9/16 Red sponge nudibranch, river otter attack, battery storage, Cornwall landfill, saving birds, hot humpbacks, quakes

Red sponge nudibranch [Dave Cowles]

Red sponge nudibranch Rostanga pulchra
This species feeds on, and is often found on, red sponges such as Acarnus, Esperiopsis,Ophlitaspongia, and Plocamia. It is believed that its orange pigment comes from the sponge.  Adults can locate and navigate to distant Ophlitaspongia sponges by smell.  Some individuals seem to stay quite close to one area while others range for distant sponges.  Predators may include the flatworm Notoplana acticola.  The cephalaspidean predatory nudibranch Navanax inermis is repelled by secretions from Rostanga. (Walla Walla Univ)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Lummi Nation to honor orca and community with launch of ‘Our Hearts Beat as One / Micro-hydroelectric power may be the next big climate solution

River otter attacks child at Bremerton Marina, issue with infestation was known
A child walking on a dock at the Bremerton Marina was attacked and pulled under the water by a river otter Thursday morning, then pulled from the water by their mother, who was also bitten on the arm by the otter, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. David Nelson and Kai Uyehara report. (Kitsap Sun)

Sedro-Woolley considers another option in stopping battery energy storage facility
The city of Sedro-Woolley continues to look at its options in its attempt to prevent the construction of a battery energy storage facility on 14 acres just east of city limits. City Administrator Charlie Bush told the council that the city could petition for what is known as intervenor status, which could cost the city about $50,000 if the matter is handled by the city attorney and more if the city hired a firm that specializes in such matters. Vince Richardson reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)  See: Battery farms, energy industry’s new darling, lining up to enter Pacific NW Don’t you be my neighbor, say some to proposed fields of big batteries Tom Banse reports. (Salish Current)

$7.3 million state grant will go toward cleanup of contaminated Bellingham Bay site
A state grant is providing $7.3 million to address a toxic waste site on the Bellingham waterfront, the site of a planned city park. Officials at the state Department of Commerce Public Works Board announced the $7.3 million award for the Cornwall Avenue landfill cleanup earlier this week. It was among $175 million directed toward infrastructure projects statewide. The site is a former city dump located along the Bellingham waterfront at the south end of Cornwall Avenue. It’s adjacent to the former R.G. Haley plant, another contaminated site, and both are part of the planned Salish Landing park. Robert Mittendorf reports. (Bellingham Herald)

These birds are almost extinct. A radical idea could save them.
As climate change and other threats destroy the habitats of living things, biologists are beginning to think of doing the once unthinkable: finding new homes for species outside their native ranges. Dino Grandoni and Matt McClain report. (Washington Post) 

Too hot for humpbacks: The race to protect Pacific whales
Move over Moby Dick. Big Mama, the first humpback whale to have returned to the North Pacific's Salish Sea after decades of absence, is telling a new story about the global threat to whale populations. Riley Farrell reports.(BBC)

2 earthquakes strike off the coast of British Columbia, but no damage reported
Two earthquakes struck off the northern coast of the Canadian province of British Columbia Sunday but there were no immediate reports of damage. The United States Geological Survey said the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 6.5, happened around 3:20 p.m. local time. It was located off the tip of Haida Gwaii, an archipelago located about 1,720 kilometers (1,069 miles) north of Vancouver and occurred at a depth of 33 kilometers (20 miles). Natural Resources Canada said a second earthquake, measuring 4.5, occurred about an hour later in the same area. (Associated Press)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  239 AM PDT Mon Sep 16 2024    
TODAY  SE wind around 5 kt, veering to NW early this afternoon,  then becoming W 10 to 15 kt late. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 9 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 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 msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/13 Golden locust, GasLink fined, BC carbon tax, garry oak, timber sale, Whidbey wetlands, by-caught birds, week in review

Golden locust

Golden locust Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia'
The golden locust is a broadleaf deciduous tree with gold foliage. In summer white flowers emerge. Grows well with sun and low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant. (Plant Lust)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Legendary Chucklenuts play with great chemistry, for community causes

