9/12 Butterwort, Columbia Basin dam suits, freed humpback, Enchantments, Ghost the Octopus, democracy watch, week in review

 Butterwort

Butterwort Pinguicula
Pinguicula, commonly known as butterworts, is a genus of carnivorous flowering plants in the family Lentibulariaceae. They use sticky, glandular leaves to lure, trap, and digest insects in order to supplement the poor mineral nutrition they obtain from the environment. There are tropical butterworts and temperate butterworts. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: San Juan sea serpent spotting reported — again

Lawsuits against federal government over Columbia Basin dams to resume
Environmental groups backed by Northwest states and four Lower Columbia River tribes are moving to lift a pause on litigation after the Trump administration withdrew from a “historic” deal. Alex Baumhardt and Emily Fitzgerald report. (Washington State Standard) 

Humpback whale freed from fishing gear off Vancouver Island
A juvenile humpback whale nicknamed Tutu is swimming freely again after a multi-day mission in early September to disentangle it from more than 150 metres of fishing gear off Vancouver Island. Fatima Raza reports. (Canadian Press) 

Paradise under pressure: The Enchantments buckling under trash, waste and overcrowding
Behind the postcard views of the Enchantments in the North Cascades lies a crisis. Trash, human waste, graffiti, and crowds are threatening the fragile alpine environment. Volunteers say years of federal staffing cuts have left this wilderness on the brink. Volunteers struggle to maintain the Enchantments, hauling out 12 pounds of toilet paper in one day as federal cuts strain resources. Bridget Chavez reports. (KING) 

Dying octopus Ghost receives love at Aquarium of the Pacific
A dying octopus in a Southern California aquarium is receiving an outflowing of love and well wishes as she spends her final days pouring her last energy into caring for her eggs — even though they will never hatch. Jaime Ding reports. (Associated Press) 
 
Democracy Watch

• Trump says he’ll send National Guard to Memphis (AP) 
• Trump threatened Portland with troops to quell protests. The mayor says it’s not needed (AP) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/12/25: Dolphin Friday, Musqueam appeal, warming seas, BC oil gas inspections, water for salmon, WA pinks, emerald ash borer, BC heat dome, public land rule https://salishseacommunications.blogspot.com/2025/09/salish-sea-news-week-in-review_12.html

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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  206 AM PDT Fri Sep 12 2025    
TODAY  W wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt late. Seas 3 to  5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 13 seconds. A slight chance of rain  early this afternoon.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 12 seconds.  Patchy dense fog in the evening.  
SAT  S wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  12 seconds. A chance of rain in the afternoon.  
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: SW  2 ft at 8 seconds and W 4 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of rain in  the evening, then rain likely after midnight.  
SUN  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: SW 2 ft  at 7 seconds and W 4 ft at 10 seconds. Rain likely.

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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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