Salish Sea News and Weather

Friday, March 13, 2026

3/13 Seaside plantain, income tax bill, car-emission suit, Lost Lagoon, coal power plant tax, Growlers, democracy watch, week in review.

Seaside plantain

Seaside plantain Plantar marítima
A common native plant found on beaches, salt marshes and rocky shore areas where it may sprout from the crevices of boulders. The range for this species is southern California to Alaska. It is also commonly known as sea plantain and goose tongue, and belongs to the plantain family. (Sound Water Stewards)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Skagit County urged to approve FERC licensing agreement — with conditions

Shiner perch. Regarding yesterday's fish profile, Don Norman writes: "Rob Butler's study of the food habits of great blue herons in eelgrass found that shiner perch, which are ovo-viparous, provide much more caloric value than other fish. Herons time their chick rearing phase of nesting when late spring minus tides expose spawning shiner perch. Padilla Bay is a great place to see flocks at low tide, as well as Drayton Harbor and the Tsawwasse causeway."

Income tax bill heads to WA governor for signature
Democratic state senators in Washington pushed a state income tax across the legislative finish line Wednesday after Republicans’ last-ditch attempt to derail it failed. On a 27-21 vote, Democrats approved Senate Bill 6346, clearing the way for it to go to Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson, who is eagerly waiting to sign it. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

Trump administration sues California over the state’s nation-leading vehicle-emission rules
The Trump administration ramped up a battle with California over the state’s nation-leading vehicle-emission standards Thursday, suing air regulators over rules aimed at curbing pollution from cars. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office blasted the lawsuit, noting it comes as gas prices climb amid the Iran war and as some drivers consider going electric. Sophie Austin and Christopher Weber report. (Associated Press)

Stagnating Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park could be reconnected to ocean
Lagoon at entrance to Vancouver's biggest park was disconnected from ocean when causeway was built in 1916. Nono Shen reports. (Canadian Press)

New targeted tax in WA aims to keep coal power plant shut down
Tax legislation Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Wednesday targets the last coal-fired power plant in the Pacific Northwest. But if the coal tax and a related climate pollution fee work as the Legislature intended, the state treasury will never collect a dime under the new law. That is because the idled Centralia, Washington, generating plant will be uneconomical to restart burning coal. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard)

Growlers are ‘critical factor’ in Operation Epic Fury
EA-18G Growlers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island are taking part in Operation Epic Fury over Iran. The electronic warfare aircraft are operating from the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R. Ford in their role of protecting other aircraft by suppressing, jamming and destroying radar systems and surface-to-air missile batteries. Jessie Stensland reports. (Whidbey News-Times)

Democracy Watch

New data shows immigration enforcement surge in Oregon, Washington (OPB)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 3/13/26: Uranus Day, Puget Sound oxygen, public lands protection, foreign orcas, marmot puppet, California PFAS, OR wildlife fund.

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 weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 210 PM PDT Thu Mar 12 2026
FRI NW wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds. Rain and snow in the morning, then rain likely in the afternoon.
FRI NIGHT NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds. Rain likely in the evening, then a chance of rain and snow after midnight.
SAT NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of snow showers in the morning. A chance of showers.
SAT NIGHT W wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming E 5 to 10 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of showers after midnight.
SUN E wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 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.  

savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

3/12 Shiner perch, California PFAS, Tacoma toxics, Mosquito Fleet Act woes, OR wildlife funding, sea cuke penalty, great white shark, democracy watch.

Shiner perch

Shiner perch Cymatogaster aggregata
The shiner perch is a common surfperch found in estuaries, lagoons, and coastal streams along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California. It is the sole member of its genus. The shiner perch is also known as seven-eleven and shiner seaperch. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: 'Is this recyclable?'

Nearly 40% of California produce contains PFAS pesticides, report finds
A new report shows that nearly 40% of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables tested by California regulators have residues of “forever” or PFAS chemicals, a family of compounds that can be lasting and harmful. Susanne Rust reports. (LA Times)

Port of Tacoma sues to recoup $10M for cleanup of ‘toxic legacies’ at 2 parcels
The Port of Tacoma is seeking to recoup millions of dollars in environmental cleanup costs over previous industrial contamination at sites the port acquired from PQ Corp. in 2008 for more than $8.5 million. Debbie Cockrell reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

