Salish Sea News and Weather: February 2022

Monday, February 28, 2022

2/28 Gyrfalcon, stream shade, Leque Is estuary, Rosalinda Guillen, Day Cr fight, climate future, sea level rise, Watmough Bay, BC acid, GasLink fine, Big Oil suit, BC parks, night sky

Gyrfalcon [Gregg Thompson 2/22/22]

Gyrfalcon
Tony Angell writes: "The Samish delta complex is a unique wintering area in the lower 48 for birds of prey in general and particularly falcons that follow the migratory waterfowl and shorebirds here. Pictured is a gray phase gyrfalcon among the largest of the Falconidae family. Catching a glimpse of this bird sweeping in over a flock of ducks rising up from a distant pond on the Delta is breath taking. Our wildlife heritage along the shores bordering the Salish Sea informs and inspires."

Streamside shade: fish and farm advocates struggle to find common ground
Salmon recovery is a priority for many in Washington who see vegetated streamside buffers as important to salmon-friendly habitat. But some in the state's agricultural community see the threat of loss of productive farmland from proposals such as the Lorraine Loomis Act discussed earlier in this year's legislative session. Lauren Gallup reports. (Salish Current)

Near Stanwood, thousands of fish discover a restored estuary
Between Stanwood and Camano Island, where the Stillaguamish River pours into Puget Sound, fish have found their way to a new estuary at Leque Island. Chinook and chum salmon. Coho, too, according to initial numbers collected by the Skagit River System Cooperative. Even bull trout. Zachariah Brian reports. (Everett Herald)

This Whatcom activist will help the state determine what a green, just future looks like
Whatcom activist Rosalinda Guillen will help Washington leaders determine what a green, just future looks like in her new role on the state’s Environmental Justice Council. A prominent advocate for worker and immigrant rights, Guillen was the only community representative from Whatcom appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee in January to serve on the council for a four-year term. Ysabelle Kempe reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Day Creek landowners in midst of legal fight with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group
Nan Monk and Michael Mahaffey...said the landscape they now tread carefully in order to avoid getting stuck in the mud was once dry, and before becoming sodden, the grasses there were used by area farmers to feed their livestock. Those changes followed a Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group project aimed at restoring fish habitat in Day Creek, which is a major tributary to the Skagit River in an area across the river from Lyman. Mahaffey and Monk, along with some of their neighbors, blame the Skagit Fisheries project for changes to their properties and are in the midst of the first litigation against the regional nonprofit. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Humanity has a ‘brief and rapidly closing window’ to avoid a hotter, deadly future, U.N. climate report says
The latest United Nations IPCC report details the escalating toll of climate change — but top scientists say the world still can choose a less catastrophic path. Sarah Kaplan and Brady Dennis report. (Washington Post) See also: Climate Change's Effects Outpacing Ability to Adapt, I.P.C.C. Warns Countries aren’t doing nearly enough to protect against the disasters to come as the planet keeps heating up, a major new scientific report concludes. Brad Plumer and Raymond Zhong report. (NY Times)

What new projections of sea level rise mean for Puget Sound and the WA coast
Sea level rise will affect each area of the planet in a unique way, but new projections are helping researchers and lawmakers in Washington state identify which coastal communities are most vulnerable. A new report published earlier this month by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says sea levels will rise 10 to 12 inches in the contiguous U.S. by 2050 — with regional variations — which scientists say would trigger a “profound increase” in coastal flooding. Nicholas Turner reports.(Seattle Times)

‘Most special place’ for salmon, native culture gains protection with San Juan land bank purchase
Acquisition of a property along the southeast corner of Lopez Island has come as "an incredible relief" to San Juan County Land Bank leaders. The conservation organization will take ownership of what has been known as the Higgins property near Watmough Bay, providing protection of a site valuable for salmon recovery as well rich in history. Gretchen K. Wing reports. (Salish Current)

A significant climate danger is lurking in B.C.’s ocean
Lurking in B.C.’s ocean is a lesser-known climate risk experts say has the potential to cause significant harm to the marine ecosystem and the economies of coastal communities. Now scientists and stakeholders are developing an action plan to deal with the dual dangers of ocean acidification and hypoxia — or dangerously low oxygen levels — in the marine environment. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer)

Coastal GasLink Fined $72,500 for Environmental Infractions
The pipeline firm was penalized for violations including allowing sediment to flow into sensitive watersheds. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee)

Honolulu Scores A Win Against Big Oil In Climate Change Lawsuit
Out of over a dozen climate change cases filed nationwide, Honolulu’s case is leading the pack, attorneys say. Christina Jedra reports. (Civil Beat)

B.C. shifts oversight of recreation sites, trails to environment, parks
Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. has been calling for amalgamation of government responsibilities for parks, trails and recreation sites since it was formed in 1976. Outdoor enthusiasts have welcomed a provincial reshuffling, announced in Tuesday’s budget, that puts oversight of all things to do with hiking, camping and overall enjoyment of public lands under one roof. Gordon McIntyre reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Is the night sky part of our natural environment? Some astronomers say yes, and are trying to preserve it
Astronomers around the world are concerned about a handful of commercial companies — chiefly SpaceX — proposing to flood low-Earth orbit with tens of thousands of satellites, with the potential to far exceed that. There's also the risk of satellites crashing into one another and adding to the thousands of pieces of space junk already in orbit. As a result, on Feb. 3, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced the formation of the Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference. Their goal is clear: to work with industry leaders, amateur astronomers, Indigenous groups and scientists around the world to protect the sanctity of the night sky. Nicole Mortillaro reports. (CBC)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 203 AM PST Mon Feb 28 2022
TODAY SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. SW swell 9 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.
TONIGHT SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. SW swell 7 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.

