6/2 Purple urchin, ANWR drilling, BC forest plan WA net pen rules, Deb Haaland, PA Terminal 3, orca book, warblers, snow-white ravens, Pebble Mine

Purple sea urchin [Steve Lonhart/NOAA]

 

Pacific purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Purple sea urchins call the Pacific Ocean, specifically along North America’s west coast, home. They are commonly found in rocky intertidal areas and among kelp forests, of which they are a key part of the delicate ecosystem. These animals are omnivores, primarily eating large marine algae like bull kelp and giant kelp... Their primary predators are sea stars, sea otters, and humans (for both research and food). When sea urchin predator populations suffer, such as when sea stars died off in 2013 due to sea star wasting disease, urchin populations can grow unchecked and contribute to widespread loss of kelp forests. (National Marine Sanctuary Foundation)

Biden administration suspends oil and gas leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The Biden administration on Tuesday suspended oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, targeting one of President Donald Trump’s most significant environmental acts during his last days in office. The move by the Interior Department, which could spark a major legal battle, dims the prospect of oil drilling in a pristine and politically charged expanse of Alaskan wilderness that Republicans and Democrats have fought over for four decades. Joshua Partlow and Juliet Eilperin report. (Washington Post)

Politicians, environmentalists, industry divided on B.C.'s forestry plan
After weeks of arrests and attempts to block old growth logging on Vancouver Island, the province's anticipated forestry announcement proved to be a disappointment Tuesday to protesters and environmentalists. The province unveiled a plan Tuesday for "sustainable forest policy" that largely focuses on redistributing forest tenures — the agreements between government and the foresters harvesting the land. While the province said the plan is to include more Indigenous Nations, forest communities and small operators in forestry agreements, critics say the move does little to address the need to preserve old growth forests that are actively being logged, including trees inside lots at the Fairy Creek Watershed. Jon Hernandez reports. (CBC) see also: RCMP have now made 151 arrests as B.C. protests against old-growth logging continue  (Canadian Press)

Public invited to comment on state draft commercial fish net pen guidance
Ecology is accepting comments on the draft Guidance for Marine Net Pen Aquaculture in Washington State: Regulations, Risks and Management now through June 21.The draft guidance is designed to provide local governments, state agencies, project proponents and other interested parties a clear, science-based set of practices and tools to authorize, operate, and oversee commercial net pens in ways that will reduce these risks. The draft and information on how to comment can be found on the guidance webpage.  (WA Dept of Ecology)

The Promise and Pressures of Deb Haaland, the First Native American Cabinet Secretary
As interior secretary, Ms. Haaland runs an agency once responsible for eradicating the homes, culture and often the lives of Indigenous people. Elizabeth Williamson reports. (NY Times)

Dredging at Terminal 3 pier paves way for log ships
Ship captains can be less fearful about grounding their vessels in Port Angeles Harbor.A $1.6 million dredging project has been completed at the Port of Port Angeles Terminal 3 pier.The total cost of the project came to about $2.1 million over two budget years when sediment sampling and permitting are included. The $1.6 million for dredging that was accepted as complete last week by the commissioners was budgeted at $1 million. Paul Gottlieb reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home
Lynda V. Mapes’ new book, “Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home,” with photos by Steve Ringman of The Seattle Times, is based on the award-winning 2018-19 Seattle Times series Hostile Waters. The book, copublished by The Seattle Times and Braided River, will be available June 1. (Seattle Times)

10 migrant warblers to listen for now in the Northwest
Among the most prominent avian singers this time of year are our migrant visitors, some of whom have traveled thousands of miles, bringing vibrant color and song. Christine Clarridge reports. (Seattle Times)

They are blue-eyed, as white as snow and are very rare, except on Vancouver Island
The legend of the white raven continues in Coombs. The mysterious snow-white ravens are only known to exist on the mid-Island and have been documented there for more than two decades. The strange corvids are considered leucistic — not albino, which have no pigment at all. These ravens have blue eyes and likely have genetic defects that dilute their natural black colour, says Mike Yip, a noted bird photographer and author who has been photographing the white birds since 2007. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

Corps: Pebble Mine appeal review could take over a year
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Thursday it could take more than a year to weigh an appeal by a developer seeking to build a copper and gold mine in a region that supports the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery. Becky Bohrer reports. (Associated Press)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  256 AM PDT Wed Jun 2 2021   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 5 ft at 11 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 11 seconds.

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