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| Cherry blossoms |
A cherry blossom is a flower of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called sakura after the Japanese. Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Seattle Samantha Bushman reports. (Seattle Magazine) Cherry blossom season: Vancouverites share colourful captures on social media (CTV News)
Risk of a major oil spill generates action in Olympia
As oil-carrying vessels arouse new concerns about the fragility of the Salish Sea, Washington state officials are pushing to adopt new rules to counter-balance the increasing risks of a collision and potential oil spill. Few doubt that a large spill of oil would cause profound damage to the Puget Sound ecosystem. Marine mammal experts have even warned that a major oil spill could drive the critically endangered killer whale population to extinction.... Assessing the risks of oil spills has become a key to decision-making, especially with the emergence of a heavier crude oil, changes in tank vessels, and the prospect that more ships will travel more dangerous routes. Chris Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Currents)
It’s been 30 years since the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Here’s what we’re still learning from that environmental debacle.
Before dawn on March 24, 1989, Dan Lawn stepped off of a small boat and onto the boarding ladder dangling from the side of the grounded Exxon Valdez oil tanker. As he made the crossover, he peered down into the water of Prince William Sound, and saw, in the glare of the lights, an ugly spectacle he would never forget. “There was a 3-foot wave of oil boiling out from under the ship, recalls Lawn, who was then a Valdez-based Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation employee helping to watchdog the oil industry. “You couldn’t do anything to stop it.”... Eventually, the oil would foul parts of 1,300 miles of coastline, killing marine life ranging from microscopic planktons to orcas in an accident that would change how the maritime oil-transportation industry does business in Alaska, and to a lesser extent, elsewhere in the world. Hal Bernton and Lynda Makes report. (Seattle Times) See also: Wounded Wilderness: The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill 30 Years Later On the surface, Prince William Sound appears to have recovered. But you don’t have to dig too deep—into the soil or into memories—to find the spill’s lingering effects. Tim Lydon reports. (Hakai Magazine)
Recording Reveals Oil Industry Execs Laughing at Trump Access
Gathered for a private meeting at a beachside Ritz-Carlton in Southern California, the oil executives were celebrating a colleague’s sudden rise. David Bernhardt, their former lawyer, had been appointed by President Donald Trump to the powerful No. 2 spot at the Department of the Interior. Just five months into the Trump era, the energy developers who make up the Independent Petroleum Association of America had already watched the new president order a sweeping overhaul of environmental regulations that were cutting into their bottom lines — rules concerning smog, fracking and endangered species protection. Dan Naatz, the association’s political director, told the conference room audience of about 100 executives that Bernhardt’s new role meant their priorities would be heard at the highest levels of Interior. Lance Williams reports. (Reveal/Center for Investigative Reporting)
Chinese demand leads to huge jump in crude oil exports from B.C
A combination of Chinese demand and increased pipeline space led to a massive increase in the export of crude oil out of the Port of Vancouver last year. Figures provided by the port showed there were 22 million barrels of crude exported from B.C. in 2018, compared to 13 million barrels in 2017 and 8.7 million barrels in 2016. Kevin Birn, vice-president of IHS Markit in Calgary, said that almost all crude oil exported from the province comes via the Canadian-government owned Trans Mountain pipeline from Edmonton. The Trans Mountain pipeline allows for a variety of petroleum types and products to be shipped, ranging from jet fuel and kerosene to heavy crude oil and oilsands. Last year, Birn said, the amount of refined products and deliveries for the Lower Mainland were down, and this created space in the line for crude oil to be exported. David Carrig reports. (Vancouver Sun)
The HEAL Act would put environmental justice on the map in Washington state
Tyrone Beason writes: "A bill moving through the Legislature in Olympia brings some much-needed attention to an issue I’ve told you about before but that for too long has gone under the radar in our discussions about the environment: Communities of color and lower-income households face a greater threat from air, water and land-based pollution in the Seattle metro area and across the state.... But if the “HEAL Act” reaches Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk — and all indications are that it will — the specific risks and needs facing these communities will get special consideration when state agency regulators and lawmakers form environmental policy...." (Seattle Times)
Legislation to help endangered orcas keeps moving toward approval