Coastal GasLink pipeline hit with $590,000 fine — its biggest one yet
The latest fine is for a 2023 incident, the aftermath of which was documented by The Narwhal on an overhead flight. It puts the total fines levied by B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office at almost $1.4 million.  Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

B.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement: Eby
A re-elected NDP government would scrap British Columbia's long-standing carbon tax and shift the burden to "big polluters" if the federal government dropped its requirement for the law, Premier David Eby said Thursday. Darryl Greer reports. (Canadian Press)

$10M to keep historic oak tree standing for now? Citizen group gains partial victory in court
As the fifth tree expert is expected to weigh in on the health of the 400-year-old Davis-Meeker Garry oak on Old Highway 99, the city of Tumwater asked the citizen group that wants to protect the tree pay a bond of more than $10 million in court to keep the tree standing. In Thurston County Superior Court on Sept. 9, the Save the Davis Meeker Garry Oak citizen group requested a bond of $200 to stay the court’s decision to protect the tree until an assessment of the tree is completed and the mayor gets approval from the Historic Preservation Commission to cut it down, if need be. Ty Vinson reports. (Olympian)

Forest auctioned despite protest
The state Department of Natural Resources auctioned off the 75 acres contained in the Doc Holliday timber sale despite protesters’ claims that at least 29 of those acres deserve protection. This site is located about 21 miles west of Port Angeles. Emma Maple reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Illegal draining of wetlands on Whidbey Island leads to $120,000 penalty
The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $120,000 penalty to Christopher Whiteman and Victoria Coury for failing to repair damage to wetlands in unincorporated Island County, about eight miles northeast of Oak Harbor. Illegal ditches on property owned by Whiteman and Coury were draining and damaging approximately 8.5 acres of wetlands, including on adjacent property not owned by the couple. (Dept. of Ecology)

By-caught Birds
New research estimates that some 200,000 birds are accidentally caught in fishing gear in Europe each year. Rebecca Heisman reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/13/24: Friday the 13th, Chlcotin R sockeye, marmots, tularemia, killing bears, BC species at risk, BC foresrs, noisy Salish Sea, micxro-0hydro power

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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  228 AM PDT Fri Sep 13 2024    
TODAY  E wind around 5 kt, veering to W around 5 kt late. Seas  around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds. A slight chance of  showers late this morning. Showers this afternoon.  
TONIGHT  SW wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 ft at 9 seconds. Showers.  
SAT  W wind around 5 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds.  Showers.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds. A  chance of showers.  
SUN  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 10 seconds. A chance of showers in the afternoon.

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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 msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/12 Burning bush, noisy Salish Sea, WA ballot initiatives, WA climate auction, WA gov race, NOAA fishery, whale woes, invasive jellyfish, micro-hyrdro

 

Burning bush [Wikipedia]

Burning bush Euonymus alatus
Burning bush is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae, native to central and northern China, Japan, and Korea. The common name "burning bush" refers to its bright red fall color. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: You can help: Whatcom Water Week panel to focus on stewardship

Salish Sea too noisy for endangered orcas to hunt: study
The Salish Sea is too noisy for the critically endangered southern resident orcas to hunt successfully, according to a new study led by the University of Washington. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Washington ballot initiatives lose ground with voters in new poll
Surveys using actual ballot language reveal waning support for repealing the capital gains tax, cap-and-invest program and WA Cares program. Shauna Sowersby reports. (Cascade PBS)

Washington climate auction prices remain low as repeal vote looms
Washington’s largest air polluters snapped up all available carbon emission allowances in this month’s state-run auction – and they did so at a relatively low price for a third consecutive time. The Sept. 4 auction was the last regular sale before voters decide the fate of the Climate Commitment Act and its cap-and-trade program in November. Laurel Demkovich reports. (Washington State Standard)

Washington voters are leaning toward Bob Ferguson in governor race
The Cascade PBS/Elway Poll shows Ferguson's double-digit lead over Republican Dave Reichert. But independent and undecided voters could change that. Mai Hoang reports. (Cascade PBS)

