7/23 Sweet William, more lace, Skagit dams, levee setback, coast salmon fishery, noise pollution, deer deaths, border carbon tax, Dabob Bay reserve, Schoolhouse Cr, Protection Is birdman

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Sweet William [Gardenia]

Sweet William Dianthus barbatus
The sweet William is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It has become a popular ornamental garden plant. The exact origin of its English common name is unknown but first appears in 1596 in botanist John Gerard's garden catalogue. The flowers are edible and may have medicinal properties. Sweet William attracts bees, birds, and butterflies. (Wikipedia)

Queen Anne's Lace
Yesterday's note about Queen Anne's Lace brought forth several amplifications, one of which noted: "Queen Anne’s-lace is a Class C weed in Washington State. Its presence in an area makes it impossible to grow reliably pure carrot seed, which was formerly an industry in western Washington and is now confined to the Columbia Basin. Typically, when crossed, the resulting carrot seed produces whitish roots with strong taste  rather than orange/sweet cultivated carrot taste. 'Class C Weeds:Noxious weeds that are typically widespread in WA or are of special interest to the state’s agricultural industry. The Class C status allows county weed boards to require control if locally desired, or theymay choose to provide education or technical consultation.' For example, in Jefferson County, Queen Anne’s-lace became widespread after one single gardener on Marrowstone Island started growing it around 1981. It was spread by mowers along highway corridors and its proximity to cultivated carrots put an end to carrot seed production within two years." The similar but smaller poison hemlock is a Class B weed in the state.

Feds approve 32 studies in dam relicensing process
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees the licensing of hydroelectric dams, issued last week a study plan determination for the relicensing of Seattle City Light’s three-dam Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. Of 33 studies proposed by Seattle City Light and eight studies proposed by stakeholders, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is requiring 32 from Seattle City Light’s list. The agency approved 20 study plans as written, and is requiring modifications on 12. The studies FERC rejected include Seattle City Light’s plan to analyze the genetics of fish in the reservoirs behind the dams, and proposals from stakeholders to expand fish, habitat and mitigation land studies — as well as the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe’s request to consider the removal of Gorge Dam. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Levee setback aims to provide flood protection, protect salmon
A 1960s-era levee on the Dungeness River is in the process of being replaced.Representatives with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is constructing a 5,000-foot long Rivers Edge setback levee on the tribe’s property west of Towne Road to increase flooding protection for landowners and nearby properties and to restore salmon habitat.  Michael Dashiell reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Canada’s sweeping closures of Pacific coast salmon fisheries leave workers reeling
Commercial fishers are paying the price for 'collective failure' to minimize impacts to wild salmon populations, says watchdog. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Noise Pollution Affects Practically Everything, Even Seagrass
Seagrass may not have ears, but that doesn’t stop noise pollution from causing serious damage to the plant’s other structures. Ashley Braun reports. (Hakai Magazine)

State investigating deaths of deer in Anacortes
A disease the state Department of Fish and Wildlife determined in early June was killing deer on the San Juan Islands is now believed to be affecting deer in Anacortes. Robert Waddell, district wildlife biologist for Skagit and Whatcom counties, said as of Tuesday six dead deer were reported in the neighborhood near Cap Sante Park. They included four fawns, a young doe and an adult buck. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Europe Is Planning a Border Carbon Tax. Is Canada Next?
Such tariffs on imports ensure polluting producers aren’t just pushed overseas. Ultimately, a global approach is needed. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

Hearing set on DNR land transfer
The state Department of Natural Resources plans a public hearing in Quilcene this coming Monday to discuss a proposed Inter-Trust Exchange. The exchange would allow for the future transfer of up to 826 acres of State Forest Land Trust forestland near Quilcene into the DNR-managed Dabob Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA), DNR said in a press release. It would be for equal-valued parcels of Common School Trust forestland in the same area. All parcels involved in the transaction would remain in state ownership. Leah Leach reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

This island creek once had a strong salmon run. Locals are trying to make it so again
A long degraded salmon stream is close to being restored after over a decade of hard work by some Pierce County residents. Puget Sound’s Anderson Island is home to Schoolhouse Creek, which formerly had coho salmon and has seen their return in recent years. More formal restoration efforts at Schoolhouse Creek have been going on since the late 2000s as park district commissioners continue to work on the project’s final legs. Schoolhouse Creek flows into Oro Bay and has historically been home to salmon runs and breeding grounds, according to a historical overview of the creek submitted alongside a February 2020 Washington House of Representatives transportation budget request. Abby Miller reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Birdman of Protection Island
At dusk on an early summer evening, Protection Island is silhouetted in a deep, red sunset.  A gentle breeze carries the murmurs of nesting gulls clustered along the shore and bluffs. Drifting in a boat off the southeast shore, Jim Hayward studies the scene through binoculars. “Any time now,” he says. Twenty minutes after the sunset, the serenity is broken by a few bird calls, then by a hundred, then thousands.  “Here they go,” he announces. Ross Anderson writes. (Rainshadow Journal)

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  245 AM PDT Fri Jul 23 2021   
TODAY  Variable wind to 10 kt becoming N 5 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 6 seconds. A  slight chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 6 seconds. 
SAT  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 3 ft at 7 seconds. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 5 ft at 9 seconds. 
SUN  Light wind becoming W to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 8 seconds.

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