2/29 Eastern oyster, North of Falcon, Renfrew forage zones, Fraser R sturgeon, TM pipe, BC wildfires

 

Eastern oyster [NOAA]

Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica
Crassostrea virginica is commonly known as the Eastern Oyster. It is native to the Northwest Atlantic from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Panama and Venezuela. Beginning in the 19th century, extensive transplants were made to the West Coast (from British Columbia to southern California), Hawaii, and European waters. The Eastern Oyster is currently established in Hawaii, and a tiny remnant population survives in British Columbia, but the vast majority of these introductions were unsuccessful. In its native habitat this species is characteristic of shallow, estuarine waters and can occur in the intertidal.  (Smithsonian)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Community Voices / Removing Bellingham's parking minimums has many benefits

State to begin process of setting salmon fishing seasons
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will present initial salmon forecasts to the public on Friday on Zoom from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The forecasts are part of the fishery season-setting process, named North of Falcon after the physical location of Cape Falcon in Oregon. North of Falcon consists of receiving input from commercial and recreational fishers as state fishery managers and tribal managers estimate salmon and steelhead return numbers....The North of Falcon process will include several public meetings over the next two months. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Renfrew residents worry about plan for more chinook limits
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ proposal to expand foraging zones for southern resident killer whales and close more areas to the chinook salmon fishery could have a “devastating” impact on Port Renfrew. The town on the southwest tip of Vancouver Island is heavily reliant on anglers who flock to the area in the summer and early fall to catch the premium sports fish, known for its meat and vigorous fight. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

Oil spilled by Fraser River sturgeon habitat. Why did it take almost 3 months to start cleaning up?
A landslide in early December caused a spill that First Nations leaders say endangers prime sturgeon habitat in the Fraser River. They’re left wondering why it’s taken so long to address. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

Why Did Trans Mountain Dig Through an Indigenous Burial Site?
Trans Mountain says it is in the process of wrapping up work to install its pipeline through a sacred Secwépemc site, bringing its expansion project one step closer to completion. The pipe installation, which involved digging a 1.3-kilometre trench through an area with a known burial site, was allowed to proceed after years of back and forth between the company, the Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation and federal regulators. The Canadian government bought the pipeline nearly six years ago and vowed to move ahead with its expansion. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee)

BC wildfire: Expect early, intense battle as drought lingers
A drought that has lingered across much of B.C. since the fall of 2022 could be a harbinger of a “grim” wildfire season, forecasters are warning. Victoria-based Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan said there is no indication that spring weather will be wet enough to temper what he describes as “unbelievably low levels” of precipitation and snowpack over the past 18 months in most areas of B.C.Joseph Ruttle reports. (Vancouver Sun)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  211 AM PST Thu Feb 29 2024    
TODAY  S wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 6 to  9 ft at 12 seconds becoming 8 ft at 12 seconds in the afternoon.  
TONIGHT  S wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 7 ft at 13 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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2/28 Oly oyster, herring spawn-on-kelp, TM pipe cost, PSE rate hike, gray whales, BC haz waste spills, John McCoy curriculum, BC climate disaster budget

 

Olympia oyster [Wikipedia/Creative Commons]

Olympia oyster Ostrea lurida
Ostrea lurida, common name the Olympia oyster, after Olympia, Washington in the Puget Sound area, is a species of edible oyster, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Ostreidae. This species occurs on the northern Pacific coast of North America. Over the years the role of this edible species of oyster has been partly displaced by the cultivation of non-native edible oyster species. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Library ... plus: today’s version provides much more than books

B.C. First Nation sues federal government over ban on herring spawn fishery
The Heiltsuk Nation claims the federal fisheries minister's decision to close the commercial harvest of herring spawn-on-kelp in the nation's territory was an infringement of its Aboriginal rights. (Times Colonist)

Trans Mountain's latest cost estimate climbs 10%, regulatory filing shows
According to a regulatory filing Trans Mountain Corp. provided to the Canada Energy Regulator on Monday, the company building the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion now estimates the project's costs will come in 10 per cent higher than its May 2023 estimate of $30.9 billion, which represents the latest in a series of cost increases for the high-profile project, which in 2017 was estimated to cost just $7.4 billion. Amanda Stephenson reports. (CBC)

Puget Sound Energy proposes hefty rate hikes to pay for hydro and wind power
Puget Sound Energy, the state’s largest provider of electricity and natural gas, proposed its two-year rate hike to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission this month. Under the proposal, the typical residential electricity customer would see a monthly bill increase of $7.84 starting in 2025 and an additional $11.20 in 2026. The typical natural gas customer would see a $13.96 increase in 2025 and $1.51 in 2026, according to the utility. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)

Gray whales return to Salish Sea as population struggles
Each year in the late winter, a small group of gray whales will detour from their usual 5,000-mile migration between the southern tip of California and the Bering Sea near Alaska to make a stop in the Salish Sea. With tidal flats around Whidbey Island, Camano Island and other areas, the Sounders make the stop to feast on ghost shrimp, which is their preferred food. The waters are densely populated with ghost shrimp, according to the Orca Network. (Fox 13 News)

B.C. not effectively managing hazardous spills: auditor general
A report from Auditor General Michael Pickup says the government didn't consistently notify First Nations communities of hazardous spills, and millions of dollars owed to the province haven't been recovered from those responsible. (Canadian Press)

Curriculum on state tribes to be renamed after late Tulalip legislator
On Tuesday, John McCoy’s former colleagues in the Senate honored the late lawmaker by passing House Bill 1879. Jenelle Baumbach reports. (Everett Herald)

What the BC Budget Missed on Climate Disasters
After a record-breaking drought and fire season, this month’s B.C. budget made sizable investments in emergency response. But experts say the focus on response is accompanied by a lack of measures to address the root causes of the disasters. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Tyee)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  247 AM PST Wed Feb 28 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON    
TODAY  SW wind 20 to 30 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 4 to  7 ft at 11 seconds building to 5 to 10 ft at 10 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 5 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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2/27 Kumamoto oyster, weather, BC firefighting, Skagit spill cleanup, BC Ferries, "British Columbians," Wedgwood cedar

 

Kumamoto oyster [Smithsonian]

Kumamoto oyster Magallana sikamea
Magallana sikamea is commonly known as the Kumamoto Oyster. It was previously considered a subspecies of the Pacific Oyster (M. gigas), and although the two can hybridize, it is now considered its own species. Its native range extends through Japan, Korea, Taiwan and southern China. It is cultured on the West Coast of North America, but there is no evidence that it is established and reproducing in the wild. It has also been cultured in France, Brazil, and Tasmania, but these introductions did not result in reproduction or successful commercial culture. (Smithsonian)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Giant hornet effort approaches milestone as another pest shows up

Western WA weather: Heavy lowland rain, mountain snow ahead
After a brief mid-day lull Tuesday, a “pretty strong system” moving in from the Gulf of Alaska will settle over the region, said Anna Lindeman, a meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle. The system will continue and intensify into Wednesday, pulling in deep moisture from the Pacific. Conditions will turn wetter and gustier, as the system piles up heavy mountain snow and soaks the lowlands in heavy rain. Vonnai Phair reports. (Seattle Times)  See also: Wet snow forecast for B.C.'s South Coast Environment Canada says 2-5 cm could fall across Metro Vancouver starting Tuesday afternoon. (CBC)

BC Urged to ‘Completely Change Its Approach to Firefighting’
A 14-member government-appointed expert task force is expected to report soon with recommendations on improving emergency preparedness and response. Premier David Eby says the province is already acting on the task force’s preliminary recommendations. Many of the lessons have been about how to work better with local communities to leverage local knowledge and respond faster, Eby said. Especially in rural and remote communities, including First Nations, the government is making sure people have the equipment and training they need to respond to fires quickly. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee)

Gasoline spill cleanup continues near Conway
Crews responding to the Dec. 10 gasoline spill from the Olympic Pipeline near Conway are getting ready to begin removing gasoline from water that is in soil at the site. According to a Friday news release from the unified command overseeing the cleanup, what is known as a dewatering system has been installed inside a wall of steel plates, or a cofferdam, on the edge of Hill Ditch. Once testing of the dewatering and water treatment systems is complete, excavation of contaminated soil along the streambank is expected to begin. (Skagit Valley Herald)

New ferries will carry more people, use green technology
B.C. Ferries is unveiling plans for new major vessels that ­feature more space for ­passengers and vehicles and greener technology. Up to seven new major ­vessels will join the fleet, with the first set to arrive in 2029. A request for proposals to supply the new ships, which will replace six older Queen-class ships serving the busiest routes between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver, is expected to go out this summer. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist)

British Columbians told to stop using term 'British Columbians' because it's offensive now
The Province of British Columbia is now instructing its residents not to refer to themselves as “British Columbians” as the term is offensive. The guideline — first publicized by True North — is contained within an official guide for B.C. government workers drafting “Indigenous content.” Writers are told that the term British Columbian “excludes Indigenous Peoples who may not identify with it.” Tristin Hopper reports. (National Post)

Activists want to save Wedgwood cedar, change Seattle tree oversight
On Saturday afternoon, Tree Action Seattle, an urban forestry advocacy group, hosted a neighborhood gathering to preserve the tree nicknamed Astra at 3003 Northeast 88th St. — about four blocks west of another Western red cedar, nicknamed Luma, that was slated for removal for a development last summer, until protests sparked actions that saved the tree. Luma was found to be culturally modified by the Snoqualmie people over centuries, and the cedar was declared an archaeological site.  Lauren Girgis reports. (Seattle Times)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  249 AM PST Tue Feb 27 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON    
TODAY  SE wind to 10 kt rising to 15 to 25 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 2 to 4 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 3 to 7 ft at 11 seconds building to 6 to 7 ft at 11 seconds  in the afternoon.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 15 to 25 kt becoming SW after midnight. Wind  waves 2 to 4 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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2/26 Oystercatcher, Columbia Basin Pact, Chinook Indian Nation, illegal prawn traps

 

Black Oystercatcher [Wendy Feltham]

The Black Oystercatcher is a spectacular shorebird that lives right here on the shores of the Salish Sea, and all along the West Coast of North America. Sometimes called “carrot smokers” for their unique long, orange bills, they also sport bright yellow eyes with what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology calls a “flame scarlet” orbital ring around the eye that matches their bills. Wendy Feltham writes. (Rainshadow Journal)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Tribal right to fish in ‘usual and accustomed’ areas comes with complexity

Governors, tribes ratify Columbia River Basin pact at White House signing ceremony
The governors of Washington and Oregon and four Native American tribal leaders gathered at the White House on Friday to celebrate last year’s agreement to avoid litigation over dams in the Columbia River Basin. Jacob Fischler reports. (Washington State Standard)  See also: New Columbia Basin plan promises $1B for fish restoration and a break from court cases Courtney Flatt reports. (NW News Network)

