5/2 Elderberrry, Mukilteo waterfront, Howard Breen, railroad blockages, AK crab fishery, lake toxin, Intalco plant

Red Elderberry [Native Plants PNW]

 
Red Elderberry Sambucus racemosa
Red Elderberry is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and North America.  Natives steamed the berries on rocks and put them in a container stored underground or in water, eating them later in winter.  Leaves, bark or roots were applied externally to abscesses, aching muscles, or sore joints.  Roots or bark were chewed or made into a tea to induce vomiting or as a laxative.  Flowers were boiled down to treat coughs and colds.  Hollow stems were used for whistles, pipes and toy blowguns.  Although they have sometimes been eaten fresh, it is advisable to always cook the berries before eating, raw berries may cause nausea.  The seeds are considered poisonous.  Cooked berries can be made into wines, sauces or jellies. (Native Plants PNW)

Got ideas? 26-acre Mukilteo waterfront beckons improvement
The waterfront changed dramatically with addition of the splashy new Mukilteo ferry terminal. That was well over a year ago. Little has changed since. Much of the 26-acre waterfront is blighted, unwelcoming and inaccessible to the public. Now there’s even more talk — but this time with possible action in the forecast. Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber said the goal is a unified plan among the mix of private and public owners for the shoreline from Mukilteo’s Lighthouse Park to the port’s Edgewater Beach. Andrew Brown reports. (Everett Herald)

A Visit with Climate Crisis Hunger Striker Howard Breen
What is gained, and forfeited, when pushing the limits of compassionate coercion to the edge of death? Peter Fairley reports. (The Tyee) Howard Breen ends hunger strike on Day 31  (Times Colonist)

Scientists taking this new approach to restore salmon habitat along the railroad in Whatcom 
There are about 73 miles of shoreline between Olympia and the Canadian border impacted by the railroad. The railroad not only blocks access to streams, it also reduces the size of estuaries and impedes the natural delivery of sediments and large wood to the shoreline. Since 2017, a team of scientists has been coordinating plans to restore these critical salmon habitats without disrupting the railroad, which serves as a major pillar of the region’s bustling port economy. The team includes members from environmental consulting firms Environmental Science Associates and Confluence Environmental Company, as well as the Tulalip Tribes. Their work is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Choosing Winners and Losers in Alaska’s Crab Fishery
Managing commercial fishing activity is a complicated job, one in which every small decision can have far-reaching consequences. Whether to regulate fishing based on season, area, or gear type, and whether to allot quotas for fishing activity—and if so, how many, and to whom?—are all decisions prone to triggering unexpected repercussions. A quota system implemented in 2005 has meant economic and social trade-offs. Tim Lydon reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Anderson Lake closed due to high level of toxin
Anderson Lake has been closed to fishing and other recreation five days after the lowland lake fishing season opened. Elevated levels of the potent nerve toxin anatoxin-a were detected in a water sample taken from Anderson Lake on April 25, it was announced Friday. (Peninsula Daily News)

Intalco plant reopening 'highly questionable'
Ferndale’s Intalco aluminum smelter is no closer to resuming operations despite months of discussions and a $10 million promise from Gov. Jay Inslee.  Talks to reopen the plant between Blue Wolf Capital LLC, the relaunch proponent, and the Bonneville Power Administration, the likely electrical provider, have not produced a viable energy contract after several months of negotiations.  Satpal Sidhu, Whatcom’s county executive, said the reopening is “highly questionable,” during an event at the Bellingham City Club, though he hopes the smelter resumes operations. Julia Lerner reports. (CDN)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  210 AM PDT Mon May 2 2022   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON PDT TODAY THROUGH  THIS EVENING   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt rising to 15 to 25 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 2 to 4 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 6 ft at 10 seconds. Rain in the morning. 
TONIGHT  W wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 6 ft  at 11 seconds.

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