NOAA fishery councils prepare to adapt to climate change
Shifts in marine species migration and population concentrations are forcing NOAA Fisheries to rethink its regional administrative maps to reflect the new realities of changing ocean habitats. In guidance released Tuesday, the agency’s Office of Sustainable Fisheries established a framework for when and how regulation of a species should be handed off from one regional fishery management council to another based on shifting species population dynamics. Daniel Cusick reports. (E&E News)

Whale killed, another rescued off B.C.'s North Coast: DFO
A dramatic four-day rescue operation has successfully freed a humpback whale entangled in fishing gear in the Hecate Strait off British Columbia's North Coast. Cause of fin whale's death remains under investigation, officials say; humpback rescued in 4-day operation. (CBC)

Invasive peach blossom jellyfish spreading through B.C. waterways
Some time more than 30 years ago, a single Chinese peach blossom jellyfish made its way into a lake in British Columbia. Exactly how it arrived is not clear, researchers say — perhaps it was in aquarium water — but decades later, thousands of genetic clones of the same organism have been spotted in 34 waterways around the province. Brieanna Charlebois reports. (Canadian Press)

Micro-hydroelectric power may be the next big climate solution
An InPipe turbine installed by Skagit PUD in partnership with InPipe Energy spins the excess power flowing through miles of water pipe into enough electricity to power 14 Mount Vernon homes and to be sold back to the power utility for about $12,000 dollars a year. (Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

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-  224 AM PDT Thu Sep 12 2024    
TODAY  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NE late this morning,  backing to NW this afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft  at 10 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 8 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 msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/11 Ginkgo, WA gov, BC species at risk, Chinook, BC forests, Port Townsend deer

 

Ginkgo

Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo or gingko, also known as the maidenhair tree, is a species of gymnosperm tree native to East Asia. It is the last living species in the order Ginkgoales, which first appeared over 290 million years ago, and fossils very similar to the living species, belonging to the genus Ginkgo, extend back to the Middle Jurassic epoch approximately 170 million years ago. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: San Juan Islands National Monument prepares for next phase / It’s not too late for reliable interisland ferry service

Ferguson, Reichert clash on crime, abortion and Trump in first debate
Clear differences in style and substance emerged in the first face-to-face encounter between the candidates battling to be Washington’s next governor. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

Nearly 2,000 species are at-risk in B.C. Only 42 are being considered for new protections
Internal government records show officials are working to update list of at-risk species under forestry legislation for the first time in almost two decades. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal) 

Warmer temperatures have put chinook salmon — and a way of life — in grave danger
But a fishing moratorium imposed by Canada and Alaska is netting small gains. Brandie Weikle reports. (CBC)

Are BC’s Forests Running Out of Trees?
The province prides itself on its sustainable forestry. But even industry is now sounding the alarm. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Tyee)

Canfor transfers forest tenure in B.C. to 2 First Nations
McLeod Lake Indian Band, Tsay Keh Dene Nation can now harvest over 430,000 cubic metres of timber a year. Isaac Phan Nay reports. (CBC)

Port Townsend city staff will address deer management questions in 2026.
Process to include data on traffic, behavior. Elijah Sussman reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Have you read the Salish Current? 
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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  230 AM PDT Wed Sep 11 2024    
TODAY  E wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to NW late. Seas around 3 ft.  Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 3 seconds, SW 2 ft at 7 seconds and W 2 ft  at 9 seconds. A chance of rain early this morning, then a slight  chance of rain late this morning. A chance of rain this  afternoon.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft  at 7 seconds and W 4 ft at 10 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 msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/10 Vine maple, Edmonds marsh, tularemia, Skagit tidegate, killing bears, wildlife bridges, wildfire management

Vine maple [Native Plants PNW]

 

 Vine maple Acer circinatum
Maples are popular ornamental trees and there are many cultivated varieties.  There are three native maple species in the Pacific Northwest:  Big-Leaf Maple and two more shrubby cousins, Vine Maple, Acer circinatum, and Douglas Maple, Acer glabrum. (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Big border plans come with anxiety and opportunity / The offshore energy industry is targeting the Pacific Coast and the Salish Sea

