avalanche crew can't be in two places at once, so they're going to have to stay at Stevens handling the avalanche control there for the rest of the week.  (We did control work from 2 to 6 a.m. this morning and brought down a lot of snow, but there was a lot to bring down - We got 32" of new from 6 a.m. yesterday to 6 a.m. today.)  You may also be aware, it's still snowing along the entire west slope of the Cascades - as I'm writing, Snoqualmie is still closed for avalanche control. (They've been getting more snow than Stevens today as the storm track is heavier to the south and coming in low - Snoqualmie is a 1,000' lower than Stevens, too).
When the assessment happens isn't that critical - as a matter of fact, the later it's done, the more accurately Mike and his snow wizards can make their predictions.  The assessment trip is to determine how soon the clearing can begin and what resources (people and equipment) are going to be needed. 
Oh, in answer to the question you didn't ask - it has been costing around $250,000 for the spring reopening effort.  We are hoping we won't have to rent a lot of the big caterpillars (which WSDOT doesn't own) to keep the price down, but the reopening budget is secure.  Despite the budget cutting the Governor and the legislature have done (are doing) - they all said no to any cuts to winter highway maintenance.
I'll let you know when the assessment trip is rescheduled and then what they found and what it means.
Later!
Jeff Adamson adamsoj@wsdot.wa.gov 509.667.2815
 

North Cascadia Adaptation Partnership (NCAP)

Interesting project to keep your eyes on:

 North Cascadia Adaptation Partnership (NCAP)

Stehekin Landing work begins

Construction will begin Monday, February 21 on the Stehekin Winter Ferry Landing Improvement Project. This new dock will provide universal access ...

www.nps.gov/noca/.../stehekin-landing-construction.htm
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Stehekin ferry landing work begins Monday

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure/2011/02/16/stehekin-ferry-landing-work-begins-monday/

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Flood-plagued Carbon River Road to become a trail | SoundLife - The News Tribune

Carbon River Road, once a popular thoroughfare for campers and day hikers at Mount Rainier, will be converted into a trail for hikers and bikers, park officials are expected to announce today.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/02/11/1539861/carbon-river-trail-coming.html?storylink=fb

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

YouTube - Cougars, bobcats, bears, foxes, bulls and bucks

Posted by Friends of the Teananway...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpMvyRyRXA6s&v=pMvyRyRXA6s&gl=CA

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry