9/23 Aster, BC old growth, DNR transfer, CascadePBS, DOD 'forever chemicals,' EPA endangerment findings, sturgeon deaths, ship noise, killer sharks, Hilary Franz, democracy watch

Aster 

Aster spp.
Asters are a highlight of the autumn landscape. There are about 250 species native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Illinois native perennial asters grow along roadsides, in woodlands, prairies and other natural areas. As summer wanes, they put on a stellar show of flowers in blue, purple, pink, violet, or white that attract butterflies and other pollinators. Although wild asters have a reputation for looking lanky or weedy rather than bushy and compact, their seeds are an important food source for birds in winter. (Chicago Botanic Garden)

Today's top story in Salish Current: ‘Storm before the calm’: The making of Tribal Canoe Journeys

Lichen, logging, land rights: Complex forces play out in fate of ancient B.C. forest
The forest in the Tsitika River watershed is prized for its age and biodiversity, and a provincially appointed panel identified it as ancient, a rarer subset of old-growth, and recommended that it be set aside from logging in 2021. But if a plan by the provincial logging agency, B.C. Timber Sales, goes ahead, the site will be auctioned for clear-cut logging by the end of September. Brenna Owen reports. (Times Colonist) 

DNR transfers land to Stillaguamish Tribe for salmon restoration
The transfer includes three state land trust parcels along the Stillaguamish River totaling just under 70 acres. Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald) 

Seattle's Cascade PBS announces layoffs, end of online long-form journalism
Seattle's PBS station will cease production of its local long-form journalism, leadership announced on Monday. The move, attributed to a $3.5 million annual loss in federal funding, marks the layoffs of 17 staffers. (KUOW) 

Defense Department Delays Cleanup of ‘Forever Chemicals’ Nationwide 
The new timeline could slow cleanup in some communities by nearly a decade. The chemicals, widely used in the military, are linked to cancers and other health risks. Hiroko Tabuchi reports. (NY Times) 

Trump administration revocation of 16-year-old scientific finding will have ‘serious and far-reaching consequences’ for Oregonians, state says
In July, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it was revoking the endangerment finding, which has been used to set stricter greenhouse gas emissions standards under the Clean Air Act. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality submitted formal comments to the EPA on Friday over its decision to revoke a 2009 endangerment finding. Monica Samayoa reports. (OPB) 

First Nation in B.C. investigates sturgeon deaths, plans to track drifting carcasses
It is unclear if mortality rates for ancient fish are up in B.C., but officials working to track deaths along rivers. Brenna Owen reports. (Canadian Press) 

With local orcas ‘in desperate condition,’ Snuneywuxw is monitoring ships’ noises
The First Nation is collecting sound data, hoping to protect at-risk southern resident killer whales from ‘acoustic smog’ of increased maritime traffic. Sonal Gupta reports. (IndigiNews) 

To Catch a Killer Shark 
Using DNA analysis, scientists linked the same shark to two bites on people. Now, they want to use the work to save other sharks' lives. Chris Baraniuk reports. (bioGraphic) 

Former WA lands commissioner Hilary Franz takes top job at forest conservation nonprofit
Former Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has accepted a job as the president and CEO of American Forests, a forest conservation nonprofit. (Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump makes unfounded claims about Tylenol and repeats discredited link between vaccines and autism (AP) 
• Trump Signs Order Targeting Antifa Movement (NY Times) 
• Supreme Court allows Trump to fire -- for now -- remaining Democrat on FTC  (NPR) 
• Judge orders Trump administration to restore $500 million in federal grant funding to UCLA (AP) 
• Fewer households, businesses will get high-speed internet under revamped federal plan (Washington State Standard) 

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  210 AM PDT Tue Sep 23 2025    
TODAY  E wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to NW late. Seas 3 to 5 ft.  Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 11 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 10 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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