12/9 Oyster Dome, another Hat Is, WQ suit, TM oil tugs, heat wave, Cascadia climate, Springer story, Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference

Oyster Dome [Mountaineers]

Oyster Dome
Oyster Dome is a rocky promontory on the western slope of Blanchard Mountain, the grandest member of the Chuckanut Mountain range, an extension of the Cascades that rises directly from the ocean. The sheer cliffs of Oyster Dome offer year-round access to commanding views of the San Juans, Skagit River flats, Olympic Mountains, and Samish Bay. (Washington Trail Association)

Hat Island
Regarding yesterday's item about Hat Island in Snohomish County, Dave on Fidalgo notes that there is also a Hat Island in Skagit County. (Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition)

Northwest Environmental Advocates Sues EPA Over Water Quality Impairment
On Tuesday, plaintiff Northwest Environmental Advocates filed a suit against the Environmental Protection Agency claiming that they have impaired the water quality in Puget Sound in Washington state. The plaintiff is claiming that the “EPA has violated its mandatory duty to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads for the Puget Sound” and that approving “TMDL Alternatives” is in violation of the CWA. “A TMDL is the total daily loading of a pollutant for a particular waterbody or segment.” According to the plaintiff, the Puget Sound is a body of water that has been degrading due to population growth and that nitrogen levels in the water will grow harmful algal blooms, which could injure other wildlife and humans within the next few decades. Failing to require TMDLs is a main reason to be exacerbating this occurrence, the Plaintiff claims. Jose Rascon reports. (Law Street Media)

KOTUG Canada wins three-vessel contract for Trans Mountain expansion project
KOTUG Canada, a partnership between KOTUG International and Canada’s Horizon Maritime, has signed a long-term agreement with Trans Mountain, which operates Canada’s only pipeline system transporting oil products to the West Coast. Under the agreement, KOTUG Canada will provide escort towage to tankers loaded at Westridge Marine Terminal. Kim Biggar reports. (Splash247)

PNW scientists find ruin and resilience after summer heat wave
Northwest researchers find some signs of heat resilience, despite scorched kelp beds, parched trees and a 'hawkpocalypse.' Julia Rosen reports. (High Country News)

A 2022 Agenda for Cascadia’s Climate Dreams
There are many decarbonization goals the bioregion can act on right now. Here are 25. Peter Fairley reports. (Investigate West)

Telling the Story of Springer
Almost 20 years ago a young killer whale named Springer brought the Northwest together. The young orca first spotted alongside ferries in Puget Sound turned out to be an orphaned Northern Resident killer whale hundreds of miles from home. Panelists Donna Sandstrom, author, Orca Rescue!, and founder, The Whale Trail; Lynne Barre, recovery coordinator, NOAA Fisheries, Southern Resident killer whales; John Ford, research biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Lance Barrett-Lennard, Director, Marine Mammal Research Program, Ocean Wise; and Robert Lohn, former Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries, gather to recount how Sprinter was rescued. Today, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. Register here.

Virtual Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference 2022
"Honoring our Ancestors: Visions for Future Generations and the Salish Sea," April 26-28, 2022. Early registration is now open.

Alaska’s Absent Snowy Owls
The only reliable snowy owl breeding site in the United States has a conspicuous shortage of owls. Kylie Mohr reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  222 AM PST Thu Dec 9 2021   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON 
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY  MORNING   
TODAY  W wind 10 to 20 kt easing to 10 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less in the afternoon.  W swell 12 ft at 13 seconds. Showers and a slight chance of tstms  in the morning then rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  12 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of rain.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to mikesato772 (@) gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter. 

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told