Salish Sea News and Weather: August 2023

Thursday, August 31, 2023

8/31 Beach eggs, wetlands protection, SRKW grants, drought, land ownership, Nanaimo natural gas, BC Hydro apology

Beach eggs (Wendy Feltham]

Beach eggs
Many people are familiar with fish eggs enjoyed by humans — caviar, sushi roe; and many fish eggs provide valuable nutrition for seabirds and marine invertebrates. Even experts can’t identify all fish eggs just from a photo, including this cluster of orange eggs nibbled on by two Sanderlings near Point Wilson. A photographer provides an up-close and personal look at eggs found on beaches in or near Port Townsend. Wendy Feltham writes. (Salish Current/Rainshadow Journal)

The EPA removes federal protections for most of the country's wetlands
The Environmental Protection Agency removed federal protections for a majority of the country's wetlands on Tuesday to comply with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The EPA and Department of the Army announced a final rule amending the definition of protected "waters of the United States" in light of the decision in Sackett v. EPA in May, which narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act and the agency's power to regulate waterways and wetlands. James Doubek reports. (NPR)

Grants available for projects that would benefit Southern Resident orca whales
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Navy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, BNSF Railway and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced there is $1.5 million available through the Killer Whale Conservation Program. The funding increased from last year’s $1.1 million. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Scarce Water: On the Frontlines of BC’s Drought
New rules that were supposed to manage water use aren’t working, say advocates.
Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee) See also: Water Supply Update — time to start thinking about water supplies in 2024 Get used to the words “warm and dry” (WA Dept of Ecology)

Who owns the West?
At the end of 2021, foreign entities or individuals held a “significant interest” in some 10.16 million acres, not counting lease-holdings, in the Western U.S. This sampling of foreign ownership comes from Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act reporting for 2021. Companies or parcels may have changed hands since then. Jonathan Thompson reports. (High County News)

Nanaimo moving quickly to limit natural gas in new builds
New construction won’t be allowed to have natural gas as a primary heat source as of July 1, 2024 — six years before the provincial target. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

BC Hydro apologizes for $128 million Site C dam data error
Over three years, undisclosed employees quietly handed out $558 million in direct-award contracts, including $92 million to engineering firm SNC Lavalin, according to new information provided by the public utility. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

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Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 259 AM PDT Thu Aug 31 2023 TODAY Light wind. Wind waves less than 1 ft. W swell 2 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy fog. Showers likely in the morning. A chance of showers in the afternoon.
TONIGHT W wind to 10 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 8 seconds.

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Wednesday, August 30, 2023

8/30 Japanese eelgrass, Cowichan R, tribal climate, PBDEs, Clayoquot Sound logging, WA carbon auction, Whatcom candidates

Japanese eelgrass [WA Noxious Weed]

Japanese eelgrass Nanozostera japonica
Japanese eelgrass grows in intertidal marine waters in open tidal mudflats and sandflats, generally growing from 0.1 to 1.5m mean lower low water. Japanese eelgrass generally grows higher in the intertidal zone than the native, common eelgrass (Zostera marina). The two species can also grow in an intermixed, mosiac pattern on mudflats with variable elevations. Japanese eelgrass is non-native, difficult to control and negatively impacts the shellfish industry. It was listed in 2012 as a Class C noxious weed on commercially managed shellfish beds only. In 2013, the modified wording was removed so that Japanese eelgrass is now a Class C noxious weed. (WA State Noxious Weed Control Board)

Salmon Die in Droves as Climate Change Burns Canada
The effects of a summer of environmental catastrophes were felt everywhere in Canada, from its vast boreal forests to a river on Vancouver Island once fished by Hollywood royalty. The Cowichan River, on Canada’s Vancouver Island, saw hundreds of young salmon and trout die last month. The river, a renowned fly-fishing destination, is suffering from the effects of climate change, including a low water level and high water temperatures. Norimitsu Onishi reports. (NY Times)

Native nations on front lines of climate change share knowledge and find support at intensive camps
Tribes suffer some of the most severe impacts of climate change in the U.S. but often have the fewest resources to respond, which makes the intensive camps on combating the impact of climate change a vital training ground and community-building space. People from at least 28 tribes and intertribal organizations attended this year’s camp in Port Angeles, Washington, and more than 70 tribes have taken part in similar camps organized by the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians at other sites across the U.S. since 2016. Hallie Golden reports. (Associated Press)

New flame retardants found in breast milk years after similar chemicals were banned
In the early 2000s, researchers tested breast milk samples from U.S. mothers and found high levels of toxic compounds used as a common flame retardant in household items. The compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), were gradually phased out after a link was found with certain health risks. It sounds like a public health success story, but new research suggests it may not be quite that simple. This summer, scientists detected a new set of similar flame retardants in the breast milk of 50 U.S. women. Bec Roldan reports. (NPR)

30 years after Clayoquot Sound, old growth logging continues unabated, says B.C. conservation group
The Sierra Club of B.C. says the logging of large old trees in verdant, bio-diverse forests on Vancouver Island has continued mostly unabated in the 30 years since one of the biggest acts of civil disobedience in Canada. The Sierra Club of B.C. and the Tla-o-qui-aht used provincial data to show that in 1993 there were about 6,870 square kilometres of productive old-growth rainforest — trees at least 140 years or older — left on Vancouver Island. That's about 31 per cent of what's estimated to have been there before industrialized logging began. Thirty years later, the groups say the remaining productive old-growth rainforest on the island is 4,470 square kilometres, a reduction of about 20 per cent. Chad Pawson reports. (CBC)

