11/18 Spider plant, logjams, energy czar, Vancouver Is unceded lands, WA budget deficit, The Good Whale, warehouse project, orca protection

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Spider plant

Spider plant Chlorophytum comosum
Spider plant or common spider plant is named due to its spider-like look, and is also known as spider ivy, airplane plant, ribbon plant, and hen and chickens. It is a species of evergreen perennial flowering plant of the family Asparagaceae. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: WWU community grapples with post-election uncertainty in a new Trump era / We failed the test to maintain our democratic institutions

The power of a logjam: A vision of the Northwest’s rivers of old
In their natural state, Puget Sound rivers are a braided mess of forested islands, jammed with downed wood and surging with salmon. Now work is underway to restore the lower Elwha to a version of its past — in part by building giant logjams. So far, the tribe has built about 80 logjams here, returning wood obstructions to the river’s life cycle 10 years since two hydroelectric dams were removed from the watershed. The jams further rebuild the resilience of the river, especially in consideration of the effects of climate change, said Jamie Michel, habitat manager for the tribe. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Trump picks Colorado oil and gas executive to lead Energy Department
Republican President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday he wants Chris Wright, a Colorado oil and gas executive who denies that the world faces a “climate crisis,” to serve the new administration as Department of Energy secretary. Quentin Young reports. (Washington State Standard)

Locked out: how a 19th century land grant is still undermining First Nations rights on Vancouver Island
On Vancouver Island, a vast swath of privately owned forest poses a unique challenge for five First Nations seeking redress for their unceded homelands. Julie Gordon reports. (The Narwhal)

With $10B deficit looming, WA governor calls on state agencies to make cuts
Washington’s outgoing governor says reductions are needed to balance the next state budget. Lawmakers may also consider new taxes when they convene next year. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

If you like to listen: The Good Whale
This is the story of a wildly ambitious science experiment to return a captive orca to the ocean — while the world watched. (Serial Productions and NY Times)

Pierce County warehouse project near popular trail approved; 100s of trees to be removed
The city of DuPont’s hearing examiner ruled Tuesday that a controversial proposal to build a 256,800-square-foot office/warehouse building near the popular Sequalitchew Creek Trail could move forward. If approved, construction of the “DuPont West” or “DuPont 243” project, could result in the removal of more than 350 healthy trees, including 56 protected landmark trees. Becca Most reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Documents reveal Canada's early efforts to save orcas from 'catastrophic' oil spills
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has launched measures to try and protect endangered orcas on the West Coast from rising risk of oil spills, indicate federal documents obtained by Canada’s National Observer through access-to-information legislation. The fisheries department (DFO) has invested in vessels and acoustic gear, drafted an operating procedure for fishery officers, maintains community equipment caches and conducts training exercises led by a marine mammal response team that includes the use of underwater speakers to deter whales from entering a spill zone, the documents show. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  306 AM PST Mon Nov 18 2024   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON  
STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY  MORNING    
TODAY  W wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming SW 10 to 15 kt late this  morning and afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 ft, subsiding to 6 to 9 ft  this afternoon. Wave Detail: W 11 ft at 13 seconds. A slight  chance of tstms. Showers.  
TONIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: SE  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 8 ft at 13 seconds. Showers.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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