2/28 Catfish, planetary parade, WA budget, night tidepooling, BC forest plans, first 100 days, week in review

 

Channel catfish

Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus
Channel catfish are one of several species from the catfish family that occur in Washington and are probably the most popular because of the large size they can attain and they are considered excellent eating. Channel catfish are the only established catfish species in Washington with a forked tail. The three species of bullhead catfish (brown, yellow, and black) occurring in Washington have a lobed tail. Channel catfish average 16-24 inches in the 2-5 years post stocking. Some individuals will live 15-20 years, grow over 30 inches in length and weigh in excess of 30 pounds. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Bellingham taps Orcas glass sand

Planetary parade: Mercury falls into line for rare seven-planet alignment
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune lined up horizontally in a ‘planetary parade’. The seven will appear to form a straight line in the night sky in display that won’t be seen again until 2040. (The Guardian)

Ferguson proposes $4B in cuts to Washington state budget
The governor has also embraced $3 billion in savings put forward by former Gov. Jay Inslee as state officials look to solve a shortfall estimated to be $12 billion or more. Jake Goldstein-Street and Bill Lucia report. (Washington State Standard)

A different kind of winter fun: tidepooling at night on Puget Sound
Some activities can only be done in certain seasons, but tidepooling is enjoyable year-round – if you don’t mind the cold and the dark. In winter, the Pacific Northwest’s lowest tides come at night. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Inside the Province’s New Plans for BC’s Forests
Early in the pandemic, as protests at Fairy Creek were beginning to brew, B.C. made a bold promise: it was embarking on a “paradigm shift” that would prioritize healthy ecosystems over harvesting trees. Zoe Yunker reports. (The Tyee)

The First 100 Days

• ICE awards $1B contract to private prison firm for major immigrant detention center (News From The States)
  
• U.S. Terminates Funding for Polio, H.I.V., Malaria and Nutrition Programs Around the World (NY Times)
  
• Hundreds of weather forecasters and NOAA staff fired in DOGE cuts (Associated Press)
  
• Trump to sign order Friday designating English as the official language of the US (Associated Press)
  

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/28/25: Skip the straw, BC water, US DEI, biochar, savior fish, bird flu, peregrine falcon, BP reset, endangerment finding, price of eggs.

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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  244 AM PST Fri Feb 28 2025  
TODAY  E wind around 5 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft  at 12 seconds. Patchy fog until late afternoon.  
TONIGHT  SE wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft, building to 5 to  8 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 14 seconds and W 8 ft  at 20 seconds. A chance of showers after midnight.
SAT  SE wind around 5 kt, veering to W in the afternoon. Seas  7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: W 10 ft at 18 seconds. A chance of  showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail:  W 10 ft at 16 seconds. Showers likely. 
SUN  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at  14 seconds. Showers likely, mainly in the morning.

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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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2/27 Pussy willow, sand-verbena moth, BP switch, natural gas, 'endangerment finding,' coal tariff, bird flu fight, OR net pens, BIPOC outdoors, first 100 days

 

Pussy willow

Pussy willow
Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring. Before the male catkins of these species come into full flower they are covered in fine, greyish fur, leading to a fancied likeness to tiny cats, also known as “pussies”. The catkins appear before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring. At other times of year trees of most of these species are usually known by their ordinary names. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Whatcom Racial Equity Commission sharpens its focus

Savior Fish
Reader Pete Haase writes: "Really enjoyed that article on the Savior fish of the Nass River.  I have a book I read recently, 'Peter Skeen Ogden: Fur Trader' who was a NW Hudson Bay Company guy.  The book recounts a boat trip in 1831-32 from Astoria to the Nass River.  It includes a long passage about the great 1832 Eulachon run there.  Tribes from long distances by canoe and overland gathered.  Wave after wave of gulls, killer whales, sea lions and seals in water boiling with eulachon coming from the sea to spawn up the river.  Day after day the eulachon harvest using nets and wooden spikes went on.  Thousands of tons of eulachon were caught and processed.  Wow!"

Environmental group sues over denied endangered species listing for Whidbey Island moth
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, claiming the agency unlawfully denied Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for the sand-verbena moth, a rare species facing severe habitat threats. Shawn Garrett reports. (KIRO)

Oil major BP to slash renewable spending and double down on fossil fuels in strategy reset
British oil major BP on Wednesday announced plans to increase annual oil and gas investment to $10 billion through 2027 as part of a fundamental strategic reset. The beleaguered energy giant also said it planned to lower its annual capital expenditure to sit within a range of $13 and $15 billion over the same time horizon, while targeting $20 billion in divestments by the end of 2027. Sam Meredith reports. (CNBC)

In a reversal, plans for U.S. natural gas power grow, complicating progress on climate
A spike in demand for electricity from tech companies competing in the artificial intelligence race is upending forecasts for natural gas-fired power in the U.S., as utilities reconsider it as a major new power source. Marc Levy reports. (Associated Press)

EPA urges White House to strike down landmark climate finding
Trump officials are weighing whether to repeal the “endangerment finding,” which says that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare. Maxine Joselow reports. (Washington Post)

Eby Looks at Tariffs on US Coal Shipped Through BC
B.C. Premier David Eby said Wednesday he raised with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the possibility of targeting shipments of coal from the United States as a response to President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee)

USDA rolls out $1B plan to fight bird flu after egg prices rise
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday it plans to spend up to $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds to try to reduce the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry. Jennifer Shute reports. (News From The States)