WA's third carbon auction should push pollution credits over $1B
Washington will hold its third carbon auction on Wednesday under its new cap-and-invest program. The first two auctions sold pollution credits totaling about $800 million. The third is expected to put the total for the year well over $1 billion. This is the first year of implementing the state’s new Climate Commitment Act, which passed in 2021. Businesses generating more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon emissions must participate in the program or face fines of up to $10,000 per violation per day. Donna Gordon Blankenship reports. (Crosscut)

Whatcom candidate forum was a study in styles
Commentary: A Whatcom County candidates forum revealed differences in style if not policy. Mike Sato writes. (Salish Current)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 236 AM PDT Wed Aug 30 2023 TODAY Light wind becoming W to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of showers in the morning then a slight chance of showers in the afternoon.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming E after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 10 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the evening then showers after midnight.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

8/29 China rockfish, Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut celebration, BC First Nations, BC fire costs, control burns, pink salmon, deer kill

China Rockfish [M. Chamberlain]

China Rockfish Sebastes nebulosus
China Rockfish can be found from Kodiak Island, AK to southern California at depths between 3 m (10 ft) and 128 m (420 ft). They are more common however, between British Columbia and central California, at depths greater than 10 m (33 ft). Chinas almost exclusively prefer rocky habitat with high relief and complexity. Interestingly, China Rockfish have also been seen cohabitating with Giant Pacific Octopus in rock crevices. This species is known to have particularly small home ranges while also being territorial. Research conducted off of Vancouver Island showed that they are a relatively sedentary species after they reach adulthood, only moving around 10 m (33ft) from their home. China Rockfish grow up to 45 cm (18 in) in length and 1.9 kg (4.2 lb) in weight, living for up to at least 79 years. (WDFW)

Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut celebration is a call to action
A celebration of life for Southern Resident orca Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut was a call to action as well as a remembrance. Richard Arlin Walker reports. (Salish Current) See also: Complete raw video of ceremony (Friends of the San Juans)

Watch: How First Nations in B.C. are reclaiming control and access in their traditional territories
Despite thousands of years of caring for the land and waters, First Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island have historically been shut out of decisions about the management of parks. But the tide, it seems, is turning. (CBC)

Province of B.C. says it's spent $585M so far this year fighting wildfires
The B.C. government has spent more than half a billion dollars so far this year fighting a historically bad wildfire season, and that number is expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks as hundreds of blazes continue to burn. Tim Petruk reports. (Castanet)

Severe wildfires are difficult to control – but one research model shows ‘a better way forward’
As swaths of wildlands are being scorched and communities smoked out by another unusually hot, dry summer, researchers in Washington state say there could be a less miserable, environmentally beneficial alternative. A key part of the solution is allowing some smaller wildfires to burn when conditions are favorable and by conducting prescribed burns — an approach historically practiced by indigenous people in North America. Lisa Stiffler reports. (GeekWire)

Pink salmon are having a great 2023 return in Puget Sound
Matt Bogaard with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said: "We're forecasting to see about four million Pink Salmon returning to Puget Sound this year. That's right around the 10-year average," Bogaard said. "We did see a run size of a little over 8.5 million in 2013. And we've had several large run sizes since, but in the last two pink salmon cycles, we've seen declining run sizes. So it's great to see a larger number coming back this year." Natalie Akane Newcomb reports. (KUOW)

Deer kill essential to Sidney Island survival: First Nations
Parks Canada tour shows how the understory has been nibbled down compared with lush neighbouring Portland Island. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 253 AM PDT Tue Aug 29 2023
TODAY W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 12 seconds. A slight chance of rain.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft subsiding to 1 to 3 ft after midnight. W swell 3 ft at 11 seconds. A slight chance of rain in the evening then a chance of showers after midnight.

Monday, August 28, 2023

8/28 Goshawk, life of Tokitae, return home, giant trees, BC ferries, radioactive water, Bay Day

Northern Goshawk [Frank King]

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
The Northern Goshawk is the bigger, fiercer, wilder relative of the Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks that prowl suburbs and backyards. It’s an accipiter—a type of hawk with short, broad wings and a long rudderlike tail that give it superb aerial agility. These secretive birds are mostly gray with bold white “eyebrow” stripes over piercing orange to red eyes. Northern Goshawks flash through forests chasing bird and mammal prey, pouncing silently or crashing feet first through brush to grab quarry in crushingly strong talons. (All About Birds)

Celebrating the life of Tokitae the orca on San Juan Island
More than 300 people gathered Sunday at a park in the heart of the home waters of the southern resident orcas to pay tribute to the life of Tokitae. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Lummi Nation prepares for Sk'aliCh'elh'tenaut's return home
The remains of captive Southern Resident orca whale Sk'aliCh'elh'tenaut (Tokitae/Lolita) will be laid to rest in the waters where her orca pod still resides much of the year. Richard Arlin Walker reports. (Salish Current)

The quest for an ancient colossus, in the wild rainforest of B.C.
Experts worry B.C.’s giant trees could be the last of their kind as climate change jeopardizes their ability to survive the centuries to come. Brenna Owen reports. (The Canadian Press)

40 per cent of B.C. Ferries cancellations due to crew shortages
There were 1,163 cancellations due to crew shortages this fiscal year, up from 522 in 2022. Cheryl Chan reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Japan's discharge of radioactive water into Pacific Ocean unlikely to affect B.C., scientist says
On Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. PT, Japan initiated the release of radioactive water from a nuclear power plant managed by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), more than a decade after the facility sustained catastrophic damage. (CBC)

Fidalgo Bay Day teaches those in attendance about area's marine life
The 19th Fidalgo Bay Day on Saturday gave those in attendance the chance learn about marine life through an aquatic touch tank and educational booths. Fidalgo Bay Day, hosted at Fidalgo Bay Resort by the Skagit Marine Resources Committee, is an event aimed at getting children excited about marine life. Emma Burrell reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 251 AM PDT Mon Aug 28 2023
TODAY W wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 2 ft at 9 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers in the morning then showers likely and a slight chance of tstms in the afternoon.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 3 ft at 10 seconds. Showers likely and a chance of tstms in the evening then a chance of showers and a slight chance of tstms after midnight.

