2/16 Sunflower sea star, logging deferral, Denman Is protest, Skagit water, Bamberton guarry, NW forests, Seattle geology

Sunflower sea star [Janna Nichols]

Sunflower sea star Pycnopodia helianthoides
Sunflower sea stars are marine invertebrates that belong to the same family as as sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sand dollars. Sunflower sea stars play a critical role in our marine ecosystem because they are natural predators of sea urchins, which are notorious for destroying kelp forests. However, sunflower sea star populations have declined to critically low levels from a disease called Sea Star Wasting Syndrome. This disease has killed 99.2% of the overall population of Pycnopodia spp. in Washington state. (SeaDoc Society)

B.C. expands old-growth logging deferral to 2.1 million hectares, promises greater First Nations collaboration
The British Columbia government announced new measures Wednesday it says will better protect old growth by working with First Nations while it ramps up investments to encourage innovation in an industry that has been plagued by job losses. The province says it's expanding the logging deferral of old-growth forests to 2.1 million hectares, up from 1.7 million reported last spring, while bringing in new innovations to better care for forests. (CBC)

Denman Island protesters block ferry terminal expansion
On Monday, B.C. Ferries’ contractor from Campbell River was prevented from cutting down trees to make way for the expanded Gravelly Bay B.C. Ferries terminal. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

Snowpack, precipitation lower than normal in Skagit River watershed
While the state experienced decent snowfall in December, the amount of snow in January plummeted to 63% of the normal total mountain precipitation, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Washington Water Supply Outlook Report released at the beginning of February. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Inlet protection society holds its own forum on quarry
Group opposing Malahat First Nation plan to expand Bamberton aggregate quarry says few questions were answered at a recent Environmental Assessment office forum. Andrew A. Duffy reports. (Times Colonist)

Thousand-Year Wonders: The Majesty of Northwest Forests
Left alone, these forests will last thousands of years and rise to immense heights.  Can we live in such close proximity?  The Duwamish did. David Buerge writes. (Post Alley)

Geology Did That
More than happens in most cities in the United States, Seattleites regularly feel the influence of geology. Driving our glacially carved hills; worrying about an earthquake from one of the three tectonic zones of weakness that underlie the region; paying for a new seawall and SR-99; or enjoying the views of the surrounding mountains: as my wife tells me, geology did that. And, yet, unlike cities such as Portland, New York, and Denver, Seattle has very limited rock at the surface. I am okay with this. David B. Williams writes. (Street Smart Naturalist)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  242 AM PST Thu Feb 16 2023   
TODAY  SE wind 5 to 15 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 14 seconds  building to 8 ft at 12 seconds in the afternoon. A chance of rain  in the morning then rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  SW wind 10 to 20 kt becoming NW to 10 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 8 ft at 14 seconds. Rain  in the evening.

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