Legislators push to prohibit net pen aquaculture in Oregon
Oregon is the only West Coast state that still allows commercial fish farming with net pens in ocean and estuary waters. Under a bill introduced to a House committee Wednesday, the practice would be prohibited. Alejandro Figueroa reports. (OPB)

People of Color Outdoors cultivates community by leading outside gatherings
Portland group helps BIPOC communities strengthen their connection to nature. Paul Marshall reports. (OPB)

The First 100 Days

• Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China (Associated Press)
  
• Pentagon orders new purge of social media sites to dump diversity, inclusion mentions by March 5 (Associated Press)
  
• NIH partially lifts freeze on funding process for medical research (NRP)
  
• Trump demands plans for layoffs of more federal employees (News From The States)
  
• IRS to close more than 110 offices with taxpayer assistance centers (Washington Post)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  246 AM PST Thu Feb 27 2025   TODAY  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 13 seconds. Showers early this morning, then a slight chance  of showers late this morning. A chance of showers late.  
TONIGHT  NW wind around 5 kt, veering to E after midnight. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 15 seconds. Patchy fog.

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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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2/26 Bobcat, climate and eggs, Forest Service cuts, WA recycling, peregrine falcons, first 100 days

Bobcat [WDFW]

 
Bobcat Lynx rufus
Found throughout all of Washington, bobcats are probably more common than most people realize. Bobcats appear to be using suburban settings more often, although due to their reclusive ways, they are not often seen. Adult male bobcats weigh 20 to 30 pounds and average 3 feet in length. Females are considerably smaller and may weigh less than a large house cat. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Invictus Games: a celebration of inclusivity in sports / Action can be an effective antidote to hopelessness

What climate change means for bird flu — and the soaring price of eggs
Extreme weather is shifting the migratory patterns of birds, increasing the chances of deadly avian flu outbreaks on farms. Frida Garza and Zoya Teirstein report. (Grist)

Wildfire experts in Washington state warn of fallout from Trump’s Forest Service cuts
President Donald Trump has fired more than 3,400 employees at the U.S. Forest Service, raising questions about the capacity of the federal agency to coordinate firefighting efforts this summer. Andy Hurst and Patricia Murphy report. (KUOW)

Washington legislators debate bills to boost recycling
Confusing packaging, industry pressures and inconsistencies between programs have held back recycling rates. Lawmakers are looking for fixes. Laurel Demkovich reports. (Washington State Standard)

Coastal Peregrine Falcons’ Mysterious Decline
In North America, coastal populations of the once-embattled bird are missing, and no one is quite sure why. Evert Lindquist reports. (bioGraphic)

The First 100 Days

• U.S. House Republicans push through sweeping budget plan (News From The States)
  
• Federal judge in Seattle blocks Trump’s refugee ban (Washington State Standard)
  
• DOGE Quietly Deletes the 5 Biggest Spending Cuts It Celebrated Last Week (NY Times)
  
• Trump says he will offer ‘gold cards’ for $5 million path to citizenship, replacing investor visas (Associated Press)
  
• Under Trump, America’s New Friends: Russia, North Korea and Belarus (NY Times)
  
• Trump administration creates registry for immigrants who are in the US illegally (Associated Press)
  
• The Next Phase of Trump’s Large-Scale Work Force Cuts Is Underway (NY Times)
  
• A new document undercuts Trump admin's denials about $400 million Tesla deal (NPR)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  211 AM PST Wed Feb 26 2025    
TODAY  E wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SE 15 to 20 kt late this  morning and early afternoon, easing to 10 to 15 kt late. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at  13 seconds.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 5 seconds and W  7 ft at 15 seconds. Showers likely 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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2/25 Pacific willow, tariffs, biochar, Budd Inlet, fish-farm suit, eulechon, Saik'uz land, first 100 days

 

Pacific Willow [Native Plants PNW]

Pacific Willow Salix lucida
Pacific Willow may also be known as Shining (the meaning of lucida) Willow, Western Black Willow, Yellow Willow, or Gland Willow.  It is one of our largest native willows, reaching 20-60 feet (6-18m).  Blooms: March-June. (Native Plants PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Animal owners step up action against threat of bird flu / Who speaks to the outrage  of our unfolding national catastrophe?

Trump says he'll hit Canadian goods with 25% tariff next week after month-long pause
'The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,' U.S. president says. John Paul Tasker reports. (CBC)

Can this 'burnt toast'-like substance be a key tool in the fight against climate change?
Companies and countries are turning to biochar, and some people are making it in their own backyard. Philip Drost reports. (CBC)

What’s in the water? Public invited to observe Budd Inlet sediment sampling in March
This time the focus is on West Bay, according to the port. Those aboard a research vessel will test more than 100 sites, including waters near the marine terminal, multiple private tidelands, Capitol Lake, historic industry sites along the shore and various marinas. Rolf Boone reports. (The Olympian)

Cermaq sues over Discovery Islands fish-farm decision
Cermaq says it has lost millions of dollars as a result of a flawed process leading to the 2023 decision. Carla Wilson reports.(Times Colonist)

Where the Savior Fish Still Swims
In an era of collapse, a fabled fish keeps coming back to Nisg̱a’a nation. Shanna Baker reports. (bioGraphic)

How One First Nation Is Taking Back Control of Their ‘Devastated’ Lands
BC turned a blind eye to the mounting harms of development. The Saik’uz are acting before it’s too late. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Tyee)


