"UPDATE: In a later blog post refuting aspects of this article, Heller points to comments that a retired NOAA scientist named John Bates"

The "later blog post" part of this update is not accurate.  The Dr. John Bates reference is part of the Heller presentation (referenced as one of two scientists, not by name).  Dr. Bates name is in the slide presentation (published by Heller AND Washington State Gov).  Did the author not bother to fact check the readily available slides before writing the article?   Since this article attacks the author instead of the presentation it seems possible.

The 15 or so previous comments here were civil and and mostly negative to this article.  I wonder why they were deleted.