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.

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