WA’s Mosquito Fleet Act gets bipartisan support, gives Dems heartburn
A bill to create a modern fleet of passenger-only ferries in Washington state appeared on the glide path to passage this legislative session in Olympia, following lopsided votes of approval in both the state House and Senate, from Democrats and Republicans. House Bill 1923 is now in the hands of legislative negotiators trying to reconcile the very different texts tied to the same piece of legislation. Nicholas Deshais reports. (Seattle Times)

Oregon finds a new way to fund wildlife conservation—tax tourists
The new law will raise the state’s lodging tax from 1.5% to 2.75%, which supporters call a modest increase in a state tax that’ll amount to a substantial chunk of money: an estimated $37 million annually. Most of that money will go toward Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife efforts to conserve habitat for species ranging from puffins to bats to frogs. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight)

Illegal sea cucumber fishing leads to $11,600 fine for north Vancouver Island fishers
3 men caught with 43 sea cucumbers at Campbell River beach last spring, DFO says. Maryse Zeidler reports. (CBC)

Researchers 'ping' great white shark near Vancouver Island
Kara, a great white shark fitted with a tracking device in October 2025, sent a signal this week to researchers from local waters. Claire Palmer reports. (CBC)

Democracy Watch

Pentagon bars press photographers over ‘unflattering’ Hegseth photos (Washington Post)

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- 201 PM PDT Wed Mar 11 2026
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON
THU W wind 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt, easing to 20 to 25 kt in the afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 ft. Wave Detail: W 11 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.
THU NIGHT W wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 6 to 9 ft, subsiding to 4 to 6 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 9 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

3/11 Little gull, marmot puppet, Esquimalt Gorge Park, foreign orcas, autism drug, democracy watch.

Little Gull [Glen Tepke]

Little Gull Larus minutus
The smallest of gulls, Little Gull sightings are rare and occur primarily in the fall (September-November) in coastal and western Washington regions in aquatic habitats. Look for them in mixed flocks with Bonaparte's Gulls. American Lake near Fort Lewis (Pierce County) and Point No Point (Kitsap County) are traditional sites for this species. (BirdWeb)

Today's top story in Salish Current: One hundred years of entertainment — and community

A marmot puppet is the star of Washington’s new anti-littering campaign, asking people to think before they toss their trash
Washington has now enlisted the help of a critter to remind people to keep the state’s roads clean. The star of Washington’s new “We Keep Washington Litter Free” campaign is a marmot puppet who’s reminding people to think before they throw trash out of their car or don’t secure their loads – and let debris fly out the back of trucks. Courtney Platt reports. (NW Public Broadcasting)

Back to nature: Traces of humans removed at restored Esquimalt Gorge Park shoreline
The area was restored using local plants and natural materials that recreate a shoreline untouched by humans. Hannah Link reports. (Times Colonist)

3 unidentified orcas spotted in Vancouver Harbour never before documented in B.C.
Experts say the unfamiliar whales could belong to a rarely seen killer whale population from the high seas. Shaurya Kshatri reports. (CBC)

FDA finds little evidence generic drug can help people with autism
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a generic medication for a rare brain disorder, while walking back statements by President Donald Trump and other administration officials that the drug showed great promise for people with autism. Matthew Perrone reports. (Associated Press)

Democracy Watch

Judge denies restraining order for conservative media figures who sought press passes (AP)
‘Titanic’ statue of Trump and Epstein on the Mall draws praise, scorn (Washington Post)
4 things to know about Markwayne Mullin (ICT)

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- 229 PM PDT Tue Mar 10 2026
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT
WED S wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SW 35 to 45 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE 5 ft at 5 seconds and W 6 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.
WED NIGHT W wind 30 to 40 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft, building to 9 to 13 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 13 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

3/10 Spurge, WA low oxygen, Drayton Harbor shellfish, public land protection, blocking access, Roundup, democracy watch.

