11/20 Dogwood, PRGT pipe, sharks, urban salmon, Great Bear Sea Initiative

 

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Pacific Dogwood

Pacific Dogwood  Cornus nuttallii
Pacific dogwood is also known as Western Flowering Dogwood.  It was named after Thomas Nuttall, an English botanist and zoologist. Relationships: There are about 100 dogwood species worldwide found primarily in temperate regions. (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: The roots of environmental evil: ‘Crimes Against Nature’

PRGT pipeline decision looms large for B.C.’s new environment minister
B.C.’s newly minted cabinet ministers have tough energy and environmental decisions to make, from the PRGT pipeline and LNG projects to Fairy Creek old-growth logging deferrals. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal)  Controversial Pipeline Fighting to Avoid New Environmental Review Prince Rupert gas line has applied to extend approval granted a decade ago. Nicholas Gottlieb reports. (The Tyee)

Mysterious sharks gain recognition as scientists explore their contributions to Puget Sound
This past summer, two science papers documented, for the first time, the presence of two species of sharks not known to exist in Puget Sound. These species are commonly called sevengill and soupfin sharks. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute)

Urban salmon return to Metro Vancouver streams to spawn
Efforts to rehabilitate urban waterways have helped bring spawning salmon back to parts of Metro Vancouver, including unlikely-looking streams surrounded by industrial and residential development. Brenna Owen reports. (Canadian Press)

On BC’s North Coast, First Nations Are Building a New Economy
The Great Bear Sea Initiative is using conservation finance to create jobs and preserve nature. Arno Kopecky reports. (The Tyee)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  320 AM PST Wed Nov 20 2024    
STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING  
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH  LATE TONIGHT    
TODAY  SE wind 25 to 35 kt with gusts up to 50 kt. Seas 9 to 12  ft. Wave Detail: SE 8 ft at 8 seconds and W 9 ft at 15 seconds. A  slight chance of tstms.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: SE  5 ft at 6 seconds and W 8 ft at 15 seconds. Showers.

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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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11/19 Catnip, storm, Hwy 20, bird flu, forage fish study, SRKW feast, windfarm appeal, wildfire logging, Elwha timber sale, owl hunting

Editor's Note: Before the storm hits— You receive today's News and Weather at no charge because it's a community service; won't you donate to provide fact-based, local news to anyone who wishes to read the Salish Current? Thank you for doubling your donation by donating today to our 2xNewsMatch campaign. Thank you. Mike Sato

Today's top story in Salish Current: Reducing and reusing as Bellingham recycling shifts

Catnip

Catnip Nepeta cataria
Catnip, also known as catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, parts of Mongolia, and parts of China. It is widely naturalized in northern Europe, New Zealand, and North America. (Wikipedia)

Western Washington braces for severe rain, wind storms brought by Pacific bomb cyclone
High winds and rain are expected to strike Western Washington on Tuesday. Meteorologists are advising residents to prepare for power outages and other stormy disruptions. Natalie Akane Newcomb and Dyer Oxley report. (KUOW) ‘Bomb cyclone’ set to lash B.C. coast Environment Canada is forecasting high winds and heavy rain for Vancouver Island. Some areas could be hit by easterly wind gusts of up to 100 km/h. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist)

Highway 20 over the North Cascades to remain closed
The state Department of Transportation decided Monday to keep Highway 20 over the North Cascades closed until spring. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Bird flu decimated tern colony in northwest Washington
Study findings provide new details on a Caspian tern die-off near Port Townsend in 2023 and how the virus killed seals in the region, infecting their brains. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard)

WWU scientists awarded $638K grant to study forage fish survival in Salish Sea
A multidisciplinary team of Western Washington University Marine and Coastal Science (MACS) faculty were recently awarded a three-year, $638,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The goal of the new grant is to better understand the impact of polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) – a type of toxic fatty acid, or lipid – on a group close to the bottom of the food pyramid that impacts everything above it: forage fish. John Thompson reports. (WWU News)

Southern resident orcas feast on Puget Sound chum in long visit
The southern resident orcas have been spy-hopping, breaching, slapping their tails, chasing down chum salmon and dazzling onlookers from the shores of the Salish Sea. For nearly a month, they have been spotted mostly hanging around the “Possession Triangle,” or the waters from the south end of Whidbey Island to the Edmonds-Kingston ferry line. This may be one of the fish-eating orcas’ longest recent stretches in the inland waters. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times)

Tri-Cities activists file lawsuit challenging approval of Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center
A controversial renewable energy project near the Tri-Cities is facing a lawsuit from locals. People who would live nearby are hoping to scale it back. Tri-Cities C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Community Action for Responsible Environmental Stewardship, has advocated against building the project. Courtney Flatt reports. (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

More logging is proposed to help curb wildfires in the US Pacific Northwest
U.S. officials would allow increased logging on federal lands across the Pacific Northwest in the name of fighting wildfires and boosting rural economies under proposed changes to a sweeping forest management plan that’s been in place for three decades. The U.S. Forest Service proposal, released Friday, would overhaul the Northwest Forest Plan that governs about 38,000 square miles (99,000 square kilometers) in Oregon, Washington and California. (Associated Press)

