7/29 Red huckleberry, SRKW numbers, pipeline threat, forest sanctuary, democracy watch.

Red huckleberry [Walter Seigmund]

  
Red huckleberry Vaccinium parvifolium
Red Huckleberry performs best in a woodland garden which duplicates its native habitat in partial shade with rich, humusy soil.  It is delicate-looking with an attractive branching pattern.  In fall, its reddish leaves create an interesting visual contrast next to its green branches. (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Possible cuts threaten support for families of people with disabilities 

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Annual census could show an increase of two killer whales among southern residents
Pending one final check, it appears that this year’s census of the endangered southern resident killer whale population will show a positive increase of two orcas — an annual increase equaled only four times in the past 20 years. The Center for Whale Research, which conducts the annual census, needs one more encounter with a group of 19 whales in L pod to be sure that no recent births or deaths will alter the count, according to Michael Weiss, research director for CWR. This group of whales, known as the Greater L4 subgroup, includes a new calf, L130, first seen last month. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute) 

75 of these whales remain. A new West Coast pipeline would be 'devastating' for them, experts say
Environmental groups are voicing concerns about the impact the Alberta government's proposed route for a new oil pipeline could have on an already endangered species of whale. Brock Wilson reports. (CBC) 

BC Parks calls it ‘a luxuriously forested sanctuary.’ Just don’t try to visit
Carmanah Walbran Park is inaccessible to visitors, as B.C. approves logging company’s decision to gate roads. Cameron Fenton reports. (The Narwhal) 

Democracy Watch

• ‘Government edit’? Two lawsuits challenge state’s description of WA income tax measure (Washington State Standard) 
• WA has blocked over 100,000 federal attempts to access license plate data (KUOW) 

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Here's your tug weather— 

West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  152 PM PDT Tue Jul 28 2026    
WED  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds.  

WED NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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