2/26 Oregon hairy triton, herring spawn, Burrard Inlet dredging, Padilla Bay eelgrass, flare fix, underground dam, democracy watch.

Oregon hairy triton

    

Oregon hairy triton Fusitriton oregonensis
Oregon hairy triton is a species of large predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cymatiidae. The snail was given its specific name oregonensis (meaning "of Oregon") to honor the Oregon Territory by conchologist John Howard Redfield in 1846. It is native to the northwestern coast of North America. The shells are found from Alaska to California, as well as in northern Japan. (Wikipedia) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom County flooding problem solving

First signs of herring spawn spark excitement on Vancouver Island
The herring spawn attracts wildlife and onlookers to witness an increase in marine activity. Maryse Zeidler reports. (CBC) 

Vancouver port applies to dredge Burrard Inlet this year to fuel oil exports
An application to federal authorities contemplates deepening a navigational channel starting in September 2026. Stefan Labbé reports. (BIV) 

Genetic diversity a plus for Padilla Bay eelgrass
Padilla Bay’s expansive eelgrass meadow has a unique diversity of genetics, according to new research. Padilla Bay hosts one of the largest eelgrass beds in North America. The bed spans about 8,000 acres. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Financial considerations likely behind LNG Canada flare fix delay: experts
The company says an issue with one of its flares will take three years to fix. Experts believe the company is prioritizing profits over the public and ask why the B.C. regulator isn’t stepping in. Lauren Watson reports. (The Narwhal) 

As drought fears mount, a team in Idaho proposes a subterranean dam
Can we engineer a way out of water shortages and a looming agricultural crisis? An ISU professor is working on it. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Democracy Watch

• A look at Trump’s false and misleading claims in his State of the Union speech (AP) 
• The Future of News (Pew Trust) 

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Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  300 PM PST Wed Feb 25 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON    
THU  SW wind 20 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 8 seconds and SW 2 ft at 8 seconds. Rain.  
THU NIGHT  W wind 20 to 25 kt, easing to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 9 seconds and W  6 ft at 12 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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2/25 American dipper, Indigenous Rights Law, goeduck harvest, gov's new ferries, SCOTUS climate, democracy watch.

 

American dipper

American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus
The slate-gray American Dipper is North America’s only truly aquatic songbird. It flits among midstream rocks and logs, rhythmically bobbing its tail, and then disappears for long moments to forage for aquatic larvae on the stream bottom, using its wings to negotiate the current. These birds build mossy, domed nests on boulders, cliff ledges, and bridges. The burbling song is evocative of the rushing whitewater streams this species calls home in western North and Central America. (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bridge over a troubled highway

B.C. moves at ‘warp speed’ to change landmark Indigenous Rights law
B.C. plans to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act by June. Opposition is growing — will the government listen? Shannon Waters reports.(The Narwhal) 

WA proposes tighter rules on harvesting shellfish, including geoducks 
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is proposing to increase the minimum harvest size for cockles from one and half inches to two and a half, decrease the limit of geoducks that can be gathered daily from three to one and modify harvesting seasons for certain beaches. Kai Uyehara reports. (Seattle Times) 

WA governor’s $1B borrowing plan to buy new ferries sinks in Legislature
House and Senate spending plans released Monday would also push off conversion of diesel boats to battery power. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Supreme Court agrees to hear from oil and gas companies trying to block climate change lawsuits
The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear from oil and gas companies trying to block lawsuits seeking to hold the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change. Lindsay Whitehurst reports. (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• It's not just professional journalists combing the Epstein files (AP) 
• Justice Department withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump (NPR) 

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Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  234 PM PST Tue Feb 24 2026    

WED  W wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming SW 20 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 6 seconds.  Rain.  
WED NIGHT  SW wind 20 to 25 kt, rising to 25 to 30 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SW 6 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.



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2/24 Spanish bluebell, Wei Wai Kum First Nation, Dungeness crab rules, democracy watch.

 

Spanish bluebell

Spanish bluebell Hyacinthoides hispanica
The Spanish bluebell, or wood hyacinth, is a spring-flowering bulbous perennial native to the Iberian Peninsula. However, it has naturalised and is cultivated in many other European countries, as well as in North America and Australia. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Indigenous rappers ‘carry the torch’ 

First Nation takes majority ownership in Campbell River whale watching firm
Wei Wai Kum First Nation is on pathway to full ownership of Campbell River business. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist) 

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission denies petition to alter Dungeness crabbing rules
With whale entanglements on the rise, last December, the Center for Biological Diversityalong with Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the American Cetacean Society, submitted a petition to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission that recommended a suite of sweeping new deployment and equipment rules intended to prevent whale entanglements.  Brian Bahouth reports. (KLCC) 

Democracy Watch

• RFK Jr. fought pesticides for years. Now he’s backing their production (AP) 
• CDC deputy director abruptly resigns from role as agency reels from turnover (The Guardian) 

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-  225 PM PST Mon Feb 23 2026    

TUE  E wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: S 4 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of rain in  the afternoon.  
TUE NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 6 seconds. A  chance of 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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2/23 Ruby-crowned kinglet, coal plant emissions, cutting western OR forests, protect public lands, plastic problem, Indigenous curriculum, Trump's border wall, democracy watch.

