6/26 Lamb's quarter, wetlands, Everett port snafu, Shaw octopus, Van Aqua, eelgrass, Vopak, glass sponge reefs, First Nation tourism, Colstrip, Climate Pledge Arena

Lamb's quarter

Lamb's quarter Chenopodium album
Originally from Eurasia but now widespread locally. Many aboriginal peoples have used the young leaves as a potherb in recent times. They contain oxalate salts and should not be eaten in quantity or continuously over many days. lamb's quarter should be lammas quarter because the plant blossoms around Lammas Day (August 1) the   first day of harvest thanksgiving festival. The leaves are supposedly shaped like the foot of a goose giving rise to both the Latin name Chenopodium, and the common name, 'goosefoot.'

State officials scramble to protect streams and wetlands in wake of federal rule
Federal protections for millions of small streams and wetlands across the country were eliminated on Monday, following an unsuccessful legal effort to block new regulations that redefine “waters of the United States.” Officials with the Washington Department of Ecology are scrambling to make sure that nobody proceeds to fill wetlands or damage waterways, now protected solely by state law. A major concern is the potential need for many more staffers to write permits and enforce state water-quality laws, according to Curt Hart, spokesman for Ecology. Chris Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute)

Port makeover of old mill property loses $15.5 million grant Port makeover of old mill property loses $15.5 million grant
A key piece of financing is in doubt in the Port of Everett’s plan to build a cargo terminal on waterfront real estate that once was the site of a paper and pulp mill. The U.S. Department of Transportation has rescinded a $15.5 million grant for the project on the former Kimberly-Clark property due to what port officials are calling a technicality. The port has reapplied for additional grant money, which was expected to cover half of the cost of readying the land for cargo. Port CEO Lisa Lefeber said she’s “optimistic,” but the federal programs are highly competitive. If the U.S. DOT doesn’t pick the proposal, the port’s plan to start construction in 2021 and finish in 2022 would likely be derailed. Rachel Riley reports. (Everett Herald)

Vancouver Island aquarium names new octopus after Dr. Bonnie Henry
The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is recognizing B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry by making its new giant Pacific octopus her namesake. Nina Grossman reports. (Coast Mountain News)

Vancouver Aquarium reopens with $2-million federal splash
The federal government has come up with $2 million to help the Vancouver Aquarium staunch some of the red ink the facility has been spilling since its shutdown March 17 due to COVID-19, officials will announce this morning...Burnaby North-Seymour MP Terry Beech is expected to unveil the $2 million in support to cover essential services and operating costs as the aquarium reopens to the public with a reimagined, so-called crowd free experience for visitors in time to capture some of the vital tourist season. Derrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Puget Sound eelgrass beds create a 'halo' with fewer harmful algae, new method shows
DNA clues show that eelgrass growing underwater along Washington state shorelines is associated with fewer of the single-celled algae that produce harmful toxins in shellfish. Observations show this effect extends 45 feet beyond the edge of the eelgrass bed. (UW/Science Daily)

Vopak’s proposed Prince Rupert fuel export terminal: 7 things you need to know
Running at full capacity, the Vopak Pacific Canada facility would bring 240 rail cars filled with combustibles through northwest B.C. every day and send 150 oil tankers across the Pacific each year. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Here's how climate change affects this 'living dinosaur' on B.C.'s coast
They might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word 'dinosaur,' but B.C.'s glass sponge reefs were thought to be extinct for an astounding 40 million years before they were re-discovered in B.C. in 1986.  But these ancient aquatic creatures face an imminent threat.  According to new research from the University of British Columbia, "warming ocean temperatures and acidification drastically reduce the skeletal strength and filter-feeding capacity of glass sponges." Elana Shepert writes. (Vancouver Is Awesome)

Tourists face uncertainty as First Nations communities question safety
As the province presses forward with its next phase of reopening for local tourism, many First Nations are keeping their territories closed to outsiders to avoid contagion. “I’m getting 30, 40, 50 emails and phone calls asking me ‘Can I come?’ ‘Will there be blockades?’ and I just can’t keep up with them,” said Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. “If you plan to travel within a First Nation’s territory, call and ask them if they are open to visitors.” As the province presses forward with its next phase of reopening for local tourism, many First Nations are keeping their territories closed to outsiders to avoid contagion. Randy Shore reports. (Vancouver Sun)

2018 Colstrip problems at center of $23.8 million rate increase hearing
The summer-long shutdown of the Colstrip power plant in 2018 took center stage Wednesday as NorthWestern Energy made its case for a $23.8 million rate increase to cover unexpected costs. The charges stem from unexpected power purchases during parts of 2018 and 2019, during which the monopoly utility bought 220,546 more megawatt hours of electricity than it had expected. The $23.8 million amount was attributed to higher than expected market prices. Tom Luted reports. (Ravalli Republic)

Amazon buys naming rights to KeyArena, will call it Climate Pledge Arena
The arena, home to the city’s incoming NHL franchise and WNBA's Storm, will be powered 100% by renewable electricity and seek to achieve a zero carbon footprint. NHL Seattle CEO Tod Leiweke said the arena aims to produce zero waste, will source food locally and reduce all plastics by 2024. Geoff Baker reports. (Seattle Times)



Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  257 AM PDT Fri Jun 26 2020   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 7 seconds. A chance of  showers in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 7 seconds building to 5 ft  at 7 seconds after midnight. A slight chance of showers. 
SAT  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at  7 seconds. A slight chance of showers. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 8 seconds. 
SUN  NW wind to 10 kt becoming W 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 9 ft at 8 seconds.




--
"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.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter. 

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told