Members of the governor’s orca task force this week expressed hope and a bit of surprise as they discussed their recommendations to help the orcas —recommendations that were shaped into legislation and now have a fairly good chance of passage. Over the years, some of their ideas have been proposed and discussed — and ultimately killed — by lawmakers, but now the plight of the critically endangered southern resident killer whales has increased the urgency of these environmental measures — including bills dealing with habitat, oil-spill prevention and the orcas themselves. Chris Dunagan reports. (Watching Our Water Ways)
Rivals for Everett mill property seek to sway public opinion
A lonely stretch of waterfront has attracted rival suitors — and an aggressive courtship is playing out. A maritime company wants to buy the former Kimberly-Clark mill site. So does the Port of Everett. Unusual for a real estate deal, both sides are trying to sway public opinion in their favor. Each has enlisted powerful political backers. There’s been an opinion poll, economic data-crunching and a few recriminations. Both have dangled the prospect of a thousand or more new jobs. Noah Haglund reports. (Everett Herald)
Public input sought on Skagit Wildlife Area plan
The state Department of Fish & Wildlife is preparing to update the management plan for the 17,000-acre Skagit Wildlife Area and is seeking public input. The management plan will propose actions for the wildlife area over the next decade, according to a news release. To kick off the process, the state agency will hold an open house from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Padilla Bay Visitor Center, at 10441 Bayview Edison Road.... The majority of the Skagit Wildlife Area — about 13,000 acres — is estuary habitat where freshwater and saltwater meet, according to Fish & Wildlife. That habitat is particularly important for salmon species, some of which are listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. The wildlife area also includes agricultural habitat as well as forested habitat specifically preserved for the bald eagles that frequent the area during winter in pursuit of spawning salmon. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)
Vancouver Island fisherman convicted in crab poaching case
A crab poaching case that stretched from the watery depths of Vancouver Harbour to a Vancouver Island courthouse has finally concluded with penalties being levied against a Mudge Island fisherman. Earlier this month, Arthur Michael Nelson was convicted in Campbell River Provincial Court of violating the Fisheries Act. The First Nations man was banned from fishing for 10 years, unless it involves aboriginal rights. Michael Tymchuk reports. (CBC)
A dumpster full of strange objects collected near Squalicum Beach for World Water Day
More than 70 volunteers spent part of Friday, World Water Day, cleaning up a stretch of land just south of Squalicum Beach in Bellingham. Lacey Young reports. (Bellingham Herald) See also: Helping hands roll up sleeves, pay it forward at Fraser River cleanup They came from all over the Lower Mainland, with little in common but a love for the river. More than 700 people attended the annual Fraser River Cleanup here Saturday, adding to the more than 125 tonnes of garbage collected from the riverbank during the past 12 years. Glenda Luymes reports. (Vancouver Sun)
Could gray whales return to Puget Sound year-round in search of food?
Every spring Patch, Little Patch and Dubknuck have been swimming into the Puget Sound on the hunt for food. Little Patch broke decades of tradition this year when he arrived in the second week of January, months ahead of schedule. Little Patch is one of a dozen or so gray whales known as "Sounders" that return to the Pacific Northwest year after year in search of food. The Orca Network reported his sighting off Hat Island on January 11, "more than two months earlier than typical arrival times." Since the early 90s, this small collective of whales has made its return like clockwork, swimming 150 miles off course from thousands of other Arctic-bound whales to north Puget Sound. They're typically spotted around the Sound between March and May. "The discovery of that area was probably driven by desperation and not great conditions. Their annual return shows they've discovered something good," said John Calambokidis of the Cascadia Research Collective. Brian Price reports. (KING)
Digging for indigenous science in 3,000-year-old clam beds
Marco Hatch, a Coastal Salish scholar, talks about the importance of bringing indigenous knowledge to Western research — and what science loses when we don't. Manola Secaira reports. (Crosscut)
Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 249 AM PDT Mon Mar 25 2019
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 7 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of rain in the afternoon.
TONIGHT SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 7 ft at 13 seconds. Rain in the evening then showers after midnight.
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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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