Ecology invites public comment on cleanup next to Edmonds Marsh
The state Department of Ecology is inviting locals this month to comment on the final stage of cleanup at the Unocal property near the Edmonds waterfront. Once cleanup is complete, the city could purchase a 21-acre portion of the property in a long-awaited effort to expand the Edmonds Marsh and increase salmon habitat. Ta'Leah Van Sistine reports. (Everett Herald)

Dead harbor seal in Puget Sound helps expand knowledge on infectious disease
Epidemiologists with the Kitsap Public Health District have co-authored a new report documenting the first recorded case of a human contracting the infectious disease tularemia, also known as "rabbit fever" from a marine mammal. The finding, published last month in the Centers for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality weekly report, details how a 32-year-old wildlife biologist from Kitsap County contracted the zoonotic disease after performing a necropsy on a dead harbor seal. Conor Wilson reports. (Kitsap Sun)

Feds see second Skagit tidegate repair as threat to salmon, killer whales
The federal government has blocked repairs to a second tidegate in Skagit County, Wash., reasoning that maintaining the structure will forestall the conversion of farmland into fish habitat. The Army Corps of Engineers notified the National Marine Fisheries Service on Sept. 4 that repairing the century-old tidegate likely will adversely affect Puget Sound salmon and killer whales. Don Jenkins reports. (Capital Press)  See: Way cleared for repair of Skagit tidegate critical to delta protection The National Marine Fisheries Service has been ordered to start repairs by May 1. Dick Clever reports. (Salish Current 3/15/24)

B.C. sets up a panel on killing of bears
B.C. sets up a panel on bear deaths, will review conservation officer training
Conservation officers destroyed 603 black and 23 grizzly bears in 2023, according to figures from the B.C. government. (Canadian Press)

Do Marine Animals Need Wildlife Bridges, Too?
Human infrastructure can hinder the mobility of marine animals. Jack McGovan reports. (Hakai Magazine)

How Roslyn became a model for community-led wildfire management
The rural Washington town is at the top of fire risk nationally, but its grassroots strategy could be a blueprint for others throughout the West. Questen Inghram reports. (Yakima Herald-Republic/Cascade PBS) See: Fire risk and climate change in the San Juan Islands In the face of increased risk of wildfire, the San Juan community is taking precautions. Isara Greacen writes. (Salish Current)

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 PDT Tue Sep 10 2024    
TODAY  E wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming N 10 to 15 kt early this  afternoon, backing to NW late. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy dense fog early this morning. A slight  chance of rain early this afternoon. A chance of rain late.  
TONIGHT  N wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming E 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds.  Rain.

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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 msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/9 Sweetgum, Fraser sockeye, battery storage, wave personhood, Haida Gwaii, La Niña, marmots, wastewater fentanyl, ferry sale

 

Sweetgum

Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
The sweetgum is a large, aromatic tree, with a straight trunk and conical crown that becomes round and spreading. Yellow-green flowers appear in spherical clusters in April-May, and give way to the infamous gum balls, which are hard, spherical, bristly fruiting clusters up to 1.5” diameter. The common name of sweetsgum refers to an aromatic balsam or gum that exudes from wounds to the tree. Native Americans would use the resin from the sweetgum tree to maintain dental hygiene, and early pioneers in America would use the resin as chewing gum.

Today's top story in Salish Current: Logging decision looms over Concrete neighborhood fearing landslide

Very few sockeye have passed Chilcotin River landslide area
Fisheries and Oceans Canada says this year's Fraser River sockeye salmon run is 2nd lowest on record. Isaac Phan Nay reports. (CBC)

City council joins in opposing battery storage facility
Not here. That was the overwhelming consensus of those who packed the Sedro-Woolley City Council chamber for Wednesday night’s study session, where a company proposing to build an energy storage facility to the town’s east presented its project. Vince Richardson reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)  See: Battery farms, energy industry’s new darling, lining up to enter Pacific NW Don’t you be my neighbor, say some to proposed fields of big batteries Tom Banse reports. (Salish Current)