Spurge

Spurge Euphorbia
Euphorbia is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the family Euphorbiaceae. Euphorbias range from tiny annual plants to large and long-lived trees, with perhaps the tallest being Euphorbia ampliphylla at 30 m or more. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Community Voices / Vanishing science, vanishing fairness

State adjusts strategy to address low-oxygen levels in Puget Sound
The Washington State Department of Ecology is responding to new legal rulings and public concerns with changes in planning and potentially future enforcement. In January, the agency decided to abandon its “nutrient general permit,” originally designed to control nitrogen releases from sewage-treatment plants throughout Puget Sound. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Currents Magazine)

WA oysters, clams harvested in Whatcom County’s Drayton Harbor recalled
Oysters and clams harvested in Drayton Harbor near the Canadian border in Whatcom County between Feb. 13 and March 3 have been recalled after an outbreak of a norovirus-like illness. Raw oysters harvested by the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and manila clams harvested by the Lummi Indian Business Council may have been contaminated, the Washington Department of Health said in a recall issued Wednesday. Kai Uyehara reports, (Seattle Times)

Republicans target public lands protections in a new way
Over the past year, GOP leaders and the Trump administration have used a law known as the Congressional Review Act to push for coal mining in Montana, oil drilling in Alaska and copper mining in Minnesota, while also attempting to reverse protections for a national monument in Utah. The rarely used act gives Congress a few months to revoke new federal regulations. Only in the past year has it ever been used to overrule land management plans. Alex Brown reports. (Washington State Standard)

Investment companies block access to tens of thousands of acres in Wahkiakum, Pacific counties
Investment companies have whittled away the land hunters can use in Access to tens of thousands of acres of locally treasured, longtime hunting grounds is now blocked because a new generation of private landowners won’t offer access. Henry Brannon reports. (Washington State Standard/The Columbian)

Trump Executive Order Protected Weedkiller Roundup and a Munition, White Phosphorus
Citing national security, an unusual executive order gave protection to the herbicide Roundup. It also protected the U.S.’s only supply of a controversial, highly flammable munition. Hiroko Tabuchi reports. (NY Times)

Democracy Watch

Trump says he won't sign bills until Congress overhauls voting (NPR)

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- 204 PM PDT Mon Mar 9 2026
TUE SW wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: S 2 ft at 3 seconds and W 8 ft at 12 seconds. Rain in the morning, then showers in the afternoon.
TUE NIGHT SW wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Monday, March 9, 2026

3/9 Billy Frank Jr., Skagit creeks, camground shutdown, BC geothermal, democracy watch.

Billy Frank Jr. [Richard Arlin Walker]

Happy Birthday, Billy!
Billy Frank Jr. was a Native American environmental leader and advocate of treaty rights. As a member of the Nisqually tribe, Frank led a grassroots campaign in the 1960s and 1970s to secure fishing rights on the Nisqually River. (Wikipedia) (See: "Billy Frank Jr.’s teachings endure" Salish Current)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Gaza students’ journey to Western stalled by war and immigration barriers

Three creeks at Skagit River headwaters nominated for protection
Ruby, Granite and Canyon creeks at the headwaters of the Skagit River east of Ross Lake have been nominated to be considered Outstanding Resource Waters and to receive additional environmental protections. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)

Funding gap may shutter three Peninsula campgrounds
Two Clallam County campgrounds and one in Jefferson County are among 19 state Department of Natural Resources recreation sites that face some level of closure if funding cuts are made by the state Legislature. Emily Hanson reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

In northeast B.C., fresh food is scarce. This First Nation hopes geothermal energy could change that
A first-of-its-kind project by West Moberly First Nations looks deep underground for clean energy solutions. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Narwhal)

Democracy Watch

State actors are behind much of the visual misinformation about the Iran war (AP)
Automated license plate reader regulations close to becoming WA law (Washington State Standard)

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- 252 PM PDT Sun Mar 8 2026
MON W wind 15 to 20 kt, rising to 20 to 25 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 11 seconds. Rain. Snow showers in the morning, then snow likely in the afternoon.
MON NIGHT W wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 12 seconds. Rain and snow.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Friday, March 6, 2026

3/6 Sea clown, Skagit dams, carbon markets, daylight savings time, climate choices, bolide, democracy watch, week in review.

Sea clown nudibranch

Sea clown nudibranch Triopha catalinae
The sea clown triopha or sea clown is a species of colorful sea slug called a nudibranch. Sea clowns are a shell-less marine, gastronomic mollusk in the taxonomic family Polyceridae. The species' Latin name is named after Santa Catalina Island, California. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Demolition of last NW aluminum smelter marks end of era / New book recalls Skagit experiment in socialist living

Seattle spent years misleading the public about Skagit River salmon. Now it will pay $1 billion for fish passage
In a stunning reversal, Seattle City Light has agreed to invest $979 million to build fish passage at its three Skagit River dams, a commitment its own scientists long insisted was unnecessary. It’s also a victory for two tribes of the Skagit Valley who never stopped fighting. Susannah Frame reports. (KING) Seattle City Light proposes $4 billion for Skagit River hydropower dams Seattle City Light, the city’s electric utility, has agreed to commit about $4 billion to continue to operate its hydropower dams on the Skagit River over the next 50 years. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