Friday, August 25, 2023

8/25 Pileated woodpecker, Cascades fire, fleeing wildfire, the Blob, paper vs. plastic straws, week in review

Pileated Woodpecker (Avibirds)

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest of the Washington State woodpeckers. Pileated Woodpeckers are vocal, typically making a long piping call, along with wuk-wuk or cuk-cuk calls. This species makes nesting holes in dead deciduous or coniferous trees. They create a new cavity every season. The Pleated Woodpecker diet consists mainly of carpenter ants. They also feed on other insects, including other ants, flies, woodboring beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, termites, and cockroaches, as well as fruits and nuts. (Avibirds)

Red flag warning in Cascades over increased fire risk, thunderstorms
The National Weather Service in Seattle issued a red flag warning Thursday for the west slopes of the Central Cascades over gusty winds, dry conditions and unstable weather that’s expected to increase existing fire risks. The warning will be in effect through 5 p.m. Friday. Daisy Zavala Magaña reports. (Seattle Times)

What it’s like to flee a wildfire in B.C.
As someone who has long frequented burning landscapes to put out fires, I hadn’t ever feared for my safety before. That changed the day two explosive fires converged in the province’s Shuswap region. Mike Graeme reports. (The Narwhal)

Years After the Blob, the Pacific Still Doesn’t Look the Same
The 2014–2016 marine heatwave transformed the ecosystem of the northeast Pacific. Some of those changes seem here to stay. Ethan Freedman reports.(Hakai Magazine)

Study: Paper straws might not be better than plastic for environment
So-called “eco-friendly” paper drinking straws contain long-lasting and potentially toxic chemicals and may not be better for the environment than plastic versions, researchers have warned. Long-lasting “forever chemicals,” which are potentially harmful to people, wildlife and the environment, were found in 18 out of 20 brands of paper straws, Belgian researchers found. (PA Media/dpa)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 8/25/23: Dog Day, Tokitae, GenZ climage, WA forests, Cowichan R, 'Aroma of Tacoma,' E.coli, Garbage Patch, Skeena last fish, the Blob.

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 250 AM PDT Fri Aug 25 2023
TODAY E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 6 seconds. Haze.
TONIGHT W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 6 seconds. Haze.
SAT NW wind to 10 kt becoming E in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 6 seconds. Haze.
SAT NIGHT NW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 7 seconds.
SUN SW wind to 10 kt becoming W 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 7 seconds.

Thursday, August 24, 2023

8/24 Northern flicker, Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Skeena steelhead, outdoor rec, Port Hadlock sewer, rainways, seafood ship ills, octopus garden, glacial gardens, Tokitae

Northern Flicker (Avibirds)

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
Northern Flickers make cavity nests in dead and wounded trees. Occasionally, they nest in burrows on bank sides. They frequently reuse nests from previous years. They mainly feed on ants and beetles, but other insects include butterflies, moths, and flies. They also eat fruits, berries, seeds, and snails. (Avibirds)

Great Pacific Garbage Patch cleanup team hauls in 55 tonnes of plastic waste
A fishing expedition of sorts that brought in a mother lode of plastic from the area of the ocean known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been delivered to Ogden Point in Victoria for recycling and disposal. The 55-tonne haul was collected in a six-week operation by the Ocean Cleanup project, a Dutch non-profit trying to rid the world's oceans of plastic. (CBC)

Squabbling Over the Last Fish
The Skeena steelhead is prized by anglers and a major economic boost. But its survival is threatened. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee)

How wildfires are impacting outdoor recreation in Washington
Driven by climate change, more frequent blazes may change the way we hike, ski and camp. Andrew Engelson reports. (Crosscut)

Kickoff celebrates Port Hadlock sewer
Jefferson County officials broke ground on the $35 million Port Hadlock sewer project, which will eventually allow a new neighborhood of affordable housing to be built on the site. Peter Segall reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

How Rainways Could Restore ‘Raincouver’
For cities that buried their creeks, an urban solution to remove pollutants from rainy roads. Christopher Cheung reports. (The Tyee)

Seafood ship with years of safety, health violations is leaking ammonia on Foss Waterway
A seafood processing ship with a troubled history of pollution and safety issues is leaking ammonia on Tacoma’s Foss Waterway. There’s no immediate threat to the public, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday. Craig Sailor reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Here's why 6,000 octopuses like to be under the sea at an 'octopus garden'
Off the coast of California is an unusual "octopus garden" — the largest congregation of deep-sea octopuses ever discovered on Earth, where over 6,000 octopuses huddle around an extinct underwater volcano in the black, cold ocean depths, almost two miles below the surface. Nell Greenfieldboyce reports. (NPR)

