5/29 Coastal strawberry, Nooksack water, Big Bar landslide, BC logging, Trump's wildlife refuges, Ruston sewage

Coastal strawberry

Coastal strawberry Fragaria chiloensis
Coastal strawberry is one of two species of wild strawberry that were hybridized to create the modern garden strawberry. Its natural range is the Pacific Ocean coasts of North and South America, and also Hawaii. Migratory birds are thought to have dispersed F. chiloensis from the Pacific coast of North America to the mountains of Hawaii, Chile, and Argentina. Coastal strawberries can be made into jam or other preserves but probably the most satisfying way to eat them is to pop them into the mouth as soon as they are picked. (Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast/Wikipedia

Ecology amends Nooksack River watershed rules on streamflow and Whatcom rural wells
The Washington Department of Ecology has amended an instream flow rule that attempts to provide water for new rural Whatcom County residents and benefit streamflows in the Nooksack River watershed, according to a news release. The amendment allows for excess water to be saved during high flow periods to be released during the summer during typically low flowing periods to help bolster streams. The amendment also creates a new standard for domestic permit-exempt wells and makes minor technical updates to the existing rule. WRIA 1, the Nooksack River watershed, did not meet a Feb. 1, 2019, deadline to present the plan, so the Department of Ecology took action and began rulemaking, a formal process to change the law. Shaun Holkko reports. (Sacramento Bee)

Feds' handling of Big Bar landslide cleanup needs more scrutiny, NDP critic says
The federal NDP critic for fisheries is calling for more oversight of the cleanup project at B.C.'s Big Bar landslide following news of tripling contract costs and worker safety concerns. Construction giant Peter Kiewit Sons' contract to clear the slide from the Fraser River was awarded in December at $17.6 million, but has since been amended more than a dozen times and is now worth more than $52.5 million. Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns told CBC he's deeply concerned about what's happening on this crucial salmon migration route. Bethany Lindsay reports. (CBC)

B.C. lax on forestry practices that harm fish habitat: watchdog report
A new report from the Forest Practices Board found logging roads are sending sediment into streams and damaging salmon habitat. Stephanie Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

Trump Administration Pushes Expanded Hunting, Fishing In Wildlife Refuges
A proposed rule to open or expand millions of acres of hunting and fishing opportunities in national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries is open for public comment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to open or expand more than 2.3 million acres to hunting and fishing opportunities in 97 national wildlife refuges throughout the nation — eight which have never been opened before.  The rule would introduce or expand hunting in three national wildlife refuges in Oregon. It would also open and expand fishing and hunting opportunities on the lands and rivers associated with nine fish hatcheries, five which are in Washington. This proposed rule would result in the service’s largest expansion of hunting and fishing in history, creating what the Trump administration is calling nearly 900 “distinct new hunting and fishing opportunities.” Monica Samayoa reports. (OPB)

Landslide sends sewage into water along Tacoma’s Ruston Way
A landslide broke a pipe and spilled raw sewage into Commencement Bay on Tuesday evening along the Ruston Way waterfront, according to the city of Tacoma. Swimmers and others are being advised to stay out of the water. The line broke near the 3700 block of North Union Ave., according to city spokeswoman Stacy Ellifritt. An unknown amount of sewage then flowed down the slope and into the bay. The sewage came from a collection system line that leads to the North End Treatment Plant. Craig Sailor reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)



Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  216 AM PDT Fri May 29 2020   
TODAY  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 9 ft at 13 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 9 ft  at 12 seconds. 
SAT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 7 ft at 11 seconds. A slight chance  of showers in the morning then a chance of showers in the  afternoon. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell  7 ft at 10 seconds. 
SUN  W wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 to 4 ft subsiding to 1 to 2 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 7 ft at 10 seconds.




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