9/21 Cranberrybush, Coastal GasLink, starving orcas, Quiet Skies, white roofs

American Cranberrybush [Native Plants PNW]

American Cranberrybush Viburnum opulus
The specific epithet, opulus appears to refer to the Italian Maple, Acer opalus (opalus for opal), due to its maple-like leaves, rather than any opulent characteristic.  Viburnum opulus is sometimes called Highbush Cranberry in our region. There are about 150-175 species of Viburnum in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere with a few species found in mountainous regions of South America, Southeast Asia & Africa (in the Atlas Mountains). There are about 20 native to North America. Many species are popular garden and landscape plants. Kalnya (Viburnum opulus) is a national symbol of Ukraine.  Ancient Slavs associated it with the birth of the universe.  Its berries symbolize blood and family roots. Kalyna is often depicted in Ukrainian embroidery. (Native Plants PNW)

A Pipeline, a River and an Indigenous Nation
Members of the Wet’suwet’en Nation who oppose the Coastal GasLink pipeline say they fear the company is about to begin drilling under the Morice River, known to Wet’suwet’en as Wedzin Kwa.  The river, and the potential for impacts from pipeline construction, have been central to the conflict that has been unfolding on Wet’suwet’en territory for more than a decade. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee)

Coastal GasLink warned more than 50 times over environmental violations during pipeline construction
Coastal GasLink has now been warned more than 50 times about environmental violations during construction of its natural gas pipeline across northern British Columbia, according to the province. In an email to CBC News, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said it had issued a total of 51 warnings, 16 orders, and levied two fines — penalties of more than $240,000 "for repeated non-compliance" — since construction on the pipeline started in 2019.  Betsy Trumpeter reports. (CBC)

As chinook salmon get thinner and fewer, southern resident killer whales struggle to find enough food
As marine species continue to decline worldwide, the southern resident killer whale population — which now stands at 75 individuals — along the west coast of North America, has baffled scientists who are trying to understand why this population is struggling. Fanny Couture writes. (The Conversation)

Quiet Skies continues noise monitoring after ruling against U.S. Navy
On Aug. 2, environmentalists were delivered a long-awaited win in the case of the Navy vs. The State of Washington, halting the expansion of the Whidbey Base Navy’s Growler jet training program. Judge Richard Jones fully sided with the plaintiffs, stating the Navy could not move forward with the addition of 36 new warfare jets, and hundreds of thousands of more flights until they more fully considered the consequences of the jets’ loud presence in nearby fly-over regions. Kathryn Wheeler reports. (Islands' Sounder)

The Case for White Roofs
Time was, we didn’t worry much about summer heat on the wet side of the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade Curtain. A “hot day” meant 80 degrees Fahrenheit; over 90 was a rare scorcher, and 100 was unheard-of until one day in 1994 touch​​ed that mark. Feeling warm? Open a window, rummage in the basement for a fan, pop a cold one, and wait for the evening breeze to cool things down. Air conditioners, like umbrellas, were for wimps and tourists. All of that started changing in 2015, when Seattle saw a record 12 days of 90-plus weather and Earth embarked on its hottest seven years (and counting) ever recorded. Eric Scigliano writes. (The Atlantic/Post Alley)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  256 AM PDT Wed Sep 21 2022   
TODAY  E wind to 10 kt in the morning becoming light. Wind  waves 1 ft or less in the morning becoming less than 1 ft. W  swell 3 ft at 12 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 2 ft  at 12 seconds.

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