 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet [Evan Lipton]

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Corthylio calendula
A tiny bird seemingly overflowing with energy, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet forages almost frantically through lower branches of shrubs and trees. Its habit of constantly flicking its wings is a key identification clue. Smaller than a warbler or chickadee, this plain green-gray bird has a white eyering and a white bar on the wing. (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Indigenous rappers ‘carry the torch’ 

Trump administration eases limits on coal plants for emitting mercury, other toxins
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday weakened limits on mercury and other toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants, the Trump administration’s latest effort to boost the fossil fuel industry by paring back clean air and water rules. Michael Phillis and Dylan Lovan report. (Associated Press) 

Feds propose opening millions of acres of western Oregon forests to 1960s logging levels
The Bureau of Land Management on Thursday shared in a notice of intent that officials will propose new updates to the Western Oregon Resource Management Plans that have governed logging and conservation on 2.5 million acres of forests in 17 Oregon counties for decades, and that were last updated in 2016. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Bipartisan majorities in Western states oppose Trump’s rollback of public lands protections
Eighty-four percent of Western voters say that “rollbacks of laws that protect our land, water and wildlife” are a serious problem, up from 68% eight years ago, according to a poll released Wednesday by Colorado College’s State of the Rockies project. Chase Woodruff reports. (Washington State Standard) 

 'The Problem With Plastic' is dire, but still holds hope
"The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It's Too Late," written by Adam Mahoney and Judith Enck, founders of the nonprofit Beyond Plastics, looks at the serious impacts to the environment and human health caused by our reliance on plastics. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)  

A class of their own: Tired of same topics, students help shape their own Indigenous course
A group of Indigenous students helped put together a new course for Stelly’s Secondary with local First Nations input. Michael John Lo reports. (Times Colonist) 

‘Psychological’ Trump wall on WA’s border has repelled a million trips 
Cars with Canadian plates coming southbound into northwest Washington dropped 39% in the first 365 days of Trump’s term, Jan. 20, 2025, through Jan. 19, 2026, as compared to the same time span a year earlier. Assuming a typical average of 1.3 people per car, it adds up to 1.2 million Canadians not visiting. Danny Westneat writes. (Seattle Times) 

Democracy Watch

• FCC calls for more 'patriotic, pro-America' programming in run-up to 250th anniversary (NPR) 
• TSA says PreCheck still operational after previous announcement of suspension during funding fight (AP) 
• ICE’s purchases for big detention centers are marked by secrecy, frustrating towns (AP) 

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-  215 PM PST Sun Feb 22 2026    
MON  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: SW 5 ft at 9 seconds. A  chance of rain.  
MON NIGHT  NW wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to NE after midnight.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of  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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2/20 False Lily of the Valley, greenhouse gas regs, Trump's weedkiller, BC reconciliation law, Pat Arnold, democracy watch, week in review.

False Lily of the Valley [Ben Legler]

False Lily of the Valley Maianthemum dilatatum
A perennial herb from wide-spreading rhizomes with upright stems which grows in moist, shady areas and open to dense woods. This plant grows from Alaska to California (including British Columbia) and east to northern Idaho. This plant grows on both sides of the Cascades crest and at the coast in Washington. Many Pacific Northwest tribes (including the Bella Coola, Hesquiat, Nitinaht, Salish, and others) have eaten ripe berries for food and used the berries to treat tuberculosis. A poultice of leaves has been used to treat skin boils, minor burns, wounds, and cuts. The fruit has been used to treat tuberculosis. An infusion of chewed or pounded roots has been used to treat sore eyes. (Washington Native Plant Society)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Contagious cancer poses possible threat to Salish Sea clams

Climate, health groups challenge EPA repeal of major greenhouse gas regulation
A coalition of public health and environmental groups filed a suit Wednesday challenging the Trump administration’s recent finding that the Environmental Protection Agency could not regulate climate-warming greenhouse gases. Jacob Fischler reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Trump Order Aims to Boost Weedkiller Targeted in Health Lawsuits
An executive order aimed at ramping up production of glyphosate set off alarms among supporters of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Hiroko Tabuchi and Sheryl Gay Stolberg report. (NY Times) 