Glacial gardens
David B. Williams writes: "Recently, I hiked out onto the Nisqually Glacier on Mt. Rainier with NPS geologist Taylor Kenyon to change the batteries on two seismic probes he had set up to monitor water discharge and sediment movement. We were on the lower end of the glacier on rock and rubble that the mountain had shed atop the ice, forming a blanket of debris. It was amazing..." (Street Smart Naturalist)

People Under the Sea [ENCORE] /345
It is with a heavy heart that we share that Tokitae, a Southern Resident Orca held unjustly in captivity for 53 years, has passed away. To honor her memory, this week we are rebroadcasting our episode with Kurt Russo on the People Under the Sea, originally aired in October of 2018. (For the Wild)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 259 AM PDT Thu Aug 24 2023
TODAY E wind to 10 kt becoming NE in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 7 seconds. Patchy dense fog in the morning.
TONIGHT NW wind to 10 kt becoming E after midnight. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 5 seconds. Haze.

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

8/23 Hairy woodpecker, BC fires, PFAS, 'Aroma of Tacoma,' E-coli, Tokitae, SR 20, Bay Day

Hairy Woodpecker (Avibirds)

Hairy Woodpecker Dryobates villosus
The Hairy Woodpecker makes nesting cavities in dead parts of live trees – usually a dead stub – and in dead trees. They make a new nesting cavity at the start of every breeding season. They feed on pupae and larvae of bark beetles, woodboring beetles, ants, moths, caterpillars, bees, and wasps. Pupae and larvae constitute approximately three-quarters of their dietary requirement. Spiders, fruit, seeds, and millipedes make up the rest. (Avibirds)

B.C. officials look ahead at recovery and rebuilding efforts, as residents reckon with losses from wildfires
More than 27,000 people remain out of their homes across B.C. due to the wildfires, with thousands of firefighters on the frontlines. Up to 200 homes have been charred in the Kelowna area. (CBC)

WA public water systems can access part of $1.2B PFAS settlement
Public water systems across the U.S. — including those in Washington — that have found “forever chemicals” in their drinking water are eligible for a piece of roughly $1.2 billion as part of a court settlement with chemical and manufacturing giants DuPont, Chemours and Corteva. Isabella Breda and Manuel Villa report. (Seattle Times)

Century-old paper mill once famous for wafting ‘Aroma of Tacoma’ to close
A Tacoma paper mill is closing its doors next month, ending operations at a site that, over 94 years of operation, became a local legend for all the rottenest-smelling reasons. The closure, announced earlier this month, is expected to take effect on Sept. 30. WestRock, an Atlanta-based paper and packaging manufacturer, employs approximately 400 workers at its waterfront facility in Tacoma. Camilo Fonseca reports. (Seattle Times)

Life’s a Beach — Until You Get E. coli
Understanding the closure of popular BC swim spots. And how to enjoy the water safely. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

Following Tokitae's sudden death, Northwest tribes call for repatriation of orca's remains
Tokitae, the orca who died suddenly last week before her scheduled return to the Pacific Northwest, has been sent to the University of Georgia for an autopsy. It was a move that the Lummi Nation, one of the groups working to bring Tokita home to the Salish Sea, said blindsided them. The tribe is now calling for the orca's remains to be returned to the region. Ruby de Luna reports. (KUOW)

North Cascades Highway to reopen as Sourdough, Blue Lake fires burn
The North Cascades Highway, or Highway 20, will reopen Wednesday morning as the Sourdough fire continues to burn. Through traffic has been closed since Aug. 11. Vonnai Phair reports. (Seattle Times)

Fidalgo Bay Day
The Skagit Marine Resources Committee holds its Fidalgo Bay Day, Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fidalgo Bay Resort. The annual Bay Day is a free, fun, and educational event for the entire family celebrating our local estuaries’ beauty, history, and wonderful marine life. Information.

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 253 AM PDT Wed Aug 23 2023 TODAY W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. NW swell 3 ft at 8 seconds. A slight chance of rain.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt easing to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. NW swell 2 ft at 7 seconds.

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

8/22 Downy woodpecker, Cowichan R dead zone, Phil Levin, WA forests, detours and delays, ferry Chelan

Downy Woodpecker (Avibirds)

Downy Woodpecker Dryobates pubescens
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America. They make a loud series of whinnying notes that decrease in pitch from the start to the end of the series. Another call that they make is a pik note. This species uses fence posts, dead trees, and dead areas of live trees to nest. They excavate nesting holes on the undersides of stubs and make a new one every year. The Downy Woodpecker’s diet consists of insects – especially ants, beetle larvae, caterpillars, and corn earworms. They also feed on acorns, grains, and berries. (Avibirds)

Calls to close fishing in Cowichan River as ‘dead zone’ forms
The Sept. 1 fishing opening on the Cowichan River should be cancelled because the river is in a “catastrophic” state due to a perfect storm of factors such as high-water temperatures and drought, say advocates. A 6.4-kilometre “dead zone” has formed in the upper part of the river, said Joe Saysell, 75, who has lived on the river all his life. “It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened in my 75 years of living here on the river.” Carla Wilson reports. (Times
Colonist)

Seattle area scientist leads U.S. efforts toward 'holistic picture' of the climate crisis
Conservation scientist and University of Washington professor Phil Levin will lead the Biden administration's National Nature Assessment, a study has been sold as the most ambitious, all-encompassing review ever of the United States' natural world. Libby Denkmann and Alec Cowan report. (KUOW)