Chinook Indian Nation land claim settlement awarded, nation could be closer to federal recognition
The federal government awarded over half a million dollars to the Chinook Indian Nation to settle the nation’s long-running land claim. The nation believes the decision strengthens its nearly two-century fight for federal recognition and its campaign to secure a land base in its traditional territory. Luna Reyna reports. (Indian County Today)

Illegal prawn traps in B.C. glass-sponge refuge net $250K fine
The captain of a commercial fishing vessel has been fined $250,000 by a provincial court judge and ordered to forfeit $80,000 worth of equipment after being caught setting prawn traps in a glass sponge marine refuge near Sechelt, B.C. (Canadian Press)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  246 AM PST Mon Feb 26 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING    
TODAY  NW wind 15 to 25 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Wind  waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 6 to 11 ft at 12 seconds building to 8  to 13 ft at 12 seconds in the afternoon.  
TONIGHT  NW wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 8 to 13 ft at 11 seconds  subsiding to 6 to 11 ft at 12 seconds after midnight.

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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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2/23 Hellebore, BC budget, Tacoma rezone, Everett stormwater, Skagit temperature suit

 

Lenten rose

Lenten rose Helleborus ×hybridus
Helleborus ×hybridus is a group of evergreen, late-winter or early-spring flowering perennials in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) with the common names of hellebore, oriental hellebores, or Lenten rose (the name Christmas rose refers to H. niger).

Today's top story in Salish Current: Wholesale horticultural closing ends local jobs, disrupts nursery supply

What B.C. is — and isn’t — spending on the environment this election year
The 2024 B.C. budget has money for climate rebates and fighting wildfires, but lacks new funding to protect old-growth forests and biodiversity. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

Tacoma's rezoning efforts aim to increase density while preserving trees
The City of Tacoma is considering new zoning to increase density and create more mid-range housing options, such as duplexes and small apartment blocks. It’s an effort to expand affordable options in more than half of the city, as Tacoma braces itself for an expected influx of about 127,000 new residents by 2040 – an increase of more than 50% from 2021. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

To save salmon from pollution, volunteers sample Everett's stormwater
Ahead of Everett treatment plant’s new permit, locals want Ecology to draft stricter requirements for flame retardants like PBDEs. Ta'Leah Van Sistine reports. (Everett Herald)

Swinomish tribe files notice of intent to sue EPA over warming WA streams
The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community filed a notice of intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency over what it argues is a 20-year failure to act on warm stream temperatures that harm threatened salmon. For decades, Swinomish has advocated for replanting streamsides within the Skagit watershed. The Skagit is the largest Washington watershed draining into the Salish Sea and the last river system in the Lower 48 to bolster all five Pacific salmon species, and steelhead that still return here to spawn. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/23/24: No straw day, endangered orcas, Electron dam, grizzly plan, Rayonier cleanup, EPA 'good neighbor' rule, ferruginous hawk, BC oil gas permits, BD Land Act, Boldt 50.

Have you read the Salish Current? 
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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  235 AM PST Fri Feb 23 2024    
TODAY  SE wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft  at 13 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 3 ft  at 12 seconds.  
SAT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 12 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell  2 to 6 ft at 13 seconds building to 3 to 8 ft at 14 seconds after  midnight.  
SUN  SW wind 20 to 30 kt becoming W 25 to 35 kt in the  afternoon. Combined seas 7 to 10 ft with a dominant period of  15 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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2/22 Snapdragon, Boldt 50, BC Land Reconciliation Plan, low level pesticide harm, BC coast oil gas permits

Snapdragon

Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
The common name "snapdragon", originates from the flowers' reaction to having their throats squeezed, which causes the "mouth" of the flower to snap open like a dragon's mouth. It is widely used as an ornamental plant in borders and as a cut flower. It is perennial but usually cultivated as an annual plant. The species has been in culture since the 15th century. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Legislators throw a life ring to Washington’s ‘other’ ferries

The 50th anniversary of the Boldt Decision is a celebration of Native leadership
A landmark lawsuit reaffirmed treaty fishing rights after decades of intertribal activism, inspired by the civil rights movement. Fifty years later, we look back at how far we’ve come and the remnants of the Fish Wars that remain. Luna Reyna reports. (Indian County Today)

NDP Hits Brakes on Land Act Reconciliation Plan
Facing public backlash encouraged by opposition parties, the B.C. government has cancelled planned changes to the Land Act, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen said Wednesday. While the government said the changes were necessary to allow it to enter into land-use agreements with First Nations, opponents accused it of planning to quietly pass control over the vast majority of the land base to First Nations. Amanda Follett Hosgood and Andrew MacLeod report. (The Tyee)

OSU Study Shows Low Level Pesticide Exposure Can Effect Fish for Generations
Fish exposed to some pesticides at extremely low concentrations for a brief period of time can demonstrate lasting behavioral changes, with the impact extending to offspring that were never exposed firsthand, a recent study found. The findings raise concerns not just for fish, but for all vertebrates that are exposed to commonly used pesticides — including humans, said study co-author Susanne Brander, an associate professor and ecotoxicologist in Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center. (Corvallis Advocate)

Feds secure surrender of last oil and gas permits off B.C. coast
Canada has secured the surrender of the last remaining permits for oil and gas development off its Pacific Coast, the federal natural resources minister said on Wednesday, after Chevron Canada voluntarily relinquished 23 permits as of Feb. 9. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the relinquishment of the permits marked an important milestone in permanently protecting the ecologically rich waters of Canada's West Coast. Nia Williams reports. (Thomson Reuters)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  229 AM PST Thu Feb 22 2024    
TODAY  E wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft  at 14 seconds.  
TONIGHT  E wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft  at 13 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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2/21 Narcissus, Rayonier cleanup, 'cetacean desk,' 'good neighbor rule,' BC mining, ferruginous hawk

 

Narcissus 'February Gold'

Narcissus 'February Gold' Cyclamineus daffodil
Narcissus is a genus of about 50 species of bulbous perennials from Europe and North Africa. They are a mainstay of the spring garden. Flowers bloom in early spring. Narrow, linear to strap-shaped, green leaves appear in erect to sprawling clumps. Genus name honors a beautiful youth who became so entranced with his own reflection that he pined away and the gods turned him into this flower.

