3/18 Yellow fritillary, EPA science, new Tacoma pier, PRGT pipeline, BC landslides, Tla'amin village site, Perrinville Cr, caddisfly, border traffic, BC toll, first 100 days

 

Yellow fritillary

Yellow fritillary Fritillaria pudica
The yellow fritillary is a small perennial plant found in the sagebrush country in the western United States. Another common (but somewhat ambiguous) name is "yellow bells", since it has a bell-shaped yellow flower. It may be found in dryish, loose soil; it is amongst the first plants to flower after the snow melts, but the flower does not last very long; as the petals age, they turn a brick-red colour and begin to curl outward. During his historic journey, Meriwether Lewis collected a specimen while passing through Idaho in 1806. The corm can be dug up and eaten fresh or cooked; it served Native Americans as a good source of food in times past, and is still eaten occasionally. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Indigenous youth and women shaping environmental futures

Trump Administration Aims to Eliminate E.P.A.’s Scientific Research Arm
More than 1,000 chemists, biologists and other scientists could be laid off under a plan to dismantle the Office of Research and Development. Lisa Friedman reports. (NY Times)

Puyallup Tribe and NWSA enter historic pact to create new pier at Port of Tacoma
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians entered into an historic agreement Monday with the Northwest Seaport Alliance, which will include developing a new berth on the Blair Waterway at the Port of Tacoma. Debbie Cockrell reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

PRGT pipeline hit with warning letter for environmental violations
Pipeline workers failed to properly assess endangered bat habitat before clearing land in northwest British Columbia. The project could be fined up to $1 million, according to a warning letter sent by B.C. officials. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Half of 2021 landslides in B.C. linked logging, wildfires: study
Study finds nearly half of 1,300 landslides that occurred during B.C.'s November 2021 atmospheric river event started in areas burned by wildfire or disturbed by logging. Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist)

First Nation gets village site back from pulp company on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast
Tla'amin First Nation say village holds historical and current significance to its people. (CBC)

Examiner to decide route of Perrinville Creek
Closing arguments were submitted last week in a hearing that could determine if the creek will be passable for salmon in the next three years. Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald)

Learn about the caddisfly with ecologist Judy Li
Oregon State University professor emeritus Judy Li’s lifelong love of all the critters that make their homes in our local creeks is contagious. One of Li’s favorites is the under-appreciated caddisfly. Not only are these stealthy invertebrates near-miraculous in their ability to transform from tiny, underwater insects into winged flyers, they also play an important role in keeping our watersheds clean and healthy. Jule Gilfillan reports. (OPB)

Cross-border trips to the U.S. reach COVID lows with nearly 500,000 fewer travellers in February
The number of trips hasn't been this low since the COVID-19 era. John Paul Tasker reports. (CBC)

British Columbia introduces toll measure to counter tariffs
The government of British Columbia filed legislation Thursday that would permit the province to levy tolls on vehicles between the Lower 48 and Alaska... The bill does not automatically impose fees on vehicles, but it “just gives BC the tools to do so down the road if Trump continues to escalate his threats towards BC and Canada,” according to a statement from the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Transit. James Brooks reports. (Washington State Standard) 

The First 100 Days

• Proposal would force millions to file Social Security claims in person (Washington Post)
  
• Trump administration plans a 25 percent staff cut at IRS taxpayer help office (Washington Post)
  
• Trump Administration Aims to Eliminate E.P.A.’s Scientific Research Arm (NY Times)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  202 AM PDT Tue Mar 18 2025   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE  WEDNESDAY NIGHT    
TODAY  S wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to SE early this afternoon,  rising to 10 to 15 kt late. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 13 seconds. A chance of showers early this afternoon. Showers  likely late.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 4 seconds and W  5 ft at 12 seconds. Showers likely in the evening, then rain  after midnight.

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