11/20 Dogwood, PRGT pipe, sharks, urban salmon, Great Bear Sea Initiative

 

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Pacific Dogwood

Pacific Dogwood  Cornus nuttallii
Pacific dogwood is also known as Western Flowering Dogwood.  It was named after Thomas Nuttall, an English botanist and zoologist. Relationships: There are about 100 dogwood species worldwide found primarily in temperate regions. (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: The roots of environmental evil: ‘Crimes Against Nature’

PRGT pipeline decision looms large for B.C.’s new environment minister
B.C.’s newly minted cabinet ministers have tough energy and environmental decisions to make, from the PRGT pipeline and LNG projects to Fairy Creek old-growth logging deferrals. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal)  Controversial Pipeline Fighting to Avoid New Environmental Review Prince Rupert gas line has applied to extend approval granted a decade ago. Nicholas Gottlieb reports. (The Tyee)

Mysterious sharks gain recognition as scientists explore their contributions to Puget Sound
This past summer, two science papers documented, for the first time, the presence of two species of sharks not known to exist in Puget Sound. These species are commonly called sevengill and soupfin sharks. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute)

Urban salmon return to Metro Vancouver streams to spawn
Efforts to rehabilitate urban waterways have helped bring spawning salmon back to parts of Metro Vancouver, including unlikely-looking streams surrounded by industrial and residential development. Brenna Owen reports. (Canadian Press)

On BC’s North Coast, First Nations Are Building a New Economy
The Great Bear Sea Initiative is using conservation finance to create jobs and preserve nature. Arno Kopecky reports. (The Tyee)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  320 AM PST Wed Nov 20 2024    
STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING  
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH  LATE TONIGHT    
TODAY  SE wind 25 to 35 kt with gusts up to 50 kt. Seas 9 to 12  ft. Wave Detail: SE 8 ft at 8 seconds and W 9 ft at 15 seconds. A  slight chance of tstms.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: SE  5 ft at 6 seconds and W 8 ft at 15 seconds. Showers.

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



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11/19 Catnip, storm, Hwy 20, bird flu, forage fish study, SRKW feast, windfarm appeal, wildfire logging, Elwha timber sale, owl hunting

Editor's Note: Before the storm hits— You receive today's News and Weather at no charge because it's a community service; won't you donate to provide fact-based, local news to anyone who wishes to read the Salish Current? Thank you for doubling your donation by donating today to our 2xNewsMatch campaign. Thank you. Mike Sato

Today's top story in Salish Current: Reducing and reusing as Bellingham recycling shifts

Catnip

Catnip Nepeta cataria
Catnip, also known as catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, parts of Mongolia, and parts of China. It is widely naturalized in northern Europe, New Zealand, and North America. (Wikipedia)

Western Washington braces for severe rain, wind storms brought by Pacific bomb cyclone
High winds and rain are expected to strike Western Washington on Tuesday. Meteorologists are advising residents to prepare for power outages and other stormy disruptions. Natalie Akane Newcomb and Dyer Oxley report. (KUOW) ‘Bomb cyclone’ set to lash B.C. coast Environment Canada is forecasting high winds and heavy rain for Vancouver Island. Some areas could be hit by easterly wind gusts of up to 100 km/h. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

Highway 20 over the North Cascades to remain closed
The state Department of Transportation decided Monday to keep Highway 20 over the North Cascades closed until spring. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Bird flu decimated tern colony in northwest Washington
Study findings provide new details on a Caspian tern die-off near Port Townsend in 2023 and how the virus killed seals in the region, infecting their brains. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard)

WWU scientists awarded $638K grant to study forage fish survival in Salish Sea
A multidisciplinary team of Western Washington University Marine and Coastal Science (MACS) faculty were recently awarded a three-year, $638,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The goal of the new grant is to better understand the impact of polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) – a type of toxic fatty acid, or lipid – on a group close to the bottom of the food pyramid that impacts everything above it: forage fish. John Thompson reports. (WWU News)

Southern resident orcas feast on Puget Sound chum in long visit
The southern resident orcas have been spy-hopping, breaching, slapping their tails, chasing down chum salmon and dazzling onlookers from the shores of the Salish Sea. For nearly a month, they have been spotted mostly hanging around the “Possession Triangle,” or the waters from the south end of Whidbey Island to the Edmonds-Kingston ferry line. This may be one of the fish-eating orcas’ longest recent stretches in the inland waters. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

