Environment
Environment
![A puffin on Eastern Egg Rock.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/project-puffin-00084-2_custom-09f798f710853787904ca18fdb0c013dbfe20673-500x500.jpg)
Climate Change Is Causing Problems For Puffins
Maine’s population of rare Atlantic puffins took a hit this year, as the number of chicks to survive a tough summer plummeted. The state’s coastal bays and the Gulf of Maine is among the fastest-warming large water bodies on the planet, making the puffins’ fate a test-case for how climate change could disrupt marine ecosystems worldwide.
![](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Helicopter-with-installed-instrument-to-collect-magnetic-and-radiometric-data.-courtesy-USGS-500x500.png)
Geological Survey Explores Idaho’s Salmon Region For Cobalt
ICB Survey of the area East of the Salmon River where cobalt is being sought. Courtesy of IGS. BY RACHEL SUN Work to provide information on cobalt deposits in Idaho’s
![Smoky skies with orange glow](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/fire-3641982_960_720-500x500.jpg)
Donning An N-95 Respirator During Wildfire Smoke Events Could Protect Your Health
New study shows how N95 masks help keep smoke particles out of your lungs.
![A poll found 59% of Washington voters who were surveyed support a plan to remove the four Lower Snake River dams to protect salmon.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/snake-river-dam-500x500.jpg)
Poll Finds Many Washington Voters Support Removing Snake River Dams
A new poll supported by environmental groups found Washington voters West and East of the Cascades support dam removal.
![Peter Mayer, the director of Washington State Parks, resigned Wednesday after almost seven months heading up the agency.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WA-Parks-500x500.png)
Washington State Parks Director Resigns 7 Months Into The Job
Washington State Parks will need to search for a new permanent director, after Peter Mayer resigned Wednesday.
![480 Otis, who is believed to be around 25 years old, emerged from hibernation looking very thin and facing health problems. But he deftly navigated both inter-bear relationships and a salmon-rich river to put on much-needed weight.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/480otis_before-after_vert-38480c0768198bbec081ca6d0c29c169e82c8100-500x500.png)
Fat Bear Week Has A Champion: All Hail 480 Otis
They went pound for pound, gut to gut. Coming into the final round, both animals had fervent support online. But in the end, 480 Otis was crowned the winner of the Fat Bear Week tournament — a competition made all the more unique by the fact that none of its entrants have any idea it exists.
![Oil is seen on the beach in Huntington Beach, California on October 3, 2021, after a pipeline breach connected to an oil rig off shore started leaking oil, according to an Orange County Supervisor.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/gettyimages-1235671167_custom-241dad529e6268017df5b9afcf4cba04eaff254e-500x500.jpg)
A massive oil spill in the Pacific Ocean has reached the Southern California coast
More than 120,000 gallons of oil that spilled into the Pacific Ocean has reached the Southern California coastline, closing parts of the beach as officials warn residents to stay away from the slick.
![Federal regulators starting will require dam operators to limit hot water pollution caused by the four Lower Snake River dams.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/water-temperatures-500x500.jpg)
Federal Regulators To Limit Hot Water In Snake, Columbia Rivers
Federal regulators starting this spring will require dam operators to limit hot water pollution caused by the four Lower Snake River dams.
![Krista Ann Patterson owns Northwest Paddleboarding in Richland, Washington. She’s unable to rent paddleboards for use on the Columbia River near her shop because the area’s been closed due to a toxic algae bloom.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/toxic-algea-1-500x500.jpg)
Columbia River Toxic Algae: Experts Say Fix What’s Causing It
Health officials are testing Tri-Cities, Washington drinking water twice a week for toxic algae since a half-dozen dogs were sickened or died recently after being on the Columbia River. And the rivershore is closed in Howard Amon Park in Richland. But toxic algae is a nationwide problem, and we still have much to learn.
![A view of the Bonneville Power Administration's Big Eddy-Knight transmission line. More renewable energy development and less room for energy conservation are two of the biggest changes in the draft of the new regional power plan.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/renewable-energy-500x500.jpg)
More Renewable Energy, Less Energy Efficiency In New Power Plan
The draft Northwest Power Plan is dramatically different from previous versions. People can comment on the plan through Nov. 19.
![Crews in Bellingham replace an old culvert (center) with a new 12-foot diameter pipe. The old culvert was too smalland sat too high for juvenile fish to navigate during their migration to their spawning grounds.](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-24-at-13.04.23-500x500.png)
NW Conservation Groups Push For Infrastructure Package Ahead Of U.S. House Vote
Northwest wildlife and wildlife habitat could get a helping hand next week from the federal government.
![A welcome sign to Malden, WA. Founded in 1906. CREDIT: ALEC COWAN / KUOW](https://www.nwpb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/f46a2ba58729070e3e0b3e7cccc0bde7-500x500.jpg)
A Wildfire Burned 85% Of This Washington Town – This Is Their Recovery Story
KUOW special on Malden Washington’s recovery after devastating fire.