Friday, February 25, 2022

2/25 Kneeling angelica, ocean acid, Quiet Sound, no scrub water, GasLink attack, BC budget, old growth protests, secret sea life, week in review

Kneeling angelica [Qwert1234/WikiMedia]

Kneeling angelica Angelica genuflexa
Kneeling angelica grows in moist places from southernmost B.C. to California. Care must be taken not to confuse kneeling angelica with the poisonous water hemlock. The species name genuflexa, meaning to genuflect, refers to the bending 'knees' in the leaf stalks. (Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast)

Salish Sea providing a 'window' into the future of ocean acidification
WDFW is currently studying whether crabs could be impacted by ocean acidification, a process some scientists say Puget Sound is particularly susceptible to. Erica Zucco reports. (KING)

Quiet Sound aims to expand efforts to protect endangered orcas from marine traffic
Underwater noise from vessel traffic... interferes with the killer whales' ability to find increasingly scarce salmon. A new initiative is underway to alert ship operators when whales are near so they can slow down. Quiet Sound — part of the Port of Seattle-funded nonprofit Maritime Blue — is working to expand voluntary participation in a whale report alert system, an app that can be used on a smartphone or a desktop computer. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Port of Vancouver to restrict release of scrubber wash water from ships
Port says scrubber discharges into the ocean "could result in concentrations of metals that exceed thresholds set for the protection of aquatic life." David Carrigg reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Tracking what we know — and don’t know — about the attack on a Coastal GasLink worksite
Following millions of dollars in estimated damages at a natural gas pipeline worksite in northwest B.C., no arrests have been made and many questions remain. Matt Simmons writes. (The Narwhal)

BC Budget Fails to Deliver on Climate Change, Say Experts
$1 billion in new climate spending is welcome but falls short of what’s needed, they say. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

Second judge to consider stay of proceedings application for old growth logging protesters in B.C.
A judge hearing a request to stay proceedings against people arrested at old-growth logging protests on Vancouver Island says the application has a reasonable prospect of success, but he wants another judge to consider it with "fresh eyes.'' Over 1,100 people have been arrested since the injunction against blockades in the Fairy Creek watershed northwest of Victoria was granted last year to logging company Teal Cedar Products Ltd. (Canadian Press)

Hanky-Panky in the Sea
Street Smart Naturalist David Williams shares the secret lives of rockfish, geoducks, Olympia oysters— and raccoons. Adults only.

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/25/22: Skip the straw, pipeline expansion, bald eagles, toxic makeup, native bees, WA lege budget, wildfires, AK mine road, DAPL appeal, ocean acid, GasLink attack

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 240 AM PST Fri Feb 25 2022
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT TODAY SE wind to 10 kt becoming E 15 to 25 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 2 to 4 ft in the afternoon. W swell 3 ft at 13 seconds.
TONIGHT SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 2 ft at 11 seconds.
SAT SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 3 ft at 17 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning then rain in the afternoon.
SAT NIGHT E wind 20 to 30 kt becoming SE after midnight. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. SW swell 12 ft at 12 seconds.
SUN S wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. SW swell 12 ft at 11 seconds.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

2/24 Deadman Bay, eating green crabs, First Nation fisheries, no to DAPL, Haida Gwaii slug

Deadman Bay [SJC Land Bank/Steve Horn]

Deadman Bay Preserve
Deadman Bay Preserve is part of a large block of protected, public landon the western shore of San Juan Island. The 20-acre property provides access to nearly 1000 feet of gravel beach and rocky coastline, while also protecting the outlet of a seasonal stream and associated wetlands. The reserve is a popular destination for beach lovers, kayakers, and whale watchers. Trails lead from Deadman Bay to adjacent Limekiln Point State Park and the Land Bank’s Limekiln Preserve. (San Juan County Land Bank)

Can’t we just eat those invasive crabs until they’re gone? (Probably not)
European green crabs have been clawing and eating their way through marshes and bays in Washington state. Like the native crabs they often prey on, these destructive invaders are themselves edible. Why don’t we fight them by just eating them into oblivion, KUOW readers and others have asked. Penn Cove Shellfish general manager Ian Jefferds suggested the state follow up Gov. Jay Inslee’s declaration of a green crab emergency in January by opening up an emergency harvest of the unwanted invertebrates. John Ryan report. (KUOW)

Ottawa investing over $11M to support First Nations commercial fisheries in B.C.
The Canadian government says it is investing $11.8 million to support First Nations commercial fishing in British Columbia. The money was announced Wednesday by Federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray at a press event on Snuneymuxw territory on Vancouver Island. According to the ministry, the funding will support new business and training opportunities for 31 Indigenous commercial fisheries companies representing 117 First Nations across the province. (CBX)

US Supreme Court declines to hear Dakota Access appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by developers of the Dakota Access Pipeline seeking to overturn a mandated environmental review of their project, closing a years-long chapter in the legal fight over the pipeline. The country’s highest court said Tuesday, Feb. 22, that it would not take up the case of Dakota Access LLC, which was looking to overturn a court-ordered environmental review of its pipeline's Missouri River crossing just off the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. Adam Willia reports. (Jamestown Sun)

In B.C.'s Haida Gwaii, saving the slugs means clearing the deer
The Haida Gwaii slug is a small animal with a big problem. The slug faces the risk of total extinction unless protections are put into place, according to a new report published by the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. Their benefit to the environment is unknown due to the lack of official studies conducted on them, but they are considered the only known terrestrial gastropod in western North America, a relic of pre-glaciation times that has never expanded its range. Adam Hussain report. (National Post)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 242 AM PST Thu Feb 24 2022
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY
TODAY E wind 15 to 25 kt becoming SE 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft subsiding to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W swell 3 ft at 11 seconds.
TONIGHT SE wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 13 seconds.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

2/23 Death camus, devil's club, Snohomish R, green crabs, GasLink attack, BC budget, seaweed farming, AK mining road, wildfire risk, Build Back Better, WA senate, KING5

Death camus [Ben Legler]

Death camus Zigadenus venenosus
This deadly poisonous plant coincides closely with that of camus which was an important root food. The bulbs and leaves resemble those of blue camus but give a burning sensation when touched to the tongue and the flowers are cream colored rather than blue. (Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast)

Devil's club Oplopanax horridus
Yesterday's profile of Devil's club brought two responses, the first noted that the plant is edible, "Not easy to harvest but tasty with the right recipe." Actually, it is more than edible: "On the BC Coast it is one of the most important of all the major plants. The roots, and especially the greenish inner bark, were the major parts used for medicine." (Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast) The second response was: "I've said that if I was about to fall off a cliff, and my other choice was to grab a devil's club, I'd take my chances on learning to fly. That being said, devil's club is a misanthrope's dream plant. If you can find your way through a few yards of it into clearer areas beyond, your solitude is guaranteed."

