7/21 Tribal journeys, cap budget, BC fire, BC pipes, ESA rollback, slow ships, World Heritage sites

(Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Of the first water: Canoes on the move for a potlatch in British Columbia
The 2017 Canoe Journey is underway, and tribes from across Washington state and British Columbia are making their way to the Campbell River. North Olympic Peninsula tribes are joining the annual tradition throughout the next few days. By the time they reach the end of their journey at the Campbell River on the east coast of northern Vancouver Island on Aug. 5, the Quinault will have been joined by a flotilla of canoes. Jesse Major reports. (Peninsula Daily News) See also: Tribal Canoe Journey: Tribes depart Washington on epic voyage  Julian Brave NoiseCat reports. (CBC) And also: Annual Tribal Canoe Journey Stops At Alki Beach  (KNKX Public Radio & Jackson Main)

Washington state Legislature adjourns without capital budget
The House and Senate have official adjourned their third special session, but lawmakers left on a sour note after a dispute over a water-rights bill prevented a vote on a two-year capital budget. Legislative leaders had previously said they were likely to adjourn earlier in the day after negotiations broke down Wednesday on a water-rights bill that was tied to passage of a new construction budget for the state. Once it became clear that no progress would be made, the exodus began, first by the House Democrats, followed by other caucuses. (Associated Press) See also: Sewage Seeps In Washington Town Desperate For State Funds  Austin Jenkins reports. (NW News Network)

No end in sight two weeks after B.C. state of emergency declared over wildfires
Today marks two weeks since raging wildfires that have displaced thousands of people British Columbia forced the province to call a state of emergency. On Wednesday, Premier John Horgan said he would extend the order for an additional two weeks since many of the 43,000 people who had to flee their homes in the province's Interior will not yet be able to return. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, who was sworn in Tuesday as part of B.C.'s new NDP government, says a $100 million fund established by the former Liberal government is enough to cover costs for now and the province is ready to spend more if necessary. (Canadian Press)

B.C.'s pipeline opposition strategy still under wraps while Trans Mountain forges ahead
Blocking Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd.’s Trans Mountain expansion project was a key election promise made by the new NDP government, but Premier John Horgan’s cabinet hasn’t yet indicated what its first steps will be to honour that commitment. Derrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Judge rules that NEB must reconsider B.C. natural gas pipeline jurisdiction 
A Federal Court of Appeal judge has ruled the National Energy Board must reconsider whether a proposed TransCanada Corp. natural gas pipeline in B.C. falls under provincial or federal jurisdiction….[Michael] Sawyer argued the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project, a roughly 900-kilometre proposed pipeline from Hudson's Hope, B.C., to a facility on the province's Lelu Island, required federal and not provincial approvals. The province has already green lighted the pipeline project, but it is waiting to receive a final commitment from Pacific NorthWest LNG, which will build and operate the Lelu Island facility, before starting construction. (Canadian Press)

GOP targets Endangered Species Act as protections lifted 
Congressional Republicans are moving forward with legislation to roll back the Endangered Species Act, amid complaints that the landmark 44-year-old law hinders drilling, logging and other activities. At simultaneous hearings Wednesday, House and Senate committees considered bills to revise the law and limit lengthy and costly litigation associated with it. The bills come as a federal court lifted federal protections for gray wolves in Wyoming and the Trump administration moved to lift protections for grizzly bears in and near Yellowstone National Park. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke also is reviewing federal efforts to conserve the imperiled sage grouse in 11 Western states. Matthew Daly reports. (Associated Press)

Vancouver Port asks ships to slow down for orca research
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is asking vessels coming through Haro Straight to slow down, in order to study how underwater noise affects orcas' ability to echolocate.  All piloted commercial vessels transiting between Discovery Island and Henry Island between August 7 and October 6 will be asked to reduce their speed to 11 knots.  The average speed for a vessel transiting through the area typically ranges from 18 knots for a cruise or container vessel and 13 knots for a tanker or bulk carrier. Port authorities estimate the slowdown could cause delays of between 30 minutes to an hour to the total transit time between Boundary Pass and Brotchie Point. Michelle Ghoussoub reports. (CBC) See also: Scientists study orca’s response to underwater noise in BC  (Associated Press)

Island’s Salish Sea Trust searches for heritage site designation
It is no small feat to have your bit of the world designated as a World Heritage Site. The process can take between six and 10 years, and in the end, there is no guarantee your application will be approved and adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to join the 1073 such sites already in existence. But despite the daunting nominating process and the trials and tribulations of advocating a site for consideration, Laurie Gourlay, interim director of the Salish Sea Trust is confident that the Salish Sea will eventually be named to this prestigious and practically important designation. Tim Collins reports. (Victoria News)

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  239 AM PDT Fri Jul 21 2017  
TODAY  Light wind. Wind waves less than 1 ft. SW swell 2 ft at  13 seconds. A slight chance of rain in the morning then a chance  of rain in the afternoon.
TONIGHT  NE wind to 10 kt becoming E after midnight. Wind waves  1 ft or less. SW swell 2 ft at 13 seconds building to W 4 ft at 8  seconds after midnight. A chance of rain.
SAT  SE wind to 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Wind waves  1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 7 seconds. A chance of rain.
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell  4 ft at 7 seconds.
SUN  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 8 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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