5/14 Salamander, tree sitter, Snake R dams, drinking forever chemicals, carbon credits, pumped storage, NW energy needs, dead whale, Clipper cuts, BC forestry, democracy watch

Long-toed salamander [Charles Peterson]

Long-toed salamander Ambystoma macrodactylum
In Washington, long-toed salamanders are the most widespread, possibly the most common salamander species and occur in all ecoregions. Occurrences are sparse in coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest Coast Ecoregion and in the driest portions of the central arid shrub-steppe zone of the Columbia Basin Ecoregion. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Local attorneys reaffirm commitment to the Constitution / Bids to build new plug-in ferries come in high

Activist remains in tree to block cut of Elwha forest
An activist is continuing their vigil about 80 feet up a grand fir in an effort to stop logging of an older forest on state lands in the Elwha watershed. The tree sitter, 25, a Port Angeles resident who declined to be identified, first ascended the fir in the early morning hours of May 8 a few miles outside of Port Angeles to protest planned logging of the state’s Parched timber sale. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

New energy secretary supports Snake River hydropower dams
The nation’s new energy secretary is “passionately in support” of leaving the four lower Snake River dams in Eastern Washington intact, he said at a hearing last week in Washington, D.C. Annette Cary reports. (Tri-City Herald)

EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on so-called forever chemicals in drinking water
The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it plans to weaken limits on some so-called forever chemicals in drinking water that were finalized last year, while maintaining standards for two common ones. Michael Phillis reports. (Associated Press)

Microsoft purchases Peninsula credits
The forest investment and management company EFM has finalized an agreement with Microsoft for the purchase of millions of carbon removal credits, some of which will be derived from Olympic Peninsula forests. Emma Maple reports. (Peninsula Dail News)

Washington’s draft report on pumped storage hydropower finds ways to do less harm
Pumped storage hydropower has been around for decades. It acts as a battery and stores energy for when it’s needed on the grid. But Washington lawmakers wanted to know more about it. So, they asked for an informational study. Courtney Platt reports. (NW Public Broadcasting)

Higher prices, rolling blackouts: The Northwest is bracing for the effects of a lagging green energy push
Northwest leaders pushed strict green energy mandates but neglected problems with the electrical grid. Residents are already feeling the consequences. Tony Schick and Monica Samayoa report. (OPB)

Second dead grey whale in less than a week washes ashore in B.C.
Last week, another dead grey whale was found near Tofino, belonging to a population already considered at risk. (CBC)

Clipper to cut in half number of summer sailings between Victoria and Seattle
The ferry company is also laying off staff as it worries about inflation and tensions about border crossing contribute to a drop in passenger numbers. Andrew A. Duffy reports. (Times Colonist)

It’s Not Just Trump’s Tariff War Hurting BC’s Forest Sector
The legacy of provincial policies and industry decisions is equally to blame. Ben Parfitt reports. (The Tyee)

Democracy Watch

• In rare move, Congress pushes back on Trump over Library of Congress (Washington Post)
  
• U.S. House Republican plan would force states to pay for a portion of SNAP benefits (Washington State Standard)
  
• FDA moves to ban fluoride supplements for kids, removing a key tool for dentists (NPR)
  
• DOGE Removes Dozens of Resurrected Contracts From Its List of Savings (NY Times)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  245 AM PDT Wed May 14 2025   TODAY  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 8 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 9 seconds.

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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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