Today's top story in Salish Current: Canada approved a major port expansion in endangered orca habitat — now it’s going to court

Cleanup at Rayonier site still years away
The years’ long cleanup process at the old Rayonier mill site on the Port Angeles waterfront is moving forward but is likely at least another eight years from being completed. State Department of Ecology representatives told the Port Angeles Business Association on Tuesday that an interim action plan for the site has recently been revised.  Peter Segall reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

To keep whales safe, Coast Guard launches boat alert system in Seattle
The U.S. Coast Guard has launched a pilot program to alert ships of whale sightings in Washington state’s Salish Sea. The goal of the agency’s “ cetacean desk ” is to keep the marine mammals safe from boat strikes and reduce noise in the highly transited inland seawaters. The program, which began official operations in December, comes at a time when visits by humpback whales and sea mammal-hunting orcas increase as their populations rebound. Manuel Valdez reports. (Associated Press)

Supreme Court will hear challenge to EPA's 'good neighbor' rule that limits pollution
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday in an important environmental case that centers on the obligation to be a "good neighbor." At the heart of the dispute is the part of the Clean Air Act known as the "good neighbor" provision. It's designed to help protect people from severe health problems they face because of pollution that floats downwind from neighboring states. Carrie Johnson reports. (NPR)

British Columbia’s multimillion-dollar mining problem
The true cost of cleaning up mine pollution in B.C. is growing, an investigation by The Globe and Mail and The Narwhal has found. If disaster strikes, taxpayers could be stuck with covering the costs. Francesca Fionda, Jeffrey Jones and Chen Wang report. (The Narwhal)

How an endangered hawk could topple plans for WA’s largest wind farm
What began as the largest wind project ever proposed in Washington — the Horse Heaven Hills wind farm — will likely soon be cut to a fraction of the original vision. Why? Because more than 100 of the turbines, which could stand taller than the Space Needle, might pose a danger to a little-known and endangered species in the Tri-Cities area: the ferruginous hawk. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times)

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

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  230 AM PST Wed Feb 21 2024    
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SE 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. E swell 5 to 7 ft at 10 seconds  subsiding to 4 to 5 ft at 10 seconds in the afternoon.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. E swell 5 ft  at 9 seconds becoming W 3 ft at 15 seconds after midnight.

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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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2/20 Hyacinth, WA budget, BC Lands Act, BC black bears, Vancouver rats

Grape hyacinth

Grape hyacinth Muscari latifolium
The broad-leaved grape hyacinth, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. The Latin specific epithet latifolium means "broad-leaved". (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Community Voices / Now is the time for a Washington state green amendment

How Washington lawmakers want to spend another $2 billion with this year’s state budget
Debate begins in Olympia as the House and Senate stake claims on where they want the money to go. They have about two weeks to wrap up negotiations. Jerry Cornfield and Laurel Demkovich report. (Washington State Standard)

Not a ‘veto’: unpacking misinformation around proposed B.C. Land Act amendments
Small changes that would nudge B.C.'s Land Act closer to alignment with the province's Indigenous Rights legislation are being met with 'political fear-mongering.' Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Narwhal)

Advocates call for conservation officers to wear body cameras
2023 saw decade-high number of black bears killed by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service. Michelle Morton reports. (CBC)

Food, not poison ban, the culprit in rat proliferation, says rat catcher
A popular recent video from Vancouver showed dozens of rats around a park in front of the Burrard Skytrain station, scurrying under the feet of commuters. Pedro Arrais reports. (Times Colonist)

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

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  236 AM PST Tue Feb 20 2024    
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. Mixed swell  SW 4 ft at 11 seconds and NW 4 ft at 14 seconds.  
TONIGHT  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. E swell 6 ft  at 10 seconds subsiding to 3 to 5 ft at 10 seconds after  midnight. Swell NW 5 ft.

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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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2/19 Snowdrop, endangered whales, Electron Dam, WSF, grizzly plan, Skagit gravel mine, nature's value

 

Snowdrop

Snowdrop Galanthus
Galanthus is a small genus of approximately 20 species of bulbous perennial herbaceous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. The plants have two linear leaves and a single small white drooping bell-shaped flower with six petal-like tepals in two circles. The smaller inner petals have green markings. Most species flower in winter, before the vernal equinox (20 or 21 March in the Northern Hemisphere), but some flower in early spring and late autumn. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Water worries on the rise: Nooksack addresses increased flooding

Oregon classifies orca whales as endangered
Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to add a group of whales that forage along the Oregon Coast to the state’s endangered species list. The vote followed a presentation by a fish and wildlife official calling for the animals to be listed and testimony from dozens of conservationists, biologists, teachers, anglers and residents, some of whom had traveled hundreds of miles. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Puyallup Tribe celebrates as Electron Hydro is ordered to remove temporary rock dam
On Friday, District Court Judge John C. Coughenour ruled that energy company Electron Hydro must remove part of a temporary rock wall at the Electron Dam site. The ruling came in response to the Puyallup Tribe's latest lawsuit against Electron Hydro's owners. The court found that the structure harms three endangered species: Chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout, in violation of the Endangered Species Act. Bellamy Paithorp reports. (KNKX)

