8/7 Canoe Journey, Mount Polley mine, boat recycling, AK drilling and mining, Great Barrier Reef coral, custom microbes, democracy watch

Snapdragons

Snapdragons Antirrhinum majus 
Snapdragons are popular perennials usually grown as annuals with a short-lived blooming period. The name comes from the shape of the individual flower heads, which look like the snout of a dragon. (The Spruce)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Mentoring musicians in Whatcom County

Final landing at Elwha brings challenges during celebratory year
While harrowing waters initially proved to be an issue for the success of this year’s canoe journey, protocol still brought an opportunity for Coast Salish tribes to represent their communities under one sky. Carrie Johnson reports. (Underscore Native News) 

Mount Polley Can Continue Tailings Expansion, BC Supreme Court Says
A B.C. Supreme Court justice has dismissed the Xatśūll First Nation’s request to overturn a provincial decision allowing the expansion of the Mount Polley mine’s tailings facility. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee) 

Proactive boat recycling saves Washington waterways and resources
There are at least 300 derelict vessels sitting in state waterways. Twenty-nine vessels were recently removed from the Salish Sea and brought to a Bellingham recycling facility to be broken down as part of a state program aimed at preventing a growing environmental crisis. Eric Wilkinson reports. (KING) 

Trump's push for drilling, mining in Alaska creates divides among Natives about sacred land
When Alaska Natives debate proposals to drill, mine or otherwise develop the landscape of the nation’s largest state, it involves more than an environmental or economic question. It’s also a spiritual and cultural one. Peter Smith reports. (Associated Press) 

Great Barrier Reef records largest annual coral loss in 39 years
The Great Barrier Reef has experienced its greatest annual loss of live coral across most of its expanse in four decades of record-keeping, Australian authorities say. Rod Mcguirk reports. (Associated Press) 

Better Living Through Biochemistry
Scientists are creating custom microbial microbiomes to solve environmental problems, like cleaning up microplastics and restoring trashed agricultural soil. Emma Marris reports. (bioGraphic) 

Democracy Watch

• After deep DOGE cuts, National Weather Service gets OK to fill up to 450 jobs (AP) 
• Trump’s Redistricting Campaign Tests His Power in the States (NY Times) 
• Trump calls for U.S. census to exclude for the first time people with no legal status (NPR) 
• Gabbard overrode CIA officials’ concerns in push to release classified Russia report (Washington Post) 

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-  251 AM PDT Thu Aug 7 2025    
TODAY  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft  at 10 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told