2/11 Pickleweed, cold and snow, Shell refinery penalty, youth climate, abandoned boats

Pickleweed [Mary Jo Adams]

 
Pickleweed Salicornia virginica
This species can be found in salt marshes and beaches with low wave energy along the Pacific Coast of the United States and British Columbia, on the American East Coast, and also in Western Europe.  It is a common and easily recognized perennial with fleshy stems, leaves reduced to scales, and tiny yellow flowers that bloom in July and August.  This plant belongs to the goosefoot family.  Other common names for it include saltwort, sea asparagus, and American glasswort.  A similar but less common species, Salicornia maritima tends to take on a bright red hue in the fall.  (Mary Jo Adams/Sound Water Stewards)

Wind chill could make it feel like –25 C outside on South Coast as Arctic air grips B.C.  (CBC) Snow is coming to Seattle area: Here's updated weather forecast  (Seattle Times)

Shell pays $191,000 fine for 2015 refinery incident
Shell Oil Products U.S. has paid a $191,000 fine for the release of pollutants from its Shell Puget Sound Refinery in Skagit County nearly six years ago. The fine comes through a legal settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to resolve violations of the federal Clean Air Act. During refinery maintenance on Feb. 20, 2015, several operating procedures were violated, resulting in the release of about 700 pounds of pollutants including hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, mercaptans, pyrophoric iron and benzene over a period of about 3 1/2 hours. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley herald)

Washington state Appeals court: What to do about climate change a ‘political question,’ not for the judiciary to decide
The state Court of Appeals has rejected claims of 13 young plaintiffs that they have a constitutional right to a stable climate system “that sustains human life and liberty.” They asked the court to affirm that right, and called for an enforceable Washington plan to reduce carbon emissions. But the Washington Appeals Court ruled that the “Youth’s claims present a political question to be determined by the people and their elected representatives, not the judiciary.” Hal Bernton reports. (Seattle Times)

Abandoned boats in waterways are a ‘regional challenge,’ says King County Sheriff’s Office
People are abandoning their poorly cared-for boats in the Puget Sound and nearby lakes — and getting them out is difficult and expensive, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office. Cameron Sheppard reports. (Bellevue Reporters)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  251 AM PST Thu Feb 11 2021   
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING   
TODAY  E wind 25 to 35 kt. Combined seas 4 to 6 ft with a  dominant period of 14 seconds. A chance of snow in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  E wind 25 to 35 kt. Combined seas 4 to 6 ft with a  dominant period of 12 seconds. A slight chance of snow.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter. 

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told