Washington's ferry system has a trust problem
Officially, the Washington State Ferries had a 99% reliability rating in January 2024. But in waterfront communities hurt by too few boats and ferry-run cancellations, people remain skeptical. Joshua McNichols reports (KUOW)  See also: Letters to Inslee: More passenger-only ferries could be among solutions to Washington ferry woes  Dyer Oxley and Joshua McNichols report. (KUOW)

Snohomish County partners with feds on North Cascades grizzly plan
Last week, the Snohomish County Council approved a memorandum of understanding between the county’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Ta'Leah Van Sistine reports. (Everett Herald)

Groups appeal permit issued for gravel mine
Central Samish Valley Neighbors and property owner Cougar Peak LLC and its caretakers have appealed a Feb. 1 Skagit County hearing examiner decision to grant a permit for a proposed gravel mine northwest of Sedro-Woolley. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Nature Has Value. Could We Literally Invest in It?
“Natural asset companies” would put a market price on improving ecosystems, rather than on destroying them. Lydia DePillis reports. (NY Time

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

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  228 AM PST Mon Feb 19 2024   
TODAY  SE wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 11 seconds. A  slight chance of rain in the morning then a chance of rain in the  afternoon. TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft building to  2 to 4 ft after midnight. SW swell 3 to 4 ft at 13 seconds  becoming W 1 to 5 ft at 12 seconds after midnight. A chance of  rain after midnight.

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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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2/16 Thresher shark, WA cap-and-trade, plastic lies, WSF talk group, Oak Bay sewage, orphaned baby bears, seabed mining, Whidbey waters, HistoryLink, Week in Review

 

Common thresher shark [Walter Heim/NOAA]

Common thresher shark Alopias vulpinus
Common thresher sharks are found along the continental shelves of North America and Asia of the North Pacific, but are rare in the Central and Western Pacific. This species tends to be more common in coastal waters over the continental shelves. Caught incidentally in the commercial fishery off the outer Washington coast with longline, troll, and jig handline gear. This species of shark is a very fast, strong swimmer and has been known to leap entirely out of the water! This shark can also maintain a body temperature warmer than the water surrounding it, a trait it shares with its relatives: makos and great whites.

Today's top story in Salish Current: The Boldt Decision 50 years on — much done, much to do

More shark talk
Our man on Lopez shares: "The Greenland shark, a close relative of the Pacific species, has the longest known lifespan of all vertebrate species, estimated to be between 250 and 500 years! This suggests that there are sharks alive today that were youngsters before the U.S. became a country. It reaches sexual maturity at about 150 years of age and pups are born alive after an estimated gestation period of 8–18 years (also the longest of any known vertebrate). The flesh contains a high concentration of a nitrogen compound that causes the meat to be toxic to mammals. Greenland shark flesh, treated to reduce toxin levels, is eaten in Iceland as a delicacy known as hakarl.  From personal experience, my wife and I concur that the so-called “delicacy” tastes like a sponge soaked in household ammonia."

Washington’s key climate law is under attack. Big Oil wants it to survive
How did a cap-and-trade program considered the "gold standard" gain the support of oil companies? Kate Yoder reports. (Grist)

Reduce, reuse, redirect outrage: How plastic makers used recycling as a fig leaf
The plastics industry has worked for decades to convince people and policymakers that recycling would keep waste out of landfills and the environment. Consumers sort their trash so plastic packaging can be repurposed, and local governments use taxpayer money to gather and process the material. Yet from the early days of recycling, plastic makers, including oil and gas companies, knew that it wasn't a viable solution to deal with increasing amounts of waste, according to documents uncovered by the Center for Climate Integrity. Michael Copley reports. (NPR)

Bill seeks to improve ferry reliability with a work group
House Bill 2497 would create the Washington State Ferries 75 Work Group, a reference to Washington State Ferries’ 75th anniversary in 2026. While the state Department of Transportation isn’t completely on board, Rep. Greg Nance thinks his bill will help ferries long-term. Jenelle Baumbach reports. (Everett Herald)

Uplands pipe upgrade to prevent sewage flowing into ocean
Funding from the federal and provincial governments will allow Oak Bay to replace the single-pipe system that was built nearly a century ago. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

See where 120 orphaned baby bears take shelter as B.C. wildfires and drought shrink their habitat
As climate impacts increasingly drive bears into communities, many cubs are left alone and starving. In northern B.C., a small group is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating the orphans. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Where could the United States mine in its own seabed?
No longer the stuff of science fiction, the deep-sea mining industry is speeding up efforts to mine precious minerals in international waters. But some countries are looking to do so within their national boundaries. Norway, for example, became the first country to allow mining exploration in its own waters, and the United States may not be far behind. Elham Shabahat reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Whidbey diver-turned-citizen scientist provides ongoing data
Longtime Whidbey diver Jan Kocian has circled the island exploring the marine environment. It looks a lot different than it used to, he said. “That diversity is gone,” he said. “It’s unfortunately in every location on the island. The diving is not even close to what it used to be. I know I sound like an old guy.” According to the Pacific Biodiversity Institute, the Salish Sea was one of the most productive and diverse marine ecosystems in the world and has seen a 300-year decline caused by overfishing, by-catch, pollution, dredging and coastal development. Sam Fletcher reports. (South Whidbey Record)

HistoryLink, WA's own online encyclopedia, was born before Wikipedia
Exactly two years before Wikipedia came online, Washington’s own digital encyclopedia was born. That was 25 years ago, on Jan. 15, 1999, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Erik Lacitis writes. (Seattle Times)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/16/24: Kyoto Protocol, warming world, greenwashing, Hood Canal bulkhead, naming birds, BC aquaculture, WA PFAS, seafood harvest, kelp and climate, disappearing diversity.

