12/16 Mistletoe, Vic sewage, monarch butterfly, Inslee's climate, Nooktak Sound spill, chlorpyrifos, BC grizzlies

American mistletoe [Wikipedia]

 
American Mistletoe Phoradendron leucarpum
American mistletoe is a species of mistletoe in the Viscaceae family which is native to the United States and Mexico. It is hemiparasitic, living in the branches of trees. Phoradendron leucarpum is used in North America as a surrogate for the similar European mistletoe, Viscum album, in Christmas decoration and associated traditions (such as "kissing under the mistletoe"), as well as in rituals by modern druids. It is commercially harvested and sold for those purposes. (Wikipedia)

Victoria’s sewage treatment plant up and running
Victoria and surrounding municipalities are no longer dumping untreated sewage into the ocean — much to the delight of our neighbours south of the border. Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, who has a house on Bainbridge Island, is among those welcoming news that, after four years of construction, the Capital Regional District’s $775-million Wastewater Treatment Project has begun treating sewage at the McLoughlin Point plant. Lindsay Kines reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Monarch butterfly denied protection by Trump administration, despite growing extinction dangers
The monarch butterfly was turned down by the Trump administration on Tuesday when the government declined to use the powers of the Endangered Species Act to help save it from extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ruled against listing the monarch butterfly as “threatened” under the act — a decision that might have led to protections for the migratory insect’s habitat that for decades has been degraded or replaced by development. Monica Samayoa reports. (OPB)

Inslee proposes his latest climate-change package as part of Washington budget 
Gov. Jay Inslee Tuesday unveiled a new climate-change package that includes a renewed push for a clean fuels standard and capping some greenhouse-gas emissions. Other proposals would further electrify Washington’s ferry fleet and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, according to Inslee, and bring equity into environmental policy.Inslee’s plan comes as part of his new two-year budget proposal, and as lawmakers prepare to convene in January for the 2021 legislative session. Joseph O'Sullivan reports. (Seattle Times)

Coast guard, First Nations work to contain oil leak from decades-old shipwreck in B.C.'s Nootka Sound
The Canadian Coast Guard says they are looking at "all avenues right now" to stem leaking oil from a decades-old shipwreck off the coast of B.C.'s Bligh Island...Leaking oil was spotted from the shipwreck, the MV Schiedyk, earlier this month. The ship sank in 1968, when it hit an underwater ledge and sank on the south side of Bligh Island. All 34 crew members survived, but the ship sank with oil on board. (CBC)

Oregon moves to phase out most uses of a controversial pesticide by 2023
The Oregon Department of Agriculture says it will begin to limit the use of chlorpyrifos and ultimately phase out nearly all its use by 2023... Chlorpyrifos is a pesticide mainly used in Oregon on Christmas trees, leafy greens crops and alfalfa. Its use has been linked to harmful effects on the human body. Monica Samayoa reports. (OPB)

First Nations to press for bigger role in grizzly management
A group of south coast First Nations have signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to work together on leading wildlife management in their traditional territories. The Namgis, Mamalilikulla and Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nations plan to press for an active role in grizzly bear management in the northern Vancouver Island region in collaboration with the B.C. Ministry of Environment. Randy Shore reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  254 AM PST Wed Dec 16 2020   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON   
TODAY  E wind 10 to 20 kt rising to 15 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 18 ft at 16 seconds  subsiding to 14 ft at 15 seconds in the afternoon. Rain. 
TONIGHT  SE wind 20 to 30 kt becoming SW after midnight. Wind  waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 13 ft at 13 seconds. Rain in the evening  then rain likely after midnight.

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