11/1 Witchhazel, Skagit warming, NW hydrogen hub, Snake R dams, PeaceHealth toxic waste, 'zombie' trees, seaweed carbon, robot 'Pied Piper'

 

Primavera Witchhazel
[WSU PNW Plants]

Primavera Witchhazel Hamamelis intermedia 'Primavera'
Primavera witchhazel is a deciduous shrub that grows in a vase shaped form to 15’. It bears bright simple alternately arranged green leaves which can grow to 6” wide. In the fall leaves turn a pleasing yellow-orange color before they are shed. This cultivar is a hybrid of Hamamelis japonica and Hamamelis mollis. Clusters of bright yellow, spider-like flowers with narrow petals (to 5/8" long) bloom in February to March. The flowers are noted for their sweet fragrance. Cut stems can be brought into the home to serve as a floral bouquet. (WSU PNW Plants)

As Skagit Valley waterways get warmer, the Swinomish push to save fish
Parts of the Skagit Valley once comprised a vast, uninterrupted wetland. A marshy tangle of salt and freshwater served as prime habitat for baby Chinook salmon to bulk up before their journey to the sea. Now, as much as an estimated 88% of the land has been converted to farms, roads and other forms of development. With it went much of the shady trees and shrubs along the rivers and streams that helped keep water cool and buzzing with insects that baby fish fed on. Nookachamps Creek, the lower Skagit’s largest tributary, sat mostly stagnant one day this September, its sludgy brown water flanked by a cornfield and invasive blackberry bushes. At times, the water can warm to lethal temperatures. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

Officials tell public newly approved Northwest hydrogen hub will produce jobs, economic benefits
The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub could spur up to 70,000 regional jobs and grow education, apprenticeship programs in Oregon, Montana and Washington. Whatcom County's Cherry Point is a potential project location.  Alex Baumhardt reports. (Washington State Standard)

Lower Snake River dam removal still possible as talks continue
Dam removal on the Lower Snake River is still on the table as talks continue over salmon survival and the operation of dams in the Columbia Basin. After two years of settlement talks, the federal government, tribes, renewable-energy groups, conservationists and other parties will soon begin discussing a series of proposals for the river and the salmon that are struggling to survive there...The benefits of low-cost hydropower, irrigation and transportation on the Lower Snake River and the survival of salmon at risk of extinction are at stake. Isabella Breda reports.(Seattle Times)

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center penalized $21,000 for dangerous waste violations
St. Joseph has had longstanding issues related to complying with dangerous waste regulations. Despite repeated regulatory assistance and a previous penalty for similar violations in 2018, St. Joseph has not established a long-term system for safely managing their dangerous waste. (WA Dept. of Ecology)

B.C. drought conditions increasing risk of hazardous 'zombie' trees
They live among us and they could strike at any time. This is the alarm bell being sounded by arborists about so-called zombie trees. They appear undamaged immediately after severe weather conditions, such as storms and drought, but are in fact damaged internally and can fall at any time. (CBC)

Capturing Carbon with Seaweed: What We Know, What We Don’t, and What We’re Totally Unsure About
Towering underwater kelp forests are often likened to trees, but seaweed carbon sequestration is far more complex than in soil-bound ecosystems. Clare Watson reports. (Hakai Magazine)

A new ‘Pied Piper’ robot protects Oregon’s vineyards from pests with some good vibes
Since there was agriculture, there were agricultural pests — and farmers trying to control them. For insects, growers mostly rely on pesticides, which we know can have real consequences for wildlife, people and our environment. The bugs don’t talk the same way we do, but they do communicate — with vibrations. The plan is to record the insect communication so farmers can use the sound against insect pests. Jes Burns reports. (OPB)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  232 AM PDT Wed Nov 1 2023   
TODAY  SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 2 ft  at 8 seconds. A chance of rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 2  ft at 9 seconds building to 4 ft at 9 seconds after midnight.  Rain.

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