The First 100 Days

• FDA moves to rehire medical device, food safety and other staffers fired days earlier (Associated Press)
  
• Trump backs Musk as he roils the federal workforce with demands and threats (Associated Press)
  
• Nearly 40% of contracts canceled by Musk's DOGE are expected to produce no savings (Associated Press)
  

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-  522 AM PST Tue Feb 25 2025  
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING  
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST THIS MORNING  THROUGH THIS EVENING    
TODAY  W wind 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 45 kt, easing to  10 to 15 kt. Seas 8 to 11 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 7 seconds  and W 11 ft at 14 seconds. Rain this morning. A chance of rain  this afternoon.  
TONIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt, backing to SE after midnight. Seas  5 to 8 ft, subsiding to 4 to 6 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W  8 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of showers 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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2/24 Cougar, WA lege bills, quakes, Goldeneye, BirdNote, Nookachamps Cr, fed unemployment, BC water, BPA, DEI pullback, first 100 days

Cougar [Rich Beausoleil]

 
Cougar Puma concolor
Sleek and graceful, cougars are solitary and secretive animals rarely seen in the wild. Also known as mountain lions or pumas, cougars are known for their strength, agility, and awesome ability to jump. Cougars are the largest members of the cat family in Washington. Adult males average approximately 140 pounds but in rare cases may weigh 180 pounds and measure 7-8 feet long from nose to tip of tail. Adult males stand about 30 inches tall at the shoulder. Adult female cougars rarely exceed 110 pounds. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: New walk-on ferry routes across Puget Sound ready to sail — if funded

Bills that didn’t survive the WA Legislature’s first major deadline
A slew of measures are done for the year. More will be on the chopping block next week. Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero and Jake Goldstein-Street report (Washington State Standard)

Shaking felt across southwest B.C. after 4.7-magnitude earthquake hits coast
No major damage, no tsunami threat after shaking on Friday. Rhianna Schmunk reports. (CBC)   B.C. earthquake triggers concerns over sporadic alerts from national warning system. Chuck Chiang reports. (Canadian Press)

‘Really fed up’: B.C. ranchers say fracking-induced earthquakes hurt cattle
Fifteen recent earthquakes in five days, linked to fracking, are having serious implications for ranchers — including livestock stress, premature births and water shortages. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)  How the pursuit of oil and gas — by fracking — causes earthquakes Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

Goldeneye energy storage facility clears a hurdle
The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council determined Wednesday that the proposal by Goldeneye Energy Storage to build a facility on land zoned for agriculture just east of Sedro-Woolley is consistent and compliant with local land use provisions. The next hurdle for the project involves how it complies with the State Environmental Policy Act, and whether an environmental impact statement will be required. Vince Richardson reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

BirdNote celebrates 20 years of fun, joyful daily radio episodes
Twenty years ago this week, on Feb. 21, 2005, a very catchy theme song began airing daily on KPLU 88.5 FM, heralding a sound-rich yet brief lesson about birds. That radio station that went on to become KNKX, and BirdNote extended its reach dramatically. Bellamy Paithorp reports. (KNKX)

Project underway to restore the east fork of Nookachamps Creek
A Skagit County-led project to restore 17 acres along the east fork of Nookachamps Creek is well underway. The area being restored is part of a 396-acre wetland mitigation bank sponsored by Clear Valley Environmental Farm LLC. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Hundreds of federal workers apply for unemployment in Washington state amid Trump's purge
Amid a surge of federal firings nationwide, 362 federal workers have applied for unemployment in Washington state between Jan. 20, when President Trump took office, and Tuesday, according to a report released on Friday by Washington’s Employment Security Department. Scott Greenstone reports. (KUOW)  National Park Service restores some jobs of fired employees, pledges to hire 7,700 seasonal workers (Associated Press)

Trump wants B.C.’s water: Plausible or one big pipe dream?
The U.S. president has made inaccurate comments in the past that California’s drought could be solved by turning on a Canadian “faucet.” Alec Lazenby reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Dams, power lines and statistics: What the Bonneville Power Administration is and does
The Bonneville Power Administration was born out of the New Deal, an era of large-scale public works projects that created infrastructure and jobs as the U.S. recovered from the Great Depression. It started to market electricity from the Bonneville and Grand Coulee hydroelectric dams in the 1930s and ’40s. Today, a third of all power consumed in the Pacific Northwest comes from BPA, which owns 75% of the region’s electrical transmission lines. Courtney Sherwood reports. (OPB)

Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives?
Pepsi, Goldman Sachs, Google, Target, Meta Platforms, Amazon, McDonald's, Walmart, Ford, Lowe's, Harley-Davidson, Brown Foreman (Jack Daniels), John Deere, Tractor Supply. (Associated Press)

The First 100 Days

• Musk gives federal workers 48 hours to say what they did last week (Associated Press)
• Key federal agencies refuse to comply with Musk’s latest demand in his cost-cutting crusade (Associated Press)
  
• Experienced workers, not just rookies, get cut as Trump slashes probationary employees (Associated Press)
  
• National Park Service restores some jobs of fired employees, pledges to hire 7,700 seasonal workers (Associated Press)
  
• Judge largely blocks Trump's executive orders ending federal support for DEI programs (Associated Press)
  
• Judge upholds ban on DOGE accessing sensitive Treasury information, for now (Associated Press)
  
• AP sues Trump White House for denying access over 'Gulf of Mexico' row (NPR)
  
• Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives? (Associated Press)
  
