7/1 Nudibranch, bull trout, hatchery failure, vulnerable orcas, Skagit dams, tribal sovereignty, pollution suit, power plant emissions, using less gas

Nudibranch [Drew Beattie/The Tyee]

 
Photographing Vancouver’s Nudis
There’s a world-class diving site in our backyard. It’s better down where it’s wetter. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

Good news for bull trout in the Elwha
Bull trout appear to be thriving in nearly every section of the Elwha River. Populations there have at least doubled in the years since dam removal, signaling good news for a species that has struggled throughout the West. Part six of a series. Chris Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Current)

PNW hatcheries aren't saving salmon, investigation finds
After two decades and $2 billion in spending, the U.S. government's promises to Native tribes to boost fish populations in Oregon and Washington haven't held up. Tony Schick & Irena Hwang report. (OPB)

Boaters, sightseers told to keep distance from southern resident orcas deemed ‘vulnerable’
Owing to concerns over pregnant, underdeveloped or malnourished orcas, 13 southern resident killer whales were declared “vulnerable” Thursday by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The agency issued an emergency order requiring commercial sightseeing vessels and urging boaters to stay at least half a nautical mile away from endangered southern resident killer whales this summer. Nicholas Turner reports. (Seattle Times)

Skagit County backing Sauk-Suiattle lawsuit against Seattle City Light
A Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe lawsuit against Seattle City Light has the support of Skagit County. The county has filed an amicus brief in this case, offering the state Court of Appeals additional information and the county’s perspective. Brandon Stone reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Tulalips say US Supreme Court ruling undermines tribal sovereignty
Leaders of the Tulalip Tribes say a U.S. Supreme Court decision on Wednesday puts tribal sovereignty at risk. Justices ruled states have jurisdiction in prosecuting crimes committed by non-Natives against Native Americans in “Indian country.” Before the Supreme Court ruling, only the federal government and tribal governments could prosecute crimes on Native American reservations in most states. Isabella Breda reports. (Everett Herald)

Puget Soundkeeper announces intent to sue City of Burien, others over stormwater discharges
Puget Soundkeeper announced its intent to sue the cities of Burien, SeaTac, Normandy Park, Seattle, and Mukilteo, over what they say is a failure to control and report stormwater discharges. The nonprofit organization says the cities “have failed to control and report stormwater discharges into three urban salmon streams – Miller Creek, Pipers Creek and Big Gulch – despite conclusive evidence that road runoff carrying toxic chemicals like 6PPD-quinone kills coho salmon in these waterways.” (B-Town Blog)

WA reacts to Supreme Court decision curbing EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling Thursday to curb the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate power plant greenhouse gas emissions means that — at least for now — such efforts will be undertaken by state governments. Hal Bernton and Nicholas Turner report. (Seattle Times)

Gas usage in WA and across the country drop as drivers look to save on transportation cost
Washington drivers are using 5% less gas than last year, according to a recent study by insurance comparison website QuoteWizard. The study found that across the country, drivers are using 10,500 fewer gallons of gas a day than they were in 2021, enough fuel to drive around the Earth 260 times. Alyse Messmer-Smith reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 7/1/22: Canada Friday, Snake R dams, Elwha chinook, Site C dam, starvin' orcas, Keystone Preserve, sockeye, climate activism future, heat lessons, Elwha salmon, hatchery failures

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  243 AM PDT Fri Jul 1 2022   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt rising to 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. 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. 
SAT  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. 
SAT NIGHT  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. 
SUN  W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at  10 seconds.

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