10/9 Frosted nudibranch, Skagit sockeye, Victoria shoreline, WA solar farm, Yukon migration, Utah coal leases, democracy watch

Frosted nudibranch [Sea Slug Forum]

 
Frosted nudibranch Dirona albolineata
This nudibranch occurs in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Alaska to San Diego. They are carnivores that feed on a wide variety of prey, mostly on bryozoans, on small crustaceans, hydroids, ascidians, and snails. They can be found all the year around in the shallow subtidal cold waters, at depths of 0 to 28 m. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: San Juan County policy change would streamline energy projects

Record number of sockeye salmon return to Skagit River system
About 92,000 adult sockeye made the annual migration to the Baker River and eventually to Baker Lake from June through October. Also worth noting, a record number of juvenile sockeye — about 1.5 million — headed down the Skagit River and out to sea. Vince Richardson reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Group warns of Greater Victoria shoreline being lost to private interests
The Peninsula Streams Society has raised alarm to government about public shorelines under threat by private property owners installing “hard armouring” which includes rock walls and similar structures at or below the natural boundary of their properties. Christine van Reeuwyk reports. (Sooke News Mirror) 

Major solar farm in eastern Washington on cusp of approval
A large solar farm proposed in eastern Washington appears on course to clear a critical regulatory hurdle this month, despite opposition from the Yakama Nation. After that, it would go for approval to Gov. Bob Ferguson, who has indicated a desire to see it proceed. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

In the Yukon, the longest land migration on earth is under threat
Scientists are racing to count Porcupine caribou amid climate changes and ramped up pushes for oil and gas. Despite the odds, there’s optimism for the future. Trina Moyles reports. (The Narwhal) 

Thousands of acres of federal land now open for coal leases are adjacent to Utah national parks
The map of 13.1 million acres of federal land now available for coal leasing triples the benchmark set by the law and includes parcels near or directly adjacent to landmarks like Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks. Alixel Cabrera reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump says Illinois governor and Chicago mayor should be jailed as they oppose Guard deployment (AP) 
• Trump Fires Black Officials From an Overwhelmingly White Administration (NY Times) 
  
• IRS will furlough nearly half of its workforce as the government shutdown enters a second week (AP) 
• Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee threatens rural schools and hospitals reliant on immigrant workers (AP) 
• Senate Republicans vote down legislation to check Trump's use of war powers against cartels (AP) 

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Here's your tug weather—  West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  226 PM PDT Wed Oct 8 2025    
THU  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at  5 seconds and W 4 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of showers in the  morning.  
THU NIGHT  NE wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of showers in the evening, then  showers likely after midnight.

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