4/13 Red-legged frog, BC COVID, Fairy Cr protest, WA water quality, greenhouse gas, Tacoma LNG, wildfire smoke, crab factory, hybrid ermine

Red-legged Frog [Heidi Rockney/Burke Museum]

 
Northern Red-legged Frog Rana aurora
The Northern Red-legged Frog is found primarily west of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state. They prefer forest wetlands and quiet, permanent water and have been known to live as long as 15 years in the wild (in colder areas of range). They have very quiet voices and are not often heard by humans, sometimes calling underwater. (Burke Museum)

B.C. confirms 3rd wave of COVID-19 has arrived, as number of patients in ICU hits record high
Another 3,289 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in B.C. over the last three days and 18 more people have died, while the number of patients in critical care with the disease has risen to a record high, health officials announced Monday. Bethany Lindsay reports. (CXX)

As Fairy Creek blockaders brace for arrests, B.C.’s failure to enact old-growth protections draws fire
The Pacheedaht First Nation is asking protesters to withdraw from its territory, where a battle is brewing to protect some of the province’s last-remaining ancient trees. It’s a battle some say could have been prevented if the government followed its own advice. Jesse Winter reports. (The Narwhal) First Nation says old-growth activists not welcome in Fairy Creek area  Darron Kloster reports. (Victoria Times Colonist)

Washington’s Water Quality Assessment offers insights into status of pollution
More than 2,000 segments of streams, lakes and marine waters have been added to the state’s massive list of water-quality data, allowing more Washington residents to take stock of pollution levels near their homes. The latest Water Quality Assessment for Washington waters, released for public review this week, covers 9,279 miles of streams, 434 lakes and 619 square miles of marine waters. One can use the statewide Draft Water Quality Atlas to zoom in on places of interest and review available information on a given water body. This vast database, which contains 65 million data entries, is managed by the Washington Department of Ecology. It is used to list polluted water bodies as “impaired” — designated Category 5 — if they fail to meet state water quality standards. If they are not so bad or data is insufficient, they may be listed in categories from 1 to 4. Chris Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute)

Canada's greenhouse gas emissions increased slightly in first year of carbon tax: report
Greenhouse gas emissions in Canada ticked up slightly in 2019 — the first year that the national carbon pricing mechanism was in place — according to a new report published today by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Canada produced 730 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2019, an increase of one megatonne — or 0.2 per cent — over 2018, which means Canada will have to do more in the years ahead to meaningful reduce emissions to meet the targets set at the Paris climate summit. The federal department said the economy grew faster than emissions did in 2019 — which means the country's "emissions intensity" is lower than it has been in the past. John Paul Tasker reports. (CBC)

The fight over Tacoma’s liquified-natural gas plant continues. Will permits be upheld?
Attorneys made opening statements Monday in front of the Pollution Control Hearings Board about whether the board should overturn permits for the liquefied natural gas facility on the Tacoma Tideflats. Environmental organizations and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians appealed to try to invalidate permits the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issued for the Puget Sound Energy facility. They argue the agency underestimated the effects of the project on the climate and that changes to the design of the facility require additional review of health and safety impacts. If the board agrees, the Clean Air Agency would need to redo its environmental analysis and permit process. Alexis Krell reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

How Dangerous Is Wildfire Smoke?
California Today: Ahead of a likely severe wildfire season, researchers suggest pollution from wildfires is more toxic than pollution from other sources. Jill Cowan reports. (NY Times)

Richmond crab processing factory fined more than $110K for obstructing inspection, other violations
A seafood processing company in Richmond and a commercial fisherman have together been fined more than $110,000 for violating Canada's Fisheries Act. On Sept. 8, 2018, a Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) officer inspected Tenshi Seafood Limited — a large crab processing, distribution and exporting plant. (CBC)

Scientists discover hybrid ermine species isolated in Haida Gwaii for 300,000 years
like creature has a new designation, according to a scientist from the University of Kansas. The Haida ermine is now one of three distinct ermines that can be found in only two places in the world. The mammal was first thought to be unique in 2013 but after examining its DNA and skull, scientists discovered that the animal is so vastly different from ermines found in other parts of the world, it is now considered to be its own species. (CBC)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  251 AM PDT Tue Apr 13 2021   
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 2 ft  at 16 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW after midnight. Wind waves  1 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 14 seconds.

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