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) 

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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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2/9 Sea hawk, Stillaguamish Tribe, underwater noise, national monument fishing, dicamba, salmon affliction, lovebird, democracy watch

 

Osprey

Osprey Pandion haliaetus
The osprey, historically known as sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm in length and a wingspan of 180 cm. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Flood response increases in Whatcom County

The Stillaguamish Tribe gives its river north of Seattle room to roam
Over the past 15 years, the Stillaguamish Tribe has purchased 2,000 acres of land for fish and wildlife habitat. Under the 1855 treaty, the Stillaguamish and other Puget Sound tribes gave up almost all of their land but kept their rights to fish and hunt. What the tribe wants back on track is salmon. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Construction set to begin on new marine life center in Port Angeles
Groundbreaking event scheduled for April 8 at Pebble Beach Park. Emily Hanson reports. (Peninsula Daily News)  See also: Major changes coming to Bellingham’s Marine Life Center. Jacob Kornfeld reports. (Salish Current) 

Steps being taken to reduce orca-disorienting underwater clatter in Puget Sound
In 2022, the port introduced its first Underwater Noise Mitigation and Management Plan, and since then, it has implemented several measures to reduce underwater noise pollution. Theron Zahn reports. (KOMO) 

Trump Opens Marine National Monument in Atlantic to Commercial Fishing
Off the coast of Cape Cod, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a unique stretch of ocean that had been protected for a decade. Maxine Joselow reports. (NY Times) 

Trump administration approves weed killer dicamba for two common genetically modified crops
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday reapproved the weed killer dicamba for use on genetically modified soybeans and cotton, a pesticide that has raised widespread concern over its tendency to drift and destroy nearby crops. Michael Phillis reports. (Associated Press) 

A Mysterious Salmon-Killing Affliction is a Mystery No More
In California, scientists tracked the source of a severe vitamin deficiency that’s killing endangered fish. Alastair Bland reports. (bioGraphic) 

Who is your lovebird?  It’s the season for lovebirds — but which bird? Here at The Narwhal, we spend a lot of time writing and reporting on birds from coast to coast to coast. They’re ecologically critical, dazzlingly diverse, often imperiled by human activity and climate change — but also, let’s not forget, very romantic. Has a partner ever built you a home in a chimney? Or regurgitated food to save you all that tiresome chewing? Have they ever locked their talons to yours and executed a “death spiral” at high altitude to prove their undying affection? Take our Valentine’s Day quiz to find the nest-mate of your dreams. Michelle Cyca writes. (The Narwhal) 

Democracy Watch

• ‘Take the vaccine, please,’ a top US health official says in an appeal as measles cases rise (Associated Press) 
• 'Washington Post' CEO departs after going AWOL during massive job cuts (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-  213 PM PST Sun Feb 8 2026    
MON  SW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 13 seconds. Rain.  MON NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 13 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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2/6 Squid, more TM oil, WA dead bills, salmon grant, democracy watch, week in review.

Market squid [David Andrew/WDFW]

Market squid Loligo opalescens
Squid belong to the class of mollusks known as cephalopods, which also include octopus. Squid are decapods, having 10 tentacles, compared to the eight arms of octopuses. They also are free-swimming creatures and exhibit schooling behavior similar to many species of fish. Adult market squid found in inside waters average about 8 inches (mantle plus tentacles). Market squid are short-lived, probably having life spans of no more than one year. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Flooded homes, hidden lives: volunteers step up for undocumented residents

Trans Mountain proceeding with first of three expansions of oil pipeline
Trans Mountain is moving ahead with its first project to pump more oil through its pipeline system between Alberta and British Columbia. The Crown corporation applied to the Canada Energy Regulator this week to use drag reducing agents (DRA) with the goal of moving up to 10 per cent more oil. The project would cost $9 million, and construction is expected to begin this August, and could be operational by January 2027. Kyle Bakx reports. (CBC) 

The bills that didn’t survive the WA Legislature’s first major deadline
Many policy ideas in the Washington Legislature met their end less than a month in, as they failed to pass the first key deadline on Wednesday to remain in play. Passage of those that survived is far from assured. If bills cost money, they have to advance past another committee by the end of Monday. They’ll then have to pass out of the chamber they originated in by Feb. 17. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Port Angeles secures grant to aid in salmon recovery
The city announced Wednesday the state Department of Commerce had given it a $109,000 grant to support the integration of salmon recovery into city planning efforts. Emily Hanson reports. (Peninsula Daily News) 

Democracy Watch

• ICE agents can’t make warrantless arrests in Oregon unless there’s a risk of escape, US judge rules (AP) 
• Trump Education Department bolsters protections for prayer in schools (Washington State Standard) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/6/26: Chopsticks Friday, fish farm ban, Oly marmot, BC spill risk, nuke reactor exemptions, BC polluter pay rule, MAHA and EPA, wind and solar project delay, BC winter, more TM oil, WA dead bills.