WA takes another step to link its carbon market with California and Quebec
Supporters say joint cap-and-trade auctions will help stabilize prices and drive down costs for businesses. Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard)

'Scientifically not a good idea,' says researcher whose work informed B.C.'s daylight-time decision
Permanent daylight time likely to result in sleep deprivation, negative health outcomes, experts say. Tara Carman reports. (CBC)

People often miscalculate climate choices, a study says. One surprise is owning a dog
The top three individual actions that help the climate, including avoiding plane flights, choosing not to get a dog and using renewable electricity, were also the three that participants underestimated the most. Meanwhile, the lowest-impact actions were changing to more efficient appliances and swapping out light bulbs, recycling, and using less energy on washing clothes. Those were three of the top four overestimated actions in the report. Caleigh Wells reports. (Associated Press)

NASA says meteor that lit up Vancouver sky was travelling 100 times speed of sound
All indications suggest the region was witness to a significant meteor, scientifically known as a bolide. Chuck Chiang reports. (Canadian Press)
Democracy Watch

WA voters to see ballot initiative aimed at trans girls in sports (Seattle Times)
Trump says he's replacing Homeland Security Secretary Noem with GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin (AP)
Panel reviewing Trump's White House ballroom project gets an earful from the public opposed to it (AP)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 3/6/26: Salish Sea News Week in Review 3/6/26: Oreo Friday, Japanese beetle spray, enviro crimes bill, data center regs, BC daylight savings, spawning herring, rainforest logging, Hummingbird Hill, Musqueam treaty, sea level rise, Skagit dams.

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 weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 226 AM PST Fri Mar 6 2026
TODAY S wind around 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.
TONIGHT SW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.
SAT SW wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft, building to 5 to 7 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.
SAT NIGHT SW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 5 seconds and W 8 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.
SUN W wind 25 to 30 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 5 seconds and W 10 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

3/5 Skunk cabbage, BC smugglers, Aboriginal rights, killer whale moms, high seas, quakes, democracy watch

Skunk cabbage

Skunk cabbage Lysichiton americanus
Skunk cabbage is a perennial fleshy herb from upright underground stems with a skunk-like odor which grows in marshes, swamps, streambanks, and forested wetlands. This plant grows from Alaska to California (including British Columbia) and east to northern Idaho and western Montana. This plant grows on both sides of the Cascades crest and at the coast in Washington. (WA Native Plant Society)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Lummi Nation appeals for consultation rights in British Columbia port expansion

Trump admin hands legal victory to alleged B.C. defeat device smugglers
'There's no following the law, there's no consistency' says critic of DOJ's environmental law enforcement
Liam Britten reports. (CBC)

Canada signs Aboriginal rights, fishing and marine management agreements with Musqueam
The federal government has released details of recent agreements with the Musqueam Indian Band recognizing Aboriginal title over an area potentially covering much of Metro Vancouver. The agreements do not have any effect on privately owned land, according to the government. (Canadian Press)

Killer whale moms struggle to regain body fat with more offspring
Drone photography reveals insights into northern resident orca motherhood. One and a half years of pregnancy, up to two years of nursing, then hunting and sharing food with their adult children who never leave. Anand Ram reports. (CBC)

The sea is higher than we thought and millions more are at risk, study finds
Climate change’s rising seas may threaten tens of millions more people than scientists and government planners originally thought because of mistaken research assumptions on how high coastal waters already are, a new study said. Seth Borenstein and Annika Hammerschlag report. (Associated Press)

Here’s Where You Don’t Want to Be Living in a Quake
Vancouver’s West End apartments face a deadly reckoning. There are solutions.vPreetish Kakoty and Carlos Molina Hutt report. (The Tyee)

Democracy Watch

Judge rules companies are entitled to refunds for Trump tariffs overturned by the Supreme Court (AP)
Bill barring law enforcement from wearing masks inches closer to becoming Washington law (KNKX)
Body camera footage shows federal response to Portland ICE protests (OPB)

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- 159 PM PST Wed Mar 4 2026 SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING
THU W wind 20 to 25 kt, becoming SW 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 ft, subsiding to 5 to 7 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: W 9 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning, then rain in the afternoon.
THU NIGHT S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 