Tri-Cities activists file lawsuit challenging approval of Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center
A controversial renewable energy project near the Tri-Cities is facing a lawsuit from locals. People who would live nearby are hoping to scale it back. Tri-Cities C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Community Action for Responsible Environmental Stewardship, has advocated against building the project. Courtney Flatt reports. (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

More logging is proposed to help curb wildfires in the US Pacific Northwest
U.S. officials would allow increased logging on federal lands across the Pacific Northwest in the name of fighting wildfires and boosting rural economies under proposed changes to a sweeping forest management plan that’s been in place for three decades. The U.S. Forest Service proposal, released Friday, would overhaul the Northwest Forest Plan that governs about 38,000 square miles (99,000 square kilometers) in Oregon, Washington and California. (Associated Press)

One timber sale canceled, two approved
Tree advocates have been partially successful in postponing the logging of forests owned by the state Department of Natural Resources and located within the Elwha watershed region, and they plan to continue their efforts until they achieve full success. At the November Board of Natural Resources (BNR) meeting, Hilary Franz, state commissioner of public lands and chair of the board, placed a pause on the Elwha Watershed “Alley Cat” timber sale. Despite advocacy efforts that included a petition with more than 300 signatures and a letter-writing campaign that generated more than 6,165 letters, the six-person BNR approved two other Elwha watershed sales, “Tree Well” and “Parched.” Emma Maple reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

The owl hunters: the deadly campaign to save a Pacific Northwest icon
Scientists slip into forests with guns, on a killing quest to save a NW icon. Joshua Partlow reports. (Washington Post)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  342 AM PST Tue Nov 19 2024   STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH  WEDNESDAY MORNING    
TODAY  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming E 30 to 40 kt with gusts  up to 55 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 8 to 11 ft this  afternoon. Wave Detail: E 11 ft at 8 seconds and W 7 ft at  12 seconds. A chance of showers early this morning. A chance of  rain early this afternoon, then rain late.  
TONIGHT  E wind 35 to 45 kt with gusts up to 60 kt, becoming SE  25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 45 kt after midnight. Seas 9 to  13 ft. Wave Detail: E 13 ft at 9 seconds and W 8 ft at  15 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)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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11/18 Spider plant, logjams, energy czar, Vancouver Is unceded lands, WA budget deficit, The Good Whale, warehouse project, orca protection

Editor's note: We begin our third week of our 2xNewsMatch fundraiser to support local news provided by Salish Current for everyone to read. We are $4,500 short of meeting our first $15,000 challenge grant and it would be great to meet that challenge and have $30,000 secured for 2025. You receive today's News and Weather at no charge because it's a community service; won't you donate to provide fact-based, local news to anyone who wishes to read the Salish Current? Thank you for doubling your donation by donating today to our 2xNewsMatch campaign. Thank you. Mike Sato

Spider plant

Spider plant Chlorophytum comosum
Spider plant or common spider plant is named due to its spider-like look, and is also known as spider ivy, airplane plant, ribbon plant, and hen and chickens. It is a species of evergreen perennial flowering plant of the family Asparagaceae. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: WWU community grapples with post-election uncertainty in a new Trump era / We failed the test to maintain our democratic institutions

The power of a logjam: A vision of the Northwest’s rivers of old
In their natural state, Puget Sound rivers are a braided mess of forested islands, jammed with downed wood and surging with salmon. Now work is underway to restore the lower Elwha to a version of its past — in part by building giant logjams. So far, the tribe has built about 80 logjams here, returning wood obstructions to the river’s life cycle 10 years since two hydroelectric dams were removed from the watershed. The jams further rebuild the resilience of the river, especially in consideration of the effects of climate change, said Jamie Michel, habitat manager for the tribe. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Trump picks Colorado oil and gas executive to lead Energy Department
Republican President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday he wants Chris Wright, a Colorado oil and gas executive who denies that the world faces a “climate crisis,” to serve the new administration as Department of Energy secretary. Quentin Young reports. (Washington State Standard)

Locked out: how a 19th century land grant is still undermining First Nations rights on Vancouver Island
On Vancouver Island, a vast swath of privately owned forest poses a unique challenge for five First Nations seeking redress for their unceded homelands. Julie Gordon reports. (The Narwhal)

With $10B deficit looming, WA governor calls on state agencies to make cuts
Washington’s outgoing governor says reductions are needed to balance the next state budget. Lawmakers may also consider new taxes when they convene next year. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

If you like to listen: The Good Whale
This is the story of a wildly ambitious science experiment to return a captive orca to the ocean — while the world watched. (Serial Productions and NY Times)

