5/28 Sand dollar, BC old-growth, owl wars, PFAS lawsuits, BC hydrogen, NW bees, BC Ferries, right whale

 

Eccentric sand dollar [Wendy Feltham]

Eccentric sand dollar Dendraster excentricus
Wendy Feltham points out that last Friday's critter profile of Clypeaster reticulates (Flat sea urchin) was of the Indo-Pacific species. "Our local WA species is the Dendraster excentricus (Eccentric Sand Dollar), which is flatter. When alive, its spiny, tube-like feet are purple, and when dead, its 'test,' or skeleton, is whitish," writes Wendy.

Today's top story in Salish Current: Science denialism and the bright extinction of killer whales

Environmental groups critical of new B.C. government old-growth logging report
The B.C. government has released a report on its progress protecting old-growth forests, but some First Nations and environmental groups say the plan released Friday falls short. The report comes three years after the B.C. government committed to policies to conserve old-growth trees, and includes updated timelines on protections for old growth. Isaac Phan Nay reports. (CBC)

Owl Wars: The Battle for Northwest Forests (and Owls)
Have we saved the Northern Spotted Owl yet? Apparently not. But there may be a better way than shooting the rival owls. The landmark Northwest Forest Plan, which was widely expected to save the owl, has just turned 30 years old.  And yet, right now, because larger, more aggressive barred owls native to the east coast have been displacing spotted owls from their old-growth habitat, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is considering a plan to kill by shotguns barred owls by the thousands and perhaps hundreds of thousands. Dan Chasan writes. (Post Alley)

Lawyers to Plastics Makers: Prepare for ‘Astronomical’ PFAS Lawsuits
At an industry presentation about dangerous “forever chemicals,” lawyers predicted a wave of lawsuits that could dwarf asbestos litigation, audio from the event revealed. Hiroko Tabuchi reports. (NY Times)

$900M project to create hydrogen plants, refuelling stops in B.C.
H2 Gateway project aims to create 20 fill-up stations for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. (Canadian Press)

Fly, you die: Northwest bees that fly during mild winter weather less likely to survive until spring
New research out of Washington State University shows colonies of Northwest bees that fly in warm fall and winter weather are dying more quickly than they used to. That’s because bees use up their reserves, and aren’t able to bring nectar or pollen back to the hive. Climate change could be making those die-outs worse. Anna King reports. (NW Public Broadcasting)

B.C. Ferries told to improve relationship with ferry-dependent communities
The relationship with ferry-dependent communities has deteriorated in the last two years, says a report from the B.C. Ferries Commissioner. Carla Wilson reports. (Times Colonist) 

One of world’s rarest whales sighted off California coast
In an extraordinary sighting, a critically endangered North Pacific right whale was spotted off the Marin County coast on Friday, thrilling scientists. One of the rarest whales in the world, only an estimated 30 animals are thought to survive. Lisa M. Krieger reports. (Mercury News)

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-  222 AM PDT Tue May 28 2024    
TODAY  SW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt this  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 11 seconds.  Rain this morning, then a slight chance of rain early this  afternoon.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds. A  chance of showers.

---


"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



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told