For the First Time, Part of the Ocean Has Been Granted Legal Personhood
The Brazilian city of Linhares has legally recognized its waves as living beings, marking the first known time part of the ocean has been granted legal personhood. Isabella Kaminski reports.  (Hakai Magazine)

Haida Gwaii’s future, Haida Gwaii’s past
Three generations of one Haida family share what a historic title agreement will mean for their efforts to protect their land and culture. Padraig Moran reports. (CBC)

'Wimpy' winter ahead for Pacific Northwest despite La Niña prediction, climatologist says
La Niña conditions are expected in the Pacific Northwest this winter, which usually bring colder, wetter weather to the region. After a dry summer — and a below-average snowpack accumulated last winter — we could use the moisture. Climatologist Nick Bond said this year's La Niña will likely be weaker than previously expected. Angela King and Katie Campbell report. (KUOW)

A record 86 Vancouver Island marmot pups born this year
The critically endangered ­Vancouver Island marmot is experiencing a baby boom. So far, 86 pups have been born in the alpine regions of the Island — a record number — and scientists and volunteers have yet to finish their count. Adam Taylor of the ­Marmot Recovery Foundation said it’s the highest ­number for wild-born marmots since 2011, when 75 babies were born. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

Metro Van wastewater fentanyl levels highest in Canada
New data from Statistics Canada shows that out of the seven Canadian cities studied, Metro Vancouver had the highest level of fentanyl byproduct in its wastewater. The Canadian Wastewater Survey measures the level of 10 different drugs, according to Statistics Canada, including norfentanyl— a byproduct of fentanyl breakdown in the body. Maryse Zeidler reports. (CBC)

WA scuttles $200,000 sale of two retired state ferries
Talks are underway with potential new buyers who want to showcase them, officials said. The former buyer planned to tow them to Ecuador for scrap. Jerry Cornfield 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-  238 AM PDT Mon Sep 9 2024    
TODAY  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW late this morning and  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 8 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 msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/6 Foghorn Leghorn, lands commissioner suit, BC jellyfish, Aski Restoration, sawmill closing, killing owls, week in review

 

Foghorn Leghorn

Foghorn Leghorn
Foghorn Leghorn was directly inspired by the popular character Senator Claghorn, a blustery Southern politician played by Kenny Delmar who was a regular character in The Fred Allen Show, a popular radio show of the 1940s. The rooster adopted many of Claghorn's catchphrases, such as "That's a joke, I say, that's a joke, son." Delmar had based the character of Claghorn upon a Texas rancher who was fond of saying this. (Loony Tunes Fandom)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Battery farms, energy industry’s new darling, lining up to enter Pacific NW

King County illegally used tool to fix problem ballots, lawsuit says
The state GOP alleges that King County Elections Director Julie Wise did not ensure that voter information transmitted over the app had adequate privacy and security protections because the tool is operated by a private company. The party claims Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson would have defeated Democrat Dave Upthegrove in the primary race if the app hadn’t been used. Jeanie Lindsay reports. (KUOW)

Warming climate leading to more invasive freshwater jellyfish in B.C.
UBC scientists say peach blossom jellyfish have been spotted in 34 places in B.C. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

From oil well to wetland: meet the B.C. First Nations reclaiming old oil and gas wells on their homelands
Aski Restoration is ‘healing the land’ in their historic homelands. In stark contrast to the grass seed sometimes scattered over former oil well sites, Aski Reclamation plants native trees, shrubs and grasses in order to restore the ecosystem of the Saulteau First Nations. Isaac Phan Nay reports. (The Narwhal)

Canfor to close sawmills in Vanderhoof and Fort St. John, B.C.
Around 500 employees affected as company blames high operating costs, U.S. tariffs for latest mill closures. (CBC)

Killing barred owls to save northern spotted owls: Rethinking American wildlife conservation
The Barred Owl is considered “invasive” in the Pacific Northwest and it’s pushing the Northern Spotted Owl to extinction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a plan — kill nearly half a million Barred Owls over the next 30 years. (WBUR)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/6/24:Food bank Friday, permafrost thaw, Lummi hatcheries, oil tankers, BC logging, Columbia R. tribes.