Pierce County warehouse project near popular trail approved; 100s of trees to be removed
The city of DuPont’s hearing examiner ruled Tuesday that a controversial proposal to build a 256,800-square-foot office/warehouse building near the popular Sequalitchew Creek Trail could move forward. If approved, construction of the “DuPont West” or “DuPont 243” project, could result in the removal of more than 350 healthy trees, including 56 protected landmark trees. Becca Most reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Documents reveal Canada's early efforts to save orcas from 'catastrophic' oil spills
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has launched measures to try and protect endangered orcas on the West Coast from rising risk of oil spills, indicate federal documents obtained by Canada’s National Observer through access-to-information legislation. The fisheries department (DFO) has invested in vessels and acoustic gear, drafted an operating procedure for fishery officers, maintains community equipment caches and conducts training exercises led by a marine mammal response team that includes the use of underwater speakers to deter whales from entering a spill zone, the documents show. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  306 AM PST Mon Nov 18 2024   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON  
STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY  MORNING    
TODAY  W wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming SW 10 to 15 kt late this  morning and afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 ft, subsiding to 6 to 9 ft  this afternoon. Wave Detail: W 11 ft at 13 seconds. A slight  chance of tstms. Showers.  
TONIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: SE  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 8 ft at 13 seconds. Showers.

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



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11/15 Periwinkle, Interior chief, avian flu protocols, BC herring, state money spending, underwater sound, week in review

Editor's note: We're completing our second week of our 2xNewsMatch fundraiser to support Salish Current which reports stories like the one below about Tilth's 50th anniversary. Your donation helps pay for its freelance reporting and keeps its stories and essays free for all to read. Please help keep community-supported journalism healthy with a donation to Salish Current today. Thank you. Mike Sato.

Common periwinkle

Common periwinkle Vinca minor
Common periwinkle (Lesser periwinkle, Dwarf periwinkle) was an ornamental groundcover popular for its fast growth and dense coverage that was deliberately introduced from Europe. However, it has since escaped captivity and spread rapidly through BC forest’s understories, choking out native plant species. Common periwinkle prefers shaded, moist conditions such as along water courses and in forested areas. It can reproduce through both seed and vegetatively.  This species is one of the “top six” invasive species still sold throughout BC – be sure not to purchase or trade this plant! (Invasive Species Council of BC)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Celebrating alternative agriculture: the 50th anniversary for Tilth

Trump expected to tap North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to be secretary of Interior
North Dakota involved in 30 lawsuits against federal government, including a handful against Interior. Michael Achterling, Jeff Beach and Mary Steurer report. (North Dakota Monitor)

B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up avian flu protocols amid human exposure risk
British Columbia's chief veterinarian said in a letter to vets that clinics handling wild birds must have safety procedures in place and ensure staff are trained and equipped with proper protection. Ashley Joannou reports. (Canadian Press)

Hereditary chiefs call for a fishing moratorium to safeguard herring stocks
Concerned by the disappearance of herring in their territories, hereditary chiefs are calling for closure of the West Coast’s last commercial herring fishery. Four WSÁNEĆ Chiefs representing three nations gathered in Sidney on Wednesday to sign the Pacific Herring Declaration, which calls for an immediate moratorium on the upcoming Strait of Georgia commercial fishery. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer)

See where state money is funding environmental work in Snohomish County
A new dashboard shows where dollars are going to overburdened communities across the state. Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald)

Electrical engineer to lecture on underwater sound
Eric McRae, a principal electrical engineer of the University of Washington’s applied physics lab, will speak at 3 p.m. Sunday at The Chapel at Fort Worden State Park on underwater sound. (Peninsula Daily News)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 11/15/24: Little Red Wagon Friday, Site C dam, coastal bird sanctuary, EPA chief, Biden's old growth, Klamath dams, BC floods, carbon dioxide, BC herring.

Have you read the Salish Current? 
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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  235 AM PST Fri Nov 15 2024   
TODAY  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas 8 to 10 feet subsiding to 4 to  6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 13 seconds.  
TONIGHT  S wind around 5 kt, backing to SE 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 11 seconds. Rain  after midnight.  
SAT  SE wind 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt. Seas 3 to  5 ft, building to 5 to 7 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: SE  5 ft at 6 seconds and W 3 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 20 to 25 kt, becoming W 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SW 5 ft at 5 seconds, W  7 ft at 12 seconds and W 2 ft at 17 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  W wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at  13 seconds. Rain in the morning, then showers in the afternoon.

