1/8 Black bear, Trudeau's legacy, Skagit battery energy siting, offshore drilling, sea sponge, Skagit dams

 

Black bear [Wikipedia]

Black bear Ursus americanus
The black bear is a species of medium-sized bear endemic to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species. It is an omnivore, with a diet varying greatly depending on season and location. It typically lives in largely forested areas but will leave forests in search of food and is sometimes attracted to human communities due to the immediate availability of food. (Wikipedia)


Today's top story in Salish Current: Fear of the unknown: AI anxiety in academia

What is Justin Trudeau’s environmental legacy?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s climate-conscious government bought Canada an oil pipeline while ushering in significant environmental laws. Carl Meyer and Fatima Syed report. (The Narwhal)  Justin Trudeau's legacy gets mixed reviews from First Nations in B.C. Akshay Kulkarni reports. (CBC)

Public comment again being taken on battery energy storage facility near Sedro-Woolley
The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is again taking public comment on the proposed Goldeneye Energy Storage Facility east of Sedro-Woolley. Public comment will be open until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Vince Richardson reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Can Trump overturn Biden’s ban on offshore drilling? ‘It’s not so simple,’ experts say
President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to overturn President Joe Biden’s sweeping, eleventh-hour ban on offshore drilling. But it’s easier said than done, according to legal experts. Brendan Rascius reports. (The News Tribune)

One sea sponge near the Island could give insight into our changing oceans
Belinda the sponge is proving that sea sponges are more active—and resilient—than previously thought. Robyn Bell reports. (Capital Daily)

The Skagit Opens Up For Fish
On Sept. 14, 1924, the Gorge Dam Powerhouse sent the first power generated on the Skagit south to Seattle. Since then, the three dams on the river have cut off salmon from natural spawning grounds. A century later, in April 2023, Seattle City Light, the utility that owns and operates the dams, committed to ensuring safe passage for fish around their structures. But with the specifics unclear, scientists and indigenous peoples are asking: Will the type of fish passage that comes from the utility be enough?  Ben Delaney reports. (The Planet Magazine)

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  220 AM PST Wed Jan 8 2025    
TODAY  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt late this  morning and afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  14 seconds.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 4 seconds and W  6 ft at 13 seconds.

---


"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.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told