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| Arbutus |
Madrone Arbutus menziesii
Arbutus favors open, sunny places along rocky bluffs and canyons. Named
in 1814 in honor of the pioneer botanist Archibald Menzies who recorded
it when he came ashore in 1792 at Port Discovery. Another name, madrone,
is commonly used. It arose from a Spanish priest noting in 1769 there
were many "madrons" when he likened the tree to the related madrono or
strawberry tree of the Mediterranean. (Trees & Shrubs of Washington)
Today's top story in Salish Current: Higher taxes and fewer employees / Observations on Whatcom County election results
Near-sinking barge off B.C. coast stokes fears over oil tanker threats
An American-owned cargo barge sitting dangerously low in the water
near Bella Bella has reignited coastal First Nations’ fears about the
dangers that oil tankers pose for the B.C. coast. The Haíɫzaqv are still
“reeling” from a devastating diesel spill after the tug Nathan E.
Stewart ran aground in Heiltsuk waters in October 2016. Rochelle Baker
reports. (National Observer)
Pipeline companies fined $3.8 million for 2023 gasoline spill near Conway
Washington Department of Ecology has issued a $3.8 million penalty
to Olympic Pipe Line Company LLC and BP Pipelines (North America) Inc.
for the release of 21,000 gallons of gasoline from the Olympic Pipeline
near Conway in December 2023, sending 4,000 gallons to a nearby
fish-bearing stream and resulting in a school to close temporarily.
Ecology is also seeking to recover its response costs of $822,162. The
natural resource damage assessment and restoration is still under
evaluation by state and tribal trust agencies. The $3.8 million penalty
is the second issued to the pipeline in the last five years. The
pipeline was fined $100,000 for a 2020 leak that released 67 gallons of
diesel fuel. The current spill response on the Olympic Pipe Line near
Everett is ongoing. (Dept of Ecology)
Why a lack of access to timber is leading to B.C. mill closures, job losses
West Fraser Timber Co. announced it would shut its mill in 100
Mile House by the end of the year, saying it couldn't reliably access
enough economically viable timber either locally or further afield. Its
closure will put more than 165 people out of work as a result. Akshay
Kulkarni reports. (CBC)
Should this dam on the Columbia River be certified ‘Low Impact’?
The Wells Dam Hydroelectric Project lies on the Columbia River near the
Washington cities of Pateros and Bridgeport roughly 500 miles from the
river’s mouth at the Pacific Ocean. Tribes, environmental groups and the
state of Washington challenge Douglas County PUD’s bid for low impact
certification for Wells Dam. Nathan Gilles reports. (Columbia Insight)
Democracy Watch
- Judge dismisses Comey, James indictments after finding that prosecutor was illegally appointed (AP)
- Pentagon says it’s investigating Sen. Mark Kelly over video urging troops to defy ‘illegal orders’ (AP)
- Trump administration plans to review refugees admitted under Biden, memo obtained by The AP says (AP)
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West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 205 PM PST Mon Nov 24 2025
TUE E wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 4 seconds and W 5 ft at 12 seconds. Rain. TUE NIGHT E wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 5 seconds and W 2 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.
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