Salish Sea News and Weather: June 2022

Thursday, June 30, 2022

6/30 Foraging, Elwha, crabbing, Skagit toxin, Vashon bioblitz, tree canopy, Save Old Growth, McKibben on climate, barge bye bye, Western Flyer, crab battle

Gathering fresh greens [Laurie MacBride]

Foraging Time
Laurie MacBride in Eye on Environment writes: "Grocery stores are noticeably absent when we’re cruising in remote areas of the BC coast. So when we run short of fresh veggies, it’s time to go shopping by kayak or dinghy..."

Opening the door for coho, chum, and pink salmon
Restoration managers are hopeful that populations of coho, chum and pink salmon will rebound on the Elwha River as the fish take advantage of newly accessible habitat. Part five of a series. Chris Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Currents)

Puget Sound crabbing begins Friday
Puget Sound crabbing kicks off Friday! Each year, sport fishers catch more than 1.5 million pounds of Dungeness crab, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said. Christine Clarridge reports. (Seattle Times)

High toxin levels shut down shellfish harvesting
The state Department of Health has closed down recreational shellfish harvesting on beaches in northern Skagit County after a shellfish sample from Samish Bay this week showed dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poison toxin... Northern Skagit County beaches, including Samish Bay, Sinclair Island, Cypress Island and Guemes Island except the southern shoreline from Kelly’s Point east to Long Bay are closed to the recreational harvesting of all species of shellfish. (Skagit Valley Herald)

BioBlitz offers chance to ‘count every living thing’ on Vashon
This 24-hour biodiversity survey has been run by the Nature Center at different island locations since 2012. This year, it will be focused on the town and surrounding areas, including Fisher Pond. Brendan McGarry writes. (Vashon Nature Center/Vashon Beachcomber)

New Tree Canopy Assessment Has Puget Sound Covered
The Urban Tree Canopy Assessment provides planning resources so forest managers can better prioritize where they plant trees in central Puget Sound. Hannah Kett, urban program director for The Nature Conservancy in Washington, which led efforts on the report, said the goal of the assessment is to provide tree-planting tools for the region. (Public News Service)

Save Old Growth campaign says it will end B.C. traffic blockades
A B.C. conservation organization, whose volunteers have blocked busy roadways in hopes of stopping old-growth logging in the province, says it is shifting strategies and ending the blockades. In a short statement on Wednesday, Save Old Growth said it will "de-escalate disruptive actions on critical transportation infrastructure. Chad Pawson reports. (CBC)

Podcast | The future of climate activism
Iconic environmentalist Bill McKibben discusses the history of climate change, as well as the challenges and opportunities of the environmental movement. Mark Baumgarten writes. (Crosscut Talks)

Lessons learned in the Pacific Northwest from the deadly 2021 ‘heat dome’
A year ago, Washington state experienced a meteorological phenomenon known as a 'heat dome' that lasted for more than a week and killed hundreds across the region. Temps spiked as high as 110 degrees in Olympia and Quileute on the coast; SeaTac recorded an all-time high of 108. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

English Bay barge won't be chilling much longer as long-awaited removal begins this week
The City of Vancouver says Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. (VanPile), the company it contracted to take apart and remove the empty boat, will start work in English Bay this week. The barge ran aground on Nov. 15 because of strong winds, rough seas and a high tide. After attempts to refloat the barge failed, it became a fixture at the site. (CBC)

A piece of western Washington literary history heads back to sea
The Western Flyer was built in Tacoma and chartered by John Steinbeck when he wrote 'The Log from the Sea of Cortez.' Eric Wilkinson reports. (KING)

Battling crabs 250 miles off the Oregon Coast, while studying an underwater volcano
The scientists aboard the research vessel Thompson are trying to answer complicated questions about what makes volcanos, specifically the Axial Seamount, tick. But sometimes the most serious scientific inquiry can face "crabotage." Jes Burns reports. (OPB)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 233 AM PDT Thu Jun 30 2022
TODAY W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W swell 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning.
TONIGHT W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 2 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight.

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Wednesday, June 29, 2022

6/29 Burl, Elwha sockeye, Horgan retires, women who lead, Keystone Preserve, West Moberly, fire keepers, seal facial recognition

Tree with burl

Tree burl
Tree burls form when bud growth cells develop abnormally. As the cells divide, they create a rounded shape rather than a normal tree branch. They divide in an abnormal way. As these dormant cells start dividing in many directions, they end up creating a rounded shape rather than forming the tree limb, which they originally intended to grow. Burls and galls are two very different things. Galls are fairly small and form along twigs and leaves. Burls are much larger and are found on major branches or trunks. Burls are a part of the tree itself, while galls grow outside and independent from the tree. (Gardening Knowhow)

Sockeye among 'biggest unknowns' for Elwha salmon recovery
hen discussing the future of the Elwha ecosystem, many scientists have advanced the exciting possibility that ALL species of Pacific Salmon — including the lake-dwelling sockeye — could make their home in the watershed. The prospect of native sockeye returning to the Elwha is made possible by the existence of Lake Sutherland, located about 10 miles west of Port Angeles. Fourth in a series. Chris Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Currents)

Horgan leaves stable gov't, long list of accomplishments: Observers
B.C. Premier John Horgan, who announced Tuesday that he’s stepping down as leader, will leave a legacy of stable government during five tumultuous years that included a global pandemic. Gordon Hoekstra reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Women who lead: San Juans to have first all-woman county council
Time was, San Juan County Council was overwhelmingly made up of men, with only a handful of women elected throughout several decades. But next year, the ongoing quest for equity is expected to mark a milestone when an all-woman board takes office in the scenic island county. Nancy DeVaux reports. (Salish Current)

In ‘emergency acquisition,’ 226 acres of Whidbey Island’s farmland, forest saved
The beachside Keystone Preserve, south of Coupeville, is the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s largest purchase at $9.1 million. Jacqueline Allison reports. (Everett Herald)

Washington carbon exchange lets many big polluters off the hook
Critics say the state’s new system for capping greenhouse gas emissions from major polluters lets many of the worst climate offenders off the hook, forcing others to shoulder more of the burden of keeping the planet livable. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

‘They beat us into submission’: West Moberly’s decades-long fight against Site C dam is over
West Moberly First Nations reluctantly signed a settlement seven years into construction on the beleaguered hydroelectric project on the Peace River in northeastern B.C. Emma Gilchrist reports. (The Narwhal)

Indigenous fire keepers and ecologists say it's time to light a careful fire to calm wildfires
[Joe] Gilchrist — a fire keeper — sets fires to fight wildfires and "cleanse" the land. He is one of about 20 members of the growing Interior Salish Firekeepers Society and part of a growing movement. Indigenous knowledge keepers and fire ecologists are reigniting an ancient practice outlawed during colonialization when he says at least one fire keeper was hanged for setting fires. Yvette Brend reports. (CBC)

Facial Recognition—Now for Seals
A neural network, trained using thousands of photos of harbor seals, offers a noninvasive way of telling seals apart. Sean Mowbray reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 232 AM PDT Wed Jun 29 2022
TODAY Light wind becoming S to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of showers.
TONIGHT NW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming W after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 7 seconds.

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

6/28 Barnacle, starving orcas, whale watch, wildfires, naming is knowing, Site C dam, clam closure

Leaf barnacle [Jon Sullivan/Creative Commons]

Leaf barnacle Pollicipes polymerus
The leaf barnacle is identifiable from other members of its species because the capitulum (top of the stalk) is covered with at least five cream-colored plates and surrounded by several whorls of overlapping scales. This makes the top of the animal appear similar to a stalk of asparagus. They are common down to 100 feet (30m) below the surface. Often they live with California Mussels. They can be found from southern Alaska to Baja California. (Oregon Coast Aquarium)

Southern resident killer whales not getting enough to eat: UBC study
A new study shows the endangered orca pods were underfed in six of the last 40 years — including the final three years of the study. Joseph Ruttle reports. (Vancouver Sun) UBC study finds seals eat more chinook than orcas do UBC scientists urge size-selective fishing techniques to protect large chinook. Nelson Bennett reports. (BIV)

Protecting Southern Resident orcas: What role do new regulations play?
As we approach July, whale watch boats are waiting to see whether they'll be permitted to approach any endangered Southern Resident orcas after stricter rules were put in place during the 2021 season. Matthew Smith reports. (Q13)

What WA’s cold, wet spring means for summer wildfires
Some think the rainy season’s silver lining is a decreased risk of wildfires later in the year. That may not be the case. Hannah Weinberger reports. (Crosscut)

A Community’s Quest to Document Every Species on Their Island Home
Naming leads to knowing, which leads to understanding. Residents of a small British Columbia island take to the forests and beaches to connect with their nonhuman neighbors. Marina Wang reports. (Hakai Magazine)

West Moberly First Nations reach partial settlement over Site C Dam
The West Moberly First Nations have reached a partial agreement with B.C. Hydro and the provincial and federal governments over a lawsuit that says the massive Site C hydroelectric dam in northeastern B.C. would destroy their territory and violate their rights. A joint statement from the provincial and federal governments released Monday afternoon said the settlement includes an impact and benefits agreement between B.C. Hydro and West Moberly First Nations plus two agreements providing contracting opportunities. Josh Grant reports. (CBC)

Discovery Bay closed to shellfish harvesting due to biotoxins
Discovery Bay is closed for the recreational harvest of all species of shellfish due to diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, according the state Department of Health and Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services’ Environmental Health Division. Paul Dunn reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 222 AM PDT Tue Jun 28 2022
TODAY NW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming E 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. NW swell 2 ft at 7 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the morning then showers in the afternoon.
TONIGHT E wind 5 to 15 kt becoming S to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. NW swell 3 ft at 7 seconds. Showers likely and a slight chance of tstms in the evening then a chance of showers after midnight.

Monday, June 27, 2022

6/27 Banana slug, spring Chinook, Snake R dams, new jellyfish, seafood climate

Banana slug (baby) [Gene Helfmann]

Banana slug Ariolimax columbianus
The largest slug in North America (up to 20 cm, rarely more), perhaps the second largest slug in the world, Banana Slugs are a special feature of our region. They are restricted to the wet Pacific Northwest coastal lowlands, from British Columbia to central California. Although non-native slugs are the bane of the gardener, Banana Slugs remain mostly out in the forest. (Slater Museum/University of Puget Sound)

Will the mighty spring Chinook rise again?
Given a clear path upstream after dam removal, Chinook salmon in the Elwha wasted no time swimming past the first dam and later the second. Yet, unlike steelhead, Chinook still have not ventured into the upper watershed in large numbers, according to recent surveys. Ongoing genetic studies are now trying to determine if the powerful spring Chinook that once fought their way through the river's upper rapids have become extinct, as many experts suspect. Third in a series. Chris Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Currents)

Dam politics: Why public power utilities are pouring cash into the campaign to support Lower Snake River dams
Northwest power utilities have poured more than $2 million into a public relations campaign to convince the region’s residents that breaching four hydropower dams on the Lower Snake River is a bad idea. Dam proponents are concerned they have not done enough to counteract other campaigns by environmentalists, tribes and salmon advocates making the case for dam removal to recover Snake River salmon runs listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Hal Bernton reports. (Seattle Times)

These invasive jellyfish are the size of a thumbnail — and they're making a new home in B.C.
The next time you dip your toes into a lake in British Columbia, you might want to take a closer look at the water. That's because an invasive species of jellyfish believed to be native to southeast China, Craspedacusta sowerbii, is making a new home for itself in B.C.'s freshwaters. (CBC)

130-Year-Old Menus Show How Climate Change Is Already Affecting What We Eat
By studying the so-called mean temperature of restaurant seafood, scientists have shown how the species that grace our plates have changed with time. Ian Rose reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 255 AM PDT Mon Jun 27 2022
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TONIGHT TODAY E wind to 10 kt becoming NW 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. NW swell 2 ft at 7 seconds.
TONIGHT NW wind 15 to 25 kt becoming N 10 to 20 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. SW swell 2 ft at 6 seconds.

Friday, June 24, 2022

6/24 Deception Pass Maiden, Elwha steelhead, BC fish farms, Zain Haq, BC old-growth protest

The Maiden of Deception Pass
[Samantha Russell]

The Legend of the Maiden of Deception Pass
Ko-Kwal-alwoot and other maidens were gathering sea food on the beach one day, when one of the
shellfish slipped from her grasp and fell into deeper water. She reached for it, and it slipped from her hand again and again, and she kept following it until she was in deep water, well over her waist. Suddenly she realized that what seemed to be a hand had grasped hers and was holding her there. Terrified, she attempted to free herself, but a voice told her not to struggle or be afraid, that she was very lovely, and he was merely holding her there so that he could look upon her beauty. Soon her hand was released, and she returned to her people....(read more)" (as told by Charlie Edwards to Martin Sampson, 1938)

Wild steelhead still a force in the Elwha
Migration patterns have apparently reawakened for the Elwha River's wild steelhead. Studies show that the fish may have retained much of their genetic drive despite 100 years of being trapped behind dams. The second of seven article in the series 'Returning home: The Elwha's genetic legacy.' Chris Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Currents)

What the Federal Government’s Aquaculture News Means for Wild Fish
Salmon need to reach the ocean without being infected by open-net pen farms, says Alexandra Morton. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

Save Old Growth activist detained by border officials
Twenty-one-year-old climate activist Zain Haq has been accused of violating his study permit. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

First Nations leaders tell protesters to end blockade
“Their protest is more disrespectful than anything. The road that they are blocking has traditional harvesting and hunting areas,” said Ditidaht Chief Brian Tate. Nina Grossman reports. (Times Colonist)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 6/24/22: UFO Friday, mic'ing orcas, floods, SEALs, BC climate change, 2021 heat wave study, green crabs, Duwamish suit, Elwha salmon DNA, Lummi suit, BC fish farms, TM pipe

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 212 AM PDT Fri Jun 24 2022
TODAY Light wind. Wind waves less than 1 ft. W swell 3 ft at 15 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SW after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 15 seconds.
SAT E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 15 seconds.
SAT NIGHT NW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SE after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 15 seconds.
SUN E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 15 seconds.

Thursday, June 23, 2022

6/23 Sea lemon, BC fish farms, net pen collapse, Skagit dams, Elwha fish genes, TM pipe, Duwamish Tribe, Wet'suwet'en suit, newspaper decline

Sea lemon [Monterey Bay Aquarium]

Sea lemon Anisodoris nobilis
Most nudibranchs sport bright colors — sea lemons are deep yellow to burnt orange. Black spots mingle with protruding bumps (tubercles) on the sea lemon's back. A nudibranch's bright colors are usually a warning — eat me at your own risk. Predators scorn the sea lemon's fruity, penetrating odor and acidic taste. (Monterey Bay Aquarium)

B.C. fish farm licences renewed outside Discovery Islands until at least spring 2023
Open-net salmon farming may continue off British Columbia's coast outside the Discovery Islands area, while Ottawa undertakes consultation on a plan to transition away from the practice, the federal government announced Wednesday. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will share a draft framework for the transition in the coming weeks and consultation will run until early 2023 with the final plan to phase out 79 open-net pen farms expected to be released next spring, the department said. (Canadian Press) See also: The federal government just extended B.C. salmon farm licences. Here’s what you need to know Fisheries and Oceans Canada Minister Joyce Murray announced a two-year extension for dozens of salmon farm licences that were set to expire at the end of June. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Jury awards $595,000 to Lummi tribe for salmon pen collapse
A Washington state jury on Wednesday awarded the Lummi Indian tribe $595,000 over the 2017 collapse of a net pen where Atlantic salmon were being raised — an event that elicited fears of damage to wild salmon runs and prompted the Legislature to ban the farming of the nonnative fish. Gene Johnson reports. (Associated Press)

Fish passage ‘likely’ as Seattle City Light aims to re-license Skagit River dams
For more than a century, salmon and the tribes that depend on them have paid dearly for the electricity generated by three dams on the Skagit River. That could change as Seattle City Light looks to renew its federal license to continue operating the dams for an additional three to five decades... While the utility said it’s likely fish passage will make it into the new license, it’s still unclear what that would ultimately look like and whether it’s enough to save the salmon. Nicholas Turner reports. (Seattle Times)

Returning home: The Elwha's genetic legacy
Following dam removal, migratory salmon have been free to swim into the upper Elwha River for the first time in 100 years. Their actual behaviors and reproductive success may well be driven by changes in their genetic makeup. Our seven-part series 'Returning home' examines how the fish are doing and whether the Elwha's genetic legacy remains intact. The first in a new series reported by Chris Dunagan. (Salish Sea Currents)

Budget watchdog says Trans Mountain expansion is no longer profitable
Canada's budget watchdog says building the federally owned Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is no longer a profitable investment after costs ballooned to more than $21 billion. "Trans Mountain no longer continues to be a profitable undertaking," the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) wrote in a report released Wednesday. David Thurton reports. (CBC)

Duwamish Tribe Sues for Recognition
....[T]his year, on May 11, 167 years after Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens signed the Treaty of Point Elliott with western Washington tribes, a group of Duwamish sued the U.S. Department of the Interior, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, and the federal government as a whole. The suit is an effort to force the government to acknowledge the Duwamish as an independent tribe. Dan Chasan writes. (Post Alley)

Wet'suwet'en members sue RCMP and Coastal GasLink for alleged harassment and intimidation
Lawsuit claims police and pipeline security officers are impeding rights outside of injunction. Jason Proctor reports. (CBC)

Forecast sees further challenges for newspapers
Despite some success growing their business online, U.S. newspapers will continue seeing overall sales decline, according to a new forecast... News publishers are finding some success with digital business models but overall circulation will continue falling through 2026, according to the U.S. Entertainment & Media Outlook released this week by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Brier Dudley writes. (Seattle Times)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 211 AM PDT Thu Jun 23 2022
TODAY W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W swell 2 ft at 11 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 10 to 20 kt easing to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less after midnight. W swell 2 ft at 14 seconds.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

6/22 Shrimp, green crab, open-net farms, B'ham climate tax, old-growth logging protest, not as low tides, BC Ferries, heat-dome die-off, humpback health

Dock shrimp [Dave Cowles/Walla Walla U]

Dock shrimp Pandalus danae
A brownish shrimp with brown lines and spots on the head and tail, and may have small red or blue dots on the head. Dock shrimp seem to prefer areas of sand and gravel with swift tidal currents. Large individuals may reach 5 1/2 inches in length (14 cm), excluding the antennae. (WDFW)

60K green crabs captured in Washington waters so far in 2022 ... that's a lot
State wildlife officials say more than 60,000 European green crabs have been captured in Washington state waters so far in 2022. That is far more than what they captured and killed by this time last year. The green crab is a small, but voracious predator that can quickly damage native shellfish populations and salmon habitat. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

So Long to Open-Net-Pen Salmon Farms?
This year could see the end of open-net-pen salmon aquaculture on the US and Canadian west coasts. This approach to salmon farming is already banned in California, Oregon, and Alaska, leaving British Columbia and Washington State as the last two holdouts. Now, with leases and licenses for the few remaining open-net-pen salmon farms about to expire, politicians in both jurisdictions must decide whether to renew them, or end the practice for good. Brian Owen reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Mayor gets cold feet on climate tax
Bellingham's proposed Climate Action Fund, a tax to finance climate-change measures that had been proposed for the November ballot, was "paused" Tuesday by Mayor Seth Fleetwood. The Climate Action Fund proposed a property tax of 37 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $185 annually on a $500,000 home. The city canceled a public hearing on the tax measure scheduled for June 27. (Julia Lerner and Ralph Schwartz report. (CDN) Bellingham mayor announces change in plan on proposed tax to fight climate change (Bellingham Herald/paywall) Climate fund proposal paused while other significant climate initiatives advancing “Strategic pause” is in response to community feedback, allows time to build support. (City of Bellingham)

Protesters against old-growth logging train for blockades, say they'll keep disrupting traffic until they win
Save Old Growth activists have been blocking rush-hour traffic in hopes of ending old-growth logging. Ethan Sawyer reports. (CBC)

Low tides not as extreme as forecast but do not disappoint Puget Sound beachgoers
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had forecast Wednesday’s low tide to be the lowest since 2009 and Thursday’s just 3 inches higher. Those tidal predictions are based on complex analyses of 38 different movements of the Earth, moon, and sun, including a 19-year wobble in the moon’s orbit that is nearing its peak in 2025. But wind and weather often push tides higher or lower than those gravity-based predictions, and the week’s lowest tides came in (or went out, really) 6 to 8 inches higher than forecast, according to preliminary tide gauge readings in Seattle and Friday Harbor. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Short-staffed B.C. Ferries calls back unvaccinated staff after vaccine mandate ends
Multiple sailing cancellations on Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route for Queen of New Westminster until June 30 because of crew shortage. Jeff Bell reports. (Times Colonist)

New study: 2021 heat wave created ‘perfect storm’ for shellfish die-off
...During the heat wave, also called a heat dome, scientists and community members alike noticed a disturbing uptick of dying and dead shellfish on some beaches in Washington and British Columbia, both in the Salish Sea and along the outer coast.... Now, a team led by the University of Washington has compiled and analyzed hundreds of these field observations to produce the first comprehensive report of the impacts of the 2021 heat wave on shellfish. Michelle Ma reports. (UW News)

Humpback Health | Changing Seas
How does the body size and overall health of humpback whales change across their migratory cycle? A team of researchers studying the animals, which spend part of the year feeding in Alaska and a few months fasting while in their Hawaiian breeding grounds, is making remarkable discoveries. Watch. (PBS)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 220 AM PDT Wed Jun 22 2022
TODAY W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 2 ft at 8 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. SW swell 1 ft at 9 seconds building to W 5 ft at 5 seconds after midnight.

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

6/21 Summer solstice, BC climate change, plastic ban, Tacoma warehouse, Pacific Wild, Race to Alaska, sea research, milky sea

Summer solstice [NASA]

Summer solstice
The summer solstice, marking the first day of summer, occurs on June 21, 2022, although the solstice can take place any time between June 20 and June 22 each year. It is the longest day of the year for people in the northern hemisphere because the North Pole is tilted at its maximum angle towards the sun. (NASA)

B.C. launches strategy to protect communities from climate change
The provincial government says the strategy is backed up with more than $500 million in spending during the next three years. Gordon Hoekstra reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Government will ban some single-use plastics over the next 18 months
Ban includes straws, takeout containers, grocery bags, cutlery, stir sticks and plastic rings. Mia Rabson reports. (Canadian Press)·

Permits filed for buildings at contentious Tacoma warehouse site. How big will they be?
What’s become a controversial warehouse proposal in South Tacoma is slowly making its way through the city’s permit process as push back continues from residents. Bridge Industrial on June 13 filed construction permits for Buildings A (517,042 square feet), B (957,726 square feet), C (661,523 square feet) and D (332,295 square feet) in its Bridge Point Tacoma 2MM...The company purchased nearly 20 vacant parcels in the South Burlington Way area in September last year from BNSF Railway for $158.3 million. Its plans call for a roughly 2.5 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art industrial site, consisting of four buildings along with 20 acres of trailer storage space. Debbie Cockrell reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

‘Scared into silence’: former workers allege abuse, safety issues at B.C. environmental organization
Breathtaking photos. Adventurous boat trips. A mission to save the planet. Young people were drawn to Pacific Wild, but many describe a work culture of bullying and harassment. Stephanie Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

Sailboat wins Race to Alaska
The mono-hull sailboat team Pure & Wild of Seattle won the Race to Alaska Monday afternoon, sailing into Ketchikan amid predicted mild weather and fewer logs in the water than competitors in recent days had experienced. Paul Dunn reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

To unravel some of the ocean's mysteries, scientists head to sea
Near the edge of the coastal shelf, off the shore of Grays Harbor, Washington, scientists aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, research vessel Bell M. Shimada slowly lower a 10-foot-long net the shape of two bongo drums slowly into the inky black sea. Courtney Flatt reports. (NW News Network)

And Then the Sea Glowed a Magnificent Milky Green
A chance encounter with a rare phenomenon called a milky sea connects a sailor and a scientist to explain the ocean’s ghostly glow. Sam Keck Scott writes. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 401 AM PDT Tue Jun 21 2022
TODAY W wind to 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of drizzle in the morning then a slight chance of drizzle in the afternoon. A chance of showers in the afternoon.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of showers in the evening. A chance of drizzle in the evening then a slight chance of drizzle after midnight.

