Wednesday, January 29, 2025

1/29 Devil's club, BC orcas, buffer zones, environmental crime, DNR forest management, first 100 days

Devil's club
 
Devil's club Oplopanax horridus
Devil's club or Devil's walking stick is a large understory shrub native to the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, but also disjunct on islands in Lake Superior. It is noted for its large palmate leaves and erect, woody stems covered in noxious and irritating spines. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Storming the Sound conference returns for its 26th year

‘The whales are in crisis’: two federal ministers sued over delay in protecting B.C.’s orcas
Conservation groups are asking for an emergency order to protect killer whales following the death of another calf. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

New buffer zones could help orcas hear their dinner
Just last year, scientists published the first direct evidence that noise interferes with orca feeding behavior. Officials hope a new law establishing a larger buffer zone between boats and endangered southern resident orcas will mean quieter seas and healthier whales. Eric Wagner reports. (Salish Sea Currents Magazine)

Washington legislators look to crack down on environmental crime
A bill before the Washington state Senate would make intentional water pollution, air pollution, and spilling of hazardous waste felonies. Under Washington state law, most environmental crimes are misdemeanors. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Prosecutor reviewing possible lawsuit
The Clallam County prosecuting attorney’s office is evaluating whether the county has grounds to sue the state over a breach of contract related to timberland management. That argument, made by retired politician Jim Buck of Joyce, contends that the state has violated its fiduciary responsibility to Clallam County by not managing the county’s land, held in trust by the state, with undivided loyalty to the county. Emma Maple reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

The First 100 Days
Trump issues order prohibiting openly transgender service members in the military (Washington State Standard)
Trump offering federal workers buyouts with about 8 months’ pay in effort to shrink government (Associated Press)
Trump order aims to end federal support for gender transitions for those under 19 (Associated Press)
Trump Seeks to Assert More Control Over California’s Water
(NY Times)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  214 AM PST Wed Jan 29 2025    
TODAY
 W wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt this afternoon.  Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 13 seconds. A slight  chance of rain late.  
TONIGHT
 SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening, then rain  after midnight.

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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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