6/2 US leaves climate pact, West Coast govs respond, Site C dam, Dakota pipe flow

Beach hopper [PHOTO: Crystal Ernst]

Beach hopper* Traskorchestia traskiana
This beach hopper can be found in large numbers in and around sea wrack (decaying seaweed and other washed up marine matter) in the high intertidal of more protected sandy and rocky beaches, as well as in bays, estuaries, and salt marshes. Like other amphipods, Traskorchestia traskiana finds both food and shelter among wrack lines. Its range extends from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. Amphipods such as this beach hopper play a major role in breaking down algae and other detritus that washes ashore as marine wrack. *Note that other marine amphipods are also referred to as beach hoppers, as well as sand hoppers and beach fleas (though they do not bite). (Biodiversity of the Central Coast)

Trump Will Withdraw U.S. From Paris Climate Agreement
President Trump announced Thursday that he will withdraw the United States from participation in the Paris climate accord, weakening global efforts to combat climate change and siding with conservatives who argued that the landmark 2015 agreement was harming the economy. But he will stick to the withdrawal process laid out in the Paris agreement, which President Barack Obama joined and most of the world has already ratified. That could take nearly four years to complete, meaning a final decision would be up to the American voters in the next presidential election. Michael D. Shear reports. (NY Times)

California, New York, Washington Unite To Back Climate Pact
Three Democratic governors said Thursday they won’t let the United States back away from a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite President Donald Trump decision to withdraw from an international pact. “This is an insane move by this president,” California Gov. Jerry Brown said, blasting the decision as “deviant behavior from the highest office in the land.” Brown joined Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington state and Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York to form the U.S. Climate Alliance to uphold the Paris climate agreement, a pact involving nearly 200 nations aimed at slowing the warming of the planet. Kathleen Ronayne reports. (Associated Press)

NDP Leader John Horgan calls on B.C. Hydro not to finalize Site C contracts
NDP Leader John Horgan has advised BC Hydro not to sign any new contracts on the divisive Site C hydroelectric dam project. The $8.8 billion dam will be the third on the Peace River, flooding an 83-kilometre stretch of valley, and local First Nations, landowners and farmers have fiercely opposed the project. (Canadian Press)

Crude Oil Begins To Flow Through Controversial Dakota Access Pipeline
Crude oil is now flowing through the Dakota Access Pipeline, despite months of protests against it by Native American tribes and environmental groups. The pipeline spans more than a thousand miles from North Dakota to Illinois, and cost some $3.8 billion to construct. It is expected to transport approximately 520,000 barrels of oil daily…. Members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, whose reservation lies just downstream from the place where the pipeline crosses the Missouri River, are vowing to continue fighting. They fear that a pipeline leak could contaminate their drinking water and sacred lands. Merrit Kennedy reports. (NPR)

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  300 AM PDT Fri Jun 2 2017  
Today  SE wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 5 ft  at 10 seconds. Showers likely in the morning then a chance of  showers in the afternoon.
TONIGHT  NW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SW after midnight. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 9 seconds.
SAT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 5 ft at 9 seconds.
SAT NIGHT  NW wind 15 to 25 kt becoming W 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 4 ft. W swell 6 ft at 10 seconds.
SUN  W wind 5 to 15 kt rising to 15 to 25 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 OR 2 ft building to 2 to 4 ft. W swell 7 ft at 11  seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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