2/18 Hyacinth, WA climate funds, glyphospate spraying, Roundup cancer, BC critical minerals, democracy watch.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth
Hyacinthus is a genus of bulbous herbs and spring-blooming perennials. The name comes from Greek mythology: Hyacinth was killed by Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, jealous of his love for Apollo. He then transformed the drops of Hyacinth's blood into flowers. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom County jail is on the wrong path

WA climate funds needed to plug huge budget gap, lawmaker says 
Lawmakers can’t find a better way to fill part of Washington’s perennial budget gap than by dipping into the billions raised by the state’s Climate Commitment Act. Gov. Bob Ferguson’s $559 million proposal to transfer climate funds is legal but also a significant disappointment for those who hoped to safeguard that cash as a way to transition away from planet-warming fossil fuels or to guard against natural disasters, especially as the federal government hastens its retreat on climate change policy. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times) 

The BC NDP promised to phase out glyphosate. Forestry companies are still spraying
Herbicide use by the forestry sector has declined, but a group advocating for a ban says spraying even relatively small areas can have an outsized impact. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal) 

Bayer agrees to $7.25 billion proposed settlement over thousands of Roundup cancer lawsuits
Agrochemical maker Bayer and attorneys for cancer patients announced a proposed $7.25 billion settlement Tuesday to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller Roundup could cause cancer. David A. Lieb reports. (Associated Press) 

B.C.’s critical minerals push to reshape the province — fast and without consent?
Premier David Eby wants to fast-track projects and amend Indigenous Rights legislation, raising questions about environmental oversight and who benefits from B.C.’s critical minerals agenda. Santana Dreaver reports. (The Narwhal) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump family business files for trademark rights on any airports using the president’s name (AP) 
• Jesse Jackson’s Death Arrives at a Crucial Moment for Black Political Power (NY Times) 

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Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  235 PM PST Tue Feb 17 2026    SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING    
WED  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  12 seconds. Rain. A chance of snow in the morning, then snow in  the afternoon.  
WED NIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 3 seconds and W 4 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of snow.  Rain likely, mainly in the evening.

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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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2/17 Sturgeon poacher, whale-safe fishing gear, Tacoma oaks, BC treaties, public lands, leaving the US, democracy watch.

Sturgeon poacher

   

Sturgeon poacher Podothecus accipenserinus
The Sturgeon poacher is a fish in the family Agonidae. It was described by Wilhelm Gottlieb Tilesius von Tilenau in 1813. It is a marine, temperate water-dwelling fish which is known from the northern Pacific Ocean to northern California. Its diet consists of bony fish, crustaceans such as amphipods, copepods and shrimp, and annelid worms. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Planning commission, cities clash over urban growth 

Feds launch whale-safe fishing gear strategy to try to prevent entanglements
Entanglement is a top threat for all large baleen whales on Canada’s coasts, including humpbacks, minke, blue and fin whales. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer) 

Should 600-year-old oaks be cut down in Tacoma for a new storage facility?
On the side of a busy street in South Tacoma is a small stretch of land surrounded by parking lots, storage facilities, warehouses and a lumber-distribution yard. Next to a set of railroad tracks are 37 Garry oak trees, some of which are thought to be between 400 and 600 years old. The trees at 3802 S. 74th St. will be cut down if the city of Tacoma approves the landowner’s permits to build a new self-storage facility on the one-acre, triangular site. Becca Most reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

Why Treaties Are the Best Fix for BC’s Land Uncertainty
Recent court rulings show the province can no longer ignore legal injustices, a former provincial cabinet minister says. Tyler Olsen reports. (The Tyee) 

Teddy Roosevelt’s Family Urges G.O.P. to Protect Public Lands
In a rare letter to Republican senators, four descendants of the former president oppose mining near a wilderness area in Minnesota. Maxine Joselow reports. (NY Times) 

1 in 4 Washingtonians want to secede from the US, survey finds
A quarter of Washingtonians would support the Evergreen State breaking up with the U.S., according to a new survey. Washington counted the second-highest rate of secession support in the U.S., tying with New Mexico and behind only California (27%). Simone Carter reports. (The Olympian) 

Democracy Watch

• U.S. Deports Nine Migrants in Secret, Ignoring Legal Protections (NY Times) 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
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Here's your tug weather— West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  759 PM PST Mon Feb 16 2026    
TUE  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at  13 seconds. A chance of rain and snow showers in the morning,  then showers likely in the afternoon.  
TUE NIGHT  E wind around 5 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of 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)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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2/16 Crocus, climate fight, Columbia R salmon, WA Fish & Wildlife Commission, democracy watch

