11/17 Coyote, halibut fishing, BC LNG, housing detainees, Snohomish shoreline, AK refuge road, no wolf recovery plan, democracy watch

 

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Coyote

Coyote Canis latrans
Coyotes have naturally expanded their range in North America and have adapted well to human-dominated habitats. They are present across nearly all of Washington, including many urban and suburban parks, greenbelts, and other wooded spaces. At first glance, the coyote resembles a small German shepherd dog, yet its color can vary from animal to animal. Adult coyotes weigh 20 to 35 pounds, with males being slightly larger than females. At the shoulder, an adult male coyote is about 25 inches tall. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Chorale's ‘Lest We Forget’ to recall the past, evoke hope

WA and Alaska halibut fishing crews see troubling signs
Halibut stocks have plunged from record highs of the 1990s across a broad range of the North Pacific. The fishery has long been one of the economic mainstays of small-boat fishers in Alaska, British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. These fish are also prized by sport anglers, sustaining hundreds of charter boat businesses, and taken in subsistence harvests largely by Indigenous peoples. Halibut now appear to be at, or near, their lowest point of the past century. Hal Benton reports. (Seattle Times) 

‘Flare height will vary’: LNG Canada lights up the night sky in Kitimat, B.C. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney signalled his support for LNG exports in Terrace, B.C., this week, as nearby Kitimat residents learn to live beside a towering flame. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal) 

ICE looks to WA tribes to house detained immigrants 
As the Trump administration searches for more space to detain immigrants, it is approaching Washington tribes to see if they will participate. The Nisqually Tribal Council said in a statement Friday evening it learned that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been talking to one of its staff members without consulting the council. Nina Shapiro reports. (Seattle Times) 

Snohomish County judge hears arguments on petition over access to the shoreline
In a motion hearing Friday, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Karen Moore heard arguments on a petition filed in September against Snohomish County over shoreline access at Hillman Place — a public right-of-way created in 1909 near Soundview Drive Northwest in Stanwood. Jenna Millikan reports.(Everett Herald) 

Tribes and environmental groups sue to stop road planned for Alaska wildlife refuge
Three tribal governments and several environmental groups sued the Trump administration on Wednesday to try to block a land trade that would allow a road to be built through a national wildlife refuge in southwestern Alaska. The land swap, approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior last month, would open up a section of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Yereth Rosen reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Feds change course, won’t issue national wolf recovery plan 
The federal government last week said it will not release a National Wolf Recovery Plan, despite announcing a plan was in the works last year, saying the species doesn’t need federal protection.  The move by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service comes as members of Congress are considering multiple bills that would delist the species from the Endangered Species Act nationwide. Micah Drew reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit (AP) 
• Homeland Security Missions Falter Amid Focus on Deportations (NY Times) 
• Immigration crackdown inspires uniquely Chicago pushback that’s now a model for other cities (AP) 

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Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  250 PM PST Sun Nov 16 2025   
MON  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  12 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning, then rain likely in  the afternoon.  
MON NIGHT  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  5 ft at 11 seconds. Rain likely.

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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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