One timber sale canceled, two approved
Tree advocates have been partially successful in postponing the logging of forests owned by the state Department of Natural Resources and located within the Elwha watershed region, and they plan to continue their efforts until they achieve full success. At the November Board of Natural Resources (BNR) meeting, Hilary Franz, state commissioner of public lands and chair of the board, placed a pause on the Elwha Watershed “Alley Cat” timber sale. Despite advocacy efforts that included a petition with more than 300 signatures and a letter-writing campaign that generated more than 6,165 letters, the six-person BNR approved two other Elwha watershed sales, “Tree Well” and “Parched.” Emma Maple reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

The owl hunters: the deadly campaign to save a Pacific Northwest icon
Scientists slip into forests with guns, on a killing quest to save a NW icon. Joshua Partlow reports. (Washington Post)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  342 AM PST Tue Nov 19 2024   STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH  WEDNESDAY MORNING    
TODAY  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming E 30 to 40 kt with gusts  up to 55 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 8 to 11 ft this  afternoon. Wave Detail: E 11 ft at 8 seconds and W 7 ft at  12 seconds. A chance of showers early this morning. A chance of  rain early this afternoon, then rain late.  
TONIGHT  E wind 35 to 45 kt with gusts up to 60 kt, becoming SE  25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 45 kt after midnight. Seas 9 to  13 ft. Wave Detail: E 13 ft at 9 seconds and W 8 ft at  15 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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11/18 Spider plant, logjams, energy czar, Vancouver Is unceded lands, WA budget deficit, The Good Whale, warehouse project, orca protection

Editor's note: We begin our third week of our 2xNewsMatch fundraiser to support local news provided by Salish Current for everyone to read. We are $4,500 short of meeting our first $15,000 challenge grant and it would be great to meet that challenge and have $30,000 secured for 2025. You receive today's News and Weather at no charge because it's a community service; won't you donate to provide fact-based, local news to anyone who wishes to read the Salish Current? Thank you for doubling your donation by donating today to our 2xNewsMatch campaign. Thank you. Mike Sato

Spider plant

Spider plant Chlorophytum comosum
Spider plant or common spider plant is named due to its spider-like look, and is also known as spider ivy, airplane plant, ribbon plant, and hen and chickens. It is a species of evergreen perennial flowering plant of the family Asparagaceae. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: WWU community grapples with post-election uncertainty in a new Trump era / We failed the test to maintain our democratic institutions

The power of a logjam: A vision of the Northwest’s rivers of old
In their natural state, Puget Sound rivers are a braided mess of forested islands, jammed with downed wood and surging with salmon. Now work is underway to restore the lower Elwha to a version of its past — in part by building giant logjams. So far, the tribe has built about 80 logjams here, returning wood obstructions to the river’s life cycle 10 years since two hydroelectric dams were removed from the watershed. The jams further rebuild the resilience of the river, especially in consideration of the effects of climate change, said Jamie Michel, habitat manager for the tribe. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Trump picks Colorado oil and gas executive to lead Energy Department
Republican President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday he wants Chris Wright, a Colorado oil and gas executive who denies that the world faces a “climate crisis,” to serve the new administration as Department of Energy secretary. Quentin Young reports. (Washington State Standard)

Locked out: how a 19th century land grant is still undermining First Nations rights on Vancouver Island
On Vancouver Island, a vast swath of privately owned forest poses a unique challenge for five First Nations seeking redress for their unceded homelands. Julie Gordon reports. (The Narwhal)

With $10B deficit looming, WA governor calls on state agencies to make cuts
Washington’s outgoing governor says reductions are needed to balance the next state budget. Lawmakers may also consider new taxes when they convene next year. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

If you like to listen: The Good Whale
This is the story of a wildly ambitious science experiment to return a captive orca to the ocean — while the world watched. (Serial Productions and NY Times)

Pierce County warehouse project near popular trail approved; 100s of trees to be removed
The city of DuPont’s hearing examiner ruled Tuesday that a controversial proposal to build a 256,800-square-foot office/warehouse building near the popular Sequalitchew Creek Trail could move forward. If approved, construction of the “DuPont West” or “DuPont 243” project, could result in the removal of more than 350 healthy trees, including 56 protected landmark trees. Becca Most reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Documents reveal Canada's early efforts to save orcas from 'catastrophic' oil spills
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has launched measures to try and protect endangered orcas on the West Coast from rising risk of oil spills, indicate federal documents obtained by Canada’s National Observer through access-to-information legislation. The fisheries department (DFO) has invested in vessels and acoustic gear, drafted an operating procedure for fishery officers, maintains community equipment caches and conducts training exercises led by a marine mammal response team that includes the use of underwater speakers to deter whales from entering a spill zone, the documents show. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  306 AM PST Mon Nov 18 2024   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON  
STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY  MORNING    
TODAY  W wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming SW 10 to 15 kt late this  morning and afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 ft, subsiding to 6 to 9 ft  this afternoon. Wave Detail: W 11 ft at 13 seconds. A slight  chance of tstms. Showers.  
TONIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: SE  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 8 ft at 13 seconds. Showers.

