2/25 American dipper, Indigenous Rights Law, goeduck harvest, gov's new ferries, SCOTUS climate, democracy watch.

 

American dipper

American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus
The slate-gray American Dipper is North America’s only truly aquatic songbird. It flits among midstream rocks and logs, rhythmically bobbing its tail, and then disappears for long moments to forage for aquatic larvae on the stream bottom, using its wings to negotiate the current. These birds build mossy, domed nests on boulders, cliff ledges, and bridges. The burbling song is evocative of the rushing whitewater streams this species calls home in western North and Central America. (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bridge over a troubled highway

B.C. moves at ‘warp speed’ to change landmark Indigenous Rights law
B.C. plans to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act by June. Opposition is growing — will the government listen? Shannon Waters reports.(The Narwhal) 

WA proposes tighter rules on harvesting shellfish, including geoducks 
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is proposing to increase the minimum harvest size for cockles from one and half inches to two and a half, decrease the limit of geoducks that can be gathered daily from three to one and modify harvesting seasons for certain beaches. Kai Uyehara reports. (Seattle Times) 

WA governor’s $1B borrowing plan to buy new ferries sinks in Legislature
House and Senate spending plans released Monday would also push off conversion of diesel boats to battery power. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Supreme Court agrees to hear from oil and gas companies trying to block climate change lawsuits
The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear from oil and gas companies trying to block lawsuits seeking to hold the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change. Lindsay Whitehurst reports. (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• It's not just professional journalists combing the Epstein files (AP) 
• Justice Department withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump (NPR) 

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Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  234 PM PST Tue Feb 24 2026    

WED  W wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming SW 20 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 6 seconds.  Rain.  
WED NIGHT  SW wind 20 to 25 kt, rising to 25 to 30 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SW 6 ft at 7 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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