Save salmon, create jobs: A new plan for Snohomish watershed
State Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has a 100-page plan for the Snohomish watershed. At a news conference last week at Boxcar Park in Everett, overlooking Puget Sound, she unveiled the Watershed Resilience Action Plan, a “tree to sea” approach that will aim to address issues throughout the entire watershed. Zachariah Bryan reports. (Everett Herald)

New UW research explores a way to fight off invasive green crabs
An emerging surveillance tool could help the state and tribal partners expand detection and make trapping efforts more effective. Hannah Weinberger reports. (Crosscut)

Coastal GasLink attack: Police release video of axe-wielding attackers
Police investigating the attack at a Coastal GasLink camp near Houston, B.C., have released videos showing people wielding axes, hitting a truck with a company employee inside and firing off flares. The footage of the what RCMP called “acts of violence and damage” is from Feb. 17, just after midnight, when police say about 20 people cut locks to the site then damaged heavy equipment and threatened workers. Joseph Ruttle reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Stay-the-Course BC Budget Offers Few Big Measures
Pandemic finances are better than expected. Funding targets housing affordability, child care. Largely thanks to increased revenues from corporate, sales and carbon taxes, a projected $9.7-billion deficit has shrunk to $483 million, with another $4.25 billion in pandemic recovery contingencies and forecast allowance still available. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee)

Interest in seaweed farming across Puget Sound is 'booming'
In winter, when the water is cold and clear, the conditions in Puget Sound are ideal for shellfish, Marine biologist Joth Davis says it's also great for kelp...Seaweed cultivation is a long-established industry in Asia. It has picked up on the East Coast, and aquaculture is valued in the Pacific Northwest. But seaweed production, in particular, has yet to catch on. "I think interest is booming," said Jodie Toft, deputy director at the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, a nonprofit that works to restore marine habitat through collaborative projects. But Toft is less certain if seaweed cultivation can become a wide-scale commercial operation in the Sound. Christine Pae reports. (KING)

Biden administration suspends approval of controversial Alaska mining road
The Biden administration on Tuesday said it found “significant deficiencies” in a Trump-era environmental analysis of a controversial mining road that would cut through wilderness and Indigenous territory in northwest Alaska. The construction of Ambler Road is one of the most high-profile environmental issues in Alaska, as it would bring 211 miles of new road through one of the largest roadless areas in the country. In a federal court filing Tuesday, the administration asked the U.S. District Court for Alaska to send the permit approval back to the department so it can conduct a new environmental analysis. Joshua Partlow reports. (Washington Post)

Climate Change Could Increase Risk of Wildfires 50% by Century's End
A landmark United Nations report has concluded that the risk of devastating wildfires around the world will surge in coming decades as climate change further intensifies what the report described as a “global wildfire crisis.” The scientific assessment is the first by the organization’s environmental authority to evaluate wildfire risks worldwide. Raymond Zhong reports. (NY Times)

What Does Building Back Better Look Like?
The United States has tentatively allocated $6-billion to conserve and restore coastal areas and prepare for a changing climate. We asked a range of experts how all that money should be spent. Ashley Braun reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Public to be allowed back in Washington Senate gallery
A limited number of members of the public who show a same-day negative COVID-19 test will be allowed to return to the galleries overseeing the Washington Senate floor, starting Friday. The Democratic-majority Senate Facilities and Operations Committee met via Zoom on Tuesday to update the chamber’s COVID-19 protocols as lawmakers enter the final weeks of the 60-day legislative session that began Jan. 10. Rachel La Corte reports. (Associated Press)

Hedge fund buys KING 5 owner Tegna for $5.4 billion
Standard General agreed to acquire KING 5 owner Tegna for $5.4 billion, consummating a yearslong takeover saga for the television broadcaster. In the Northwest, Tegna owns many of the media outlets formerly operated by King Broadcasting Co. In addition to KING and its sister station KONG, Tegna operates KREM 2 and KSKN 22 in Spokane, KGW 8 in Portland and KTVB 7 in Boise, Idaho. Scott Deveau and Liana Baker report. (Bloomberg)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 257 AM PST Wed Feb 23 2022
TODAY E wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 12 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 14 seconds. A slight chance of rain after midnight.

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

2/22 Devil's club, WA budget, BC budget, Percival Cr spill, more bees

Devil's club [Stan Shebs]

Devil's club Oplopanax horridus
Devil's club or devil's walking stick is a large understory shrub native to the arboreal rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, but also disjunct on islands in Lake Superior. The plant is covered with brittle yellow spines that break off easily if the plants are handled or disturbed, and the entire plant has been described as having a "primordial" appearance. (Wikipedia)

Flush with taxpayer dollars, Washington Democratic lawmakers release new budget proposals
The supplemental budget proposals make changes to Washington’s two-year, $59 billion state operating budget approved last spring, which funds everything from schools, prisons, parks and public lands to economic assistance, mental health services and other social supports. The new spending blueprints reflect the torrent of dollars coming in through higher-than-expected tax collections since dire economic projections in early 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That trend continued last week, when a state budget forecast projected $2.7 billion in higher-than-expected tax revenue through mid-2025. On Monday morning, Senate Democrats released a proposed supplemental budget that includes nearly $6 billion in new spending. Joseph O'Sullivan reports. (Seattle Times)

B.C. budget to focus on climate change, including year-round wildfire service, minister says
Climate change will be a focal point of British Columbia's 2022 budget, including a new plan to fund a year-round wildfire relief service, according to the province's finance minister. On Monday, Finance Minister Selina Robinson told reporters that making sure communities have the resources they need to deal with the effects of climate change will be at the forefront of her budget when it is released on Tuesday. (Canadian Press)