Are WA forests worth more as carbon sponges or timber harvests?
‘Working forests’ like state-run Tiger Mountain retain greenhouse gases — but logging is deeply entrenched in Northwest economies. Ashli Blow reports. (Crosscut)

Detour? Delays? Drivers and businesses cope with summer road construction
Road construction projects throughout Whatcom County are creating challenges now — for benefits later. Matt Benoit reports. (Salish Current)

Ferry runs aground in San Juan Islands; no estimate for return of service
The ferry Chelan will be sidelined for an undetermined amount of time after it ran aground Sunday night while heading from Orcas Island to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The Chelan was on its last run of the night when it hit the shoreline in the narrow Wasp Passage around 9:40 p.m. It will remain out of service, with no estimate for its return, while crews investigate and make repairs. Vonnai Phair and David Kroman report. (Seattle Times)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 253 AM PDT Tue Aug 22 2023
TODAY Light wind becoming SW to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of rain in the afternoon.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of rain.

Monday, August 21, 2023

8/21 Tokitae, murres, sablefish, Gen Z climate, Mill Cr park stormwater, WSF, Sidney Is deer, Camano Is feces, Willows Beach e-coli, plastic straws

Tokitae [Jennifer Stuber]

Lolita the orca, captive for more than a half-century, dies at Miami Seaquarium
Lolita, an orca whale held captive for more than a half-century, died Friday at the Miami Seaquarium as caregivers prepared to move her from the theme park in the near future. The Seaquarium posted a statement from the nonprofit group Friends of Toki on social media that Lolita — also known as Tokitae, or Toki — started exhibiting serious signs of discomfort over the past two days. Seaquarium and Friends of Toki medical team members began treating her immediately and aggressively, but the 57-year-old orca died from an apparent renal condition, the statement said. (Associated Press)

Biologists research why high number of common murres die along Oregon’s coast
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say it’s not unusual to find young murres struggling around this time of year, as fledglings leave their nests and try to make it on their own. And this year’s numbers of dying or sick birds are higher than usual. Researchers say an extremely warm ocean along Oregon’s coast could be a factor, as warmer temperatures can kill the fish and crustaceans that the birds rely on for food. A[ril Ehrlich reports. (OPB)

Climate Change Likely to Reshape West Coast Fisheries by Sending Fish Farther Offshore
Shifting ocean conditions associated with climate change will likely send high-value sablefish into deeper waters off the West Coast, new research shows. (NOAA Fisheries)

With TikTok and Lawsuits, Gen Z Takes on Climate Change
With active lawsuits in five states, TikTok videos that mix humor and outrage, and marches in the streets, it’s a movement that is seeking to shape policy, sway elections and shift a narrative that its proponents say too often emphasizes climate catastrophes instead of the need to make the planet healthier and cleaner. David Gelles reports. (NY Times)

Community Transit fined for stormwater violations near Mill Creek park
Construction at McCollum Park exposed contaminated soil from an old landfill. Runoff could have been polluted. (Everett Herald)

As Washington’s ferry fleet ages, why aren’t we building new boats?
Two and a half years after Washington state and Vigor Shipyards committed to building five new clean-running ferries by 2028, with the first rolling off the line by 2022, the partnership has fallen apart, casting the grand plans for a reborn fleet into a state of uncertainty at a time when new boats are needed more than ever. David Kroman reports. (Seattle Times)

Deer must go to restore Sidney Island, Parks Canada says
Parks Canada says the fallow deer must be eradicated before their population rebounds. Roxanne Egan-Elliott reports. (Times Colonist)

On Camano shore contaminated by feces, locals blame lack of oversight
Years of frustration led some Camano Island residents to build their own sewage system. It’s set to start pumping this month. Jordan Hansen and Ta'Leah Van Sistine report. (Everett Herald)

CRD: Historic bacteria highs from Willows Beach water sample
Testing by the Capital Regional District found an elevated enterococci bacteria count of 4,400 in the Willows Beach water sample. Saltwater beach advisories are recommended when more than 175 enterococci bacteria are found in a water sample. According to Island Health, it’s the highest level of enterococci bacteria ever recorded at Willows Beach since the CRD and Island Health began testing for it in 2014. Michael John Lo reports. (Times Colonist)

The Straw That Hijacked the Plastic Pollution Movement
Plastic straws used to be “environmental enemy number one.” Was the fight against them in vain? Harvin Bhathal reports. (Hakai Magazine)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 224 AM PDT Mon Aug 21 2023 TODAY W wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W swell 7 ft at 8 seconds subsiding to 5 ft at 8 seconds in the afternoon.
TONIGHT W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW 5 to 15 kt after midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds.

Friday, August 18, 2023

8/18 Hawthorn, saving salmon and steelhead, ocean videos, Samish Crest, week in review

Washington hawthorn [F.D. Richards]

Washington hawthorn Crataegus phaenopyrum
Crataegus phaenopyrum is a species of hawthorn commonly known as Washington hawthorn or Washington thorn. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant, and can reach 10 m in height. The small red berry-like fruit grow closely together in large clusters and are food for squirrels and birds. (Wikipedia)

Biden administration proposes $106 million for Western salmon and steelhead recovery
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is recommending sending $106 million to 16 salmon and steelhead recovery efforts in five Western states, the federal agency said Thursday. NOAA and the Department of Commerce recommended grants to state agencies with salmon protection missions, tribes and tribal partnerships in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and California. Jacob Fischler reports. (Washington State Standard)

The Ocean Is Big and Stuff Is Complicated. We’re Here to Help
Six short videos to educate, entertain, and make you insufferable at parties. (Hakai Institute)

Community Voices: Saving the Samish Crest
Commentary: The trails and views overlooking Bellingham toward the west can and should be saved for people. Stevan Harrell writes. (Salish Current)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 8/18/23: Helium, eelgrass wasting, Montana climate youth, avian flu, PFAS, carbon auction. saving salmon and steelhead.