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



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11/14 Bindweed, hot Earth, intertidal solace, WA voter turnout, 'green' hydrogen, Salish Sea keepers, 'Foxy'

Editor's Note: Readers of News and Weather enjoy this community service providing links to curated environmental news articles from Salish Sea news sources. Today's top story below comes from Salish Current, one of those news sources, a nonprofit community-supported effort. During November and December, I ask for your monthly recurring or one-time support during the Current's 2xNewsMatch fundraising campaign. Thank you. Mike Sato.

Field Bindweed

Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
Field bindweed is a perennial herbaceous plant with creeping and twining stems that grow along the ground and up through other plants and structures. It has an extensive system of rhizomes that can grow deep into the soil. Once established, field bindweed is nearly impossible to fully eradicate. It outcompetes native plants species and can reduce crop yields. It forms an extensive root system, often climbing or forming dense tangled mats. Hedge bindweed, Calystegia sepium, also called morning glory is similar looking but has larger leaves and flowers. (WA Noxious Weed Control Board)

Today's top story in Salish Current: What’s next for the environment in Northwest Washington?

Amid Earth's heat records, scientists report another bump upward in annual carbon emissions
Even as Earth sets new heat records, humanity this year is pumping 330 million tons (300 million metric tons) more carbon dioxide into the air by burning fossil fuels than it did last year. Seth Borenstein reports. (Associated Press)

Finding Food and Solace in the Intertidal
On the complex pleasures of harvesting shellfish with the people you love. Emma Marris writes. (Hakai Magazine)

WA voter turnout dropped for all ages — especially young people
Participation for Washingtonians 18-24 dropped 8.5 points from the 2020 election, but improved compared to 2016. Nate Sanford reports. (CascadePBS)

How to Produce Hydrogen Gas as Cleanly as Possible
Green hydrogen? More like electrification with extra steps. Brian Owens reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Identity and environment collide in “Keepers of the Salish Sea”
Like his character Samuel, Squamish Nation playwright Justin Neal worked a marketing job in New York City and felt like there was something missing in life. Neal returned to the West Coast and carved his own path by founding Holy Crow Arts: an Indigenous non-profit theatre company with a focus on grassroots, community-based projects. Holy Crow’s latest work is "Keepers of the Salish Sea," which has its world premiere at The Cultch’s Historic Theatre on November 21. The play follows lead character Samuel as he receives a life-changing call that brings him back to Coast Salish lands. Samuel grew up off reserve, and is light-skinned and white-passing—which causes him to struggle with his identity. Susan Gill reports. (Georgia Straight)

An arctic fox found in Portland will soon live in a Wisconsin zoo
An arctic fox that was found lost and dirty in Portland last month will soon have a new home — and a new companion. The animal, nicknamed “Foxy” by some of her caretakers, will head to the Midwest on Thursday. The Oschner Park Zoo in Baraboo, Wisconsin, has agreed to house her with its resident male arctic fox, Apollo. Courtney Sherwood reports. (OPB)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  221 AM PST Thu Nov 14 2024  
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON    
TODAY  W wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: NW  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 10 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of showers  early this morning, then a slight chance of showers late this  morning. A chance of showers this afternoon.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft, subsiding to 5 to  7 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 9 ft at 15 seconds. A chance  of showers after midnight.

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



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11/13 Common reed, avian flu case, Fraser R flooding, immigration chief, John Horgan

Editor's note: As News and Weather readers know, the environmental news clips curated in these pages  come from news sources throughout the Salish Sea. Some of those stories are also made available to communities served by the Salish Current which does require funding to operate as a nonprofit, open access news platform. Your donation during the 2xNewsMatch campaign makes it possible for Salish Current to continue as a community service. Please donate today. Thank you, Mike Sato.

Common reed

Common reed Phragmites australis
Common reed is a large perennial grass or reed with creeping rhizomes. It typically grows in or near wetlands but also may be found in sites that hold water, such as roadside ditches and depressions. Common reed forms dense stands, which include both live stems and standing dead stems from previous years. The plant spreads horizontally by sending out rhizome runners, which can grow 10 or more feet in a single growing season, rapidly crowding out native grasses. (WA Invasive Species Council)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Puget Sound researchers uncover shark secrets, but new questions arise

You might beat back phragmites, the scourge of wetlands, but then what?
The bane of American wetlands is a tall, dense reed called phragmites. Once the reed is poisoned and mowed down, what's left is a blank slate of mud—the perfect environment for phragmites to come right back.  Nell Greenfieldboyce reports. (NPR)

B.C. teen with avian flu is in critical condition, provincial health officer says
The teenager who tested positive for avian flu is in critical condition and being treated for acute respiratory distress at B.C. Children's Hospital, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says. (CBC)

