5/15 Mason bee, 'No Mow May,' TM budget, Aboriginal title, Skagit mine, Ladysmith marina, woolly dog blankets, Oly big ship, Maritime Works

Red mason bees [André Karwath]

Mason bee
Mason bee is a name now commonly used for species of bees in the genus Osmia, of the family Megachilidae. Mason bees are named for their habit of using mud or other "masonry" products in constructing their nests, which are made in naturally occurring gaps such as between cracks in stones or other small dark cavities. When available, some species preferentially use hollow stems or holes in wood made by wood-boring insects. (Wikipedia)

‘No Mow May’ mindful of pollinators
Native plants and trees provide food for “workaholic” bees. Clifford Heberden reports. (Salish Current)

The overbudget Trans Mountain pipeline project is carrying $23B in debt — and needs to borrow more
The overbudget Trans Mountain expansion project owes its lenders at least $23 billion and is looking to take on more private debt as the federal government shuts its wallet and construction costs skyrocket. CBC News has reviewed newly released documents from Trans Mountain and another federal government entity. They show the expansion project is burning through cash and needs to borrow billions of dollars more to finish the work, which the company says was almost 80 per cent complete as of March. David Thurton reports. (CBC)
 
First Nation did not prove Aboriginal title for entire claim area: B.C. Supreme Court
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge ruling on a First Nations land title lawsuit says it did not prove it had rights to its entire claim area, although he suggested it may be time for the provincial government to rethink its current test for such titles.  The Nuchatlaht First Nation, a community on Vancouver Island's northwest coast, wanted title over an area of Crown land that included a portion of Nootka Island and much of the surrounding coastline. Brieanna Charlebois reports. (Canadian Press)

Decision on controversial Skagit gravel mine proposal delayed
The fate of a controversial, 51-acre gravel mine in Skagit is still up in the air almost one year after the county hearing for the proposed site began. The mine, initially proposed in 2016 by Concrete Nor’west — a Washington-based gravel company managed by Miles Sand & Gravel — has been the subject of controversy over the years as neighbors in the Central Samish Valley Neighbors (CSVN) group called attention to environmental concerns, traffic and road safety issues, endangered species habitat destruction and public safety. Julia Lerner reports. (CDN)

Talks stall in effort to keep open Ladysmith marina
Momentum appears to have stalled in talks between the city of Ladysmith and the Stz-uminus First Nation about the future of the Ladysmith Community Marina, operated by the non-profit Ladysmith Maritime Society. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

Rare blankets made from fur of extinct woolly dog on display at North Vancouver museum
For thousands of years, the Salish woolly dog resided on B.C.'s southwest coast, providing their owners with companionship — and hair.  Now, blankets woven from the fur of this extinct dog are on display at the Museum of North Vancouver until early July. The woolly dogs were a part of Coast Salish culture that was erased during colonization, says the museum's Indigenous cultural programmer Senaqwila Wyss. (CBC)

Port to take another run at bringing large ship to marine terminal. Will it work this time?
The Port of Olympia is again in talks to bring a large ship to the area that would tie up at the marine terminal and do little else. It’s called a layberth agreement and it’s one of the items set to be discussed at Monday afternoon’s port commission work session. Under consideration is an agreement in which the container ship “Maunalei,” which measures 680 feet, would tie up at the port for about six months. Rolf Boone reports. (Olympian)

Seattle Maritime Works Campaign Kicks Off
The Port of Seattle has announced that local maritime organizations, including the port, have kicked off a local “Maritime Works” campaign drawing awareness to local opportunities for young adults looking for a high-wage career based in Puget Sound. For the first time, essential maritime career information is consolidated on one website where multiple career paths are presented including contacts, wage scales, education requirements, and the necessary tools to get started today. (Cruise Industry News)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  242 AM PDT Mon May 15 2023   
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 3 ft at  11 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming NW 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 10 seconds.  Isolated tstms after midnight.

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