1/13 Pocket gopher, toxic orca, Oregon chinook ESA, Exxon climate, Fraser illegal waste, GasLink digging, beetles, electric BC ferries, Way of Whales, week in review

 

Mazama pocket gopher [Rod Gilbert/WDFW]

Mazama pocket gopher Thomomys mazama
The Mazama pocket gopher is one of the smallest of 35 species in the pocket gopher genus Thomomys. It ranges from 7 to 10 inches in length. It has reddish-brown fur with gray undersides. It has prominent incisors, large front claws, and cheek pouches (“pockets”). It differs from the similar-sized northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) of eastern Washington in fur color, tooth and skeletal characteristics, and a more conspicuous dark patch of fur behind their ears. In Washington, the Mazama pocket gopher is only found west of the Cascades -- in Thurston, Pierce, Mason, and Clallam counties. Four subspecies are listed as federally threatened (Roy Prairie, Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm); all subspecies are state threatened. Some subspecies are threatened by habitat loss from human development. Species existence is compatible with some levels of development, but high-density development likely leads to extirpation. (WDFW)

Toilet paper toxin found in endangered killer whales, B.C. researchers say
Chemicals used in the production of toilet paper have been found in the bodies of orcas around British Columbia, according to a new study. Scientists with the University of British Columbia, B.C.'s Ministry of Agriculture, and Oceans Canada analyzed tissue from six southern resident killer whales and six Bigg's whales, also known as transient killer whales, along B.C.'s coast from 2006 to 2018 and found that chemical pollutants are prevalent in killer whales.One of the most common pollutants found in killer whales' bodies was 4-nonylphenol or 4NP, which is often found in toilet paper. (CBC)

Oregon Coast’s Chinook salmon among populations under review for endangered-species listing
The National Marine Fisheries Service, also known as NOAA Fisheries, is considering a request from several environmental groups seeking to list two types of Chinook salmon as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. One population lives along the Oregon Coast and the other further south along the Oregon-California border. Three environmental groups sent the petition last August showing that numerous threats have caused a sharp decline in spring-run Chinook salmon. Those groups are the Center for Biological Diversity, the Native Fish Society and Umpqua Watersheds. Roman Battaglia reports. (Jefferson Public Radio)

Exxon climate predictions were accurate decades ago. Still it sowed doubt
Decades of research by scientists at Exxon accurately predicted how much global warming would occur from burning fossil fuels, according to a new study in the journal Science. The findings clash with an enormously successful campaign that Exxon spearheaded and funded for more than 30 years that cast doubt on human-driven climate change and the science underpinning it. That narrative helped delay federal and international action on climate change, even as the impacts of climate change worsened. Jeff Brady reports. (NPR)

Illegal waste discharge on Fraser Valley farm stokes environmental worries among residents
Environmental concerns are mounting in the small community near Cultus Lake, B.C., about 101 kilometres southeast of Vancouver, after truckload after truckload of business waste was dropped at a farm without provincial approval, violating B.C.'s Environmental Management Act. The waste, which from a distance might look like compost, contains large amounts of plastics, wood, and other foreign materials, deeming it unsuitable for soil enhancement. It was discharged by the Abbotsford-based organic waste conversion company Fraser Valley Renewables (FVR). Jon Hernandez reports. (CBC)

Coastal GasLink accused of failing to prevent sediment from entering a Wet’suwet’en river
Wet’suwet’en chiefs and supporters allege the pipeline company violated provincial environmental regulations, operating excavators in a remote river without adequate mitigation measures in place.  Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

More than 20 years ago, a tiny insect changed B.C.'s forestry future. The fallout is still happening
Mountain pine beetles were not new to B.C. when they first started making news in the late 1990s. The insects, as small as a grain of rice, are native to western North America. But at the turn of the century, their population exploded — to devastating effect. Andrew Kurjata reports. (CBC)

B.C. Ferries can install infrastructure for battery power
B.C. Ferries has won approval to start preparation work to modify terminals in anticipation of installing on-shore charging systems for battery powered Island class ferries. Work would be undertaken on the routes linking Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island and between Campbell River and Quadra Island. Island-class ferries are now operating as diesel-electric hybrids. There is room on board for them to be converted to fully electric power if the ­charging systems are installed. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

Way of Whales Workshop
The Way of Whales Workshop will be held on Jan. 14 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Coupeville High School and online. Keynote speaker is Dr. John Ford with a panel discussion featuring Deborah Giles, Monika Weiland Shields, Michael Weiss, Joe Gaydos, Kim Parsons and Linda Rhodes. There will also be an update on the campaign to return Tokitae to local waters. $40, or $30 senior/student; lunch $20. Registration required.

Salish Sea News Week in Review 1/13/23: MLK Day, glacier melt, hot Earth, Cooke fish farms, gas stove ban, climate cost, Strait weapons training, whale sightings, toilet paper toxins, Exxon climate.

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Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  240 AM PST Fri Jan 13 2023   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT   
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SE in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 to 3 ft. Mixed swell W 12 ft at 18 seconds and S 13 ft at  12 seconds. A chance of rain. 
TONIGHT  E wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 8 ft at 15 seconds and S 9 ft at  12 seconds. Rain in the evening then a chance of rain after  midnight. 
SAT  SE wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 6 ft at  14 seconds and S 9 ft at 11 seconds. Rain likely. 
SAT NIGHT  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell  4 ft at 15 seconds and S 9 ft at 13 seconds. 
SUN  E wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 to 2 ft. Mixed swell W 3 ft at 15 seconds and S 3 ft at  12 seconds.

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