• Trump administration plans mass firing at office that funds homelessness programs (NPR)
  
• The Trump administration is putting USAID staffers on leave worldwide and firing at least 1,600 (Associated Press)
  
• Ex-Secret Service agent and conservative media personality Dan Bongino picked as FBI deputy director (Associated Press)
  

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 Mon Feb 24 2025    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING  GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH  LATE TONIGHT    
TODAY  E wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 20 to 25 kt with gusts up  to 35 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 7 to 10 ft this afternoon.  Wave Detail: E 6 ft at 6 seconds and W 9 ft at 13 seconds. Rain  late this morning and afternoon. Patchy fog late this morning and  afternoon.  
TONIGHT  E wind 25 to 30 kt, veering to W after midnight. Seas  8 to 11 ft. Wave Detail: E 7 ft at 7 seconds, S 2 ft at  13 seconds and W 9 ft at 14 seconds. Patchy fog in the evening.  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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2/21 Shiner perch, NIH funding cuts, Microsoft state of matter, green aviation fuel, first 100 days, week in review

Shiner perch [CA Academy of Science]

Shiner perch Cymatogaster aggregata
The shiner perch is a common surfperch found in estuaries, lagoons, and coastal streams along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California. It is the sole member of its genus. The shiner perch is also known as seven-eleven and shiner seaperch. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Now is the time for local collective action

Seattle scientists protest Trump's NIH cuts to research funding
As the Trump administration pushes to cut billions in federal funding for public universities and research centers, local scientists gathered to protest the potential cuts to their jobs and the research that they say is vital to the community. Nate Sanford reports. (KNKX)

Microsoft Says It Has Created a New State of Matter to Power Quantum Computers
Microsoft’s new “topological qubit” is not based on a solid, liquid or gas. It is another phase of matter that many experts did not think was possible. Cade Metz reports. (NY Times)

State backs green aviation fuel plant as industry struggles to cut emissions
Washington state has awarded a new $1.5 million grant for a planned sustainable aviation fuels and renewable diesel production facility projected to open in 2029 at Wallula Gap on the Columbia River. That’s a very small portion of the funding required to complete the facility being developed by Dutch company SkyNRG. In 2023, SkyNRG’s then-CEO said the project will require an investment of $600 million to $800 million. Dominic Gates reports. (Seattle Times)

The First 100 Days
IRS fires 6,000 employees as Trump slashes US government (Reuters)
Trump administration moves quickly with mass deportation plans (Voice of America)
After ceding power of the purse, GOP lawmakers beg Trump team for funds (Washington Post)
Trump expected to take control of USPS, fire postal board, officials say (Washington Post)
Trump Marks Black History Month, Even as He Disparages Value of Diversity (NY Times)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/21/25: Peace symbol, BPA firings, Haida Gwaii title, zebra mussels, Tiger Mountain, fed job cuts, BC red tape, NOAA job cuts, Columbia R Treaty, 

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-  213 AM PST Fri Feb 21 2025    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM PST THIS MORNING  THROUGH LATE TONIGHT    
TODAY  E wind 10 to 20 kt, rising to 20 to 30 kt this  afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at 4 seconds, S 3  ft at 8 seconds and W 9 ft at 15 seconds. Rain.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 15 to 25 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt. Seas 6 to  9 ft, subsiding to 5 to 7 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: E 2 ft  at 4 seconds and W 9 ft at 14 seconds. Rain likely.  
SAT  E wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SE 15 to 20 kt with gusts up  to 35 kt in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 6 to 9 ft  in the afternoon. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 4 seconds, S 3 ft at  9 seconds and W 9 ft at 14 seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, backing to SE after midnight.  Seas 6 to 9 ft, subsiding to 5 to 7 ft after midnight. Wave  Detail: SE 2 ft at 5 seconds, S 2 ft at 10 seconds and W 9 ft at  13 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, veering to SW in the afternoon. Seas  4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 4 seconds, S 2 ft at 9 seconds  and W 6 ft at 13 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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2/20 Pearlfish, fed worker firings, Columbia River Treaty, ecosystem report, rats, first 100 days

 

Pearlfish [Photo: Helfman and Collette,
Fishes: The Animal Answer Guide]

Pinctada oysters and Pearlfish
From reader Gene Helfman: "A little more about Pinctada oysters. They do form pearls, called blister pearls, in much the same way that pearl oysters do. And it can lead to interesting results. For example, pearlfishes in the tropical Pacific hide inside Pinctada oysters by day and emerge at night to feed. A famous example, and one that likely explains the origin of the common name for pearlfishes, involves a pearlfish that became entombed inside a Pinctada oyster. The oyster laid down layer upon layer of mother-of-pearl, forming a blister pearl."

