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| Bigleaf maple |
The Bigleaf maple or Oregon maple is a large deciduous tree in the genus Acer. Bigleaf maple can grow up to 157 feet tall, but more commonly reaches 50–65 feet tall. It is native to western North America, mostly near the Pacific coast, from southernmost Alaska to southern California. Some stands are also found inland in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California, and a tiny population occurs in central Idaho. (Wikipedia) See: Untapped potential: Workshop focuses on making bigleaf maple syrup ...Kevin Zobrist, a professor in the Washington State University Extension forestry program, said there is growing interest in bigleaf maple syrup production. Jacqueline Allison reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)
Trans Mountain received $320M in government subsidies in 2019, report finds
The Trans Mountain pipeline received $320 million in subsidies from the Canadian and Alberta governments in the first half of 2019, says a new report by an economic institute that analyzes environmental issues. The money included $135.8 million in direct subsidies and $183.8 million in indirect subsidies that were not clearly disclosed to taxpayers, says the report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Laura Kane reports. (CBC) See also: Trans Mountain pipeline’s biggest obstacle will drag saga into 2022 Construction may have resumed and Trudeau has promised to see TMX through, but it's the legal delays that look set to hold everything back. Julius Melnitzer reports. (Financial Post)
Washington's greenhouse gas emissions continue to trend higher in latest inventory
As scientists issue increasingly dire warnings over climate change, Washington state’s greenhouse-gas emissions continue to trend higher, according to the latest state inventory. Emissions in 2017, the most recent year for which information is available, were similar to those in 2016 but up about 1.6% when compared with 2015, according to data released Tuesday by the state Department of Ecology. Rising emissions from transportation and building heating cut away at gains in other sectors of the economy, according to the report. The data shows just how challenging it will be to steer the state toward a greener future as it continues its rapid growth. Evan Bush reports. (Seattle Times)
Native photographer is ‘rounding the corner’ on Project 562
Photographer Matika Wilbur, who is a member of the Tulalip and Swinomish tribes, set out seven years ago in November on an ambitious journey. The goal was to document people from the more than 562 federally recognized, sovereign Native American nations. A similar mission was undertaken in the early 1900s by Seattle photographer Edward S. Curtis, who believed traditional American Indian cultures had to be recorded before they vanished because of disease, genocide and assimilation. A graduate of the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography, Wilbur says she was visited in a dream by her grandmother Laura, who asked Matika why she wasn’t photographing her own people. Wilbur also knew first-hand the lack of school curricula regarding Native Americans today, and decided to refocus her work.... Wilbur, now 35, had a baby last week. But she is “rounding the corner” on Project 562, with an exhibition planned for late 2020 and book publications to follow. Gale Fiege reports. (Everett Herald)
If you like to watch: Salish Sea Wild: The Salish Sea’s Greatest Spectacle
Team SeaDoc witnesses the Pacific Northwest’s most awesome wildlife spectacle as more than 100 million spawning herring lure the greatest annual gathering of Salish Sea predators to the Strait of Georgia. Join us for front-row seats above and below the water as thousands of marine mammals and seabirds, hundreds of hungry raptors, and packs of killer whales assemble for the feast. Written and produced by Bob Friel and SeaDoc Society.
Shoreline homeowners facing a rising tide over coming century
With the potential for two feet of sea level rise by the end of the century, King County is analyzing the safety of buildings and homes by the water. Climate experts say elevated sea levels can increase flooding risks and destroy critical habitat for salmon as well...King County is now updating its building codes to account for projected sea level rise. The issue can lead to flooding problems on roads and parks as well increased problems from stormwater. Lara Whitely Binder, a climate preparedness specialist for the county, says the rising sea levels could also affect the state's efforts toward helping salmon and orca populations. “We’re also concerned about the loss of near-shore habitat that is critical for the recovery of Puget Sound salmon and the orca," she said. Abby Acone reports. (KOMO)
Report: Climate-Driven Speed Limits Would Also Benefit Whales
A new report commissioned by the NGOs Seas at Risk and Transport & Environment suggests that a modest reduction in vessel speed would greatly reduce shipping's impact on human health, the climate and the marine environment. Ship speed reduction is one of the largest single interventions available for reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This also saves on the cost of bunker fuel, an important consideration with IMO2020 fast approaching. The report looks at the less well-publicized benefits that speed reduction brings: a 20 percent reduction in ship speed would reduce underwater noise pollution by 66 percent, and it would cut the chance of a fatal collision between a ship and a whale by nearly 80 percent. Ship noise is exceptionally sensitive to speed change. Some research studies suggest that the switch to slow-steaming produced a fall-off of about two-thirds, and even more for fast-moving container ships. (Maritime Executive) See also: ‘No Appetite’ at IMO for a Ship Speed Reduction Regulation The International Maritime Organization appears to be backing away from pressure to introduce ship speed limits as part of its strategy to decarbonize the shipping industry. Instead, it has opted for a goal-setting approach as the best way to reduce carbon emissions in the short term. Mike Schuler reports. (gCaptain)
Directors warm to working with boat disposal society
Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors want more information about working collectively to remove abandoned boats from coastal waters before jumping into an agreement with the Dead Boat Disposal Society. A staff report for the Nov. 14 meeting provided a series of options for moving ahead with a partnership, as well as feedback from other regional districts that have worked with the society and “spoke favourably about the experience.” Sophie Woodrooffe reports. (Coast Reporter)
Toronto Star shutting down StarMetro newspapers
The Toronto Star is shutting down its StarMetro commuter newspapers across Canada, cutting 73 jobs. The final editions in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax will be published Dec. 20, a spokesperson for Torstar Corp., the parent company of both newspaper brands, told CBC News in an email. "Commuter readers are using their smartphones, laptops and tablets to access their news," Bob Hepburn said in an email. "This trend, coupled with a corresponding decline in print advertising volumes, has decreased the need for a free daily commuter newspaper in these cities." Anjuli Patil reports. (CBC)
Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 244 AM PST Wed Nov 20 2019
TODAY E wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 12 seconds.
TONIGHT E wind to 10 kt becoming SE 5 to 15 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 13 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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