Monday, June 20, 2022

6/20 Squid, no SEALs in parks, flood choices, Everett WQ, underwater noise, oil spills, NE BC, Maxwell Lk

Pacific coast (California market) squid
[David Andrew/WDFW]

Pacific coast (California market) squid Loligo opalescens
The most common species of squid found along Washington's coast, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound is known as market squid (Loligo opalescens) and measures less than a foot in size. With a long tapered body and triangular tail fins, adult market squid found in inside waters average about 8 inches (mantle plus tentacles). Evidence indicates that market squid are short-lived, probably having life spans of no more than one year. (WDFW)

Navy SEAL use of state parks appears over as state declines to appeal judge’s decision
The Washington Attorney General’s office has declined to appeal a judge’s ruling that bans Navy SEAL or other military training in Washington state parks. This appears to mark the demise of a high-profile, controversial permitting process that would have expanded to possibly 17 or more parks under a motion approved by the State Parks and Recreation Commission in January 2021. Hal Bernton reports. (Seattle Times)

Fighting Floods, or Living With Water?
Every year, Lower Mainland residents prepare for the Big One. The region is located near the Cascadia subduction zone, and it’s only a matter of time before a megathrust earthquake hits...But there’s another type of disaster that we’re reminded about less often: a major flood. We have two choices. And we must take flood risk seriously. Last in a series.Christopher Cheung and Michelle Gamage report. (The Tyee)

Sued over pollution, Port of Everett works on water quality issues
Testing found stormwater toxins above permit limits, a watchdog says. State regulations require a fix....[T]he Seattle-based Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and the port said they are “working in collaboration to remedy an enforcement notice regarding the Port’s Industrial Stormwater Permit.”
Rachel Riley reports (Everett Herald)

Placing microphones on orcas offers a point-of-whale perspective on underwater noise
Research on the sounds and feeding behavior of Puget Sound's southern resident orcas is providing new insight into how the whales respond to underwater noise. A recent online conference brought together some of these findings along with discussions on how to reduce the impacts of noise from vessel traffic. Chris Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Currents)

Humans responsible for more oil slicks than previously thought
Oil spills may be one of the more consequential and tangible examples of humans’ impact on the natural environment, as photographs of slicked marine life and vegetation helped spur calls for improved ocean conditions following major incidents throughout the 2000s. Since 1969 at least 44 oil spills of over 420,000 gallons each have affected U.S. waters, while thousands of smaller spills occur each year, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data. Gianna Melillo reports. (The Hill)

Fires, floods and food sovereignty: facing climate disasters and finding hope in northwest B.C.
How a beaver-felled tree cut off communications to a whole region, and illustrated how vulnerable northerners are when basic infrastructure fails. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Scientists work to protect B.C. island's crucial freshwater source from fire, drought
Researchers on B.C. Salt Spring Island are working on a plan to protect an important freshwater reserve as risks mount amid a growing climate emergency. Maxwell Lake provides water for about half of Salt Spring Island, just off the east coast of Vancouver Island. (CBC)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 445 AM PDT Mon Jun 20 2022
TODAY W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 9 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 12 seconds.

Friday, June 17, 2022

6/17 Yellow Is, Canada protected areas, sewage spill, BC flooding, Tim Takaro, WA electric boats, shipping containers

Yellow Island in May [Janice Sears]

Fav Place: Yellow Island looking east to McConnell Reef and Orcas Island
Janice Sears from Seattle writes: "One of my favorite spots in our beloved Salish Sea are the Wasp Islands off Orcas Island, my home away from home. I have kayaked for many years in the San Juan Islands coached by my dear friend Michael. Kayaking in the clear cold water of the Salish Sea is so peaceful & rejuvenating. The Wasp Islands tend to have less current than many other spots so they are more accessible. On a recent low tide paddle we saw seastars, feeding sea cucumbers, anenomes, crab, a variety of seaweeds & kelp, a dorid, sea sponge, chitons, barnacles, wood duck & seals! Over the years it's been sad to see the wildlife decrease."

Five proposed protected areas that could help Canada meet its 2030 conservation targets
It is possible to protect 30 per cent of land and oceans in Canada by 2030, if currently proposed conservation areas are protected, CPAWS report finds. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

10M gallons of partly untreated wastewater discharged in Everett
The Everett treatment plant released the water into the Snohomish River. It may have not been properly sanitized. Zachariah Bryan reports. (Everett Herald)

How a ‘Perfect Storm’ Could Destroy the Musqueam Reserve
It’s one of 61 reserves belonging to 26 First Nations vulnerable to floods. Fifth in a series. Christopher Cheung reports. (The Tyee)

SFU professor emeritus Tim Takaro sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating Trans Mountain injunction
On June 15, Simon Fraser University professor emeritus and public-health expert Dr. Tim Takaro, 65, was ordered to spend 30 days in prison as a result of violating an injunction obtained by Trans Mountain. The company did this to keep protesters away from its massive fossil-fuel infrastructure project. Charlie Smith reports. (Georgia Straight)

How Washington is leading the way for electric boats in the US
From a start-up on Lake Union to the Washington State Ferries system, the Puget Sound region is proving to be a leader in electrifying water transportation. Kalie Greenberg reports. (KING)

In Graphic Detail: The Rise of the Shipping Container
Globalization and China’s emergence as a manufacturing giant turned this US innovation into the shipping industry’s ubiquitous workhorse. Vanessa Minke-Martin reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 6/17/22: Croc Friday!, sea lice, estuary restoration, BC floods, dike failure, BC bees, jellyfish, wildlife conservation funding, old-growth suit, 'forever chemicals,' suing oil companies, protected areas