As B.C. stokes its economic engine, Eby says reconciliation law is in the way
The government says changes are needed to avoid ‘uncertainty’ from court rulings. Critics argue the move could spark more, costly legal battles. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

The conscience of conservation in Southwest Washington
If you’ve ever been involved with environmental issues in Southwest Washington, you’ve got an opinion about Pat Arnold. Though her platform is Friends of the White Salmon River—she’s been with the advocacy organization since the 1990s, becoming part of its leadership in 2008—her interests and expertise are widespread. Timber sales. Renewable energy. Wildlife habitat. Dams. Deborah Bloom reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Democracy Watch

• WA Japanese Americans rally against ICE on Day of Remembrance (Seattle Times) 
• Federal judge accuses Trump administration of ‘terror’ against immigrants in scathing ruling (AP) 
• New Trump Banner Hung on Justice Department Headquarters (NY Times) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/20/26: Muffin Day, WA climate fight, Columbia R salmon, whale-safe gear, old oaks, Roundup cancer, climate funds, new orca, AK drilling.

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-  259 AM PST Fri Feb 20 2026    
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY  MORNING    
TODAY  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft  at 4 seconds and W 3 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of rain and snow  this morning, then rain likely this afternoon.  
TONIGHT  E wind 15 to 20 kt, rising to 30 to 35 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 5 ft at 5 seconds and W 3  ft at 9 seconds. Rain.  
SAT  E wind 25 to 30 kt, with gusts to 35 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft,  building to 7 to 8 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: E 8 ft at 7  seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  E wind 30 to 35 kt. Seas 7 to 9 ft, building to 9 to  10 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: E 9 ft at 8 seconds and W 4 ft  at 14 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  E wind 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt, becoming SE  15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 7 to 10 ft, subsiding to 5 to  7 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: E 9 ft at 7 seconds and SW  4 ft at 14 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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2/19 Skink, new orca calf, transforming biosolids, African farm, swallow homes, receding glaciers, AK oil drilling.

Western skink [WDFW]

Western skink Plestiodon skiltonianus
Western skinks can be found in eastern Washington, Idaho, from south-central British Columbia to southern Baja California, eastwards to western Montana, eastern Utah, north-central Arizona, and southern Nevada. The western skink is the only lizard in Washington that has a bright blue tail, shiny smooth scales, and stripes running along the length of their body. If caught by a predator, the western skink can detach its tail. The bright blue tail then moves vigorously around, distracting the predator while the skink tries to escape. The tail will eventually grow back, but oftentimes the new tail is darker and more oddly shaped than the original. (Burke Museum)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  An interview with Jessica Rienstra

New Southern Resident orca calf spotted in L pod
he Center for Whale Research spotted a new Southern Resident orca calf traveling with L pod on Feb. 16 in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Designated L129, the calf was seen with two females, the 49‑year‑old L55 and her daughter L103. Researchers said it is too early to know which whale is the mother. AARON GRANILLO Aaron Granillo reports. (KIRO) 

CRD launches survey, open house on proposed thermal treatment plant
The plant would transform biosolids into biochar, a charcoal-like product that can be used in everything from green building materials to stormwater filtration. Andrew A. Duffy reports.(Times Colonist) 

As grocery prices climb, one farmer bets on growing African staples in B.C.
People said he was crazy to start a farm based in African foods. ‘It’s good to be crazy in a good way,’ Canadian Black Farmers Association founder Toyin Kayo-Ajayi says. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal) 

Beautiful new waterfront homes built along Tacoma shoreline — for beloved birds
This month Parks Tacoma staff put up some beautiful waterfront housing. But it’s not for us. It’s for a new purple martin colony to lure North America’s largest swallows back home to the Ruston waterfront. Becca Most reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

Vonn, Shiffrin and Brignone among the Olympic skiers voicing concern over receding glaciers
Team USA skiers Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, along with Italy’s Federica Brignone, are among the many skiers who have expressed concern during these Olympic Games about the accelerating melt of the world’s glaciers. Jennifer McDermott reports. (Associated Press) 

Lawsuits challenge renewed push for oil drilling in Alaska petroleum reserve and upcoming lease sale
Conservation organizations and an Iñupiat group filed legal challenges Tuesday to the Trump administration’s renewed push for oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and an upcoming lease sale that they say improperly makes available ecologically sensitive lands that have been long protected. Becky Bohrer reports.(Associated Press) 

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-  214 PM PST Wed Feb 18 2026   
 SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING    THU  E wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at  4 seconds and W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  THU NIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 3 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of rain and  snow 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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2/18 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) 

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-  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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