Have you read the Salish Current? 
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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  428 AM PST Fri Feb 16 2024   
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT    
TODAY  E wind 20 to 30 kt becoming 25 to 35 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 8 to 10 ft. SW swell 6 ft at 12 seconds.  
TONIGHT  E wind 25 to 35 kt. Wind waves 7 to 9 ft. SW swell 6  ft at 12 seconds building to 11 ft at 12 seconds after midnight. A  chance of rain after midnight.  
SAT  E wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. SW swell 12 ft  at 13 seconds. Rain likely in the morning then rain in the  afternoon.  
SAT NIGHT  E wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 9 ft at 10 seconds.  S
UN  E wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 9 ft at  14 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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9/15 Sleeper shark, WA lege bills, seafood, kelp and climate, pump station, carbon market bill, Everett mining

Pacific sleeper shark [Oregon State Sea Grant]

Pacific sleeper shark Somniosus pacificus
Pacific sleeper sharks are found in the North Pacific from Japan, along the Siberian coast to the Bering Sea and in southern California USA, Baja California, and Mexico. They are thought to be both predators and scavengers but only in Alaska has the shark's diet been studied - most sharks' stomachs contain remains of giant Pacific octopus. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Nooksack water rights adjudication is on track for April filing

The bills that are dead and still alive in Washington's 2024 legislative session
As this year’s action in Olympia moves deeper into its second half, some bills have expired as others chug along. Grace Deng, Laurel Demkovich and Jerry Cornfield report. (Washington State Standard)   See: Washington Bill Tracker (Crosscut)

Washington bottle deposit proposal fizzles out in Legislature
The latest attempt to create a bottle deposit program in Washington state was shattered on the House floor this week. State Rep. Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver) sponsored HB 2144, the bill that proposed the creation of a bottle deposit program in Washington state.  Dyer Oxley reports. (KUOW)

Sea Change: How and When Washington’s Catch Ebbs and Flows
From smelt to sea cucumbers, the seafood we take from Northwest waters is ever-changing. Allison Williams reports. (Seattle Met)

Rays of hope for kelp and climate in south Salish Sea
Some pockets of bull kelp vital for sea life off southern Vancouver Island and B.C.’s Gulf Islands are proving to be resilient to rising sea temperatures and marine heat waves, a new University of Victoria study has found. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer)

‘Quality Cannot Be Compromised Due to Trans Mountain’s Urgency’
Or can it? Canada’s energy regulator has reversed its decision to quash a last-minute pipeline variance. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Tyee)

B.C. commits $76.6M for Abbotsford pump station amid flood risks
A critical pump station that came dangerously close to being overwhelmed by floodwaters in British Columbia in November 2021 will receive almost $80 million in upgrades to provide future disaster protection, Premier David Eby said Wednesday. (Canadian Press)

Closely-watched carbon market linkage bill advances in Olympia
Legislation is moving forward that would allow Washington to link its market for carbon pollution with those in Québec and California. The proposal is expected to drive down prices for carbon allowances that large emitters now need in Washington. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Accused of being bad neighbor, Everett mining company applies for permit
After almost 10 months of friction between the company and its neighbor Fairmount Elementary School, the Mountain Loop Mine submitted a permit application to the county Wednesday afternoon. Snohomish County’s Planning and Development Services learned last May that Mountain Loop Mine did not have the proper land disturbing activity permit. The yard is...about 50 feet from some classrooms. Ta'Leah Van Sistine reports. (Everett Herald)

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

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  235 AM PST Thu Feb 15 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT  
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY  AFTERNOON   TODAY  E wind 20 to 30 kt becoming 20 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 5 ft at 14 seconds  becoming SW 3 ft at 13 seconds in the afternoon. A chance of rain  in the morning then a slight chance of rain in the afternoon.  
TONIGHT  E wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. SW swell  3 ft at 12 seconds subsiding to 1 ft at 10 seconds after  midnight.

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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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2/14 Sevengill shark, BC aquaculture, Boldt 50, BC Land Act, nonpoint pollution, PFAS, suing 'Big Oil'

Broadnose sevengill shark [D. Ross Robertson/CC]

Broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus
The broadnose sevengill has been found in the western Pacific Ocean off China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the eastern Pacific Ocean off Canada, United States and Chile, and the southern Atlantic Ocean off Argentina and South Africa. It is found in the San Francisco Bay particularly near the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. An opportunistic predator, it preys on a great variety of animals and has been found at a depth of 1,870 feet (570 meters) in offshore waters, (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Orcas Island’s Rosario Resort sale to close Feb. 29

First Nations group criticizes federal fisheries department
An Indigenous-led group is criticizing what it says is the "gross mismanagement" of aquaculture in British Columbia by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), as it calls for a separation of its regulatory and promotional responsibilities. The First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance says the department is mired in conflict of interest stemming from its dual role, which the group's chairman Bob Chamberlin described as like "marking your own homework." (Canadian Press)

