19/24 Pillars of Creation, seastar wasting, island gems, salmon drought, Quinsam R pumps, Sunshine Coast water, grizzlies, 'forever chemicals,' hydrofluorocarbons, indigenous science, BC fish farms, old growth, Salish Current

Pillars of Creation, 1995 & 2022 [NASA et al]

 
Hubble's 1995 image of a star nursery was amazing. Take a look at NASA's new version
Nearly 30 years ago, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured the first image of the Pillars of Creation — the iconic star nursery featuring thick pillars of gas and dust. Now, the new James Webb Space Telescope has captured NASA's most detailed image of the landscape that is helping scientists better understand how stars form. Ashley Ahn reports. (NPR)

Devastating wasting illness of influential, iconic sea stars still a mystery
Sea star wasting syndrome still threatens area sea stars, but community scientists and researchers are helping to shed light on the mysterious illness. Rena Kingery reports. (Salish Current)

These Island gems are among B.C.’s seven biodiversity hot spots
They’re called “key biodiversity areas,” and seven swaths of land across British Columbia — including Tofino’s mudflats, the Trial Islands and Fort Rodd Hill — now have that international designation, which is meant to prevent the decimation of wild animal and plant species before it’s too late.  Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist)

Through Pacific Northwest drought and downpour, what will happen to the salmon?
...After Western Washington saw the driest June to October on record, several storms were slated to soak the region beginning Friday. It’s a welcome sight for many, including fish stuck downstream. But it comes at the risk of scouring eggs already laid in vulnerable places throughout the Northwest. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

Pumps installed to ensure water flow for spawning salmon on Quinsam River
B.C. Hydro says it’s the second time since 2000 that huge pumps have been set up in Upper Quinsam Lake west of Campbell River to ensure high enough water levels for hundreds of thousands of spawning salmon. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

9 things that could have been done to prevent the Sunshine Coast’s state of emergency
The severe drought on the Sunshine Coast is no surprise to many who have been trying to raise awareness about water issues for years. Here are some of the solutions on the table. Stephanie Wood reports. (The Narwhal) https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-drought-sunshine-coast-2022/

Drought conditions raise concerns for B.C.'s grizzlies
Low salmon returns amid record-setting drought could affect B.C. grizzlies. Nicholas Scapilatti, director of Grizzly Bear Foundation, says the drought is cause for concern as bears are dependent on the return of salmon this time of year. Priya Bhat reports. (CBC)

Heartache, anger in Central Washington over drinking-water wells tainted by 'forever chemicals'
In 2016, Brandi and Brad Hyatt purchased a three-bedroom home with sweeping views of the Cascades, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams....In February two U.S. Army representatives knocked on the Hyatts’ door to deliver cases of bottled water and a carefully worded letter that noted a “potential risk to human health.” The Hyatts’ well was one of 300 residential drinking water wells tested for contamination from two firefighting foam chemicals that seeped into groundwater flows from the Army’s Yakima Training Center. Hal Bernton and Manuel Villa report. (Seattle Times)

EPA to further slash emissions from climate super-pollutants
The proposal comes about a month after the Senate voted to ratify a global treaty that calls for gradually reducing the use and production of the chemicals. Allyson Chiu reports. (Washington Post)

First Nations fear feds backing away from fish farm plans
The federal Liberals' 2019 election platform promised "to develop a responsible plan to transition from open-net pen salmon farming in coastal waters to closed containment systems by 2025." First Nations fighting to get salmon farms out of the ocean say their hopes are fading after federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray’s recent B.C. tour to discuss a transition plan for open-net operations. Rochelle Baker reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Canada is 'weaving' Indigenous science into environmental policy-making
Research shows that Indigenous communities in Canada are at higher risk from climate-related disasters such as flooding. Myrle Ballard is setting out to make sure Indigenous people are also part of the solution to climate change. Ballard is the first director of Environment and Climate Change Canada's new division of Indigenous Science, a role in which she's tasked with raising awareness of Indigenous science within the department and helping the government find ways to integrate it into its policies. (CBC)

Advocates say loggers aren't doing enough to save old-growth forests near Revelstoke, B.C
The unique area is home to trees that are hundreds of years old and to threatened mountain caribou. Camille Vernet and Akshay Kulkarni report. (CBC)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Seastar wasting disease update, swimming on Lopez Island, On Watch for crows and ravens, 42nd District campaign fact-check, Healthy Children tax fact-check, letters to the editor, and more.  Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads.
Catch the Current here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  254 AM PDT Mon Oct 24 2022   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM PDT THIS MORNING   
TODAY  W wind 15 to 25 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt by mid morning.  Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 6 ft at 11 seconds building to 9 ft  at 14 seconds in the afternoon. A chance of rain in the morning  then rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. SW swell 9  ft at 15 seconds. A slight chance of showers.

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