Sewage spills into Percival Creek again
An estimated 26,000 gallons of sewage spilled from the Tumwater sewage system near Sommerset Hill Drive into Percival Creek due to an obstruction in the main sewer line on Thursday, Feb. 17. The city of Tumwater officials say the spill was contained and the site was fully cleaned up on Thursday, but the Thurston County Health Department sent out an advisory late Friday telling residents to avoid contact with Percival Creek from Sommerset Hill Drive to Capitol Lake. Such spills have been a recurring problem. (The Olympian)

Hundreds of new native bees species added to Oregon database
The Oregon Bee Atlas just got bigger. In an update announced this month, the largest bee and plant database in the state added hundreds of new native bee species that were discovered all over the state. The atlas was created because of a lack of information available about the state’s bee populations. The program’s scientists collect data from each county with help from trained volunteers who collect bee specimens. In the latest update, they added 224 unique bee species to their list from data collected in 2019, increasing the number of known native bees in Oregon to 650. Monica Semayoa reports. (OPB)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 247 AM PST Tue Feb 22 2022
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY NE wind 25 to 35 kt easing to 15 to 25 kt in the afternoon. Combined seas 4 to 7 ft with a dominant period of 11 seconds.
TONIGHT NE wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 3 ft at 10 seconds.

Monday, February 21, 2022

2/21 Witch's hair, toxic cosmetics, saving the Nooksack R, bald eagles, news forum set, pipeline expansion, GasLink attack, derelict vessels as housing

Witch's Hair [Seaweeds of the Pacific NW]

Witch's hair Desmarestia aculeata
This highly branching seaweed is connected to a small, disc-shaped holdfast. The many thin, round branches give it a busy appearance. Also called acid kelp because it releases sulphuric acid when damaged. Low Intertidal to Subtidal; Alaska to Oregon. (Seaweeds of the Pacific NW)

Banning toxic chemicals in cosmetics moves forward in WA
A measure advancing in Washington’s Legislature would ban the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in cosmetics. These chemicals are often used to make beauty products — such as mascara, foundation, and lipstick — water-resistant and longer lasting. Melissa Santos reports. (Crosscut)

Floods, fish and farming intersect in Nooksack Basin’s complex challenge
As Whatcom County works to prepare for the next major flooding events and to foster community resilience, a discussion on long-term solutions and ways to promote salmon population and environmental preservation along the Nooksack River is taking shape. Clifford Heberden reports. (Salish Current)

Nearly half of US bald eagles suffer lead poisoning
While the bald eagle population has rebounded from the brink of extinction since the U.S. banned the pesticide DDT in 1972, harmful levels of toxic lead were found in the bones of 46% of bald eagles sampled in 38 states from California to Florida, researchers reported in the journal Science. Christine Larson reports. (Associated Press)

Forum set on vital need of local journalism for strong democracy
The urgent issue of supporting local news to help ensure a strong democracy will be addressed by two leading journalists and Washington's attorney general in a free online forum next month organized by nonprofit local newsroom Salish Current in partnership with Village Books. Guests will be Margaret Sullivan, Hedrik Smith and Bob Ferguson. William Dietrich writes. (Salish Current)

Pipeline expansion would increase the flow of natural gas through the Northwest
A Canadian company is proposing a project to increase the capacity of its pipeline transporting natural gas across the Northwest. TC Energy wants to modify compressor stations along the Gas Transmission Northwest pipeline in Oregon, Washington and Idaho to get about 150,000 dekatherms more gas flowing through the region per day — enough to meet the daily energy needs of close to half a million average American homes. Bradley W. Parks reports. (OPB)

Indigenous groups condemn violent incident at Coastal GasLink work site
A Wet’suwet’en hereditary leader said her community was “disheartened” by Thursday’s early morning attack on a Coastal GasLink work site that saw nine contractors and security guards threatened, and millions of dollars in damage to heavy machinery and buildings left behind. Drrrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

'The Wild West on the water.' Finding makeshift housing on Puget Sound
It isn't hard to notice a derelict boat — their bilges are dirty, their engines are smoking, or their mast may be missing. But when searching for shelter, older and dingier boats like these can be a lifeline for many. Alec Cowan report. (KUOW)

Now, your tug weather--West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 254 AM PST Mon Feb 21 2022
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON
TODAY E wind 25 to 35 kt. Combined seas 6 to 8 ft with a dominant period of 10 seconds. A slight chance of rain.
TONIGHT E wind 20 to 30 kt rising to 25 to 35 kt after midnight. Combined seas 5 to 8 ft with a dominant period of 11 seconds.

--
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Witch's Hair [Seaweeds of the Pacific NW]

Witch's hair Desmarestia aculeata
This highly branching seaweed is connected to a small, disc-shaped holdfast. The many thin, round branches give it a busy appearance. Also called acid kelp because it releases sulphuric acid when damaged. Low Intertidal to Subtidal; Alaska to Oregon. (Seaweeds of the Pacific NW)

Banning toxic chemicals in cosmetics moves forward in WA
A measure advancing in Washington’s Legislature would ban the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in cosmetics. These chemicals are often used to make beauty products — such as mascara, foundation, and lipstick — water-resistant and longer lasting. Melissa Santos reports. (Crosscut)

Floods, fish and farming intersect in Nooksack Basin’s complex challenge
As Whatcom County works to prepare for the next major flooding events and to foster community resilience, a discussion on long-term solutions and ways to promote salmon population and environmental preservation along the Nooksack River is taking shape. Clifford Heberden reports. (Salish Current)

Nearly half of US bald eagles suffer lead poisoning
While the bald eagle population has rebounded from the brink of extinction since the U.S. banned the pesticide DDT in 1972, harmful levels of toxic lead were found in the bones of 46% of bald eagles sampled in 38 states from California to Florida, researchers reported in the journal Science. Christine Larson reports. (Associated Press)

Forum set on vital need of local journalism for strong democracy
The urgent issue of supporting local news to help ensure a strong democracy will be addressed by two leading journalists and Washington's attorney general in a free online forum next month organized by nonprofit local newsroom Salish Current in partnership with Village Books. Guests will be Margaret Sullivan, Hedrik Smith and Bob Ferguson. William Dietrich writes. (Salish Current)