Northwest Treaty Tribes call for 'big fixes' as salmon recovery lags
In accordance with treaties signed throughout the Pacific Northwest in the 1850s, Judge George Boldt ruled the agreements in which these tribes ceded land accorded them rights to 50% of Washington’s fish returns....An important subsequent ruling from District Court Judge William Orrick extended the definition of co-management, said Lummi Business Council Secretary Lisa Wilson, who is the Commission’s vice chair. “It wasn't just the fish; it was actually the habitat that we needed to sustain those fish. He said to dip one's net and come up empty, makes that treaty meaningless,” she said. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

The words ‘in common with’ were pivotal to Judge Boldt’s ruling on Native American fishing rights
Three common words and their legal interpretation a half-century ago helped set the stage for a cultural revival among Native Americans while propelling an environmental movement that still resonates today in Washington state. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute)

Is BC ‘Returning All Traditional Lands’ to First Nations?
Anyone reading about proposed amendments to B.C.’s Land Act might believe there are major changes afoot...The government, the analysis goes, is about to quietly pass control over the vast majority of its land base to the First Nations who stewarded it for millennia. Except it isn’t.  Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee)

Swinomish tribe objects to federal approval of pollution plan
This week, Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, which includes Washington state, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave their approval of the state Department of Ecology’s Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program...Swinomish Chairman Steve Edwards said in the statement that the tribe takes issue with the program’s lack of focus on how to combat warm water temperatures, or what is known as temperature pollution. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

PFAS in Washington’s well water could make you sick
‘Forever chemicals’ linked to ailments from high cholesterol to cancer are in our clearest aquifers — but steep costs pose cleanup challenges. Andrew Engelson reports. (Crosscut)

Saanich weighs whether to sue 'Big Oil' to pay for climate bill
Staff at the District of Saanich have become the first in Canada to propose an aggressive solution to close the fiscal gap and balance the district's budget: sue the world's largest oil and gas companies. Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist)

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

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  250 AM PST Wed Feb 14 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT  
TODAY  E wind 20 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 3 ft  at 11 seconds.  
TONIGHT  NE wind 20 to 30 kt becoming 25 to 30 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 3 ft at 12 seconds  building to 5 ft at 15 seconds after midnight. A chance of rain  after midnight.

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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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2/13 Angel shark, Boldt 50, rising sea, Oly oyster, renaming birds

Pacific angel shark [Tony Chess/NOAA]

Pacific angel shark Squatina californica
The Pacific angelshark is a species of angelshark, family Squatinidae, found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Alaska to the Gulf of California, and from Ecuador to Chile, although those in the Gulf of California and southeastern Pacific may in fact be separate species. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Cultivating a resilient regional ‘seed to sandwich’ food system

Effects of Boldt decision felt 50 years later
Monday marked 50 years since a federal court decision secured fishing rights for tribes in the state. Under the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott and several other treaties, tribes in the state reserved the right to fish at “usual and accustomed grounds and stations,” often giving up claim to thousands of acres of land in the process. Despite those treaty rights, state enforcement officers harassed, arrested and confiscated the gear of tribal members fishing off reservations. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

How a Northwest tribe is escaping a rising ocean
Where the Quinault River empties into the Pacific, a seawall of massive boulders protects the Quinault Reservation village of Taholah from pounding waves, but it's not always up to the task. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

The Pacific coast’s native Olympia oyster is making a comeback
The Oly’s numbers plummeted after decades of pollution from the paper industry. Now efforts from Washington to California work to bring it back. Brendan Borrell reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Many birds are named for enslavers, colonizers and white supremacists. That’s about to change
Black birdwatchers on the practice’s racist history, the move to rename North America’s feathered species and other changes needed to make birding inclusive.  Emma McIntosh reports. (The Narwhal)

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

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  247 AM PST Tue Feb 13 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT    
TODAY  E wind 5 to 15 kt rising to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 5 ft at 11 seconds.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt becoming 15 to 25 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 6 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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2/12 Salmon shark, world temperature, BC Hydro drought, Goldendale project, greenwashing, Hood Canal bulkhead, Boldt 50, WA capital gains tax

 

Salmon shark [OSU]

Salmon shark Lamna ditropis
The salmon shark is a species of mackerel shark found in the northern Pacific ocean. As an apex predator, the salmon shark feeds on salmon, squid, sablefish, and herring. It is known for its ability to maintain stomach temperature, which is unusual among fish. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Community Voices / In celebration of Black History Month

World temperatures go above 1.5 C warming for a year: EU scientists
The average temperature for the past 12 months was 1.52 C above pre-industrial times, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

B.C. Hydro braces for severe drought
The utility is used to managing the ups and downs of high water years and low water years with a history that stretches back 80 years, but “this is towards the worst end of what we’ve seen historically,” CEO Chris O’Riley said. Derrick Penner reports. (Times Colonist)

Controversial energy project moves closer to breaking ground
A federal commission released its final environmental review for the Goldendale Pumped Storage Energy Project – to the consternation of several tribes and environmental groups. The Goldendale Pumped Storage Project is part of a potential solution to one of the biggest problems for renewable energy development: the variability of wind and solar. As the Northwest transitions off fossil fuels, power will need to be stored for when the sun doesn’t shine, and the wind doesn’t blow. Courtney Flatt reports. (KNKS)

What do ‘clean’ and ‘green’ actually mean? Canadian watchdog receives complaints about environmental claims by Shell, RBC, Enbridge
The list of companies whose marketing is being accused of deceiving Canadians about their environmental commitments continues to grow. Carl Meyer and Fatima Syed reports. (The Narwhal)