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-  217 AM PST Fri Feb 6 2026    
TODAY  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SW 2 ft  at 13 seconds and W 6 ft at 15 seconds.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 6 seconds and  SW 6 ft at 14 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening, then rain  after midnight.  
SAT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, veering to S in the afternoon. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 4 ft at 4 seconds, W 7 ft at  12 seconds and SW 5 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: S 2 ft at 5 seconds and W  6 ft at 12 seconds. Rain likely, mainly in the evening.  
SUN  S wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  13 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning, then rain likely 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)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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2/5 Tadpole, BC heat, Thurston Co battery storage, Trump energy delay, WAPO cuts, democracy watch.

Tadpole

Tadpole
A tadpole or polliwog (also spelled pollywog) is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-like features that may not be found in adult amphibians, such as a lateral line, gills and swimming tails. As they undergo metamorphosis, they start to develop functional lungs for breathing air, and the diet of tadpoles changes drastically. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  December floods test salmon habitats, restoration efforts

9 C in February: Heat records fall across B.C., raising questions about winter's future
Repeated ridges of high pressure have been driving temperatures in B.C. up into the double digits, with daily heat records falling in at least a dozen cities from Vancouver to Cranbrook to Dawson Creek. In Bella Bella, on B.C.'s central coast, Wednesday's high climbed to 19.3 C, a mercury level more commonly associated with June or July, according to CBC's climate dashboard which takes data from Environment Canada and compares it to historical records. Andrew Kurjata and Amber Wang report. (CBC) 

Fire chief, residents oppose contentious battery energy site in Thurston County
A New York-based company called Convergent Energy and Power wants to bring a 5.4 megawatt lithium-ion battery site to an 11-acre parcel in the 7500 block of 183rd Avenue Southwest in Rochester. The battery energy storage system, or BESS, is proposed to occupy about 16,000 square feet of that overall site. Rolf Boone reports. (The Olympian) 

Trump Administration Is Delaying Hundreds of Wind and Solar Projects
Federal agencies are delaying approvals for renewable energy projects on both federal land and private property at a time when electricity demand is going up. Brad Plumer and Rebecca F. Elliott report. (NY Times) 

Washington Post cuts a third of its staff in a blow to a legendary news brand
The Washington Post laid off one-third of its staff Wednesday, eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its books coverage in a widespread purge that represented a brutal blow to journalism and one of its most legendary brands. David Bauer reports. (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• The Supreme Court lets California use its new, Democratic-friendly congressional map (NPR) 
• President Says He Ordered 700 Agents to Leave Minnesota (NY Times) 

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-  203 PM PST Wed Feb 4 2026    
THU  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at  4 seconds and W 6 ft at 14 seconds. THU NIGHT  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 16 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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2/4 Sword fern, BC polluter pays, MAHA enviro rules, WA income tax, democracy watch.

Sword fern [Greg Rabourn]

 
Sword fern Polystichum munitum
This is the king of northwest ferns. Its stately appearance and adaptability for almost any site condition, make it one of the most usefull of all native plants. The clump of upright, evergreen leaves has an architectural quality and can be used as a structural element in almost any kind of planting. It can also be used as a ground cover. Does best in organic soils but can stand the most acidic conditions found under cedar and redwoods. As older fronds die they provide excellent amphibian habitat around their base. (King County Native Plant Guide)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Major changes coming to Bellingham’s Marine Life Center 

BC Halts Plans to Make Polluters Pay for Cleanup Costs
The province billed its Public Interest Bonding Strategy as a key step to protect the public from massive cleanup bills. Now it’s on hold. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Tyee) 

MAHA has reshaped health policy. Now it's working on environmental rules
MAHA activists who want to hold corporations accountable for harming Americans’ health have found an unlikely ally in a Republican-led Environmental Protection Agency that has traditionally supported big businesses and less regulation. Sejal Govindarao, Ali Swenson and Michael Phillis report. (Associated Press) 

Income tax debate opens up in WA Legislature
Democrats want to tax personal income over $1 million. Gov. Bob Ferguson says lawmakers’ initial plan doesn’t offer enough tax relief for lower earners and small businesses. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard) 
 

Democracy Watch

• Trump demands $1 billion from Harvard as a prolonged standoff appears to deepen (AP) 
• Honoring Renée Good, Alex Pretti with ceremony (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-  221 PM PST Tue Feb 3 2026    
WED  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming E 5 to 10 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 15 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  E wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 14 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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