12/15 Bluegill, Columbia deal, flooded salmon, less gas spilled, GasLink flooding, quake fault, wool dog, mushroom foraging, summer tanager, Whale Trail gathering

 Bluegill

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus
Bluegill is one of several "panfish" species in Washington which is very popular across the state because they are easy to catch, they are a great "family fishing activity" and they make excellent table fare. Often mistaken for pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill are distinguishable by a darkened blue spot on the posterior edge of the gill plate. Average 4-8 inches. Bluegill can grow to 6-11 inches in quality populations.

NW states, tribes reach ‘historic’ deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams
A decades-long battle over dams in the Columbia River Basin had a breakthrough Thursday, as the Biden administration announced a deal with four tribes in the region and the states of Oregon and Washington that is meant to restore salmon and other fish runs while also looking at the possibility of eventually breaching four of the dams. The settlement agreement calls for a 10-year pause in legal fighting that dates back to the 1990s. It also includes a promise – but not a guarantee – of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds and other money for wild fish restoration in the Columbia River Basin over the next decade, along with support for clean energy production by the tribes. Lynne Terry and Bill Lucia report. (Washington State Standard)

Salmon, rivers hit hard by recent Washington floods
The atmospheric river that hit the Pacific Northwest in early December took a heavy toll on salmon, biologists working with Puget Sound tribes say. Major floods have hit salmon-bearing rivers hard two out of the past three autumns, at a time when freshly laid Chinook salmon eggs are incubating in their underwater nests. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Responders lower estimate of gasoline spilled near Conway
The new estimate is about 20,000 gallons spilled, down from about 25,000. Another 5,000 gallons were found in a concrete vault connected to the pipeline and were not spilled. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

B.C. officials said Coastal GasLink pipeline plans could withstand ‘extreme weather conditions.’ Then the heat came
An internal briefing note reveals BC Energy Regulator inspectors did not find any problems with Coastal GasLink’s emergency plans a few months before soaring temperatures led to flooded pipeline sites, slope failures and damage to sensitive creeks and wetlands. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Scientists find new fault line running under the Greater Victoria area
Called XELF, the fault produced a large earthquake between 2,300 and 4,700 years ago. Scientists aren't sure when the next one will be. Chris Knight reports. (Times Colonist)

The Story of the Indigenous Wool Dog Told Through Oral Histories and DNA
A biologist, an anthropologist, Indigenous weavers, and an epic collaboration to unveil the life of an ancient dog breed found only in the Pacific Northwest. Devon Bidal reports. (Hakai Magazine)
The Dogs That Grew Wool and the People Who Love Them Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest bred little, fluffy white dogs that provided for them, both materially and spiritually. Virginia Morell reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Mushrooms are abundant in Puget Sound. Here's how to forage them ethically
Puget Sound mushroom clubs are proud to be some of the biggest in the country. But picking mushrooms isn't a no-impact activity for our local woodlands -- so how can you ethically forage like the pros? Libby Denkmann and Alex Cowan report. (KUOW)

Bird enthusiasts look for rare red bird in Christmas count
Bird counters taking part in­ ­Saturday’s Victoria Christmas Bird Count will be on the lookout for a feathered celebrity — a summer tanager — that recently showed up unexpectedly at a feeder in North Saanich. The medium-sized bird with all-red plumage — the only c­ompletely red bird in North America — is a long way from its typical winter range in warmer climes in Central and South America. Its presence here, at this time of the year especially, is so unusual that bird enthusiasts have travelled from as far away as Montreal for a sighting. Pedro Arrais reports. (Times Colonist)

The Whale Trail annual winter gathering
Hear updates about southern resident orcas from researcher Brad Hanson, Ph.D. Learn about current approaches to assess the health of the population, and what the data is showing. Featured speakers also include Washington State Orca Recovery Coordinator Tara Galuska, and researchers Mark and Maya Sears. Dec. 21, 7 p.m.,C&P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW, Seattle; $5 suggested donation. Advance tickets.

Salish Sea News Week in Review 12/15/23: Bill of Rights Friday, WDFW, king tides, pipeline leak, kids climate suit, Neah Bay dredging, PFAS, climate talks, Arctic warming, carbon purchase, 'cap-and-trade' future 

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Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  243 AM PST Fri Dec 15 2023    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING    
TODAY  SE wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 6 ft at 12 seconds. Rain  likely in the morning.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 11 seconds. A slight  chance of rain.  
SAT  SE wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at  13 seconds. A chance of rain.  
SAT NIGHT  E wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 12 seconds.  
SUN  E wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at  11 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email mikesato772 (@) gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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