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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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11/15 Periwinkle, Interior chief, avian flu protocols, BC herring, state money spending, underwater sound, week in review

Editor's note: We're completing our second week of our 2xNewsMatch fundraiser to support Salish Current which reports stories like the one below about Tilth's 50th anniversary. Your donation helps pay for its freelance reporting and keeps its stories and essays free for all to read. Please help keep community-supported journalism healthy with a donation to Salish Current today. Thank you. Mike Sato.

Common periwinkle

Common periwinkle Vinca minor
Common periwinkle (Lesser periwinkle, Dwarf periwinkle) was an ornamental groundcover popular for its fast growth and dense coverage that was deliberately introduced from Europe. However, it has since escaped captivity and spread rapidly through BC forest’s understories, choking out native plant species. Common periwinkle prefers shaded, moist conditions such as along water courses and in forested areas. It can reproduce through both seed and vegetatively.  This species is one of the “top six” invasive species still sold throughout BC – be sure not to purchase or trade this plant! (Invasive Species Council of BC)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Celebrating alternative agriculture: the 50th anniversary for Tilth

Trump expected to tap North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to be secretary of Interior
North Dakota involved in 30 lawsuits against federal government, including a handful against Interior. Michael Achterling, Jeff Beach and Mary Steurer report. (North Dakota Monitor)

B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up avian flu protocols amid human exposure risk
British Columbia's chief veterinarian said in a letter to vets that clinics handling wild birds must have safety procedures in place and ensure staff are trained and equipped with proper protection. Ashley Joannou reports. (Canadian Press)

Hereditary chiefs call for a fishing moratorium to safeguard herring stocks
Concerned by the disappearance of herring in their territories, hereditary chiefs are calling for closure of the West Coast’s last commercial herring fishery. Four WSÁNEĆ Chiefs representing three nations gathered in Sidney on Wednesday to sign the Pacific Herring Declaration, which calls for an immediate moratorium on the upcoming Strait of Georgia commercial fishery. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer)

See where state money is funding environmental work in Snohomish County
A new dashboard shows where dollars are going to overburdened communities across the state. Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald)

Electrical engineer to lecture on underwater sound
Eric McRae, a principal electrical engineer of the University of Washington’s applied physics lab, will speak at 3 p.m. Sunday at The Chapel at Fort Worden State Park on underwater sound. (Peninsula Daily News)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 11/15/24: Little Red Wagon Friday, Site C dam, coastal bird sanctuary, EPA chief, Biden's old growth, Klamath dams, BC floods, carbon dioxide, BC herring.

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 Nov 15 2024   
TODAY  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas 8 to 10 feet subsiding to 4 to  6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 13 seconds.  
TONIGHT  S wind around 5 kt, backing to SE 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 11 seconds. Rain  after midnight.  
SAT  SE wind 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt. Seas 3 to  5 ft, building to 5 to 7 ft in the afternoon. Wave Detail: SE  5 ft at 6 seconds and W 3 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 20 to 25 kt, becoming W 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SW 5 ft at 5 seconds, W  7 ft at 12 seconds and W 2 ft at 17 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  W wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at  13 seconds. Rain in the morning, then 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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11/14 Bindweed, hot Earth, intertidal solace, WA voter turnout, 'green' hydrogen, Salish Sea keepers, 'Foxy'

Editor's Note: Readers of News and Weather enjoy this community service providing links to curated environmental news articles from Salish Sea news sources. Today's top story below comes from Salish Current, one of those news sources, a nonprofit community-supported effort. During November and December, I ask for your monthly recurring or one-time support during the Current's 2xNewsMatch fundraising campaign. Thank you. Mike Sato.

Field Bindweed

Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
Field bindweed is a perennial herbaceous plant with creeping and twining stems that grow along the ground and up through other plants and structures. It has an extensive system of rhizomes that can grow deep into the soil. Once established, field bindweed is nearly impossible to fully eradicate. It outcompetes native plants species and can reduce crop yields. It forms an extensive root system, often climbing or forming dense tangled mats. Hedge bindweed, Calystegia sepium, also called morning glory is similar looking but has larger leaves and flowers. (WA Noxious Weed Control Board)

Today's top story in Salish Current: What’s next for the environment in Northwest Washington?

Amid Earth's heat records, scientists report another bump upward in annual carbon emissions
Even as Earth sets new heat records, humanity this year is pumping 330 million tons (300 million metric tons) more carbon dioxide into the air by burning fossil fuels than it did last year. Seth Borenstein reports. (Associated Press)

Finding Food and Solace in the Intertidal
On the complex pleasures of harvesting shellfish with the people you love. Emma Marris writes. (Hakai Magazine)

WA voter turnout dropped for all ages — especially young people
Participation for Washingtonians 18-24 dropped 8.5 points from the 2020 election, but improved compared to 2016. Nate Sanford reports. (CascadePBS)

