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.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to mikesato772 (@) gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told