3 years, 2 deadly atmospheric rivers. Is B.C. ready for the next one?
On the heels of another destructive atmospheric river that left 5 people dead, we have to learn how to live with water. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

Trump readies for mass deportations with reported pick of Noem as Homeland Security chief
President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday night he will nominate South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which will carry out Trump’s plan to conduct mass deportations of millions of people in the country without proper legal status. Ariana Figueroa reports. (Washington State Standard)

Everyone Has a John Horgan Story
Kind, fierce, down to earth, always caring, he left an impressive political legacy. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee)

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  243 AM PST Wed Nov 13 2024  
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON    
TODAY  SE wind 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt, becoming S  15 to 20 kt late this morning and afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 ft,  subsiding to 5 to 7 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: SE 5 ft at  7 seconds and W 6 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of tstms. Showers.  
TONIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, veering to W after midnight. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 5 seconds and W 7 ft at  15 seconds. A chance of tstms in the evening. Showers.

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



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11/12 Holly, EPA chief, Biden's old growth, Klamath dams, gull sightings

 

Editor's note: Thanks to the News and Weather readers who have donated to the Salish Current 2xNewsMatch campaign. You help make it possible to report stories like the tidal energy project below. Please make your donation today to keep fact-based reporting available for everyone to read without paywall. Please donate today. Thanks, Mike Sato.

Holly

Holly
Ilex or holly is a genus of over 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family.  Holly – more specifically the European holly, Ilex aquifolium – is commonly referenced at Christmas time, and is often referred to by the name Christ's thorn. In many Western Christian cultures, holly is a traditional Christmas decoration, used especially in wreaths and illustrations, for instance on Christmas cards. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: OPALCO’s Tidal Energy Pilot Project facing early headwinds

Have a Holly Noxious Christmas? State board eyes un-jolly label for invasive greenery
Washington state officials are debating whether to brand a traditional holiday decoration a noxious weed. The dubious decor is English holly. While many landowners struggle to rid themselves of the sharp-leafed invasive species, the state's holly farmers have been fighting to keep the pejorative label off their crop. Attitudes toward the painfully spiny shrub with bright red berries have changed dramatically over the decades. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

For EPA chief, Trump picks former Congressman Lee Zeldin of New York
President-elect Donald Trump Monday said he will nominate former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to serve as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Zeldin does not necessarily come from an environmental background. He’s an attorney and currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Zeldin serves as a chair of America First Policy Institute, a right-wing think tank that is packed with former Trump officials. “He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet,” Trump said. “He will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way.” Ariana Figueroa reports. (Washington State Standard)

Despite Biden’s promise to protect old forests, his administration keeps approving plans to cut them down
On Earth Day in 2022, President Joe Biden stood among cherry blossoms and towering Douglas firs in a Seattle park to declare the importance of big, old trees. “There used to be a hell of a lot more forests like this,” he said, calling them “our planet’s lungs” and extolling their power to fight climate change. The president uncapped his pen, preparing to sign an executive order to protect mature and old-growth forests on federal lands. “I just think this is the beginning of a new day,” Biden said. But two years later, at a timber auction in a federal office in Roseburg, Oregon, this new day was nowhere to be seen. April Ehrlich, McKenzie Funk and Tony Schick report. (OPB and ProPublica)

The Other Side of the World’s Largest Dam Removal
Removing dams from the Klamath River in Northern California seems like a clear win for fish and rivers. Why do some locals hate it? J.B. MacKinnon reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Residents can report gull sightings in Salish Sea this field season
You can report sightings of sea gulls with colour bands in the Salish Sea as part of a BC-wide project. Called the Salish Sea Gull Project, it focuses on banding adult and juvenile gulls along many parts of BC, where researchers can investigate their movement, site fidelity, and survival across the Salish Sea and beyond. Hussam Elghussein reports. (My Campbell River Now)

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  240 AM PST Tue Nov 12 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON  
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE  TONIGHT   TODAY  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming S 5 to 10 kt late this  morning, then becoming SE 10 to 15 kt early this afternoon,  rising to 20 to 25 kt late. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft  at 4 seconds and W 10 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of showers until  late afternoon, then rain late.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 25 to 35 kt, with gusts up to 45 kt, veering  to S 20 to 25 kt after midnight. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: E 7  ft at 5 seconds, SW 5 ft at 11 seconds and W 9 ft at 14 seconds.  Rain in the evening, then showers with a chance of tstms after  midnight.

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



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