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-  225 AM PDT Fri Sep 6 2024    
TODAY  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW late. Seas 3 to 4 ft.  Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 11 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft  at 11 seconds.  
SAT  NW wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 10 seconds.  
SUN  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  9 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 msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/5 Rhode Island Red, heatwave, I-2117 ads, "Everett at Sea," BC Ferries breakdowns

Rhode Island Red

 

Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red is an American breed of domestic chicken. It is the state bird of Rhode Island. It was developed there and in Massachusetts in the late nineteenth century, by cross-breeding birds of Oriental origin such as the Malay with brown Leghorn birds from Italy. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: A change of scenery: iconic Western sculptures to trade places

Heatwave expected to sweep through Washington, raising the risk of heat-related illness
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for South Puget Sound and several other parts of Washington that will be in effect from 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, through 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. High temperatures in Olympia will reach the low 90s, and in Tacoma are expected to reach the mid to upper 80s through Saturday. The heat advisory for northern Washington, including Bellingham, will be in effect on Thursday when temperatures are expected to reach 86 degrees. Rosemary Montalvo and Shaun Goodwin report. (AOL)

Foes of measure to repeal WA climate law launch their first TV ad
Initiative 2117’s opponents warn negative impacts will ripple across the state. Backers posted an extended video making their case for the repeal. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

South Everett program sending kids on boat adventure could soon end
A state grant made “Everett at Sea” free for Casino Road families who couldn’t afford the expense. However, after this year, funding runs out. Connor Zamora reports. (Everett Herald)

Problems persist on BC Ferries Swartz Bay sailings
Mechanical problems have resulted in more cancellations on the Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen route Wednesday. (Victoria 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-  229 AM PDT Thu Sep 5 2024    
TODAY  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft  at 14 seconds.  
TONIGHT  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  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 msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/4 Dahlia, Dave Upthegrove, tanker traffic, green crabs, improper logging, logging pollution, tribal fishing traditions

Dahlia

 

Dahlia

 Dahlia is a genus of bushy, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants native to Mexico and Central America. As a member of the Asteraceae family of dicotyledonous plants, its relatives include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Lummi Nation battles invasive European green crab

Red-footed Booby
Yesterday's story left out the link to the full story. Read it here.

Upthegrove retains spot in Public Lands general election race
The unofficial results of a hand recount in the Commissioner of Public Lands race shows that Democrat Dave Upthegrove has the votes to face off with former U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, the Republican who came in first place in the August primary. Upthegrove defeated Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson for second place, with 396,306 votes to 396,253 – a difference of 53 votes. Upthegrove gained 6 votes in the recount, and Kuehl Pederson gained 4. Venice Buhain reports. (CascadePBS)

Puget Sound tanker traffic thickens as Canadian pipeline boosts oil flow
Tankers have been ferrying fossil fuels through the island-studded Salish Sea for decades — but the amount of it is. [There is] a surge of tanker traffic in Washington and British Columbia since the Trans Mountain Pipeline from Alberta to Burnaby, British Columbia, nearly tripled its capacity in May. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

No end in sight for Washington’s battle against invasive green crabs
The state has trapped more than 900,000 of the crustaceans, which pose a threat to native wildlife, the shellfish industry and shoreline habitats. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard)

Companies logged B.C. forests 170 times without authorization since 2021, records show
The provincial government can’t say how much was improperly harvested and refuses to release details about fines. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Logging is the 3rd highest emitter in Canada. It should be measured that way, a new report says
UN experts and environmental groups continue to call on Canada to report true climate cost of logging. Inayat Singh and Benjamin Shingler report. (CBC) 