Today's top story in Salish Current: Asylum seekers find refuge in Lynden

Bracing for impacts on land, water and wildlife after feds fire thousands
A President’s Day weekend swept by fear and grief from the sudden termination of thousands of federal employees in the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Interior left chaos and uncertainty after the latest assault on the federal workforce by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Christine Peterson reports. (High County News)

For 60 years, this Canada-U.S. treaty governed money, power and a river. With Trump's threats, what now?
Columbia River Treaty compensates Canada to manage waterway for U.S. hydropower, flood control. Yvette Brend reports. (CBC)

WWU receives grant to update and expand Health of the Salish Sea Ecosystem Report
New research led by Dr. Aquila Flower will add climate change and landscape change indicators to a collaborative report on trends in the transboundary Salish Sea ecosystem. Jennifer Nerad reports. (WWU News)

The Future Looks Ratty
In a warming world, urban rats are thriving. There’s a simple solution, but the implementation isn’t easy. Benji Jones reports. (bioGraphic)

The First 100 Days
Trump backs idea to send some DOGE savings to American citizens  (Associated Press)
Trump says federal government should ‘take over’ DC, backing congressional GOP push (Associated Press)

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-  807 AM PST Thu Feb 20 2025    
REST OF TODAY  S wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to SE late this  morning, then becoming E 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas 6 to  9 ft, subsiding to 4 to 6 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 14 seconds. Rain early this morning, then a chance of rain  early this afternoon. A slight chance of rain late.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft, building to 5 to 7 ft after midnight.  Wave Detail: E 3 ft at 4 seconds, S 2 ft at 8 seconds and W 7 ft  at 14 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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2/19 Pinctada, feds in WA, BPA workers, BC energy projects, NOAA weather, conservation burial plots, private forests, J-62, first 100 days

 

Pinctada margaritifera [Didier Descouens]

Pinctada
Pinctada is a genus of saltwater oysters, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Pteriidae. These pearl oysters have a strong inner shell layer composed of nacre, also known as "mother of pearl". Pearl oysters are not closely related to either the edible oysters of family Ostreidae or the freshwater pearl mussels of the families Unionidae and Margaritiferidae. Pinctada margaritifera and P. maxima are used for culturing South Sea and Tahitian pearls. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Farming leases renew ag efforts in the islands

Trump’s job cuts lead to closed trails, staff shortages in WA
Federal workers in the Pacific Northwest who protect water and air quality and keep public lands open and clean are among the thousands fired without cause as President Donald Trump slashes jobs across the country. Many were let go on Friday or over the weekend by email. Isabella Breda, Conrad Swanson and Gregory Scruggs report. (Seattle Times)  A comprehensive look at DOGE’s firings and layoffs so far Meg Kinnard reports. (Associated Press)

30 Bonneville Power workers get jobs back as hundreds are cut
After an uproar over staffing cuts at the Bonneville Power Administration, the Trump administration is trying to rehire a handful of staffers it laid off last week. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard)

Eby vows to cut ‘red tape’ for B.C. resource and energy projects — citing tariff threats
B.C. MLAs returned to the legislature today for a throne speech that centred the NDP’s push to speed up permits for LNG and other projects. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal)

Scientists at U.S. weather forecasting agency ordered to get clearance before talking to Canadian counterparts
Former official says NOAA workforce could be halved, sending ripple effects around the world. Jaela Bernstien reports (CBC)

Jefferson Land Trust considering conservation burial ground
Jefferson Land Trust is taking steps in due diligence before potentially converting a retired golf course into a conservation burial ground. Funds from plot sales could fund habitat improvements. Elijah Sussman reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

What is a ‘private forest’ in B.C.? And how much logging is allowed there?
B.C.’s private forests aren’t subject to the same logging regulations as those on public land — putting old growth, wildlife habitat and significant ecosystems at risk. Julie Gordon reports.(The Narwhal)

Baby killer whale seen bouncing and rolling off Washington. See the peachy orange calf
A pod of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales were photographed Feb. 8 off San Juan Islands in the Salish Sea, the Center for Whale Research said in a Feb. 15 Facebook post. Researchers were able to catch a glimpse of all 26 members of J pod on camera, including its newest member, J-62. The calf was first spotted on New Year’s Eve, according to a Jan. 1 Facebook post. (News&Observer)

The American Lobster’s Baby Bust
A potentially dire change in spawn timing threatens the future of lobster in the Gulf of Maine. Moira Donovan reports. (bioGraphic)

RCMP Violated Charter Rights During CGL Arrests, Court Finds
Indigenous land defenders found guilty of criminal contempt may receive shorter sentences due to ‘extremely serious,’ ‘racist’ conduct. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee)

The First 100 Days
A comprehensive look at DOGE’s firings and layoffs so far (Associated Press)
Trump’s firings strike the nation’s health agencies (Washington Post)
Federal judge turns down attempt by Democratic AGs to block Elon Musk and DOGE (News From The States)
Trump Issues Order to Expand His Power Over Agencies Congress Made Independent (NY Times)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  753 AM PST Wed Feb 19 2025   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING    
REST OF TODAY  E wind 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt,  becoming SW 15 to 20 kt late. Seas 6 to 9 ft, subsiding to 5 to  7 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: E 6 ft at 6 seconds and W 5 ft  at 14 seconds. Rain showers likely.  
TONIGHT  W wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 4 seconds, SE  3 ft at 6 seconds and W 7 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of rain in  the evening, then rain likely 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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2/18 Bead plant, Tiger Mountain, wood stoves, BC spotted owl, first 100 days

 

Bead plant

Bead plant Curio rowleyanus
The String of Pearls is a succulent vine that is popularly grown as an ornamental in hanging baskets in the United States. The plant has tiny pea-shaped leaves that grow on trailing stems that spill downward like a string of pearls over the side of the planter. The rounded, fleshy leaves of String of Pearls are unique, each resembling a pearl, a bead, or a marble. (North Carolina Extension)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Whatcom County clients seek bilingual legal professionals