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 216 AM PDT Fri Jun 17 2022
TODAY W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 9 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 9 seconds. A slight chance of rain in the evening then a chance of rain after midnight.
SAT SW wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of rain.
SAT NIGHT SW wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 8 seconds.
SUN W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 7 seconds.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

6/16 Port Gamble Bay, low tides, 'forever chemicals,' thriving river life, Pitt Meadows, BC flood damage, suing oil, 'SoundGuardian,' cruise ship fees

Port Gamble Bay, MLK Day 2021 [Jill Irwin]

Fav Place: Port Gamble Bay
Jill Irwin from Seattle writes: "I've been going up at least once a month to meet up with my aunt's coffee group in Port Townsend... I catch the 7:10 Edmonds to Kingston ferry to make the 9 a.m. meet up time, but it's early enough that I stop at the Port Gamble Forest bluff trail (which also has beach access) to take photos of Port Gamble Bay and the forest. I love seeing how different it appears throughout the year and different sunrise times, different weather, etc. These shots were taken on MLK Day 2021 right around sunrise. It's always very peaceful and quiet there."

Extraordinarily low tides come to Puget Sound
Puget Sound saw its lowest tide in more than a decade Wednesday, 4 feet lower than the average daily low tide. Another extraordinarily low tide is expected Thursday. Christine Clarridge and Amanda Zhou report. (Seattle Times_

EPA: ‘Forever chemicals’ pose risk even at very low levels
The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water are more dangerous than previously thought and pose health risks even at levels so low they cannot currently be detected. The two compounds, known as PFOA and PFOS, have been voluntarily phased out by U.S. manufacturers, but there are a limited number of ongoing uses and the chemicals remain in the environment because they do not degrade over time. Matthew Daly reports. (Associated Press)

Heavy rainfall, slow snowmelt helps marine life thrive in B.C. rivers, waterways
Freshwater scientists and biologists in B.C.'s Cowichan Valley say marine life in the area is thriving this spring, with the combination of heavy rainfall and late spring thaw resulting in higher water levels in rivers and other waterways. (CBC)

Small City, Big Problem. Welcome to Pitt Meadows
Almost all of the city is on the floodplain, and its ongoing protection would cost millions. Fourth in a series. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

Flood of atmospheric rivers in BC cost $675 million in insured damage
November’s floods in B.C. that swamped homes and farms, swept away roads and bridges, and killed five people are now the most costly weather event in provincial history. (Canadian Press)

Law firm asks B.C. municipalities to back class action lawsuit against oil companies
West Coast Environmental Law launched a campaign called "Sue Big Oil" on Wednesday ,asking people to sign a declaration encouraging municipalities to offer up $1 per resident to go toward a class action lawsuit against fossil fuel companies. Courtney Dickson reports. (CBC)

How the ‘SoundGuardian’ helps track the state of Puget Sound
The research vessel helps King County understand how a growing population and the threats of climate change could impact Puget Sound. Erica Zucco reports. (KING)

Cruise ships garbage fees going up in 2024
Cruise ships will pay more than three times the current rate to dump high-risk ship waste starting in 2024. On Wednesday, the Capital Regional District’s environmental services committee voted to increase dumping fees to $500 per tonne from the existing rate of $157 per tonne. Andrew Duffy reports. (Times Colonist)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 256 AM PDT Thu Jun 16 2022
TODAY Light wind becoming NW to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft. W swell 3 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning then a slight chance of rain in the afternoon.
TONIGHT W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft. W swell 4 ft at 9 seconds. A slight chance of rain in the evening.

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

6/15 Washington Park, rising tides, wastewater plant climate change, more jellyfish, wildlife conservation $s, protecting US old-growth

Washington Park, Anacortes [Rick Haley]

Fav Place: Washington Park, Anacortes
Rick Haley from Mount Vernon writes: "My favorite place in the Salish Sea environs has to be Washington Park in Anacortes. It's a microcosm of Salish features - rocky bluffs, gravel beaches, fantastic flowers, harbor porpoise, and the world's largest stand of Juniperus maritima. It's been my walking spot, my bird-nerding locale, my sunset place, and most of all my sanctuary."

When Delta Floods, Make It a Double
The city faces the dual threat of rising spring river levels and coastal flooding. Michelle Gamage reports. The second in a six-part series. (The Tyee) Richmond Races the Rising Tide The island city is home to key infrastructure that would cause devastating loss in a flood. Third in a series. Christopher Cheung reports. (The Tyee)

King County wastewater plant preparing for climate change
King County's Wastewater Treatment Division says more than $600 million in upgrades are planned for the next decade. Erica Zucco reports. (KING)

Why climate change could mean more jellyfish for B.C
Under a shifting climate, explosive growth of the freshwater jellyfish could damage local ecosystems. Now, one B.C. scientist is calling on the public to help track it. Stefan Labbé reports. (Vancouver is Awesome)

U.S. House passes a major wildlife conservation spending bill
A bill to conserve endangered species — from the red-cockaded woodpecker to the snuffbox mussel — was passed by the U.S. House in a 231-to-190 vote on Tuesday. The Recovering America's Wildlife Act would create an annual fund of more than $1.3 billion, given to states, territories, and tribal nations for wildlife conservation on the ground. Laura Benshoff reports. (NPR)

Conservation groups sue feds to protect old-growth forests
Six environmental groups sued officials of the Biden administration Tuesday, saying a Trump-era rule change that allowed logging of old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest violates federal laws and was politically motivated. (Associated Press)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 246 AM PDT Wed Jun 15 2022
TODAY NW wind to 10 kt rising to 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 3 ft at 8 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft. W swell 3 ft at 7 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the evening then a chance of showers after midnight.

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

6/14 Madrone, Stanwood dike, lowest tides, new WSDOT ferries, old-growth protests, Salish Sea proclamation, Pleasant Harbor, Race to Alaska

Madrone at Deer Harbor Marina
[Ron Kleinknecht]

Fav Place: Madrone at Deer Harbor Marina
Ron Kleinknecht from Bellingham writes: "Here's one of my favorite trees and places in the Salish
Sea. This Madrone is along the path leading out from the Deer Harbor Marina at Deer Harbor, Orcas Island. We have spend many enjoyable summer boating trips to the Island and always enjoy these beautiful trees that are a hallmark of the Salish Sea along with the Orca."