Crocus

Crocus
Crocus are low growing plants, whose flower stems remain underground, that bear relatively large white, yellow, orange or purple flowers and then become dormant after flowering. Many are cultivated for their flowers, appearing in autumn, winter, or spring. The flowers close at night and in overcast weather conditions. 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Taking action, staying engaged

As U.S. abandons climate fight, Washington state feels the heat to do more
Washington state’s push for a rapid switch to electric vehicles is in jeopardy— with its ultimate fate likely to be decided in the courts. A Trump administration move Thursday to axe the centerpiece of federal climate policy jeopardizes state-level efforts to control pollution from motor vehicles as well. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Trump budget maintains many Columbia River salmon, environment programs — despite dramatic proposed cuts
Columbia River salmon recovery programs fared better in the 2026 federal budget than tribes, advocates, bureaucrats and biologists feared. President Donald Trump had made major cuts to the programs in 2025. But those cuts brought together a wide-ranging group of powerful interests around the Columbia River Basin to ask Congress to fund programs such as hatcheries, habitat restoration and sea lion killing. Henry Brannon reports. (The Columbian) 

WA Fish and Wildlife saga deepens with claims of collusion
A previously undisclosed memo suggests two current commissioners were coordinating with a conservation group. Those named deny the allegations and say the document is defamatory and riddled with falsehoods. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump tells soldiers to vote GOP in campaign-style rally at Fort Bragg (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-  210 AM PST Sun Feb 15 2026    
MON  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft, building to 5 to 7 ft  in the afternoon. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.  
MON NIGHT  S wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to SE after midnight.  Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 12 seconds. Rain and snow  likely.

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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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2/13 Friday the 13th, greenhouse gas, 'forever chemicals,' delisted endangered plants, buy more coal, WA coal plant, AK drilling, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th, date that signifies bad luck in many Western cultures. The superstition is akin to the beliefs that crossing paths with a black cat, walking under a ladder, opening an umbrella indoors, or breaking a mirror bring bad luck. (Brittanica)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Lopez moth hunt engages community in bat fungus research

Trump administration completes rollback of Obama-era greenhouse gas regulations
President Donald Trump and his top environmental policy officer finalized a move Thursday to undo an Environmental Protection Agency regulation that laid the foundation for federal rules governing emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Jacob Fischler reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Concerns over "forever chemicals" pose biosolids challenge for treatment plants
Increasing concerns surround PFAS in products from wastewater treatment plants. How great a risk do they pose, and are there feasible approaches to removing them? We continue our occasional series on water quality and wastewater management in Puget Sound. Sarah DeWeerdt reports. (Salish Sea Currents Magazine) 

Not so fast: Celebrations over delisting endangered plants might be premature
Validating local botanists' concerns, rare PNW plants have experienced steep declines since removal of federal protections. Nathan Gilles reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Trump Orders the Pentagon to Buy More Coal-Fired Electricity
Mr. Trump is trying to revive coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel. At the White House, coal executives awarded him a trophy as the “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal.” Brad Plumer reports. (NY Times) 

Coal power in WA Legislature’s crosshairs after talk of Centralia plant’s revival
The Trump administration has moved to keep the power plant available to burn coal. A bill the state House approved Thursday would impose hefty taxes and fees if it fires back up. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Feds schedule first lease sale in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve since 2019
The Trump administration’s 5.5-million-acre auction is one of several mandated over next few years for federal lands in Alaska and federal waters off the state’s coast. Yereth Rosen reports. (Alaska Beacon) 

Democracy Watch

• Federal authorities announce end to Minnesota immigration crackdown (AP) 
• Shutdown looms for FEMA, Coast Guard, TSA with stalemate over Homeland Security funds (Washington State Standard) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/13/26: Galentine's Day, Stillaguamish Tribe, Marine Monument fishing, fighting climate change, orcas and us, marsh restoration, greenhouse gas regs, AK oil drilling lawsuit dropped. 

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-  204 AM PST Fri Feb 13 2026    
TODAY  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: W 8 ft  at 15 seconds. A chance of rain early this morning, then rain  likely late this morning and afternoon.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft  at 14 seconds. Rain likely. Patchy dense fog.  
SAT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  13 seconds. A chance of rain.  
SAT NIGHT  N wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to NE after midnight.  Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 14 seconds.  
SUN  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  14 seconds.  
SUN NIGHT  W wind around 5 kt, backing to SE after midnight.  Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 13 seconds. Rain likely  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)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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2/12 Water striders, Clean Air Act regs, Arctic refuge oil drilling, WA dead bills, democracy watch

Water striders

 

