3/10 Camellia, Biden oil ban, rescue tug, WA transportation budget, Salish fishing dispute, Indigenous GasLink interest, Burrard Inlet, BC mtn goats, bad seafood, climate change mental health, Trust2022 forum

Camellia

Camellia
Camellia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. They are found in eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalayas east to Japan and Indonesia. There are 100–300 described species, with some controversy over the exact number. There are also around 3,000 hybrids. (Wikipedia)

Biden ban on Russian oil hits Anacortes, Washington refinery
Russian oil could be en route to Washington state for several more weeks despite a ban on Russian oil and gas imports imposed by President Joe Biden on Tuesday. Industry officials say it could take a couple of months for oil to reach a refinery after it’s been purchased from international sources. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) See also: Anacortes to remove Russian flags from city displays (Skagit Valley Herald)

Oil spill ‘not matter of if, but when’: Gulf Islands renew call for rescue tug
Officials from the American and Canadian Gulf Islands have joined forces to make a plea for more oil tanker protection. Island Trust and San Juan County councils have renewed their request for a rescue tug to be positioned on Vancouver Island in Sidney, following concerns of oil spills potentially devastating island communities late last year. Kiernan Green reports. (Alberni Valley News)

Dems push through sweeping $17B state transportation package
Majority Democrats drove their ambitious $17 billion transportation spending plan to the finish line Wednesday amid continuing criticism from Republicans and ongoing questions bout how the money will eventually be spent. The final version of the 16-year package, dubbed Move Ahead Washington, emerged from a conference committee on a party-line vote. It will be voted on in the full House and Senate on Thursday, the final day of the 2022 legislative session. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Everett Herald) See also: As adjournment nears, state lawmakers reach budget accord  (Everett Herald)

A 30-Year-Long Fishing Dispute Fizzles Out
With the United States Supreme Court declining to hear the case, a protracted legal battle between two Indigenous communities has nowhere to go. ....For the past 30 years two groups, the Lummi Nation and the S’Klallam nations—represented today by the Jamestown S’Klallam, Port Gamble S’Klallam, and Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes—have been fighting in the courts about a contested slice of the Salish Sea: the waters west of Whidbey Island in northwestern Washington. Involved in this dizzying dispute are no fewer than four tribes, two treaties, and four appellate court decisions. The issue was recently brought to the United States Supreme Court for consideration, though the court declined to hear the case, leaving the Lummi and S’Klallam without an obvious legal path forward. Ashley Braun reports. (Hakai Magazine)

16 B.C. First Nations to become part-owners of Coastal GasLink pipeline — if project is completed
The announcement distances Alberta-based energy giant TC Energy from the pipeline project, which has been contentious since it was first proposed in 2012 and the centre of controversy and conflict since construction began in 2019. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Tsleil-Waututh measure Burrard Inlet degradation since contact
Between 1792 and 2020, according to reports released on Thursday, Burrard Inlet lost 1,214 hectares of intertidal and subtidal areas to development and erosion. Gordon McIntyre reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Study highlights value of Indigenous knowledge in tracking decline of B.C.'s mountain goat population
Information from Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation members, aerial surveys and hunting records used in study. Hina Alam reports. (Canadian Press)

Feds press Monroe company to stop selling unsanitary seafood
Federal officials filed a complaint Wednesday with the aim of stopping a Monroe seafood processor from selling contaminated products in violation of federal law. Felix Custom Smoking manufactures seafood products like jerky and smoked salmon, according to court documents. Customers usually pick up their orders at the store on 147th Street SE, because the seafood isn’t sold online. Products have also been shipped to buyers in Colorado and Idaho. Felix processes fish from Alaska. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Everett Herald)

How Climate Change Inflicts a Toll on Mental Health
The physical scars of our warming planet are everywhere — from rising sea waters to melting glaciers and charred forests. But climate change is also inflicting a growing, unseen toll on mental health. This is how Americans describe the stresses and strains of life on the front lines of a changing climate. (NY Times)

Forum to discuss preserving local, independent journalism
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson will be joined by national reporters Margaret Sullivan and Hedrick Smith to discuss the decrease in independent local news outlets nationwide... In partnership with Village Books of Bellingham and Lynden, “Trust 2022: Why Independent Local News is Important to a Strong Democracy” is scheduled for March 17 at 5:30 p.m...Registration is required and free of charge. For information, go to salish-current.org/trust2022. Jonathan Tall reports. (Cascadia Daily News)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  809 AM PST Thu Mar 10 2022   
TODAY  SW wind to 10 kt becoming N 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 2 ft at 13 seconds. 
TONIGHT  SW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming S after midnight. Wind  waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 2 ft at 12 seconds. A slight chance of  rain after midnight.

--
"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