A beloved forest reserve in King County is expanded
As one of his first official acts as commissioner of public lands, Dave Upthegrove on Feb. 4 led the state Board of Natural Resources in unanimous approval of the expansion of a beloved state conservation reserve in King County. Nearly 100 acres of big trees on slopes too steep to cut for timber, lording over a steelhead creek, now are permanently protected as part of the DNR’s West Tiger Mountain Natural Resources Conservation Area. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

Washington state bill would set new standards for wood stoves
A Washington state Senate committee advanced a proposal Friday morning to update the rules around wood stoves. Senate Bill 5174 would update the state’s air quality standards around wood-burning devices like wood stoves and fireplaces. Albert James reports. (Washington State Standard)

Proposed B.C. ski resort faces criticism over threat to endangered spotted owl habitat
A proposed ski resort near Chilliwack, B.C., is drawing criticism from environmental advocates who say public consultation on the project has overlooked its potential impact on one of Canada's most endangered birds — the northern spotted owl. Shaurya Kshatri reports. (CBC)

The First t100 Days

• Elon Musk's DOGE seeks access to taxpayer data at IRS (Associated Press)
  
• Trump Cuts Target Next Generation of Scientists and Public Health Leaders (NY Times)
  
• Many probationary employees targeted in latest Trump cuts across agencies had excellent ratings; legal challenges are expected. (Washington Post)
  
• Republicans consider cuts and work requirements for Medicaid (Associated Press)
  
• Schools, colleges ordered to abolish DEI or face funding cuts (LA Times)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  249 AM PST Tue Feb 18 2025    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH  WEDNESDAY MORNING    
TODAY  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft  at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of rain early  this afternoon. Rain late.  
TONIGHT  E wind 15 to 25 kt, rising to 20 to 25 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 5 ft at 5 seconds and W  4 ft at 11 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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2/17 Red beaded anemone, WA clean energy fund, BPA staff, Gaida Gwaii title, Mosquito Fleet, hydrofoils, WA Fish&Wildlife, zebra mussels, e-plane, WA natural gas, Tumwater tree, first 100 days

Red beaded anemone

 

Red beaded anemone Urticina clandestina
This is a fairly large anemone with a diameter to about 6 inches. The column ranges from brick red to bright red but is rarely visible because sand and bits of shell cling to and cover it. Tentacles are short, blunt, and banded, often red and gray. Look for Urticina clandestina in areas of coarse sediment low in the intertidal of rocky beaches and divers can find it to a depth of 50 feet. (Sound Water Stewards)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Poetry, for a ‘churning, burning world’

Washington state clean-energy funding re-frozen by Trump White House
More than $500 million in federal funding for clean energy in Washington state is being held up by the Trump administration. Washington state leaders say Trump officials have ignored court orders to release that congressionally mandated funding....Washington Commerce officials said they were not notified the state’s $156 million “Solar for All” grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had been frozen a second time. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Bonneville Power staff departures under President Trump raise concerns about Northwest electrical grid
Linemen, engineers among hundreds of staff to leave Bonneville Power Administration as Trump trims workforce. Tony Schick and Courtney Sherwood report. (OPB)

Canada recognizes Aboriginal title over Haida Gwaii off B.C. in historic agreement
The federal government will recognize Aboriginal title over the archipelago of Haida Gwaii off British Columbia's northern coast in a historic agreement with the Haida First Nation. (Canadian Press)

'Mosquito Fleet Act' could bring small ferries to more Puget Sound communities
House Bill 1923 would let small communities along Puget Sound create "mosquito fleets" of passenger-only ferries. The boats would likely carry up to 149 people each. Currently only Kitsap and King counties have passenger-only lines like that. [The bill] also includes a grant program to help pay for them. Joshua McNichols reports. (KUOW)

Return of the hydrofoil: Puget Sound passenger ferries in the works
Belfast, Northern Ireland-based Artemis Technologies is partnering with Delta Marine, a local maker of luxury yachts, with promises of a new fleet of walk-on “efoiling” ferries for local travelers. Nicholas Deshais reports. (Seattle Times)

Ferguson wades into WA Fish and Wildlife Commission turmoil
The governor withdrew two appointments to the panel that former Gov. Jay Inslee made on his way out of office. The move comes amid calls for the commission to be overhauled. Laurel Demkovich reports. (Washington State Standard)

The feds tried to hold the line in an invasive species battle — and lost. What’s next?
Riding Mountain National Park was the frontline of the westward invasion, but Parks Canada now says stopping zebra mussels at the park is ‘no longer an achievable option.’ Julia-Simone Rutgers reports. (The Narwhal)

WA electric plane startup halts operations in blow to green aviation
Arlington-based startup Eviation, which flew the first flight of its sleek all-electric airplane at Moses Lake in fall 2022, laid off most of its staff last week after failing to attract new funding, according to two employees who were among those cut. Dominic Gates reports. (Seattle Times)

Judge won’t compel state panel to scrap building codes targeted by gas initiative
A builder group says the voter-approved measure is not being followed. A second lawsuit challenging the legality of Initiative 2066 will be heard in March. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

Historic Tumwater tree could stay, report says. Council to make final decision in March
The newest assessment of the historic 400-year-old Davis Meeker Garry Oak tree that partially hangs over Old Highway 99 south of Tumwater was released on Feb. 7. It turns out, the tree is healthier than previously thought, and cutting it down doesn’t necessarily have to happen. Ty Vinson reports. (Olympian)

