7/2 Gorse, Soundkeeper win, floodplain management, democracy watch

Gorse

 
Gorse Ulex europaeus
Gorse is a perennial, evergreen shrub able to grow over 10 feet tall. It is shrubby with stout and upright spreading branches with angular stems and a terminal thorn. The plant habit is dense, sometimes 30 feet in diameter, with a center of dead foliage. Gorse forms vigorous stands that grow outward and crowd out all other vegetation causing a considerable loss of grassland habitat. Because it forms a center of dry dead vegetation and has a high oil content, it is a serious fire hazard. (Washington Noxious Weed Control Board)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Lynden asylum seekers reunite with baby

Legal Victory: U.S. Supreme Court declines review of Port of Tacoma v. Puget Soundkeeper
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Puget Soundkeeper in rejecting an appeal by the Port of Tacoma and their tenant, the multinational shipping corporation SSA Terminals. The Port and SSA asked the U.S. Supreme Court to find that citizen groups such as Puget Soundkeeper could not enforce the federal Clean Water Act as to the stormwater pollution discharged into Commencement Bay from their 12-acre over-water wharf in Tacoma. The order ensures a 2024 decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of Puget Soundkeeper will stand and that the polluters will be held accountable for their ongoing violations impacting Puget Sound water quality. (Soundkeeper news release)

Snohomish County receives $10 million grant for floodplain management
The state Department of Ecology funding will go toward 13 projects across the county working to restore habitat and support climate resiliency. Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald)

Democracy Watch

• Republicans rewrote the US Senate megabill in its last moments (Washington State Standard)
  
• Poorest Americans Would Be Hurt By Trump’s Big Bill (NY Times)
  
• Senate GOP cuts renewable energy tax credits in big budget bill (AP)
  
• Trump administration tells states it’s freezing $6.8 billion for K-12 school programs (Washington State Standard)
  
• Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Who Threatened Police Joins Justice Dept. (NY Times)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  252 AM PDT Wed Jul 2 2025    
TODAY  W wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt this afternoon.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 6 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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