They started building a bulkhead for a new home on Hood Canal. Then the feds found out
A judge ruled the structure was built in Hood Canal without a proper permit, and now the homeowner faces a $250,000 fine. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

The Boldt Decision’s impact on Indigenous rights, 50 years later
The landmark 1974 case ordered Washington to uphold its treaties, affirm Indigenous salmon fishing rights and recognize Native nations’ sovereignty.Nicholas K. Geranios reports. (Crosscut)

Estimates show capital gains tax repeal draining billions from Washington budget
A proposal headed to voters to repeal Washington’s capital gains tax would knock roughly a billion dollars a year from the state budget, money that would otherwise go to early learning and child care programs and school construction, according to new state estimates. In 2023, the first year of collections, the tax brought in about $890 million. The estimates show that eliminating it would leave similar-sized holes in the state budget going forward.  Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard)

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

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  233 AM PST Mon Feb 12 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON    
TODAY  E wind to 10 kt becoming SE 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 11 ft at 13 seconds subsiding to  9 ft at 12 seconds in the afternoon. A slight chance of rain in  the morning.  
TONIGHT  E wind to 10 kt becoming SE 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 8 ft at 12 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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2/9 Woodpeckers, Roberts Bank 2, snowpack, Chinook deaths, TransMountain non-compliance, Indigenous artifacts, Vancouver rats, 'corporate vampires', week in review

 

Northern Flicker [Gregg Thompson]

Woodpeckers as Keystone Species
Woodpeckers - including this Northern Flicker - are master carpenters of the bird world. They're called "keystone" species for their crucial role in creating habitat suited to other woodland wildlife. Abandoned woodpecker nest-holes become nests or roosts for small owls, cavity-nesting ducks, swifts, bluebirds, swallows, wrens, and other birds, as well as many small mammals. (BirdNote, September 28, 2022)

Editor's note: We were sad to learn from BirdNote that biologist and photographer Gregg Thompson passed away. Gregg's photos and Birdnote stories with those photos have graced many a News and Weather posting. We will honor Gregg with a week of his photos and BirdNote stories. A donation to BirdNote would be an appropriate gesture to recognize Gregg for his art and spirit.

Today's top story in Salish Current: San Juan  County development department struggles to right its ship

Canada approved a major port expansion in endangered orca habitat — now it’s going to court
Ecojustice, representing David Suzuki Foundation, Georgia Strait Alliance, Raincoast Conservation Foundation and the Wilderness Committee, will go to court later this year arguing the federal government contravened the Species at Risk Act in its approval of Roberts Bank Terminal 2 — a $3.5-billion proposed expansion of the existing Port of Vancouver in Delta, B.C. It operates in the Fraser estuary, which is integral for orcas and salmon. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

North Puget Sound basin snowpack about half of normal
Snowpack in the North Cascades is at 49% of normal for this time of the year, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Washington Water Supply Outlook Report. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Thousands of Chinook wasted as bycatch in B.C. fishery, new report finds
Nearly 30,000 Chinook salmon were wasted as bycatch in the Canadian trawl fishery, which was targeting hake and walleye pollock, a new report from Canadian fisheries officials found. Bycatch, or unintended catch, by commercial trawlers off the coast of B.C. was the highest on record during the 2022-23 groundfish fishing season, the Jan. 22 report from Fisheries and Oceans Canada found, with 28,000 salmon caught, 93% of them Chinook, the largest and most prized of all salmon species. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Regulator calls out Trans Mountain for 'environmental non-compliance' in B.C.
The company building the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has been cited for environmental non-compliance related to its management of recent flooding in British Columbia. The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) said Thursday its inspection officers found issues near Abbotsford, B.C., where Trans Mountain Corp. has been working on the final stretch of the multi-year oil pipeline project. (Canadian Press)

UW's Burke Museum working with Native tribes to repatriate Indigenous artifacts
Museums across Washington state may no longer display some Native artifacts without permission under a new federal rule. The nationwide rule, which took effect in January, bars museums from displaying or doing research on sacred objects without consent from their tribes of origin — the sort of things looted from Native gravesites. Burke officials said the new rules may speed up the process of repatriating tribal objects. Curator Sara Gonzalez said she hopes it will make it easier for tribes to reclaim artifacts they want returned. Ann Dornfeld reports. (KUOW)

When the sun goes down, a swarm of rats emerges in downtown Vancouver
Pest control experts suggest the skin-crawling scene may be due to a provincial ban on a type of rat poison, as well as other factors including Vancouver's unusually warm winter. Nono Shen reports. (Canadian Press)

Eby Blasts ‘Corporate Vampires’ for Gutting Local News and Firing Journalists
Bell Media’s decision to sell dozens of local radio stations, lay off thousands of media workers and shut down news programs is catastrophic, appalling and reprehensible, B.C. Premier David Eby said Thursday morning. The premier called on the federal government to use its authority to regulate media to support local journalism and prevent companies like Bell from owning so many outlets. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/9/24: Bob Marley, Bigg's whales, snowpack, oil transparency, Electron Hydro, tire toxins, BC at-risk birds, loggerhead turtle, Chinook deaths, Indigenous artifacts.

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

Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  218 AM PST Fri Feb 9 2024    
TODAY  E wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 13 seconds. A slight  chance of rain in the afternoon.  
TONIGHT  SE wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 5 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of  rain in the evening then a slight chance of rain after midnight.  
SAT  SE wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft. W swell 4 ft at  12 seconds. A chance of rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SE wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 8 ft at 17 seconds.  
SUN  SE wind 10 to 20 kt becoming S 15 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 10 ft at 15 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.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



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