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 250 AM PDT Fri Aug 18 2023
TODAY W wind 5 to 15 kt rising to 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 9 ft at 10 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less after midnight. NW swell 6 ft at 9 seconds.
SAT E wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 6 ft at 9 seconds subsiding to 4 ft at 9 seconds in the afternoon.
SAT NIGHT W wind 15 to 25 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft in the evening becoming less than 1 ft. NW swell 6 ft at 9 seconds.
SUN Light wind becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves less than 1 ft becoming 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. NW swell 6 ft at 9 seconds.

Thursday, August 17, 2023

8/17 Aspen, culverts, BC-WA pollution, carbon auction, climate doom, tug sinking, BC fish farms

Quaking Aspen [Native Plants PNW]

Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides
Quaking Aspen is sometimes called Trembling Aspen. All of its names refer to how the leaves will quiver with the slightest breeze. It is the most widely distributed tree in North America. It is found sporadically in valleys west of the Cascades in Washington and Oregon, often in association with Black Hawthorn, Crataegus douglasii. It is also found near the shores of Puget Sound and on southeastern Vancouver Island. (Native Plants of the Pacific NW)

WA, 9 other states get federal grants to replace culverts that can harm fish
The Biden administration on Wednesday announced nearly $200 million in federal infrastructure grants to upgrade tunnels that carry streams beneath roads but can be deadly to fish that get stuck trying to pass through.J eff McMurray reports (Associated Press)

Why is it taking so long to reduce cross-border water pollution from B.C.?
Water contaminated with fecal matter continues to cross into the U.S. after a problem identified at least a decade ago. Gordon Hoekstra reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Extra cap-and-trade auction may net $62M for Washington
A special auction of pollution allowances on Aug. 9 likely generated $62.5 million for Washington, revenue that the state can funnel into programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. During the three-hour bidding window, all 1,054,000 allowances offered were sold at preset prices, the state Department of Ecology reported Wednesday. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

Spreading climate doom may make it harder to halt global warming
Focusing too much on extreme weather could trigger a backlash against climate action in the mid-2020s, when global temperature rises are set to slow down as the El Niño climate pattern fades. Madeleine Cuff reports. (New Scientist)

Tugboat owners plead guilty to safety charges connected to fatal sinking near Kitimat, B.C.
The owners of a tugboat that sank in coastal waters south of Kitimat, B.C., causing the death of two mariners, have pleaded guilty to safety charges under the Workers Compensation Act. Wainwright Marine Services and James Geoffrey Bates, the president of parent company Bates Properties Ltd., were each charged in February with eight counts of violating occupational health and safety provisions, according to court records. (CBC)

B.C. First Nations coalition seeks leave to join case to support salmon farm closures
A coalition representing 19 British Columbia First Nations and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs has applied jointly to the Federal Court to intervene in a case involving the closure of fish farms off Vancouver Island and the survival of wild salmon. A joint statement from the coalition says they are applying to the court out of their obligation to protect wild salmon for current and future generations. (Canadian Press)

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Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 849 AM PDT Thu Aug 17 2023
TODAY NW wind to 10 kt becoming W 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W swell 6 ft at 9 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 9 seconds building to 10 ft at 10 seconds after midnight.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

8/16 Dogwood, Gulf Is water, PFAS, dead birds, WA hybrid ferries, Saanich Inlet quarry

Pacific dogwood [Wikipedia]

Pacific dogwood Cornus nuttallii
Cornus nuttallii, the Pacific dogwood, western dogwood, or mountain dogwood, is a species of dogwood tree native to western North America. The common names comes from that of Cornus sanguinea, the hard wood of which Northern Europeans used to make nails ("dags") during the medieval era. (Wikipedia)

Gulf Islands' water woes an ominous omen for the rest of drought-prone B.C.
Wells run slowly or even go dry as summer droughts become a common feature of islands life. Derrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

‘Forever Chemicals’ Are Everywhere. What Are They Doing to Us?
PFAS lurk in so much of what we eat, drink and use. Scientists are only beginning to understand how they’re impacting our health — and what to do about them. Kim Tingley reports. (NY Times)

Birds Canada calling on British Columbians to help ID dead seabirds
Marine heat wave off Pacific Coast has scientists worried about mass deaths. (CBC)

Washington awards $150M contract to convert ferries to hybrid-electric power
Washington State Ferries announced Tuesday it has awarded a roughly $150 million contract to ship builder Vigor to convert up to three of the state’s largest vessels to hybrid-electric power. Under the deal, Vigor in September will start work on the Wenatchee ferry at its Harbor Island shipyard in Seattle. The Jumbo Mark II vessel, with a 202-vehicle capacity, is expected back in service on the Seattle to Bainbridge route next summer. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

Analysis on effects of quarry to be done, eventually
Province says cumulative effects analysis will be conducted for Saanich Inlet quarry, but there’s no time frame. Andrew A. Duffy reports. (Times Colonist)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 250 AM PDT Wed Aug 16 2023 TODAY Light wind becoming S to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 6 ft at 9 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 5 ft at 10 seconds.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

8/15 Hawthorn, Montana climate change suit, marine heat wave, Skagit fire, bird flu, rockfish, SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ, local theater

