11/21 Acidification, coast oil drilling, WA gas pipeline, logging gray squirrels, Discover Pass, democracy watch, week in review

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Wild turkey [Mick Thompson]

Wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo
The wild turkey is an upland game bird native to North America, one of two extant species of turkey and the heaviest member of the order Galliformes. It is the ancestor to the domestic turkey, which was originally derived from a southern Mexican subspecies of wild turkey. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Sedro-Woolley English teachers bring AI literacy into the classroom

Ocean acidification to hit Puget Sound harder, study says 
The waters of Puget Sound are more susceptible to ocean acidification and sliding faster into dangerous territory for its marine wildlife than other places around the world, a new study shows. Should the trend continue, our marine wildlife and fisheries will likely suffer greatly years or decades earlier than previously anticipated. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times) 

Trump administration announces plan for new oil drilling off the coasts of California and Florida
The Trump administration announced on Thursday new oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts for the first time in decades, advancing a project that critics say could harm coastal communities and ecosystems, as President Donald Trump seeks to expand U.S. oil production. Matthew Brown and Matthew Daly report. (Associated Press) 

Emergency declared as Northwest’s main oil pipeline shuts down again
The Northwest’s primary oil pipeline has shut down for the second time in a week, this time leading Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson to declare an emergency. For the next 14 days, Ferguson’s emergency proclamation allows fuel-truck drivers serving the airport to work longer hours than safety requirements usually allow. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Forests minister defends B.C. logging. Experts say clearcuts are still a problem
Research shows clear-cutting increases the risk of floods and wildfires. B.C.’s Forests ministry says it’s ‘a viable and appropriate’ way to log. Sharon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

Discover Pass sales dip after price increase
Sales of Washington’s pass to access state parks and other recreation areas fell after an Oct. 1 price hike, but fee collections increased. The number of passes sold showed a 23% compared to last year but revenue from the passes climbed 16% year-over-year due to a $15 price increase. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington Stat Standard) 

Logging projects still imperiling endangered western gray squirrels
Washington’s western gray squirrels are in trouble. The tree-climbing rodents, not to be confused with invasive eastern gray squirrels, have just three populations in the state. Each faces threats to survival. This hasn’t stopped the state’s Department of Natural Resources from permitting two new logging projects in western gray squirrel habitat in Klickitat County in southern Washington, a stronghold for the species. Nick Englefried reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Democracy Watch

• Judge orders Trump administration to end National Guard deployment in DC (AP) 
• Coast Guard reverses course on policy to call swastikas and nooses ‘potentially divisive’ (AP) 
• Under Trump, U.S. human rights reports will flag abortion, gender care (Washington Post) 
• Department of Education hands off key programs without consulting tribes as required (ICT) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review, Nov. 21, 2025: Cranberry Friday!, halibut fishing, immigrant detention, Clean Water Act, BC flood prevention, jet fuel spill, Bear Gulch Fire, 'blanket rule' rollback, ship sinking, ocean acid, coast oil drilling. 

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Here's your weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  202 AM PST Fri Nov 21 2025    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON    
TODAY  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 7 to 10 ft, subsiding to 5 to  7 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: W 8 ft at 13 seconds. A chance  of rain early this morning, then rain late this morning and  afternoon.  
TONIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: W  8 ft at 14 seconds. Rain. Patchy fog. SAT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: W 8 ft at  15 seconds. Patchy dense fog in the morning. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  S wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: SE  2 ft at 3 seconds and W 8 ft at 15 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  W wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: W 9 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)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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