11/26 Palm leaf fossil, Kootenay Cr spill, Mann Rd floodplain, Wiley Slough, orcas in False Cr, Discovery Bay oysters, Columbia R treaty

 

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Sabalites campbelli palm leaves (Wikipedia)

Fossils
Various plant and animal fossils have been found in the Chuckanut Formation. A fossil turtle shell was recovered from the formation at Clark Point south of Bellingham in 1960.  In 2023, the first articulated fossil fish was identified from the formation, which was a fragmented specimen of Phareodus. Eocene fossil trackways are found in the Chuckanut Formation, composed of birds, mammals, and some turtle tracks. It is thought that the Chuckanut Formation shoreline was of riverine environments combined with a large scale "bedding plane" of material deposition. Four deposition or track sites are known.(Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Three years, two deadly atmospheric rivers. Is B.C. ready for the next one? / Democracy in action starts with listening to voters

Missing link: Climate pollution surges in Washington state after pandemic lull (KUOW)

Class action lawsuit for massive 2013 fuel spill into Kootenay creek settled for $4.5 million
A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit for damages caused by a massive 2013 fuel spill in the West Kootenay's Slocan Valley.  An agreement signed by the lawsuit parties was filed in B.C. Supreme Court, with four defendants paying more than $4.5 million into a fund that could be divided among some 2,700 affected residents. Tom Popyk reports. (CBC)

Skykomish River project aims to create salmon habitat, reduce flooding
Historically, the Mann Road floodplain across the Skykomish River from Sultan was connected through a network of side channels. But in the 1960s, people disconnected channels when they began building levees and berms to protect buildings and farms. A streamlined river means flows are heightened during heavy rain or snowmelt runoff and reduces the number of protected side eddies and marsh area for salmon smolt to mature. A Snohomish County project funded by the Community Floodplain Solutions program hopes to collaborate with local property owners to restore former channels, but neighbors are wary of the project due to what they see as the county’s lack of communication. Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald)

Reopening of Wiley Slough celebrated
Wiley Slough is on the lower south fork of the Skagit River and is popular for birdwatching, hunting and walking. The area was restored to tidal marsh about 15 years ago but repairs required raising about a mile of dike by three feet, widening its base, and building a section of concrete floodwall. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Mother orca with 3 offpsring in Vancouver's False Creek a sign of recovery: researcher
A family of orcas in Vancouver's False Creek have sparked joy among the people who saw them. Andrew Trites, director of the University of British Columbia's marine mammal research unit, has identified the whales as a family group of transient orcas consisting of a mother and her three offspring. Andrew Kurjata reports. (CBC)

Discovery Bay Olympia oyster project receives more funding
The Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee will receive $16,000 in funding to further an effort to support Olympia oyster populations in Discovery Bay. The funds are intended to be paid to Hood Canal Oyster Co. (HCOC), which won the bid for the project through a request for proposal (RFP). Elijah Sussman reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Canada working with Biden team to finalize B.C. river treaty before Trump takes office
Top officials in both Canada and the United States are pushing the need to finalize the Columbia River Treaty to manage water flowing between the two countries before the administration change in America. There are concerns that the incoming Trump administration may undo the progress made in negotiations so far. At a news conference in September, Trump claimed that Canada had "essentially a very large faucet" that was sending water into the Pacific Ocean but that it could be turned around to send water "right into Los Angeles" to help with natural disasters. (Canadian Press)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  255 AM PST Tue Nov 26 2024    
TODAY  SE wind around 5 kt, veering to W this afternoon. Seas  around 2 ft or less. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 6 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W  2 ft at 6 seconds. A chance of rain after midnight.

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