Common hawthorn [Ben Legler]

Common hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
Common hawthorn, also called English, one-seed or single-seed hawthorn, is an introduced tree that has naturalized in the Pacific Northwest. This small tree spreads readily by seed into woodlands and open fields, often creating a dense, thorny thicket. (King County)

Judge sides with youth in Montana climate change trial, finds two laws unconstitutional
Judge says failure to consider emissions, climate impacts violates state constitution. Blair Miller reports. (Washington State Standard)

Pacific marine heat wave has arrived in B.C. waters. Here's what it means for ocean life
Over recent weeks, surface temperatures in the warm water mass have clocked in at up to five degrees higher than usual, prompting the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to classify the heat wave as "extreme," the highest level of classification. Marine heat waves can cause extreme weather, fuel rising sea levels, and contribute to faster-melting ice caps — all while threatening marine life. Michelle Ghoussoub reports. (CBC)

Sourdough Fire consumes another 1,000 acres, cuts dam power to Seattle
The Sourdough Fire in the North Cascades grew more than 1,000 acres over the weekend. The growing fire forced Seattle City Light to disconnect the Ross and Diablo dams from the power grid that serves customers in the Seattle area Saturday night. A third Skagit River power source 4 miles downstream, the 99-year-old Gorge Dam, continues to provide hydropower to Seattle. John Ryan reports.(KUOW)

Bird flu outbreak stokes fears for Washington’s wild birds
A new strain of avian flu has killed dozens of birds on a small Puget Sound island. Cases have turned up elsewhere as well. Officials are trying to better understand the disease’s spread. Laurel Demkovich reports. (Washington State Standard)

Bad catch: the fish that’s threatened even if you release it
Scientists are concerned rules to protect bottom-dwelling rockfish aren’t always followed, leaving these long-living homebodies at risk of further declines. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Indigenous name for new school sign of reconciliation
The name, SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ, means “salmon children” in English and reflects important aspects of Sc’ianew culture. It is pronounced “schee-ay-nuh ska-leetk-luth.” Jeff Bell reports. (Times Colonist)

Pandemic’s passed but local theaters are (cautiously) optimistic
Post-COVID theater attendance lags but new alignments and venues promise a brighter future. Matt Benoit reports. (Salish Current)

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Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 249 AM PDT Tue Aug 15 2023 TODAY Light wind becoming SW to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. NW swell 6 ft at 11 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 7 ft at 9 seconds.

Monday, August 14, 2023

8/14 Madrone, Skagit ag, marine heat, eelgrass wasting, sea rise, clean energy, Skagit dams

Pacific madrone [Ben Legler]

Pacific madrone Arbutus menziesii
Pacific madrone, is a species of broadleaf evergreen tree in the family Ericaceae, native to the western coastal areas of North America, from British Columbia to California. It is nicknamed the "Refrigerator Tree" due to the fact that its bark contains water, and it stays cool in the summer. (Wikipedia)

Finding happily ever after in Skagit’s ag zone
A proposal that would constrain Skagit farms in operating as event venues has prompted discussion on the future of the area’s sense of place. Adam M. Sowards reports. (Salish Current)

Significant marine heat wave expected to affect B.C. wildlife
Scientists are worried that a strong heat wave off the B.C. coast will lead to birds dying from disease or starvation. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Researchers examine eelgrass wasting disease in Padilla Bay
Labyrinthula zosterae, the pathogen that causes eelgrass wasting disease, is what is known as a marine slime protist. Protists are mostly simple organisms that are not plants or animals or fungi. Eelgrass wasting disease shows up as dark lesions with white centers on eelgrass blades. The white centers are dead tissue. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Sea level rise could squeeze young salmon out of places to live
Juvenile salmon already face pressure from human land use and development, and may be further squeezed out of their estuary habitat by climate change, as sea levels rise. Molly Segal reports. (CBC)

The Clean Energy Future Is Arriving Faster Than You Think
The United States is pivoting away from fossil fuels and toward wind, solar and other renewable energy, even in areas dominated by the oil and gas industries. (NY Times)

Power production resumes at Skagit dams near Sourdough Fire
Seattle City Light has resumed power generation at two dams on the Skagit River as the Sourdough Fire continues to burn in Washington’s North Cascades. The flames had come close enough to Diablo and Ross dams — and the transmission lines that connect them to Seattle electricity users — that Seattle’s power utility evacuated workers and took the dams offline on Aug. 2. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 310 AM PDT Mon Aug 14 2023
TODAY E wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 9 ft at 12 seconds subsiding to 7 ft at 12 seconds in the afternoon.
TONIGHT NW wind to 10 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 7 ft at 11 seconds.

Friday, August 11, 2023

8/11 Shaggy mouse, Seattle Chinook, Duwamish habitat, Fairy Cr protesters, BC dought, WSF fares, refinery safety, Columbia R treaty, bunny virus, Hwy 20, week in review

Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch [Zoe O’Toole]

Shaggy Mouse Nudibranch Aeolidia loui
Specimens in our area were formally recognized as A. papillosa but are now classified as a new species, Aeolidia loui. It is found on rocks, or may be on floats or docks. Often it is found near its preferred prey, anemones like Anthopleura elegantissima. (Walla Walla U.)