Pipeline expansion would increase the flow of natural gas through the Northwest
A Canadian company is proposing a project to increase the capacity of its pipeline transporting natural gas across the Northwest. TC Energy wants to modify compressor stations along the Gas Transmission Northwest pipeline in Oregon, Washington and Idaho to get about 150,000 dekatherms more gas flowing through the region per day — enough to meet the daily energy needs of close to half a million average American homes. Bradley W. Parks reports. (OPB)

Indigenous groups condemn violent incident at Coastal GasLink work site
A Wet’suwet’en hereditary leader said her community was “disheartened” by Thursday’s early morning attack on a Coastal GasLink work site that saw nine contractors and security guards threatened, and millions of dollars in damage to heavy machinery and buildings left behind. Drrrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

'The Wild West on the water.' Finding makeshift housing on Puget Sound
It isn't hard to notice a derelict boat — their bilges are dirty, their engines are smoking, or their mast may be missing. But when searching for shelter, older and dingier boats like these can be a lifeline for many. Alec Cowan report. (KUOW)

Friday, February 18, 2022

2/18 Ghost pipe, Puget Sound methane, GasLink violence, BC sturgeon, week in review

Ghost Pipe [Chantelle DeLay]

Ghost Pipe Mootropa uniflora
Ghost pipe (also known as Indian pipe) is found in humus in deep, shady woods at low to moderate elevations. t is striking in appearance because it is completely white in appearance. This plant survive without the green pigment chlorophyll by sapping nutrients and carbohydrates from tree roots through an intermediate source, myccorhizal fungi in the genera Russula and Lactarius. (US Forest Service)

Mysterious bubbles in Puget Sound: UW researchers track hundreds of seeping gas plumes
Data collected since 2011 shows 349 methane plumes in Puget Sound and Hood Canal. Researchers are exploring a potential correlation between the distribution of plumes and fault lines. Nicholas Turner reports. (Seattle Times)

Violence erupts at Coastal GasLink site near Houston, B.C.
Very early Thursday, just after midnight, Coastal GasLink security called RCMP for help, reporting it was under attack by about 20 people, some wielding axes. CMP Chief Supt. Warren Brown, commander for the north district, called the attack a “calculated and organized violent attack that left its victims shaken and a multi-million dollar path of destruction.” Cheryl Chan reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Photo of B.C. sturgeon with smaller sturgeon in mouth highlights Fraser River food supply concerns
A photo of a large sturgeon in B.C.'s Fraser River with another sturgeon in its mouth has raised questions about food supply. (CBC)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/18/22: Pluto Friday!, Zim Kingston, crab season, WA sewer discharge, Snohomish R recovery, PS no-discharge zone. Pacific Salmon Treaty, green crab eDNA, GasLink, methane bubbles

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 252 AM PST Fri Feb 18 2022
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT
TODAY W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 6 ft at 15 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of rain after midnight.
SAT SW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming W 15 to 25 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less building to 2 to 4 ft in the afternoon. W swell 5 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.
SAT NIGHT W wind 15 to 25 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 4 ft at 12 seconds.
SUN NW wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 8 ft at 14 seconds.

Thursday, February 17, 2022

2/17 Red-twig dogwood, Inslee's salmon, green crab eDNA, crab raid, BC floods, BC fuel subsidies, quake impact, oyster planting, WA-BC ferry

Red-twig dogwood [Native Plants Pacific NW]

Red-Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea
Red-Twig Dogwood is found throughout most of northern and western North America, extending into Mexico in the west. Red-Twig Dogwood is extremely variable; many cultivated varieties are available varying in stem color, size, and leaf variegation. It usually grows in moist soil, especially along streams and lakesides, in wet meadows, open forests and along forest edges. Some natives smoked the dried bark during ceremonies (hence the common name kinnikinnik which usually refers to Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). (Native Plants of the Pacific NW)

Governor’s renewed salmon strategy faces decisive period in the current Legislature
State legislation designed to enhance salmon habitat by requiring protective buffers along streams has been set aside pending further discussions over the coming year. Meanwhile, several other salmon-protection measures proposed by the governor could move forward with decisive funding from the Legislature. Chris Dunagan writes. (Puget Sound Institute)

Washington researchers identify new tool in fight to contain invasive green crabs: eDNA
State wildlife officials are requesting more than $8.5 million in emergency funding from the Legislature to boost the fight against invasive European green crabs. A new tool might make that more effective: environmental DNA. New research from scientists at the University of Washington and Washington Sea Grant confirms that eDNA works as well as physical trapping to detect the crabs' presence. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Boundary Bay raid nets hundreds of illegal crab traps
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard mounted a five-day search of Boundary Bay in White Rock for illegally set and abandoned crab traps. According to the DFO, the raid was conduced between Feb. 7-11 and retrieved 312 crab traps. Most were illegal, while some were “ghost” or abandoned traps. The operation used the CCG’s hovercraft Moytel, backed by three DFO patrol vessels. The Vancouver-based Whale Protection Unit was also utilized. David Carrigg reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Study suggests climate change made B.C. floods twice as likely
Catastrophic floods that swamped much of southern B.C. last fall were at least twice as likely because of climate change, suggests new research from Environment Canada. The study, now undergoing peer review, concludes that the likelihood of similar events in the future will only increase as global warming continues to upend normal weather patterns. “We do find substantial ongoing increases in the probability of these kinds of events,” said Nathan Gillett, an atmospheric physicist and manager of the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis. In November, B.C. saw three events come together to create unprecedented flooding. (Canadian Press)

BC’s Fossil Fuel Subsidies Are Second Highest in Canada
The B.C. government handed out $1.3 billion in fossil fuel subsidies over the past two fiscal years, according to a new report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, an independent think tank. That includes $765 million during the 2020-21 fiscal year and $566 million in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, which ends March 31. The report crunched the numbers for Canada’s four main fossil fuel-producing provinces and found B.C. provided the second-highest amount in subsidies, behind only Alberta. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

