11/18 White sea cuke, BC flood cleanup, BC 'future proof,' farming climate change, Makah whale hunt, Chumasj Heritage NMS, high speed rail, lunar eclipse

White sea cucumber [Dennis Paulson]

White sea cucumber Eupentacta quinquesemita
The White Sea Cucumber is a common species in rocky areas in the middle intertidal zone and below. Up to about 10 cm in length when relaxed, it is easily recognized by its whitish color and long oral tentacles. The animal is often partially hidden in a crevice with only the feeding apparatus sticking out. When disturbed by a potential predator, they may eviscerate their tentacles and foregut into the water. This may startle and confuse the predator as well. However, there is also a seasonal component, and many White Sea Cucumbers in this area routinely eviscerate in the fall, even if not disturbed. (Slater Museum)

Mammoth cleanup to begin in B.C. as flood waters recede
Provincial state of emergency declared Wednesday as military set to arrive. (CBC)

Connecting the dots between B.C.’s floods, landslides and the clearcut logging of old forests
Deforestation dramatically alters how landscapes are able to cope with extreme weather events like the atmospheric river that surged across southern British Columbia earlier this week. Judith Lavoie reports. (The Narwhal) See also: What Will It Take to ‘Future Proof’ BC?  A recent report warned governments aren’t adapting to climate change. To be proved right by massive flooding is ‘not a good feeling,’ says a researcher. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

Community Voices / How farmers can fight climate change
Farmers are in a powerful position to help curb climate change, and many locally already are taking steps to do so, note dairy farmer Katherine Steensma and author Stevan Harrell. While this bodes well for the future of agriculture here, there is more to be done to stop "wasting and poisoning the good and beautiful things of the world": natural resources. Stevan Harrell and Katherine Steensma write. (Salish Current)

Makah whale hunt decision now in the hands of single NOAA official
It’s been nearly two months since a federal administrative law judge issued his recommendation on the Makah Tribe’s request to revive its whale hunt. Judge George J. Jordan broadly approved the request and recommended that a waiver be granted under the Marine Mammal Act. And comments on his opinion closed over the weekend. Those will play a role in the next step: the decision on whether to grant the waiver. That is now in the hands of a single official at NOAA headquarters in Maryland. Bellamy Paithorp reports. (KNKX)

A Proposed New Marine Sanctuary Would be the First One to be Tribal-Led
The US government this week began the process to designate the country’s first tribal-led marine sanctuary. The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary would protect sacred Chumash sites, feeding grounds for numerous species of whales and dolphins, sea otter populations, kelp forests, and is home to vital commercial and recreational fisheries. If approved, the sanctuary would comprise a 7,000-square-mile/18,130-square-kilometer area off the central California coast, adjacent to San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. John Laing reports. (DeeperBlue)

The dream of high speed rail in the PNW may finally be on the horizon
Rail advocates argue new lines will grow the economy, shrink mobility inequalities and help decarbonize the region. Lizz Giordano reports. (Crosscut)

How you can see the nearly total lunar eclipse Friday morning
West Coast night owls and East Coast early risers will have the best view of the upcoming lunar eclipse this Friday. Overnight, the moon will pass into the shadow of Earth cast by the sun, illuminating the gray orb with a red hue. It will be the second and final eclipse of the year. Joe Hernandez reports. (NPR)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  216 AM PST Thu Nov 18 2021   
TODAY  E wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 2 ft at 9 seconds. Rain  likely in the morning then rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  E wind 5 to 15 kt becoming NE 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 11 seconds. Rain  in the evening then rain likely after midnight.

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