How to Produce Hydrogen Gas as Cleanly as Possible
Green hydrogen? More like electrification with extra steps. Brian Owens reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Identity and environment collide in “Keepers of the Salish Sea”
Like his character Samuel, Squamish Nation playwright Justin Neal worked a marketing job in New York City and felt like there was something missing in life. Neal returned to the West Coast and carved his own path by founding Holy Crow Arts: an Indigenous non-profit theatre company with a focus on grassroots, community-based projects. Holy Crow’s latest work is "Keepers of the Salish Sea," which has its world premiere at The Cultch’s Historic Theatre on November 21. The play follows lead character Samuel as he receives a life-changing call that brings him back to Coast Salish lands. Samuel grew up off reserve, and is light-skinned and white-passing—which causes him to struggle with his identity. Susan Gill reports. (Georgia Straight)

An arctic fox found in Portland will soon live in a Wisconsin zoo
An arctic fox that was found lost and dirty in Portland last month will soon have a new home — and a new companion. The animal, nicknamed “Foxy” by some of her caretakers, will head to the Midwest on Thursday. The Oschner Park Zoo in Baraboo, Wisconsin, has agreed to house her with its resident male arctic fox, Apollo. Courtney Sherwood reports. (OPB)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  221 AM PST Thu Nov 14 2024  
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON    
TODAY  W wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: NW  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 10 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of showers  early this morning, then a slight chance of showers late this  morning. A chance of showers this afternoon.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft, subsiding to 5 to  7 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 9 ft at 15 seconds. A chance  of showers 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.



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11/13 Common reed, avian flu case, Fraser R flooding, immigration chief, John Horgan

Editor's note: As News and Weather readers know, the environmental news clips curated in these pages  come from news sources throughout the Salish Sea. Some of those stories are also made available to communities served by the Salish Current which does require funding to operate as a nonprofit, open access news platform. Your donation during the 2xNewsMatch campaign makes it possible for Salish Current to continue as a community service. Please donate today. Thank you, Mike Sato.

Common reed

Common reed Phragmites australis
Common reed is a large perennial grass or reed with creeping rhizomes. It typically grows in or near wetlands but also may be found in sites that hold water, such as roadside ditches and depressions. Common reed forms dense stands, which include both live stems and standing dead stems from previous years. The plant spreads horizontally by sending out rhizome runners, which can grow 10 or more feet in a single growing season, rapidly crowding out native grasses. (WA Invasive Species Council)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Puget Sound researchers uncover shark secrets, but new questions arise

You might beat back phragmites, the scourge of wetlands, but then what?
The bane of American wetlands is a tall, dense reed called phragmites. Once the reed is poisoned and mowed down, what's left is a blank slate of mud—the perfect environment for phragmites to come right back.  Nell Greenfieldboyce reports. (NPR)

B.C. teen with avian flu is in critical condition, provincial health officer says
The teenager who tested positive for avian flu is in critical condition and being treated for acute respiratory distress at B.C. Children's Hospital, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says. (CBC)

3 years, 2 deadly atmospheric rivers. Is B.C. ready for the next one?
On the heels of another destructive atmospheric river that left 5 people dead, we have to learn how to live with water. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

Trump readies for mass deportations with reported pick of Noem as Homeland Security chief
President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday night he will nominate South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which will carry out Trump’s plan to conduct mass deportations of millions of people in the country without proper legal status. Ariana Figueroa reports. (Washington State Standard)

Everyone Has a John Horgan Story
Kind, fierce, down to earth, always caring, he left an impressive political legacy. Andrew MacLeod 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-  243 AM PST Wed Nov 13 2024  
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON    
TODAY  SE wind 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt, becoming S  15 to 20 kt late this morning and afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 ft,  subsiding to 5 to 7 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: SE 5 ft at  7 seconds and W 6 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of tstms. Showers.  
TONIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, veering to W after midnight. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 5 seconds and W 7 ft at  15 seconds. A chance of tstms in the evening. Showers.

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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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11/12 Holly, EPA chief, Biden's old growth, Klamath dams, gull sightings

 

Editor's note: Thanks to the News and Weather readers who have donated to the Salish Current 2xNewsMatch campaign. You help make it possible to report stories like the tidal energy project below. Please make your donation today to keep fact-based reporting available for everyone to read without paywall. Please donate today. Thanks, Mike Sato.

Holly

Holly
Ilex or holly is a genus of over 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family.  Holly – more specifically the European holly, Ilex aquifolium – is commonly referenced at Christmas time, and is often referred to by the name Christ's thorn. In many Western Christian cultures, holly is a traditional Christmas decoration, used especially in wreaths and illustrations, for instance on Christmas cards. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: OPALCO’s Tidal Energy Pilot Project facing early headwinds

Have a Holly Noxious Christmas? State board eyes un-jolly label for invasive greenery
Washington state officials are debating whether to brand a traditional holiday decoration a noxious weed. The dubious decor is English holly. While many landowners struggle to rid themselves of the sharp-leafed invasive species, the state's holly farmers have been fighting to keep the pejorative label off their crop. Attitudes toward the painfully spiny shrub with bright red berries have changed dramatically over the decades. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