Maps show Cascadia quake impact on region
When the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake rocks the North Olympic Peninsula, the temblor’s tsunami waves will roll across La Push in about 10 minutes, surging to Port Angeles in an hour and to Port Townsend 30 minutes later, according to a state inundation study. "The earthquake shaking can last 3 to 6 minutes, so if you’re protecting yourself for 3 to 6 minutes while the shaking is happening, and then a tsunami arrives 4 to 6 minutes later, that’s not any time at all, really, to evacuate,” Corina Allen, chief hazards geologist at the Washington Geological Survey, said Wednesday while presenting the study’s results. Paul Gottlieb reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

How to Plant Millions of Oysters in a Day
Conservationists and community members collaborate on an ambitious project to revive oysters in a Chesapeake Bay tributary. Ally Hirschlag reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Sidney-Anacortes ferry may not run this year
While other businesses are looking forward to a “nearly normal” tourist season amid softening pandemic restrictions, Washington State Ferries is casting doubt on whether it will be able to operate its Sidney-to-Anacortes ferry this summer. Spokesman Ian Sterling said no decision has been made on whether the ferry will operate next month or even later this year. He emphasized that a lot would have to go right for the service to resume between Sidney and Washington state. Andrew Duffy reports. (Times Colonist)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 248 AM PST Thu Feb 17 2022
TODAY SW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 7 ft at 9 seconds. A slight chance of rain.
TONIGHT W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 6 ft at 8 seconds.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

2/16 Kinnikinnick, Snohomish R, Pacific Salmon Treaty, Frances Wood, No Discharge Zone, rising seas, cruise ship living

Kinnikinnick [Ben Legler]

Kinnikinnick Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Glossy leaves that stay green all year, bright red berries that glisten into winter—as C.L. Hitchcock, dean of Northwest botany, wrote: "one of the finest groundcovers known." Happy in full sun to part shade and dry soils, it's a well-mannered alternative to aggressive species, English ivy (Hedera helix) and the periwinkles (Vinca major and V. minor). Kinnikinnick has many names, most referring to its fruits. Arctostaphylos (Greek) and uva-ursi (Latin) both mean "bear grapes." And what about the name kinnikinnick itself? It's an Algonquian word referring to the dried leaves' use in smoking mixtures. (Sarah Gage/Washington Native Plant Society)

Plan for Snohomish River Watershed meant to tackle threats to salmon 'head on'
Calling it the “Watershed Resilience Action Plan” for the Snohomish River Watershed, Washington state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz outlined a system of fixes to bring back salmon and other fish to the river on Tuesday. Citing 16 populations of salmon and salmon-related fish that are now endangered or threatened, the plan calls for protection and cleanup of aquatic habitat from the forests of the Cascades to where the river empties into the salt water of the Salish Sea. Glen Farley reports. (KING)

Pacific Salmon Treaty failing to address harvest of B.C. stocks
Significant numbers of salmon returning to spawn in British Columbia are being caught in southeast Alaskan fisheries, hindering Canada’s efforts to preserve and rebuild stocks that are declining to historic lows, B.C. salmon advocates say. Canada and the United States ratified the Pacific Salmon Treaty in 1985 to manage cross-border harvesting, but it wasn’t designed to deal with climate change and stocks that are in crisis, said Greg Knox, executive director of SkeenaWild Conservation Trust based in Terrace. “We can’t protect and rebuild B.C. salmon without Alaska giving us a hand, there’s just no way,” he said. “The productivity of a lot of our populations has gone way down, so they can’t sustain high harvest levels anymore.” Brenna Owen reports. (Canadian Press)

Frances Wood: Watcher on the beach
For Frances Wood, the pigeon guillemot is an endless source of fascination. So much so, that she has convinced hundreds of others to watch them too. As one of the founders of a long-running project surveying the birds on a yearly basis, Wood recently received some recognition for her efforts. The Island County Marine Resources Committee, Sound Water Stewards and WSU Extension presented Wood with the Jan Holmes award a few days before Sound Waters University, which is when the award is usually given out. Kira Erickson reports. (Whidbey News Times)

Court Rules on No Discharge Zone, Blocking Lingering Trump Administration Attempt to Allow Vessels to Dump Sewage into Puget Sound
Late February 14, the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., denied a move by the American Waterways Operators and the previous Trump Administration U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to halt the implementation of a No Discharge Zone (NDZ) for Puget Sound in Washington state. The NDZ, first proposed in 2012, prohibits ships and boats from discharging raw or partially treated sewage across the 2,300 square miles of marine waters as well as contiguous waters around Lake Washington and Lake Union. Trump’s EPA tried to take back its signoff of the NDZ to reconsider compliance costs to industry, and as the court put it, “take a second bite at the apple.” (EarthJustice) See also: Department of Ecology Statement on federal No Discharge Zone decision

Sea level to rise one foot along U.S. coastlines by 2050, government report finds
Sea levels along the United States' shorelines will increase as much by 2050 as they did over the past century, according to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Sarah Kaplan and Brady Dennis report. (Washington Post)

Would You Live on a Cruise Ship?
As the pandemic forces cruise ships into early retirement, some want to see them converted into affordable housing. Doug Johnson reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 239 AM PST Wed Feb 16 2022
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING
TODAY SW wind to 10 kt becoming E in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 10 ft at 9 seconds subsiding to 8 ft at 9 seconds in the afternoon. Patchy fog in the morning.
TONIGHT S wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 7 ft at 9 seconds subsiding to 5 ft at 17 seconds after midnight.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

2/15 Common periwinkle, Verna Tunnicliffe, chicken fram suit, wave testing, Miller Peninsula

Common periwinkle [David Beaulieu]

Common periwinkle Vinca minor
Tough, low-maintenance, and pest-free, periwinkle has pretty broadleaf foliage and flowers. It is also useful for providing ground cover and is known for its creeping habit. Common periwinkle is considered an invasive species in parts of the United States. Periwinkle is toxic to pets. (The Spruce)

