The Hood Canal Situation

[dwashbur]

So here's what I don't get. This is an honest question, not an attempt to start a conflict. This low oxygen situation is a recurring problem, and a big part of the reason is that big rock blockage at the mouth of the canal. Why doesn't the state or somebody else go out there with an underwater demolition team and get it out of the way, thus improving water exchange and improving conditions for the life in the canal?

Again, this is something that genuinely puzzles me.

[Mattleycrue76]

So here's what I don't get. This is an honest question, not an attempt to start a conflict. This low oxygen situation is a recurring problem, and a big part of the reason is that big rock blockage at the mouth of the canal. Why doesn't the state or somebody else go out there with an underwater demolition team and get it out of the way, thus improving water exchange and improving conditions for the life in the canal?

Again, this is something that genuinely puzzles me.

They tried to get a permit but after an extensive study of the affected area it was dicovered that a family of Krill, 14 mussles, and a squat lobster had made the rock blockage their home. Originally the idea was put forward to relocate the affected critters to a similar spot 3 miles a few miles away but of course this required another study on the ecological impact the critters would have on this proposed location. Meanwhile, the company that had been hired to create the carbon offsets for this project filed for bancruptcy and changed its name. Despite raising the tax on automatic umbrellas the project was unable to remain funded due to the 17% anual pay raise for the 26 state and federal bureaucrats involved in this endeavor.

[dwashbur]

So here's what I don't get. This is an honest question, not an attempt to start a conflict. This low oxygen situation is a recurring problem, and a big part of the reason is that big rock blockage at the mouth of the canal. Why doesn't the state or somebody else go out there with an underwater demolition team and get it out of the way, thus improving water exchange and improving conditions for the life in the canal?

Again, this is something that genuinely puzzles me.

They tried to get a permit but after an extensive study of the affected area it was dicovered that a family of Krill, 14 mussles, and a squat lobster had made the rock blockage their home. Originally the idea was put forward to relocate the affected critters to a similar spot 3 miles a few miles away but of course this required another study on the ecological impact the critters would have on this proposed location. Meanwhile, the company that had been hired to create the carbon offsets for this project filed for bancruptcy and changed its name. Despite raising the tax on automatic umbrellas the project was unable to remain funded due to the 17% anual pay raise for the 26 state and federal bureaucrats involved in this endeavor.

Well, at least it's not something complicated............

[CaptnJack]

It would take a glacier to move enough material and carve the channel deeper.

[nwbobber]

+1 for the glacier.

Human efforts to "improve" the environment haven't worked out so well, historically.

Maybe try to get the nitrogen levels down, first.

[seaphilia]

In the late 1950's the Canadians blew up Ripple Rock near Campbell River because too many boats were crashing on it. Saw a video once at Abyssal. Pretty amazing. Lots of explosives.

[CaptnJack]

In the late 1950's the Canadians blew up Ripple Rock near Campbell River because too many boats were crashing on it. Saw a video once at Abyssal. Pretty amazing. Lots of explosives.

Still supposedly the largest non-nuclear explosion ever. And it wasn't that big a rock despite the massive tunneling efforts.

The Oregonians blowing up the dead whale was better though
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFwxH3PPWiU[/youtube]

[ktb]

OMG. Flying whale chunks. LOVE it.

[dwashbur]

Human efforts to "improve" the environment haven't worked out so well, historically.

True, but I would suspect that something like this might be a bit different. Still, I don't know anybody with a glacier in their pocket, so I guess it ain't likely to happen.