For EPA chief, Trump picks former Congressman Lee Zeldin of New York
President-elect Donald Trump Monday said he will nominate former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to serve as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Zeldin does not necessarily come from an environmental background. He’s an attorney and currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Zeldin serves as a chair of America First Policy Institute, a right-wing think tank that is packed with former Trump officials. “He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet,” Trump said. “He will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way.” Ariana Figueroa reports. (Washington State Standard)

Despite Biden’s promise to protect old forests, his administration keeps approving plans to cut them down
On Earth Day in 2022, President Joe Biden stood among cherry blossoms and towering Douglas firs in a Seattle park to declare the importance of big, old trees. “There used to be a hell of a lot more forests like this,” he said, calling them “our planet’s lungs” and extolling their power to fight climate change. The president uncapped his pen, preparing to sign an executive order to protect mature and old-growth forests on federal lands. “I just think this is the beginning of a new day,” Biden said. But two years later, at a timber auction in a federal office in Roseburg, Oregon, this new day was nowhere to be seen. April Ehrlich, McKenzie Funk and Tony Schick report. (OPB and ProPublica)

The Other Side of the World’s Largest Dam Removal
Removing dams from the Klamath River in Northern California seems like a clear win for fish and rivers. Why do some locals hate it? J.B. MacKinnon reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Residents can report gull sightings in Salish Sea this field season
You can report sightings of sea gulls with colour bands in the Salish Sea as part of a BC-wide project. Called the Salish Sea Gull Project, it focuses on banding adult and juvenile gulls along many parts of BC, where researchers can investigate their movement, site fidelity, and survival across the Salish Sea and beyond. Hussam Elghussein reports. (My Campbell River Now)

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-  240 AM PST Tue Nov 12 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON  
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE  TONIGHT   TODAY  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming S 5 to 10 kt late this  morning, then becoming SE 10 to 15 kt early this afternoon,  rising to 20 to 25 kt late. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft  at 4 seconds and W 10 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of showers until  late afternoon, then rain late.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 25 to 35 kt, with gusts up to 45 kt, veering  to S 20 to 25 kt after midnight. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: E 7  ft at 5 seconds, SW 5 ft at 11 seconds and W 9 ft at 14 seconds.  Rain in the evening, then showers with a chance of tstms 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.



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Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


11/11 Poppy, stormy weather, good rain, Site C dam, Crowberry Bog, bird sanctuary

 

Editor's Note: Salish Sea News and Weather is free to read as my volunteer effort to provide curated environmental news as a community service. Salish Current provides news and essays that likewise is free for all to read as a community service— but pays its freelance reporters. Please support fact-based community news which is freely accessible to all by donating to the Salish Current 2xNewsMatch campaign. Thank you. Mike Sato.

Poppy [Papaver rhoeas]

Poppy
A poppy is a flowering plant in the subfamily Papaveroideae of the family Papaveraceae. Poppies are herbaceous plants, often grown for their colourful flowers. One species of poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the source of the narcotic drug mixture opium, which contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine and has been used since ancient times as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drug. It also produces edible seeds. Following the trench warfare in the poppy fields of Flanders, Belgium, during World War I, poppies have become a symbol of remembrance of soldiers who have died during wartime, especially in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth realms. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: After department shake-up, is permit processing in San Juan County better?

Series of storms bring wind, rain and snow to Whatcom County
Nooksack River nears flood stage. Robert Mittendorf reports. (Bellingham Herald)  Heavy rain, strong winds prompt weather warnings for B.C.'s South Coast Rainfall amounts up to 40 millimetres expected by Monday morning in most of Metro Vancouver, forecasters say (CBC)

Sometimes the rain never seems to end on B.C.'s coast — and that's a good thing for some
Rain is a key benefit for some communities, economies and businesses. (CBC)

Site C dam reservoir now fully filled, generating power but flooding land loved by locals
Project will increase province's electricity supply by 8%, B.C. Hydro says. Andrew Kurjata reports. (CBC)

A mysterious, rare bog is full of surprises on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula
Crowberry Bog sits like an inflated bladder above the surrounding landscape. Ed Jahn reports. (OPB)

Wildlife petition calls for new Vancouver Island coastal bird sanctuary
Conservationists want to connect Victoria Harbour and Shoal Harbour, creating a new Salish Sea migratory bird sanctuary. Ben Fenlon reports. (Lake Cowichan Gazette)

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-  609 AM PST Mon Nov 11 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON   
REST OF TODAY  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, backing to S late. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 2 ft at 6 seconds and W 7 ft at  13 seconds. A slight chance of tstms. Rain likely early this  morning, then showers late this morning and afternoon.  
TONIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 6 to 9 ft, building to 8 to 11 ft after midnight.  Wave Detail: W 11 ft at 16 seconds. Showers in the evening, then  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 msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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11/8 China rockfish, wild or farmed salmon, avian flu, Manson Bay Forest, 'Galloping Gertie,' week in review

 

Editor's Note: Thank you to those who read News and Weather and have donated to support Salish Current so it can continue to report and publish local news that everyone is free to read. Now, more than ever, please support news for people, not for profit. Support Salish Current. Thank you, Mike Sato.

