8/9 Rabbit, Sourdough Fire, marine heat wave, BC Inidgenous guardians, tufted puffins, Fidalgo Bay oysters, WSF budget

San Juan Island rabbit
[Ingrid V Taylar/Creative Commons]

European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus
The European rabbit or coney is a species of rabbit native to the Iberian Peninsula, western France, and the northern Atlas Mountains in northwest Africa. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, often with devastating effects on local biodiversity. (Wikipedia)

Sourdough Fire takes bite out of Seattle’s electricity supplies
Seattle’s power utility has had to cut energy production at its Skagit River dams in half as the Sourdough Fire has forced workers at one of Seattle’s main energy sources to evacuate. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Marine heat wave off Pacific coast could prove dangerous for wildlife
A marine heat wave that's been raising the temperatures of waters off the Pacific coast for weeks has experts worried about the health of marine life. Data from the U.S.-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that some parts of the Pacific Ocean are experiencing a Category IV, or "extreme" heat wave — the most severe level in the organization's ranking system. Srushti Gangdev reports. (CBC) 

Indigenous guardians on BC's central coast given park ranger authority
The pilot program designates 11 Indigenous guardians with same legal authorities as park rangers within parks and protected areas in their ancestral territories. Gordon McIntyre reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Dispatch from the last colony
Colorful tufted puffins were once common in Puget Sound's northern waters, but since the 1980s, their numbers have dwindled by an estimated 90 percent across the state. Today, breeding colonies in Puget Sound are mostly confined to tiny Smith Island where biologists are keeping watch on the birds that remain. Eric Wagner reports. (Salish Sea Currents Magazine)

Olympia oysters flourishing in Fidalgo Bay
The only oyster native to the state is flourishing in Fidalgo Bay, according the most recent restoration survey. Last week, volunteers from the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, Northwest Straits Commission, Salish Sea Stewards, Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection and the Skagit Marine Resources Committee counted the Fidalgo Bay Olympia oyster population. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

State ferry system may face budget gap even with fare hike
A citizen panel is expected this week to approve two rounds of price increases. A new report says the move will raise less than expected, leaving the door open to a third hike. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  240 AM PDT Wed Aug 9 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. A chance of  rain in the morning then a slight 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 9 seconds. A slight  chance of rain.

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