12/19 : Haida ermine, border flooding, WA carbon market, Oly oyster pilot, pipeline tax, coal mining pollution, deer birth control, kestrels, democracy watch, week in review

 

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Haida ermine [Wikipedia]

Haida ermine Mustela haidarum
The Haida ermine is a mustelid species endemic to a few islands off the Pacific Northwest of North America, namely Haida Gwaii in Canada and the southern Alexander Archipelago in Alaska. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Post Point to upgrade, seek further pollution controls

Cross-border flood reduction plan to aid B.C., American communities not expected for two years
A cross-border plan to reduce the impact of flooding in B.C. and Washington, where major rainfall hit again last week in the Fraser Valley, is not expected to be ready for “about” another two years, according to Washington State officials. That will be six years after a transboundary group tasked with finding solutions to reduce cross-border flooding was resurrected following devastating floods on both sides of the border in 2021. B.C. officials had no response on the timing of the completion of a cross-border plan. Gordon Hoekstra reports. (Vancouver Sun) 

WA carbon market revenue hits $4.3B as prices reach record 
Prices in Washington’s carbon market have continued to trend upward as the price of emission allowances reached an all-time high this month. The state held four auctions between September and December and raised just over $1.1 billion by selling over 16 million carbon emission allowances. The latest auctions bring the total amount raised by the program to over $4.3 billion. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times) 

Olympia oyster restoration bolstered with partnership
A regional partnership will put Olympia oysters at the center of science, restoration, hands-on learning and ocean stewardship. Starting early next year, Northwest Maritime (NWM) will host a small oyster rearing operation on its Port Townsend campus at 431 Water St. The operation, in its pilot year, will be a collaboration between NWM, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe (JST) and Puget Sound Restoration Fund. Elijah Sussman reports. (Peninsula Daily News) 

BC Backpedals on Pipeline Assessment Reductions
Pipeline companies won’t be getting a massive property tax break for Christmas at the expense of some rural homeowners. At least not this year. Tyler Olsen reports. (The Tyee) 

B.C. government ‘lagging way behind’ on coal mine pollution research
In neighbouring Alberta, government scientists are producing peer-reviewed studies on the impacts of coal mining. Why isn’t B.C. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal) 

Esquimalt won’t continue deer contraceptive program 
Esquimalt is shifting to a monitoring-only approach for deer management instead of continuing a contraceptive program for the animals that a recent study found reduced fawn births. The move will save the township about $75,000 annually. Andrew A. Duffy reports. (Times Colonist) 

American Kestrels put the Cherry on Top
The diminutive falcons keep pests and poop away from one of Michigan's prized crops. Benji Jones reports. (bioGraphic) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump administration moves to cut off transgender care for children (AP) 
• Trump’s handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center (AP) 

Salish Sea News and Weather Week in Review 12/19/25: Evergreen tree, BC flood, Clean Water Act, AK oil gas plan, warmest fall, WA coal plant, BC forest protection, Trump's climate fight. 

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Here's your weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  302 PM PST Thu Dec 18 2025    
FRI  W wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SW 4 ft  at 8 seconds and W 7 ft at 11 seconds. Showers in the morning,  then rain in the afternoon.  
FRI NIGHT  SW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SW  3 ft at 8 seconds and W 7 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.  
SAT  SW wind 20 to 25 kt, easing to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SW 2 ft at 8 seconds and  W 7 ft at 11 seconds. Showers in the morning, then rain in the  afternoon.  
SAT NIGHT  S wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: S  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  SW wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: S 4 ft  at 5 seconds and W 6 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.

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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)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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