Pioneering UVic marine biologist honoured for her deep-sea exploration
Verena Tunnicliffe helped discover thermal vents off the B.C. coast and has aimed her sites now at deep-underwater mining. Gordon McIntyre reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Draper Valley Farms settles lawsuit with environmental nonprofit
Under a legal agreement approved Monday, local chicken processor Draper Valley Farms will invest about $2 million in Skagit River watershed projects and an undetermined amount in upgrading its facility after admitting to contributing to water quality issues in the river and Puget Sound. The nonprofit Waste Action Project sued Draper Valley, which is owned by Perdue Foods, in June 2020, alleging the facility was violating the federal Clean Water Act by what it was sending to the Mount Vernon wastewater treatment plant from its facility in Mount Vernon. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

US Department of Energy awards $25M for wave energy testing at first-in-nation Oregon facility
Just south of Newport, a new wave energy facility called PacWave is about a year away from being operational. It will be the first commercial-scale, grid-connected wave energy test site in the U.S. and one of few in the world. Alex Hasenstab reports. (OPB)

Residents want Miller Peninsula in its natural state
Although comments varied about how much development they’d want to see — including no development at all — people were mostly united in their message to State Parks officials: Keep Miller Peninsula State Park as close to its natural state as possible.ion about plans to change the park on the Miller Peninsula just east of Blyn into a “destination park.” Michael Dashiell reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 242 AM PST Tue Feb 15 2022
TODAY SW wind to 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 7 ft at 9 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 7 ft at 10 seconds.

Monday, February 14, 2022

2/14 Love apples, better sewage, COVID sewage, crab season, Zim Kingston, pinto abalone

Love apple

Tomato - the fruit of love?
When the Spanish conquistadors came to the Americas, they returned home not only with gold, but also the seeds of the tomatl. The Spanish adopted the fruit and adapted its name to tomate. At one point, because of their heart shape, tomatoes were thought to be an aphrodisiac - hence the name "love apples." The Italians named the fruit pomodoro, meaning golden apple. Cathy Wilkinson Barash writes. (Christian Science Monitor)

Scientists question state plan that doubles sewer bills at Puget Sound treatment plants
Sewer bills could double by the end of the decade under a state plan that will require billions of dollars to construct new systems at wastewater treatment plants that discharge into Puget Sound. Officials at the state's Department of Ecology say it's time to require the plants, including those on the Kitsap Peninsula, to remove nitrogen that comes from urine. They believe the nitrogen could lead to "dead zones" of little to no dissolved oxygen in the water, which is harmful to sea life. But some experts at the University of Washington say the new requirements will produce little environmental benefit. They believe there are better ways to spend money to help the health of Puget Sound. "The idea that the Salish Sea is a heartbeat away from having a dead zone is just nonsense," according to Joel Baker, an environmental engineer who is the director of the University of Washington's Puget Sound Institute. Josh Farley reports. (Kitsap Sun)

These scientists are fighting the pandemic with sewage
Sewage stinks, and it’s often laden with disease. But it can also be of tremendous value to public health. Cutting-edge biomedical research sometimes begins with prying a heavy steel lid off a sewer hole, to gain access to the data gushing below. Studies of wastewater have helped scientists pinpoint where Covid-19 variants have popped up, even before people know they’re infected. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Ecology again fines boat owner $70K for fuel spill in river
The state Department of Ecology has fined a Lake Stevens boat owner $70,000 for an oil and gas spill in Steamboat Slough, a branch of the Snohomish River. Ron Barber owns a 75-foot fishing vessel called the Elusive Dream that has been derelict for over a decade. In August 2020, the vessel rolled over during a low tide and pushed a small boat underwater, causing both to sink. The Elusive Dream also capsized in 2009 and the state slapped Barber with a $750 fine for spilling 50 gallons of diesel fuel into the waterway. Back then, Ecology officials practiced mercy, calling the tipping of the vessel a fluke. The fine was typical of small spills where negligence wasn’t suspected, they said. But the Elusive Dream has remained derelict in the slough since then. Zachariah Bryan reports. (Everett Herald)

Oregon Dungeness crab season breaking records
After starting on time for the first time in years, Oregon's Dungeness crab season is bringing in a record-breaking haul. Fishermen have brought in about $80 million this season, which began Dec. 1, according to Tim Novotny with the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission. It's the most revenue since the 2017-2018 season, which brought in $74 million for the entire season, according to the commission. Bryant Clerkley reports. (KGW)

Cargo-spilling ship leaves Northwest, returns to Asia. Its debris remains
Nearly four months after spilling 109 shipping containers off the Washington and British Columbia coasts, the Zim Kingston left North American waters on Wednesday. There’s still no sign of 105 containers that the cargo ship lost during a storm in October, about 40 miles west of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and 30 miles southwest of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Can a Salish Sea snail return from the brink of extinction? Whatcom scientists, tribe hope so
A marine snail on the brink of extinction is getting help from Whatcom researchers and the Lummi Nation as Washington expands restoration efforts for the pinto abalone. The pinto abalone is the only abalone species native to Washington waters, contributing to healthy kelp forests that support a food web including orca and salmon. They are culturally significant to and a traditional food for Coast Salish tribes. Ysabelle Kempe reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 241 AM PST Mon Feb 14 2022 SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING TODAY W wind 15 to 25 kt becoming 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 3 ft at 13 seconds. Rain in the morning.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 7 seconds.

Friday, February 11, 2022

2/11 The barge, stop Roberts Bank T2, forest fire management, Biden's 30x30, 'Life in One Cubic Foot,' WA redistricting

The Barge [Ken Weiner]

Sorry to see it go
Our Farther North reader writes: "I’ve been quite amused by the fact that since the beginning of the story, the barge has been tied to a rock and guarded 24/7. It seems like anybody who could steal it, or a super high tide or wave that floated it, would be just what the owners wanted! As for a more general observation from someone who regularly walks by, the barge has enlivened the community and will be missed. People gather, actually remove their earbuds and chat, take selfies (and also volunteer to snap photos of total strangers), reminisce about the wild storm that washed it up, and enjoy speculating about what’s going to happen. Hearing now that it will be scrapped and shipped to Tacoma, I’m dismayed by the waste of a perfectly good barge, and sorry to see it go." Kathy Fletcher muses.