China Rockfish

China Rockfish Sebastes nebulosus
China Rockfish can be found from Kodiak Island, AK to southern California at depths between 3 m (10 ft) and 128 m (420 ft). They are more common however, between British Columbia and central California, at depths greater than 10 m (33 ft). Chinas almost exclusively prefer rocky habitat with high relief and complexity. Interestingly, China Rockfish have also been seen cohabitating with Giant Pacific Octopus in rock crevices. This species is known to have particularly small home ranges while also being territorial. Research conducted off of Vancouver Island showed that they are a relatively sedentary species after they reach adulthood, only moving around 10 m (33ft) from their home. China Rockfish grow up to 45 cm (18 in) in length and 1.9 kg (4.2 lb) in weight, living for up to at least 79 years. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Cheers for some results, boos for others as vote counts come in / Unfortunately, Mother Earth wasn't on the ballot

That piece of salmon in your shopping cart, is it really wild or is it farmed?
Salmon is part of the Pacific Northwest’s culture and diet. Wild-caught salmon are prized, and they cost more. It’s one reason Washington lawmakers passed legislation in 2013 making it unlawful to knowingly mislabel seafood. The law also requires sellers to provide information whether salmon being sold is wild-caught or farm-raised.  Ruby de Luna reports. (KUOW)

'It's devastating:' Abbotsford egg farm kills entire flock after avian flu outbreak
Fifteen flocks, mostly in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, have been infected with the avian flu virus since mid-October. Cheryl Chan reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Conservation group plan to purchase sensitive forest habitat on Cortes Island
This week, a group of conservationists announced their plan to raise money in order to purchase and protect a 14.4 hectare area of sensitive forested wildlife habitat on Cortes Island.  The Nature Trust of British Columbia needs to raise $408,000 in order to attain the area, which is referred to as the Manson Bay Forest. Curtis Blandy reports. (Victoria Buzz)

'Galloping Gertie': Looking back at the 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse
Thursday marks the 84th anniversary of when the Tacoma Narrows Bridge infamously collapsed due to strong winds in 1940. The bridge, also commonly referred to as Galloping Gertie, had just opened to the public four months earlier and used to oscillate even as it was being built, according to HistoryLink.org. The site continues to note the bridge was built weaker than its original design in a bid to save money — an ill-fated decision, as it turned out. (KOMO)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 11/8/24: X-ray Friday, Billy's magic, WA wind farm, fish farm worries, BC port lockout, orca deaths.

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-  236 AM PST Fri Nov 8 2024    
TODAY  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 12 seconds. A slight chance of rain early this morning, then a  chance of rain late this morning. Rain this afternoon.  
TONIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W  7 ft at 14 seconds. Rain.  
SAT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 14 seconds.  Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to SE after midnight.  Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 13 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, rising to 20 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 5 ft at 5 seconds and  W 6 ft at 12 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.



Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


11/7 Indian plum, 72 orcas, Penn Cove return, energy storage bans, sewer upgrades

Editor's Note: Thank you to those who read News and Weather and have donated to support Salish Current so it can continue to report and publish local news that everyone is free to read. Now, more than ever, please support news for people, not for profit. Support Salish Current. Thank you, Mike Sato.

Indian Plum

Indian Plum Oemleria cerasiformis
The genus is named after Augustus Gottlieb Oemler (1773-1852), a German naturalist from Savannah, Georgia, who was the first to collect the species. It is native from the area around Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia to Santa Barbara County in California on the west slope of the Cascades and Sierra Nevadas. Indian Plums were eaten in small quantities fresh, cooked, or dried by Native Americans.  Flavor of unripe fruit is bitter and astringent, but they become more palatable when they are fully ripe.  (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: ‘It's our identity, our culture, our everything’

Two southern residents missing, presumed dead in B.C. waters
Two southern resident killer whales are presumed dead after multiple sightings of two endangered pods failed to turn up a 30-year-old male and a calf.  The deaths of calf L128 and male K26, also known as Lobo, come after staff with the Washington state-based Center for Whale Research failed to record the orcas during three consecutive encounters with their families. The news reduces the southern resident population to 72 and delivers a further blow to recovery efforts. Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist)

Penn Cove Orcas Make Their First Return to the Site of Brutal 1970 Killings
Animal lovers may recognize the name Penn Cove thanks to a gruesome incident in the area from 1970. During the herding of more than 80 orcas, five were killed, and seven were captured. However, in a surprising change, orcas from the original 1970 pod were spotted swimming in Penn Cove in November 2024. Lauren Wellbank writes. (Green Matters)

Skagit County passes ordinance on energy storage systems
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance Monday that changes county code to keep electrical generation and storage facilities off county farmland. The move comes after three electrical utility developments have been proposed on agricultural land in the past two years. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Metro Vancouver hopes to dodge billions in sewer upgrades with plan
Shoring up problems in Metro's sewer systems could save the regional district from costly upgrades as well has help rehabilitate ecosystems that First Nations used to rely on. Derrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

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-  206 AM PST Thu Nov 7 2024    
TODAY  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt late. Seas  3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 3 seconds and W 5 ft at  15 seconds.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 13 seconds. 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 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