If this dike fails, Stanwood goes underwater
The levee is over a hundred years old. And it shows. But efforts have lagged to fix it before it’s too late. The four-mile-long mound of dirt and grass is all that is holding back Puget Sound. If it gives way, a high tide not only could flood over 1,800 acres of farmland, but submerge all of downtown Stanwood, endangering thousands of people. Zachariah Bryan reports. (Everett Herald)

Lowest tides in 13 years coming to Puget Sound
Puget Sound should see its lowest tides in more than a decade on Wednesday and Thursday. Very low tides come every summer, driven by the relative positions of the earth, moon, and sun. But thanks to an 18.6-year wobble in the moon’s orbit, the lows are extra low this summer. That wobble, known as the lunar nodal cycle, is nearing its 2025 peak, and it is helping the tide slosh in and out of Puget Sound a little more powerfully than usual. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

After negotiations with shipbuilder Vigor break down, WSDOT will seek bids for new ferries
Plans for shipbuilder Vigor to launch construction on the next generation of Washington State Ferries vessels have broken down, for now at least, and state officials now say a competitive bidding process will be used to find a company to construct the state's next five ferries in what will be a massive building project that will play out over the next decade. Vigor, or its predecessor Todd Shipyards, have built the last 10 state ferries, including the most recent round of Olympic-class ferries — the Tokitae, Samish, Chimacum and Suquamish, which will be sister vessels to the forthcoming ferries in the new 144-car hybrid-electric class. Nathan Pilling reports. (Kitsap Sun)

14 arrested, 1 person taken to hospital after Monday morning old-growth logging protests
Fourteen people were arrested Monday after protesters fighting to save old-growth forests in B.C. shut down rush hour traffic in several high volume areas. On Vancouver Island, near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal that connects the Island to the mainland, about a dozen protesters set up on the highway, preventing people from making their sailings. Courtney Dickson reports. (CBC)

B.C. beekeepers grapple with 32% winter colony loss, according to survey
The province's 'spring survey' for beekeepers has shown yet another bad year for colony survival Rafferty Baker reports. (CBC)

Olympia signs proclamation to protect Salish Sea
Olympia declared June 8, 2022 to June 7, 2023 as the Year of the Salish Sea. By signing the proclamation on Tuesday, June 7, council members expressed commitment with the StehChass people of the Squaxin Island Tribe to strengthen stewardship of the Salish Sea and build a more robust culture in support of water quality and salmon recovery. Lorilyn C. Lirio reports. (The Jolt News)

Pleasant Harbor opponents ask State AG and Federal Consumer Protection Bureau for investigation into sales activities
Since 2006 a Master Planned Residential Resort (MPR) has been in the planning stage by the Canadian Stateman Group, on what is known as Black Point in southern Jefferson County along the Hood Canal. The MPR, 15 miles south of the Hood Canal Bridge, was proposed as an approximate 256-acre destination resort with golf course. The county granted (against much opposition) a land use designation in 2008, and in 2018 approved new zoning and a “Development Agreement”. Despite the go ahead from the county, the Statesman Group has only recently logged the land and has now been marketing the not yet built development. The Brinnon Group, which was formed in opposition to the proposed development, has now asked the State Attorney General and Federal Consumer Protection Bureau to investigate the sales and marketing efforts. (Olympic Peninsula Environmental News)

And they’re off …
... With only the sound of wind in the sails (no motors are allowed), oars and paddles digging into the water and waves splashing against hulls, the 38 full race teams and the 12 proving ground teams face a formidable 750 miles of sometimes calm, sometimes stormy but always-dangerous ocean water before reaching the final destination of Ketchikan, Alaska. Steve Mullensky reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 259 AM PDT Tue Jun 14 2022
TODAY W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the morning.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 3 ft at 8 seconds.

Monday, June 13, 2022

6/13 Arctic illusion, sea lice, Campbell R estuary, Sinixt return, salmon return, James Rasmussen, derelict vessels, flooding, noxious weeds, Canadian jay, Dennis McLerran

An Arctic illusion [Laurie MacBride]

Surprises at Kumealon
Laurie MacBride at Eye on Environment writes: "Some years back, during a long run up Grenville Channel on BC’s North Coast, we pulled into Kumealon Inlet to anchor overnight. It was the first time we’d been there and we weren’t sure what to expect – certainly neither of the big surprises that came the next morning. The more welcome of the two occurred when we were leaving, and is shown in the photo above. At first we wondered if we could be hallucinating. In the still water ahead, dozens of icebergs seemed to be blocking the channel out of the Inlet...."

B.C. salmon farm sea lice levels five times limit during critical wild fish migration, docs reveal
Sea lice counts at a fish farm in Clayoquot Sound were roughly five times the legal limit during a critical window for out-migrating wild salmon, according to internal government emails shared with The Narwhal. Cermaq’s Bawden Point and Ross Pass farms exceeded the limit of three motile, or adult, free-moving lice per fish, which is in place during the the period when juvenile salmon travel out into the ocean. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Campbell River estuary is a restoration showcase to save salmon habitat from climate change
For years, the estuary — Mill Pond in the Baikie Island Reserve — was an industrial wasteland, stuffed full of log booms and surrounded by timber yards. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer/Times Colonist)

‘Our people are coming home’: Sinixt finally gather to celebrate their Supreme Court win
After Canada denied their existence for over half a century, the Sinixt mark their Supreme Court of Canada victory with a gathering and a canoe journey — as they embark on a much bigger journey of reclaiming their Indigenous Rights. Stephanie Wood and Mike Graeme report. (The Narwhal)

‘Back in our home’: Tulalips celebrate Salmon Ceremony return
Over 100 people gathered to welcome the King Salmon on Saturday after two years of pandemic. Isabella Breda reports. (Everett Herald)

This departing Seattle activist helped save the Duwamish River. Here’s what he wants you to know
What does the Duwamish River sound like? Water swirling. Herons croaking. Ships thrumming. James Rasmussen telling stories....The 66-year-old, a longtime Duwamish Tribal Council member and Duwamish River Community Coalition leader whose hard-nosed advocacy and understanding of Indigenous history have helped secure and watchdog crucial cleanup projects, recently sold the Beacon Hill house where he grew up and is moving to Las Vegas, where his daughter lives. Daniel Beekman reports. (Seattle Times)

Derelict vessels prompt cleanup efforts
A state law going into effect this month will significantly increase funding for the cleanup of abandoned and derelict vessels in Puget Sound. The funding will add about $4.3 million annually to remove hazardous sunken wrecks and related pollutants. David B. Williams reports. (Salish Sea Currents)

When the Floods Hit, Will We Be Ready?
The Lower Mainland flooded in 1948. The next one will be worse. The first of a six-;art series exploring life and risk on the Lower Mainland’s floodplain, the stretches of flat land in the region by the Fraser River and the coast. Christopher Cheung and Michelle Gamage report. (The Tyee)

‘They’re everywhere’: The never-ending battle to control noxious weeds in WA
... [G]arlic mustard, a Washington state Class A noxious weed. Left to its own devices, it will take over this riverbank. It will spread like wildfire. It will win the battle for soil, for nutrients, for light, for space. It will exude phytochemicals, disrupting the relationship between the roots of other plants and beneficial fungi in the soil, making it even more difficult for other plants to grow. David Gutman reports. (Seattle Times)

Ornithologists renew call for a national bird — and they have a suggestion
Will the latest push to make the Canada jay our national bird take flight? Pedro Arrais reports. (Times Colonist)

Governor Inslee appoints Dennis McLerran as chair of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council
Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Dennis McLerran as chair of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council, the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership. McLerran has served as the vice chair of the Leadership Council since December 2021. Jay Manning, chair of the Leadership Council since December 2016, has stepped down from the Leadership Council. (Governor's Office/Puget Sound Institute)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 240 AM PDT Mon Jun 13 2022
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PDT 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 5 ft at 9 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the morning then a chance of showers in the afternoon.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 5 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of showers.

Friday, June 10, 2022

6/10 Spencer Spit, Snake River dams, Gulf Islands, crows, heat dome pollen, 'real' Duwamish, week in review

Spencer Spit [Pete Simowsky] Spencer Spit [Catherine Collins]

Fav Place: Spencer Spit, Lopez Island
Pete Zimowsky from Boise writes: "I love this place. I wish I could live on Lopez but I’m an old salty stuck in the sagebrush. I go there every chance I can get. I’d move there in a second if I could."

Fav Place: Spencer Spit, May 2022
Catherine Collins from Port Townsend writes: "I just spent several days on land supporting a Bellingham school program aboard Adventuress on Lopez. My favorite place at present is Spencer Spit (and the State Park there) on Lopez Island. It’s especially beautiful with a view of Puget Sound’s environmental tall ship Adventuress."

Dear Readers: Dan Buecking writes, not meaning to be rude: "Not everyone wants to tell everyone else where their favorite spots are! For instance, tell everyone where your fishing hole is and you can expect a bunch of people will be there next time you go, or soon after, and it might not be so special to you anymore." OK, but we'll leave that up to readers, so, if you would like to share a photo of a favorite place you like to visit in the Salish Sea and tell us why it's special to you, send the photo in jpg format with your full name and where you're writing from to msato@rockisland.com

Replacing benefits of Snake River dams would cost billions
The benefits provided by four giant hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River in Washington state can be replaced if the dams are breached to save endangered salmon runs, according to a new report released Thursday. But it would be expensive. Finding other ways to provide electricity, irrigation and enabling commerce would cost between $10.3 billion and $27.2 billion, said the report commissioned by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. (Associated Press)

Dreams Die Hard
Anyone who has sailed with BC Ferries on its Vancouver-Victoria route will already have experienced some of the magic of the Gulf Islands. ..The scenic splendour of the islands is indeed breathtaking, but that beauty is fading fast as human needs are given priority. Nature, meanwhile, with no voice of its own, has little defence against powerful anthropocentric forces. Things were not supposed to turn out this way for the islands. Frants Attorp and Maxine Leichter write. (Watershed Sentinel)

Scolding Crows
David B. Williams in Street Smart Naturalist writes: "Tis the season when crows are out and about protecting their youngsters and their nests. I got to experience this on a run the other day. I was minding my own business heading down an alley when I heard squawking and wing flaps as a crow skirted my head. The bird landed on a fence, scolded me for bothering his or her territory, and then flew up to buzz me. And again, again, and again. Finally, I reached the end of the bird’s territory and continued my run in peace."

How last year's heat dome helped unleash the clouds of pollen now plaguing Western Canada
If you're a seasonal allergy sufferer, you may have been reaching for the Reactine a little more than usual this year. Pollen has appeared in clouds across much of Western Canada, piling up on cars, decks, driveways and even beaches. Christy Climenhaga reports. (CBC)

The Real Duwamish
David Buerge weighs in on who are the 'real Duwamish:' "A battle has broken out between the Duwamish Tribe and the Muckleshoot, Suquamish and Tulalip Tribes. Dueling ads between the Muckleshoot and Duwamish have appeared in the Seattle Times and the Muckleshoot have aired TV spots claiming to be the “real” Duwamish. A recent Sunday front-page feature by Lynda Mapes in The Seattle Times, “Who are the Duwamish?” bravely presents the conflict in a balanced, long-form report." (Post Alley)

Salish Sea News and Weather Week in Review 6/10/22: King Kam Day, Tokitae, yelloweye, carbon credits, BC bees, 'Smellicopter,' seafood labeling, Nootka Is, BC kelp, Snake River dam removal

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 610 AM PDT Fri Jun 10 2022
TODAY SW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. SW swell 7 ft at 9 seconds. Patchy fog. A chance of showers this morning. A chance of rain in the afternoon.
TONIGHT SW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming W to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. SW swell 5 ft at 10 seconds. Patchy fog in the evening. A chance of rain in the evening then a slight chance of rain after midnight.
SAT S wind to 10 kt becoming SW 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. SW swell 5 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of showers.
SAT NIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 9 seconds. SUN 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 5 ft at 9 seconds.