Treaty tribes haul in Chinook bounty on Seattle’s Elliott Bay, Duwamish
As other fragile Chinook fisheries shutter this year to protect future runs, the salmon were a welcome sight. Surveys in July revealed what appear to be some of the best numbers of Chinook seen in nearly two decades. They still likely pale in comparison to the runs their ancestors harvested from, as the watershed continues to lose habitat to development. But it was a promising sign for fisheries managers who have gone to great lengths to rebuild the run. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

King County shows off salmon habitat where once stood a hotel
The project started as a rundown hotel in a sea of asphalt. Now Chinook Wind is a wetland, a restored salmon habitat and a hook-shaped estuary where waters rise and fall with the tides and native plants blanket the shore...A few feet upstream is Duwamish Gardens, another restored salmon habitat and reminder of how the Duwamish River used to look over 150 years ago, before industrialization. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)

Cases dropped against 146 Fairy Creek protesters over RCMP's failure to read full injunction at arrests
Prosecutors in B.C. have withdrawn cases against nearly 150 protesters who were arrested for participating in a blockade around old-growth logging on Vancouver Island after a judge this year found Mounties did not read the full text of a court order to the group. Rhianna Schmunk reports. (CBC)

Canada’s wettest province faces historic drought — and a precarious new future
From grasshopper infestations to water restrictions, B.C.’s drought is affecting all corners of the province in ways surprising and predictable. Is the government doing enough to lead? Arno Kopecky writes. (The Narwhal)

It will cost more to travel on a state ferry in Washington this fall
The Washington State Transportation Commission on Thursday voted to increase fares for Washington State Ferries this fall. Commissioners approved a 4.25% hike for vehicles and walk-on passengers on Oct. 1 and another 4.25% on Oct. 1, 2024. A March revenue forecast showed a fare hike of the magnitude approved Thursday would net an additional $28 million for operations. But the latest forecast in June showed ridership not rising as fast as expected. As a result, the higher fares will only net $19.3 million, leaving the agency with an $8.7 million hole to fill. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

State proposes tighter safety regulations for refinery workers years after tragedy
Regulations proposed by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries in June would update the 1992 “Process Safety Management” guidelines for thousands of workers at Washington’s five refineries, including the BP and Phillips 66 refineries at Cherry Point. Julia Lerner reports. (CDN)

Canada, U.S. negotiate future of Columbia River in Seattle this week
For 60 years, the Columbia River Treaty has guided how water from British Columbia flows downstream in Washington and Oregon, for flood control and hydropower. Parts of that agreement expire next year. And this week’s negotiations may be the best shot yet to hammer out a deal. Gregory Scruggs reports. (Seattle Times)

State vet says bunny killing virus is 'here to stay'
The town of Langley on Whidbey Island has a unique tourist attraction — wild bunnies. But now, those bunnies are in trouble. An outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease has led to mass die-offs of the small mammals on the island. Libby Denkmann and Noel Gasca report. (KUOW)

Still-creeping wildfire again closes key mountain pass in North Cascades National Park
“SR 20 North Cascades Highway is closed between Newhalem at milepost 120 and milepost 146 for aerial fire operations. No ETA for reopening. Updates will be sent as available,” the Washington State Department of Transportation tweeted at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Robert Mittendorf reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 8/11/23: Elephant Day, BC drought, Columbia salmon recovery failure, WA carbon tax repeal, baby orcas, marine heat wave, TM pipe, Fairy Cr protest, refinery safety, Columbia R treaty.

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 217 AM PDT Fri Aug 11 2023 TODAY W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 10 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 10 seconds.
SAT W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 9 seconds.
SAT NIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt easing to 10 kt after midnight. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 7 seconds.
SUN Light wind. Wind waves 1 ft or less in the morning becoming less than 1 ft. W swell 5 ft at 4 seconds.

Thursday, August 10, 2023

8/10 Fox sparrow, TM pipe, saving 'Luma,' Perseids in WA

Fox Sparrow [Ryan Schain]

Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca
“Sooty” Fox Sparrows breed in deciduous streamside thickets (with willow and blackberry) along coastal Alaska and British Columbia from the Aleutian Islands to Washington, and winter in chaparral farther south along the Pacific Coast. Fox Sparrows forage on leaf litter and bare ground, usually under dense cover. During the breeding season they eat mainly insects—such as beetles, fly larvae, caterpillars, ants, bees, and scale insects. (All About Birds)

Canada to sell pipeline stake to Indigenous groups through special vehicle
Canada plans to sell a stake in the Trans Mountain oil pipeline to Indigenous groups through a special purpose vehicle that will allow individual communities to buy into the enterprise. The government will provide the groups with access to capital so they don’t have to risk any of their own money to participate, according to a letter from Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s office that was obtained by Bloomberg. The communities’ equity interest in Trans Mountain will provide them with cash flows and allow them to jointly exercise governing rights, according to the letter, which was dated Aug. 2. (Bloomberg News)

New deal saves Seattle's celebrity tree, 'Luma'
The tree in Seattle's Wedgwood neighborhood that activists have named Luma, and which prompted a summer movement to save it, will be preserved. The owner of the property, the lender for the project, and the builder have begun work with the Snoqualmie Tribe to preserve the tree as a "culturally modified tree," a term Washington uses to note and preserve trees of significance. Amy Radiland Dyer Oxley report. (KUOW)

What you should know about watching the Perseids in Washington
Star gazers, the Perseid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak this year on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 but will remain visible through late August. To find a spot dark enough, stargazers may have to drive a while outside of the Puget Sound area. Here's what else you should know to catch the meteor shower. Helen Smith reports. (KING)

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 503 AM PDT Thu Aug 10 2023 TODAY W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 9 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 15 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 9 seconds.