11/6 English ivy, Snohomish R rights, Upthegrove leads, BC port lockout, Canada oil gas cap rules, avian flu

 

English Ivy

English Ivy Hedera helix L.
European colonists introduced English ivy as early as 1727. It is widely planted for its evergreen foliage and dependability as a year-round “carefree” groundcover. Although recognized as a serious weed of natural ecosystems, parks, landscapes and other areas, it continues to be sold and marketed as an ornamental plant in the United States. Vast resources, time and labor are expended attempting to manage infestations on public and private lands. English ivy is an aggressive invader that threatens all vegetation levels of forested and open areas, growing along the ground as well as into the forest canopy. Vines climbing up tree trunks spread out and envelop branches and twigs, blocking sunlight from reaching the host tree’s foliage, thereby impeding photosynthesis. (Invasives)
 

Today's top story in Salish Current: A spooky season: Bellingham voters express anxiety as Election Day arrives

Voters approving Everett minimum wage, Snohomish River rights measures
Initiative 24-03 will give the Snohomish River legal rights, allowing city residents to sue those negatively impacting the health of the watershed. Those responsible would be liable for the damages and, if successfully sued, would be required to pay the city for restoration projects. It received 56% of the vote, as of 8 p.m. Tuesday. Will Geschke reports. (Everett Herald)

Upthegrove ahead in Washington lands commissioner race
Dave Upthegrove, a Democrat who is keen to preserve thousands of acres of state forests that could otherwise be logged, was leading the Washington lands commissioner race over Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler. Upthegrove was ahead Tuesday night with 53% of the vote to Herrera Beutler’s 47%. Vote counting will continue in the days ahead. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard)

B.C. ports lockout: Vancouver businesses already feeling the bite of labour dispute
The lockout has halted operations at more than a dozen terminals run by Maritime Employers Association members, leaving containers of goods behind picket lines. Derrick Penner reports. (Vancouver Sun)

5 takeaways from Canada’s draft rules for an oil and gas emissions cap
Draft plan would set Canada apart from its fossil fuel competitors, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault. Carl Meyer reports. (The Narwhal)

Avian flu outbreak at Vancouver Island petting farm prompts exposure notice from health authority
Farm operator says about 50 chickens and ducks on the farm were put down after disease was discovered. (CBC)

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-  206 AM PST Wed Nov 6 2024    
TODAY  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft  at 3 seconds and W 4 ft at 12 seconds. A slight chance of showers  early this morning. A slight chance of showers this afternoon.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 5 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 msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


11/5 Japanese beetle, Horse Heaven Wind Farm, Boeing strike, BC Rainway, BC fish farming

 Editor's Note: Salish Sea News and Weather is free to read as a community service and I'm asking readers to help support Salish Current which is also free to read but pays reporters to research and write stories like those featured below. Thanks to those who donated and I ask others to help out, too. Please donate today. Mike Sato.

Japanese beetle

Japanese beetle Popillia japonica
The Japanese beetle is a species of scarab beetle. Due to the presence of natural predators, the Japanese beetle is not considered a pest in its native Japan, but in North America and some regions of Europe, it is a noted pest to roughly 300 species of plants. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Local schools embrace cellphone restriction / Back to the Future: Film is Truth returns

Washington governor OKs massive new wind farm and urges swift turbine approvals
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has approved a revised plan for a massive proposed wind farm after he rejected a sharply slimmed-down version earlier this year. Inslee urged permitting officials to work quickly to allow the construction of as many Horse Heaven Wind Farm turbines as possible, The Seattle Times reported. Washington state won’t meet its “urgent clean energy needs” if officials take years to authorize the turbines, he said. (Associated Press)

Boeing machinists approve contract, strike ends
The Boeing factory worker strike that has stretched nearly two months, halting airplane manufacturing at plants around the Northwest, ended Monday after thousands of union members voted to approve a new contract offer from the aerospace giant. While the deal will not bring back a defined benefit pension program that many striking workers had hoped to revive, it does include a 38% wage increase over the contract’s four-year span that would push average pay for the workers to just shy of $120,000 a year. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard)

The Rainway vs. the Atmospheric River
An ‘engineered’ creek comes to life in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant during a record-breaking rainfall. Christopher Cheung reports. (The Tyee)

B.C. workers facing ban on open-net farming worry about job losses
Those who oppose open-net fish farms are frustrated by delays in phasing them out but the farms have generated wealth and jobs for a generation of people. Jamie Mah reports. (Vancouver Sun)

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-  209 AM PST Tue Nov 5 2024    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON    
TODAY  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft, subsiding to 4 to  6 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: W 8 ft at 11 seconds. A slight  chance of showers late this morning. A chance of showers this  afternoon.  
TONIGHT  S wind around 5 kt, becoming SE 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 3 seconds and W  5 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of showers.