Water striders Gerridae
The Gerridae are a family of insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as water striders, water skeeters, water scooters, water bugs, pond skaters, water skippers, water gliders, water skimmers or puddle flies. They are true bugs of the suborder Heteroptera and have mouthparts evolved for piercing and sucking. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  How big should Whatcom County’s new jail be? Part 2

Trump’s EPA plans to end a key climate pollution regulation 
On Thursday, the Trump administration will rescind the central scientific finding that underpins much of the nation’s climate pollution rules, its most aggressive action yet to halt initiatives that address planetary warming. The 2009 Environmental Protection Agency endangerment finding was a determination that pollutants from developing and burning fossil fuels, such as methane and carbon dioxide, can be regulated under the Clean Air Act. The EPA now argues that the Clean Air Act does not give it the legal authority to regulate greenhouse gases. Jeff Brady and Camila Domonoske report. (NPR) 

Washington and other Democratic-led states drop lawsuit against Arctic refuge oil drilling in Alaska
Fifteen Democratic-led states have dropped a six-year-old lawsuit challenging the legality of a federal plan that allowed oil and gas drilling in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The states are dropping their case but said they will continue their opposition to ANWR drilling. (Washington State Standard) 

More dead bills stack up in WA Legislature
Bills focused on psilocybin, medication abortion and taxing short-term rentals are among those that didn’t survive the latest key deadline in the state Legislature.  Monday was the cutoff for bills involving money to pass through fiscal committees. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Gabbard ends intelligence reform task force after less than a year of work (AP) 

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-  205 PM PST Wed Feb 11 2026    
THU  SW wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 14 seconds and  W 2 ft at 18 seconds. Rain in the afternoon.  
THU NIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 6 to 9 ft after midnight.  Wave Detail: W 9 ft at 16 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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2/11 Midge, Edmonds marsh, Ingenika, caribou habitat map, ‘Na̱mg̱is territory, WA income tax, democracy watch.

Midge

 
 Midge Chironomidae
Any of a group of tiny two-winged flies (order Diptera) that superficially resemble mosquitoes. Although they resemble mosquitoes, midges are harmless, with small mouthparts that are not elongated into a piercing structure for blood feeding. Midges are usually found around ponds or streams in late afternoon and evening in swarms that produce a humming sound. Midges may breed in water or manure or under tree bark. (Brittanica)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  How big should Whatcom County’s new jail be? Part 1 

Edmonds receives federal grant to advance marsh restoration
The $677,400 grant will go toward a public planning process and developing a design to connect the marsh with the Puget Sound. Jenna Peterson reports. (Everett Herald) 

Vigil to mark 5 years since deadly northern B.C. tugboat accident, push for stronger standards
Charley Cragg, Troy Pearson died after tugboat Ingenika sank near Kitimat in Feb. 2021. Nick Logan reports. (CBC) 

Ottawa sued over B.C. caribou habitat map delays
An application to the Federal Court claims the federal government has failed in its legal duty to map southern mountain caribou habitat in B.C. and Alberta. Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist) 

Life on ‘Na̱mg̱is territory, at the edge of the ocean
 Off the northern tip of Vancouver Island, in the tiny community of Alert Bay, B.C., residents hold deep connections to the land and waters. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal) 

WA income tax on higher earners clears first legislative hurdle
Democrats rejected GOP amendments before pushing their tax on millionaires through a Senate committee. The bill was revised to expand an exemption for small businesses and make other changes. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump administration takes down a rainbow flag at the Stonewall National Monument (AP) 

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-  231 PM PST Tue Feb 10 2026    
WED  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  10 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  NE wind around 5 kt, backing to W after midnight.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 11 seconds.

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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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2/10 Caddisfly, U.S. climate regs, orcas, democracy watch.

 

Caddisfly

Caddisfly Trichoptera
Any of a group of around 17,000 species of mothlike insects that are attracted to lights at night and live near lakes or rivers. They are an important food for many fish, particularly in their immature, aquatic stages, and are vital to local food webs. Because trout take flying adults, caddisflies are often used as models for the artificial flies used in fishing. (Brittanica)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Honoring four decades of spill response in San Juan County

Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory’ in Wiping Out U.S. Climate Regulation
A small group of conservative activists has worked for 16 years to stop all government efforts to fight climate change. Their efforts seem poised to pay off. Lisa Friedman and Maxine Joselow report. (NY Times) 

Orcas and ourselves
Sea pandas or sadistic killers? These enigmatic creatures invite contradictory labels that say far more about us than them. Jason Colby writes. (Aeon) 

Democracy Watch
DOJ seeks to undo Bannon’s conviction for defying Jan. 6 subpoena (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-  213 PM PST Mon Feb 9 2026    
TUE  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  12 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning.  
TUE NIGHT  NE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  5 ft at 11 seconds.

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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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Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



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