The First 100 Days

• Trump Suggests No Laws Are Broken if He’s ‘Saving His Country’ (NY Times)
• Trump’s Funding Freezes Bruise a Core Constituency: Farmers (NY Times)
• Musk Team Seeks Access to I.R.S. System With Taxpayers’ Records (NY Times)
• IRS to lay off thousands of probationary workers amid tax season (Associated Press)
• Top federal prosecutor in Washington previously defended Jan. 6 rioters (NPR)
• Trump's government cuts: 20 immigration judges fired from backlogged courts without explanation (Associated Press)
• AP reporter and photographer barred from Air Force One over ‘Gulf of Mexico’ terminology dispute (Associated Press)
• Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crash (Associated Press)
• DOGE reversal: Firings of US nuclear weapons workers halted (Associated Press)

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

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  233 AM PST Mon Feb 17 2025    
TODAY  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 8 ft  at 15 seconds. A chance of rain early this morning, then a slight  chance of rain late this morning. A chance of rain late.  
TONIGHT  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft  at 14 seconds. Rain likely 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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2/14 Sanderling, Upthegrove, PFAS fertilizer, EPA lockout, Stanley Park trees, whale songs, fish bladders, OR climate grants, counting fish, first 100 days, week in review

Sanderling

Sanderling Calidris alba
The sanderling is a small wading bird. The name derives from Old English sand-yrðling, "sand-ploughman." The genus name is from Ancient Greek kalidris or skalidris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The specific, alba, is Latin for "white." Wikipedia

Today's top story in Salish Current: Community responds to ramping ICE arrests

New Washington Public Lands chief defends pause on logging ‘almost old-growth forests’
As one of his first acts on the job, Dave Upthegrove, Washington’s new Public Lands commissioner, did what he promised to do on the campaign trail — pause the harvest of timber from 70,000 to 80,000 acres of older forests that don’t yet qualify as “old-growth” but still are old enough to provide valuable habitat. Libby Denkmann and Alec Cowan report. (KUOW)

Should WA test human waste fertilizer for PFAS?
In Washington — particularly King and Pierce counties — experts say the PFAS problem isn’t nearly as pronounced. The contaminants are likely present, they’re even detectable in rain water across the world, but probably not in such high concentrations as to be dangerous, they say. But here’s the thing: We don’t know for sure. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times)

'The purge has begun.' Environmental justice workers locked out of EPA Seattle office
Nine Environmental Protection Agency employees in Seattle have been put on leave by the Trump Administration because they work on environmental justice. Their jobs involve helping communities that breathe, eat, and drink more than their fair share of pollution. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Vancouver faces another legal challenge over tree removal in Stanley Park
The Vancouver park board began removing thousands of trees in late 2023, saying they are dying because of a hemlock looper moth infestation. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Some whales sing low enough to be 'acoustically invisible' to predators: research
New research suggests male baleen whales looking for love sing a different tune when attracting a mate, and it all depends on if they are more likely to fight or flee from a predator. Ashley Joannou reports. (Canadian Press)

How Mexican cartels and Chinese criminal networks are moving 'cocaine of the sea' through Canadian ports
Chinese organized crime networks and Mexican cartels are using Canadian ports to trade highly lucrative fish bladders for the precursor chemicals needed to produce fentanyl, according to the Canada Border Services Agency. Michelle Ghoussoub reports. (CBC) 

With Oregon’s 2 largest federal climate grants on hold — for now — state agencies are left at a standstill
Denying Oregon these investments “would blow essentially a $200 million dollar hole in our budget,” says an environmental nonprofit leader. Monica Samayoa reports. (OPB)

Are There Plenty of Fish in the Sea? Ask an Elephant Seal
Counting deep-sea fish is difficult, but elephant seals can make it easier. Annie Roth reports. (bioGraphic)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/14/25: Fredrick Douglass Friday, herring, nature report, NOAA climate, Nevada bird flu, global climate, snowpack, BLM Sgamma, 'Gulf of America,' EPA purge.

The First 100 Days
Trump dismisses Seattle-based U.S. attorney as part of nationwide purge  (Seattle Times)
Hegseth team invites far-right activist Jack Posobiec on overseas trip (Washington Post)
Vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is sworn in as Trump’s health chief after a close Senate vote (Associated Press)
State Department halts plan to buy $400M worth of armored vehicles from Musk’s Tesla (Associated Press)

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—

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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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2/13 Sanddab, Sgamma nominated, deep-sea life, BC flu, Puyallup vandals, first 100 days

 

Pacific sanddab

Pacific sanddab Citharichthys sordidus
The Pacific sanddab, also known as the soft flounder, mottle sanddab, or megrim, is a fish species in the order Pleuronectiformes, or flatfish. It is by far the most common sanddab, and it shares its habitat with the longfin sanddab and the speckled sanddab. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: What happens to a school that refuses to obey the Trump ban on transgender athletes?