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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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11/4 Red Irish Lord, your vote, BC port lockout, Billy Frank Jr, Biden's apology, spiny dogfish, election AI, Elwha Legacy Forest Coalition

 

Red Irish Lord

Red Irish lord Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus
Red Irish lord are common from the Bering Sea, Alaska to Washington, and are rare south to Central California. They are found in shallow rocky waters. Red Irish lord tend to rest on the bottom, blending in with their surroundings. They are found from shallow waters to depths of 450 m (1,476 ft). Red Irish lord can grow up to 51 cm (20 in) in length, and 1.11 kg (2.45 lbs) in weight. Maximum age is at least 6 years old. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Sweating starts on how to handle World Cup throngs in 2026 / Changes at the border: questions remain in Sumas

Last call: Your Vote.
Here's your one-stop shop for our state's election: WA Statewide Voter Guide 2024. (CascadePBS)

B.C. port lockout to begin with no deal reached in contract dispute with foremen union
The provincewide lockout against a union of more than 700 foremen at British Columbia's ports is expected to begin at 8 a.m. PT, with fears the move may freeze trade on Canada's West Coast. (Canadian Press)

Billy's magic: Tribal leader’s fierce fight for fishing rights to be honored with a statue in Washington, D.C.
Who was Billy Frank Jr.? Willie Frank III explains. (Northwest Public Broadcasting)

Biden’s boarding school apology draws mixed reactions in Pacific Northwest
Reactions are mixed following President Joe Biden’s Oct. 25 apology for the horrors of Native American boarding schools, with many Indigenous people saying his words ultimately feel empty if not accompanied by direct action. Nika Bartoo-Smith reports. (Underscore Native News + ICT)

Spiny dogfish on the move
Despite their small size, Pacific spiny dogfish sharks play a critical role in the Puget Sound food web, shaping life-and-death competition over food supplies. (Christopher Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Currents Magazine)

Americans, anxious about AI’s role in the election, may not know its full scope, expert says
AI plays “hidden roles” and may exacerbate some of America’s societal problems that are unrelated to technology, an information technology academic said. Paige Gross reports. (Washington State Standard)

Groups advocate for timber cancellation
On Tuesday, the state Board of Natural Resources (BNR), which oversees the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will vote on whether to move forward with three timber sales, totaling 725 acres, that are fully or partially located within the Elwha River Watershed. To oppose these timber sales and their potential environmental impacts, organizations and citizens bonded together to form the Elwha Legacy Forest Coalition. Emma Maple reports. (Peninsula Daily 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-  755 AM PST Mon Nov 4 2024    
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING  
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH  TUESDAY AFTERNOON    
TODAY  SW wind 25 to 30 kt, veering to W 25 to 35 kt late this  morning, then becoming 30 to 35 kt this afternoon. Gusts up to  50 kt. Seas 9 to 13 ft, building to 12 to 16 ft this afternoon.  Wave Detail: W 16 ft at 12 seconds. Rain early this morning, then  a slight chance of rain late this morning.  
TONIGHT  W wind 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 45 kt, veering to  NW 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt after midnight. Seas 12 to  17 ft, subsiding to 10 to 14 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W  17 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening.

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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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11/1 Avalanche lily, sixgill shark, spiny softshell turtle, river rights, week in review

Avalanche lily

Avalanche lily  Erythronium montanum
The avalanche lily or white avalanche lily, is a member of the lily family native to coastal British Columbia and the alpine and subalpine Olympic and Cascade Ranges of the Pacific Northwest of Washington and Oregon. Wikipedia

Today's top story in Salish Current: Rainier: A beer odyssey and the joy of Northwest novelty / Puget Sound researchers uncover shark secrets, but new questions arise

Is Puget Sound a nursery for sixgill sharks?
Bluntnose sixgill sharks are among the largest sharks in the world, reaching lengths of almost 16 feet. Research shows that Puget Sound may be an important place for sixgills to give birth and raise their young. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Salish Sea Currents Magazine)

Forget the beaver and goose. These are the most Canadian animals
The most Canadian animal? It’s not the beaver that marks the nickel, the moose that pervades souvenir shops across the country, the loon that gave the one-dollar coin its nickname or even the much-maligned Canada goose. In fact, the spiny softshell turtle is Canada’s most distinct animal in evolutionary terms, researchers from Simon Fraser University show in a first-of-its-kind study. Brenna Owen reports.  (Canadian Press)

Everett initiative asks: Should the Snohomish River have legal rights?
Everett voters will decide next Tuesday if the Snohomish River should have legal rights. If Initiative 24-03 passes, any city resident could take anyone negatively impacting the watershed’s health to court. Individuals, companies or businesses found responsible for disturbing the watershed would be liable for for the damages, and would have to pay City Hall for restoration projects. Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 11/1/24: Vinegar Friday, DOT salmon plan, fatbergs, NDP win, Site C dam, marine weather, BC cruise ships, sea level rise, CWA suit, Snohomish R rights.

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-  306 AM PDT Fri Nov 1 2024    
TODAY  E wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt late. Seas 5 to  7 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 12 seconds. Showers.  
TONIGHT  NE wind around 5 kt, backing to W around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  Showers, mainly in the evening.  
SAT  W wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  11 seconds. Showers.  
SAT NIGHT  S wind around 5 kt, veering to W after midnight.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds. Showers,  mainly in the evening.  
SUN  NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 10 seconds and W 7 ft at 19 seconds. A chance of showers.

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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