Scientists make final bid to stop Port of Vancouver’s terminal expansion: ‘they can’t mitigate the consequences’
The port promises it can mitigate the impacts of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion on endangered species like Chinook salmon and southern resident killer whales. But in a recent letter to Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, scientists argue the port’s final plan still impacts more than 100 species of concern in the heart of the Fraser River estuary. Stephanie Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

Billions of federal dollars headed to Western forests to manage fires
Less than a year after Washington state committed $328 million toward reducing the impacts of climate-charged catastrophic wildfire and improving forest health, the U.S. Forest Service announced a plan liable to supercharge that effort. A U.S. Department of Agriculture announcement on Jan. 18 adds nearly $3 billion more to the nation's forest restoration efforts and fire reduction, especially on federal forest lands in the heart of Washington’s fire country and in 10 other Western states. Just as significant, the accompanying plan incorporates the newest science and reflects Indigenous stewardship practices. Hannah Weinberger reports. (Crosscut)

Biden’s rebranded conservation plan has critics on all sides
The environmental community last year welcomed President Joe Biden setting a goal of conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, even as critics on the right denounced the initiative as a federal land grab. Administration officials working to deliver on the president’s target now find themselves working to allay concerns among rural residents that they could face heavy-handed mandates — even as some environmental groups push for a more aggressive approach. All sides agree that much hangs on how the administration defines which lands and waters count toward the “30×30” goal, which is intended to preserve natural areas, protect threatened wildlife species and help address climate change. Joseph Morton reports. (CQ-Roll Call/Tacoma News Tribune)

Burke Museum invites visitors to explore biodiversity in ‘Life in One Cubic Foot’
“Life in One Cubic Foot” opens this weekend at the Burke Museum in Seattle. Using colorful photos, informative displays and artifacts, the exhibit celebrates biodiversity and encourages community science. It also shows the immense variety of species that can be discovered using a simple device called a biocube. These are frames, usually made of wire, that are placed in a landscape for 24 hours. Observers document what’s there. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

New political mapping concludes with revisions by lawmakers
Washington’s new legislative and congressional district maps are finished. On Tuesday, the state Senate approved a measure making roughly 75 small adjustments to lines drawn by the state Redistricting Commission. It passed on a 35-14 vote. With the House having passed the same measure last week, the once-a-decade process is completed. The final maps will be in use for the upcoming legislative and congressional races, barring legal challenges, and for the decade beyond. They can be found on the commission website. https://www.redistricting.wa.gov/final-maps (Everett Herald) See also: How big a makeover does WA redistricting need? The process the state uses to redraw its political districts could get more transparent. But some say bigger changes are needed. Melissa Santos reports. (Crosscut)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/11/22: Women & Girls in Science, Snoqualmie Tribe land, microplastics, hot shellfish, Bigg's whales, stranded barge, Deschutes R, B'ham electricity rule, WA transportation $, rogue wave, kelp nutrition, no Roberts Bank

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 238 AM PST Fri Feb 11 2022
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY E wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 8 ft at 14 seconds. Areas of fog in the morning.
TONIGHT SE wind 10 to 20 kt becoming E 5 to 15 kt after midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 13 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight.
SAT E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 5 ft at 12 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning.
SAT NIGHT E wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 4 ft at 11 seconds.
SUN E wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft. W swell 3 ft at 12 seconds.

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Thursday, February 10, 2022

2/10 Big-head sedge, Roberts Bank 2, Tokitae, Morrison mine, giant kelp

Big-head sedge [Sound Water Stewards]

Big-head sedge Carex macrocephaly
This native species and member of the sedge family is found on sandy beaches and in dune areas. The plant grows to a height of about 1 foot with the flower spikes being about 2 inches long. Male and female flowers are on separate plants with the seed producing female plants having larger flowering spikes. Large headed sedge ranges from northern Oregon to Alaska and is also found in Asia. It is also commonly called big headed sedge. (Sound Water Stewards)

Delta wants federal government to delay or deny Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project
The City of Delta is requesting that the federal government postpone or altogether deny the approval of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (RBT2) project because of the adverse, unmitigable effects it would bring to the surrounding community and environment. Among these, a potential species-wide impact to migratory birds. Approved by Delta council during its Feb. 7 meeting, the report from Delta staff requests that feds either postpone their decision until the environmental and community impacts of the proposed GCT Deltaport Berth 4 project have been reviewed, or they deny the project based on the Federal Review Panel Report and Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) concerns. Dani Penaloza reports. (Delta Optimist)

PETA said orca named by Lummi Nation was ‘deathly ill.’ Seaquarium says she’s recovering
Lolita the killer whale is recovering from an unspecified illness, Miami Seaquarium said in response to a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals report that the 56-year-old orca is “deathly ill” with pneumonia. The Virginia Key marine park also posted a live Facebook video on Tuesday showing its iconic star in a stadium tank eating, playing and waving its pectoral fin. Linda Robertson reports. (Olympian)

Two decades and $30 million later, a B.C. mine proposal is officially dead
Pacific Booker Minerals is being told for the second time its proposed Morrison mine is a no-go for sensitive salmon habitat in northwest B.C. — leaving some wondering why the province’s environmental assessment process is so inefficient. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Giant Kelp Is Getting Less Nutritious
For myriad ocean residents, such as jellyfish, crabs, urchins, fish, and prawns, giant kelp is an important source of food and shelter. A new study, however, shows that this dietary staple is becoming less nutritious. Research led by coastal biogeochemist Heili Lowman while at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), shows that in California’s Santa Barbara Channel giant kelp’s nutritional nitrogen content has fallen by 18 percent as ocean temperatures rose over the past 19 years, even as the amount of kelp stayed the same. Robin Donovan reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 229 AM PST Thu Feb 10 2022
TODAY NW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 8 ft at 14 seconds. Areas of fog in the morning.
TONIGHT N wind to 10 kt becoming E after midnight. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 9 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight.