10/3 Spiders, timber project, Snake R dams, SCOTUS CWA, power-plant ruling, whale of a day, Columbia R Treaty, BC whale police

Web [Wendy Feltham]

 

Spiders are special
Wendy Feltham writes: "Lasers? Northern Lights? Woven belts? No, this is a spider web. Lately I’ve been fascinated with one of the eight-legged arachnids— spiders. I want to share some information about our local spiders, their importance to our ecosystems, and their beautiful webs." Great spider pix. (Rainshadow Journal)

Snoqualmie Tribe says Forterra misled it, feds in $20M grant application
The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe has accused the Seattle-based land conservancy Forterra of misleading the tribe and the federal government in obtaining a grant worth up to $20 million to help fund a regional sustainable timber and housing project. The tribe, which was one of Forterra’s partners in the grant application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, says the application appears to have included timber harvesting plans that the tribe never agreed to and unrealistic claims regarding promised outcomes.Daniel Beekman and David Gutman reports. (Seattle Times)

Final federal report on saving salmon calls for removing Snake River dams
The final draft of a federal report on rebuilding salmon and steelhead populations in the Pacific Northwest includes a call for removing the four Lower Snake River dams, among other actions... The initial draft of “Rebuilding Salmon and Steelhead in the Columbia River Basin” was released in July by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, with the final report released Friday drawing largely the same conclusions. Annette Cary reports. (Tri-City Herald)

U.S. Supreme Court takes on Clean Water Act in Idaho couple’s case
A challenge to The Clean Water Act comes in the form of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, a case that will be heard by the Supreme Court on Monday, the first day of the court’s new term. The court’s decision will be announced next year. The plaintiffs, Chantell and Michael Sackett, bought a parcel of land in Idaho 17 years ago and in 2007 started filling it with dirt and rock in preparation for building a house. The EPA ordered them to stop, saying the property was subject to the Clean Water Act and they needed a permit. When the agency demanded they restore the property to protect the watershed, the couple sued. Leslie Kaufman reports. (Bloomberg)

The SCOTUS power-plant ruling won't affect Washington — yet
In June the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate power plants, prompting widespread questions about the broader environmental implications. But in Washington, where lawmakers have doubled down on greenhouse-gas emission regulations in recent years and the only coal-fired power plant is expected to close its coal-fired boilers soon, experts say the effects will likely be minimal — at least initially. Hallie Golden reports. (Crosscut)

'A National Geographic experience': Orcas, humpbacks congregate in Salish Sea
Around 11 a.m. Friday, Eagle Wing Tours crew members spotted about 15 orcas “unusually active near the surface” about 40 kilometres west of Victoria. Shortly after, a member of B.C. Whale Tours noted two humpbacks in the orcas’ midst. A news release from the Pacific Whale Watching Association said the whales spent the next three hours breaching, tail slapping and making loud vocalizations before finally disappearing into the fog. Nina Grossman reports. (Times Colonist)

What’s at stake if the Columbia River Treaty were to end
In the mid-20th century, Canada and the U.S. collaborated together to form the Columbia River Treaty. This agreement meant both countries would jointly develop, manage and regulate the Columbia River. The treaty was intended to last for 60 years which means it expires in 2024. Earlier this month, 32 Pacific Northwest groups sent a letter to U.S. officials urging them to modernize this treaty as that deadline approaches. Rolando Hernandez reports. (OPB)

B.C. whales have their own police — but is it enough to fend off humans?
B.C.'s Whale Protection Unit is having an impact. But critics and officers say Canada is falling behind Washington State's approach when it comes to fines, permitting and manpower. Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  229 AM PDT Mon Oct 3 2022   
TODAY  Light wind becoming N to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 9 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 9 seconds.

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