4/17 Hoatzin, ESA 'take,' salmon farm pathogens, BC wldfires, logging compensation, caribou memory, first 100 days

Hoatzin

Hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin
The hoatzin of the Amazon Basin is a folivore, or leaf-eater. This so-called 'stink bird' reeks of fresh cow manure or sweet-smelling hay, because of its unusual diet. The bird has a special digestive system to process the huge quantity of foliage it needs to provide enough energy.

Today's top story in Salish Current: Looming federal health care funding cuts threaten vulnerable locals

Proposed rule change on endangered species triggers alarm for environmentalists
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service said in a proposed rule issued Wednesday that habitat modification should not be considered harm because it is not the same as intentionally targeting a species, called “take.” Environmentalists argue that the definition of “take,” though, has always included actions that harm species, and the definition of “harm” has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Tammy Webber reports. (Associated Press)

New study shows increased pathogens near B.C. open-net salmon farms
A new study led by the Pacific Salmon Foundation and four northern Vancouver Island First Nations suggests that water collected near active open-net salmon farms contains four times more pathogens harmful to wild salmon than samples collected near inactive salmon farms. B.C. Salmon Farming Association says study's results are overblown. Maryse Zeidler reports. (CBC)

B.C. ministers urge residents to have go-bags, insurance before floods and wildfire
B.C. Wildfire Service warns of elevated spring fire risk unless there's sustained rain. (Canadian Press)

Forestry Giant Not Owed Compensation, BC Supreme Court Rules
A decision by the Supreme Court of British Columbia to reject a $75-million compensation claim made by a logging company that once operated on Haida Gwaii could have reverberations across the province as the government continues its reconciliation efforts with First Nations. Teal-Jones had argued it faced ‘constructive taking’ on Haida Gwaii. Ben Parfitt reports. (The Tyee)

What the Caribou Remember
A herd of ungulates in Alaska draws on experience to adapt to a changing winter landscape. Sarah Gilman reports. (bioGraphic)

The First 100 Days

• California Is Preparing to Take Trump to Court to Stop His Tariffs (NY Times)
  
• RFK Jr. to refocus federal autism research on environmental factors (Washington State Standard)
  
• Kennedy Calls Autism ‘Preventable,’ Drawing Ire From Researchers (NY Times)
  
• I.R.S. Is Said to Be Considering Whether to Revoke Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status (NY Times)
  
• Trump administration has gutted an agency that coordinates homelessness policy (NPR)
  
• Judge finds probable cause to hold Trump administration in criminal contempt (Associated Press)
  
• AmeriCorps members who respond to disasters and help nonprofits are let go in DOGE cuts (Associated Press)
  
• ICE, DOGE seek sensitive Medicare data as immigration crackdown intensifies (Washington Post)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  233 AM PDT Thu Apr 17 2025  
TODAY  E wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to NW late. Seas 3 to 5 ft.  Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 11 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft  at 9 seconds.

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



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