Trump nominates oil and gas advocate to lead agency that manages federal land concentrated in the West
Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Colorado-based oil industry trade group Western Energy Alliance, was named Bureau of Land Management director, a position with wide influence over lands used for energy production, grazing, recreation and other purposes. An MIT graduate, Sgamma has been a leading voice for the fossil fuel industry, calling for fewer drilling restrictions on public lands that produce about 10% of U.S. oil and gas. Matthew Brown and Matthew Daly report. (Associated Press)

The Three-Way Race to Exploit Deep-Sea Life
The genetic bounty of the deep sea is being patented by a handful of multinationals. Rebekah White reports. (bioGraphic)

Flu activity in B.C. peaking as COVID-19, respiratory virus decline
British Columbia is seeing "peaking influenza activity" even as other respiratory illnesses such as RSV and COVID-19 are in decline, and health officials are reminding people to get vaccinated. (Canadian Press)

Vandals take chainsaws to 200-year-old trees in Puyallup along popular trail, WDFW says
Vandals in recent months used chainsaws to damage trees near the trail at the Puyallup Fish Hatchery, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police posted on social media. WDFW said many of the trees are between 50 and 200 years old. Isabela Lund reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

The First 100 Days
Trump upends US policy on Ukraine and says he and Putin have agreed to begin talks on ending the war (Associated Press)
State Dept. Plans $400 Million Purchase of Armored Tesla Cybertrucks (NY Times)
Elon Musk calls for US to 'delete entire agencies' (Associated Press)
Trump nominates oil and gas advocate to lead agency that manages federal land concentrated in the West (OPB)

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-  204 AM PST Thu Feb 13 2025   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING    
TODAY  E wind 20 to 30 kt, easing to 15 to 25 kt late. Seas 5  to 8 ft. Wave Detail: E 5 ft at 5 seconds and W 4 ft at 15  seconds.  
TONIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 5 seconds and W  6 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of rain and snow.

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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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2/12 Sand dollar, WA solar grant, climate deadline, BC snowpack, trash talk, Mason Co bird flu, Bainbridge rookery, PBS DEI, Gulf of America, first 100 days

 

Sand dollar

Eccentric Sand Dollar Dendraster excentricus
One of the most characteristic animals of clean sand bottoms in quiet bays everywhere on the Pacific Northwest coast is this flattened relative of the sea urchins. In some sandy areas, these echinoderms are so common as to virtually cover the bottom. This disk-shaped animal grows to about 10 cm in diameter and is gray to brown or reddish in color. The bottom is flattened, the top slightly convex. The test is covered with a profusion of tiny spines that are visible only at close range. The mouth is centered on the under (oral) side, and the anus, which would be on the upper (aboral) side in other echinoids, has moved over evolutionary time to the posterior edge of the disk. (University of Puget Sound)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Families of missing persons call for changes

$156M solar power grant reopened for Washington amid federal funding turmoil
Washington has regained access to more than $150 million in previously frozen federal funds for solar energy projects, state officials said. For at least a week, the state Department of Commerce was locked out of its Solar for All grant money expected to help thousands of residents in low-income communities access solar power. The money was part of $7 billion the federal Environmental Protection Agency awarded last year to 60 recipients nationwide. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard)

Most of the world’s big polluters just blew off a major climate deadline
Major polluters including China and the E.U. failed to submit their national emissions plans to the U.N., suggesting that the global climate framework is wobbling. Chico Harlan reports. (Washington Post)

B.C. snowpack at 72% of normal as of Feb. 1 after 'extremely dry' January
Areas with below-normal snowpack show "early concerns" for drought conditions in the spring and summer. Brenna Owen reports. (Canadian Press)

Debris collected from shorelines in Salish Sea region
Workers have recovered nearly 77,000 kilograms [about 85 tons] of debris from shorelines in the central Salish Sea region. Abby McLennan, an environmental consultant with Let’s Talk Trash, said the project had a 53 per cent diversion rate, meaning just over half of the material collected ended up being recycled or upcycled locally in the community. Paul Galinski reports. (Powell River Peak)

What’s in a name? WA wants to officially be ‘The Evergreen State’
“The Chinook State” was the front-runner a century ago, but the Evergreen moniker has been used informally since the state’s founding in 1889. Emma Schwichtenberg reports. (CascadePBS)

Mason County has its first case of bird flu, WA state Department of Agriculture announces
Mason County has its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic birds. The flu was detected in a small backyard flock of ducks, the state Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday. Rolf Boone reports. (Olympian)

Bainbridge nonprofit hopes to protect heron rookery from development
The Bainbridge Island Land Trust has launched a campaign to preserve a nesting site for great blue herons that was put up for sale last year. Located on Lovell Avenue, the rookery is one of the few known nesting sites for the birds, containing approximately 30 nests. Marissa Center reports. (Kitsap Sun)

With public broadcasters pressured by the Trump administration, PBS shuts down its diversity office
PBS says it is shutting down its office of diversity, equity and inclusion to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order, firing the two executives brought on when the effort was begun in 2021. The move comes as public television and radio girds for a fight over federal funding likely to be more serious than it has faced in many years. David Bauder reports. (Associated Press)

Associated Press barred from Oval Office for not using ‘Gulf of America’
Agency says its reporter wasn’t allowed into event in effort to ‘punish’ style guide on upholding use of Gulf of Mexico. Jenna Amatulli reports. (The Guardian)

The First 100 Days
Trump Orders Plans for ‘Large Scale’ Work Force Cuts and Expands Musk’s Power (NY Times)
Elon Musk’s DOGE targets U.S. Department of Education for millions in funding cuts (News From The States)
Education Department rescinds Biden memo that threatened to upend college NIL payments (Associated Press)

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 Feb 12 2025   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH  THURSDAY AFTERNOON    
TODAY  E wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming SE 20 to 25 kt with gusts  up to 35 kt this afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 5 ft  at 5 seconds and W 3 ft at 14 seconds.  
TONIGHT  E wind 20 to 25 kt, rising to 25 to 30 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft, building to 5 to 8 ft after midnight.  Wave Detail: E 6 ft at 5 seconds and W 4 ft at 14 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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