1/31 Red squirrel, BC LNG, Snake R dams, protesters sued, BC old-growth, WA Indigenous curriculum, BC population

Red squirrel [jmarcinik/iNaturalist/CreativeCommons]

Red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
The Red squirrel is about the same size as the Douglas squirrel and lives in coniferous forests and semi-open woods in northeast Washington. It is rusty-red on the upper part and white or grayish white on its underside.

Today's top story in Salish Current: High water in Whatcom ... and getting higher?

The door to B.C.’s liquefied natural gas export sector is about to open. Here’s what you need to know
As LNG Canada completes construction and prepares to bring operations online, the export facility could 'open a gateway' for other projects to proceed. But B.C.’s gas export sector faces stricter emissions policies, unpredictable market shifts and climate disasters as it tries to maintain its place in an uncertain future. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Allegations of ‘secret’ deal to remove Snake River dams aired by U.S. House GOP
Republicans on a U.S. House panel blasted the Biden administration Tuesday for an agreement they said paved the way for removing four dams from the Snake River in eastern Washington state. The agreement to take steps to restore salmon populations in the Snake River that President Joe Biden announced in December with the states of Oregon and Washington and four tribes in the region would lead the way to removing four dams on the river. Jacob Fischler reports. (Washington State Standard)

15 Fairy Creek protesters face civil suit from logging company
The suit says those named in the lawsuit have caused Teal Cedar a loss of profit and goodwill and damaged the company’s reputation. Roxanne Egan-Elliott reports. (Victoria Times Colonist)

B.C. counted poorly protected old-growth forests toward conservation targets, researchers say
The province counted most old-growth management areas towards its 30-by-30 conservation targets. A new report says a lot of that land isn’t actually protecting old-growth forests. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Speaking Lushootseed: WA’s Indigenous curriculum may be renamed
A bill would name the Native history program after the late advocate, longtime state Sen. John McCoy (lulilaš), who inspired its creation. Jadenne Radoc Cabahug reports. (Crosscut)

Washington lawmakers hope to tweak new wildfire protection rules for homes
Critics say updated standards set to take effect in March would drive up housing costs and are based on a map that overstates fire risks in many areas. Laurel Demkovich reports. (Washington State Standard)

BC population to hit 7.9 million by 2046, as growth rate soars: report
The new B.C. government report based on publicly available data predicts a 44-per-cent population increase compared to the 2023 population of 5.5 million. (Canadian Press)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  248 AM PST Wed Jan 31 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON    
TODAY  SE wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. SW swell 7 ft at 12 seconds  building to 9 ft at 12 seconds in the afternoon. Rain.  
TONIGHT  E wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. SW swell  13 ft at 12 seconds becoming W 11 ft at 13 seconds after  midnight. Rain in the evening then rain likely after midnight.

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