Columbia, Snake River tribes fight to keep fishing traditions alive
The U.S. government recently recognized the harm caused by the dams and has promised to work to restore salmon runs but tribal members doubt much will change. Jordan Gale and Alex Baumhardt report. (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-  232 AM PDT Wed Sep 4 2024    
TODAY  E wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming NE late. Seas around 3 ft.  Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds. Areas of fog early this  morning.  
TONIGHT  NW wind around 5 kt, veering to E after midnight. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and W 3 ft at  17 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 msato at salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/3 Red-footed booby, mosquito, wildlife conservation, permafrost, sewage spreading, Makah Days, Samish R, Lummi hatcheries, shellfish toxins

 

Red-footed booby [Rainshadow Journal]

Port Townsend’s Red-footed Booby: A messenger from the future
A little after noon on July 31, 2024, Colleen Farrell, biologist aboard a Puget Sound Express vessel, identified a Red-footed Booby sitting on a channel marker off the Dungeness Spit, north of the lighthouse. The following evening, the bird was reported by UW researchers aboard the Rachel Carson, anchored off Diamond Point. That night, word spread on birding social media. There had never been a Red-footed Booby anywhere in the Pacific Northwest that people could actually go and see. Stephen Carr Hampton writes. (Rainshadow Journal)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Governor’s San Juan visit focuses on climate change, Climate Commitment Act

Battle Hymn of the Floodwater Mosquito
The eggs sit patiently in the moist soil, waiting for the river to rise. They are tiny things, not even a millimetre long, dotting the banks of the Fraser River from Vancouver to Hope and beyond in the millions. Aedes sticticus is one of two floodwater mosquitoes that call the flood plain of the Fraser River home. As much as humans have tried to shape the river to their will, its shores will always be mosquito territory. Christopher Cheung reports. (The Tyee)

Washington embarks on once-a-decade update of wildlife conservation plan
The plan helps focus conservation on the areas and species that need it the most. Laurel Demkovich reports. (Washington State Standard)

Thawing Alaskan permafrost is unleashing more mercury, confirming scientists’ worst fears
Alaska’s permafrost is melting and revealing high levels of mercury that could threaten Alaska Native peoples. Anita Hofschneider reports. (Grist)

Something’s Poisoning America’s Land. Farmers Fear ‘Forever’ Chemicals
Fertilizer made from city sewage has been spread on millions of acres of farmland for decades. Scientists say it can contain high levels of the toxic substance. Hiroko Tabuchi reports. (NY Times)

Scientists discover way to determine whales’ sex with surface water
Scientists at West Vancouver’s Pacific Science Enterprise Centre have devised a novel way of studying the Salish Sea’s endangered southern resident killer whales – looking for specks of their DNA left floating in their wakes. Brent Richter reports. (North Shore News)

100th anniversary of Makah Days showcases revived native culture in Neah Bay
The tiny Makah tribe welcomed home far-flung relatives and guests, for the 100th annual Makah Days festival in Neah Bay. Every year, the town on the northwesternmost tip of Washington state's Olympic Peninsula comes alive with the 3-day celebration. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Whale calf struck by B.C. Ferries vessel
The calf, named Crochet, suffered a gash on the right fin of its tail and bruising on its right side. Sarah Grochowski reports. (Vancouver Sun) 

Rules instituted for Samish River salmon fishing
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has instituted special fishing rules to maintain a more orderly Samish River hatchery Chinook salmon fishery. Vince Richardson reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Lummi Nation salmon hatcheries to undergo major renovations
The Lummi Nation received $2 million as part of a large federal award given to tribes meant to help repair hatcheries. The Skookum Creek Fish Hatchery near Acme, WA, will undergo major infrastructure improvements as a result of the funding. Rachel Showalter reports. (Bellingham Herald)

Deadly Shellfish Toxins Hinder Indigenous Food Sovereignty. How to Fix That
A collaboration between VIU and the feds is working to improve testing and identify other reliable seafood sources. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

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 PDT Tue Sep 3 2024    
TODAY  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW around 5 kt late. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds. Areas of dense fog  early this morning. Patchy dense fog late this morning.  
TONIGHT  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 ft at 10 seconds. Patchy dense fog 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 msato at salishseacom.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