2/18 Hyacinth, WA climate funds, glyphospate spraying, Roundup cancer, BC critical minerals, democracy watch.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth
Hyacinthus is a genus of bulbous herbs and spring-blooming perennials. The name comes from Greek mythology: Hyacinth was killed by Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, jealous of his love for Apollo. He then transformed the drops of Hyacinth's blood into flowers. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom County jail is on the wrong path

WA climate funds needed to plug huge budget gap, lawmaker says 
Lawmakers can’t find a better way to fill part of Washington’s perennial budget gap than by dipping into the billions raised by the state’s Climate Commitment Act. Gov. Bob Ferguson’s $559 million proposal to transfer climate funds is legal but also a significant disappointment for those who hoped to safeguard that cash as a way to transition away from planet-warming fossil fuels or to guard against natural disasters, especially as the federal government hastens its retreat on climate change policy. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times) 

The BC NDP promised to phase out glyphosate. Forestry companies are still spraying
Herbicide use by the forestry sector has declined, but a group advocating for a ban says spraying even relatively small areas can have an outsized impact. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal) 

Bayer agrees to $7.25 billion proposed settlement over thousands of Roundup cancer lawsuits
Agrochemical maker Bayer and attorneys for cancer patients announced a proposed $7.25 billion settlement Tuesday to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller Roundup could cause cancer. David A. Lieb reports. (Associated Press) 

B.C.’s critical minerals push to reshape the province — fast and without consent?
Premier David Eby wants to fast-track projects and amend Indigenous Rights legislation, raising questions about environmental oversight and who benefits from B.C.’s critical minerals agenda. Santana Dreaver reports. (The Narwhal) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump family business files for trademark rights on any airports using the president’s name (AP) 
• Jesse Jackson’s Death Arrives at a Crucial Moment for Black Political Power (NY Times) 

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-  235 PM PST Tue Feb 17 2026    SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING    
WED  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  12 seconds. Rain. A chance of snow in the morning, then snow in  the afternoon.  
WED NIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 3 seconds and W 4 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of snow.  Rain likely, mainly in the evening.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


 

2/17 Sturgeon poacher, whale-safe fishing gear, Tacoma oaks, BC treaties, public lands, leaving the US, democracy watch.

Sturgeon poacher

   

Sturgeon poacher Podothecus accipenserinus
The Sturgeon poacher is a fish in the family Agonidae. It was described by Wilhelm Gottlieb Tilesius von Tilenau in 1813. It is a marine, temperate water-dwelling fish which is known from the northern Pacific Ocean to northern California. Its diet consists of bony fish, crustaceans such as amphipods, copepods and shrimp, and annelid worms. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Planning commission, cities clash over urban growth 

Feds launch whale-safe fishing gear strategy to try to prevent entanglements
Entanglement is a top threat for all large baleen whales on Canada’s coasts, including humpbacks, minke, blue and fin whales. Rochelle Baker reports. (National Observer) 

Should 600-year-old oaks be cut down in Tacoma for a new storage facility?
On the side of a busy street in South Tacoma is a small stretch of land surrounded by parking lots, storage facilities, warehouses and a lumber-distribution yard. Next to a set of railroad tracks are 37 Garry oak trees, some of which are thought to be between 400 and 600 years old. The trees at 3802 S. 74th St. will be cut down if the city of Tacoma approves the landowner’s permits to build a new self-storage facility on the one-acre, triangular site. Becca Most reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

Why Treaties Are the Best Fix for BC’s Land Uncertainty
Recent court rulings show the province can no longer ignore legal injustices, a former provincial cabinet minister says. Tyler Olsen reports. (The Tyee) 

Teddy Roosevelt’s Family Urges G.O.P. to Protect Public Lands
In a rare letter to Republican senators, four descendants of the former president oppose mining near a wilderness area in Minnesota. Maxine Joselow reports. (NY Times) 

1 in 4 Washingtonians want to secede from the US, survey finds
A quarter of Washingtonians would support the Evergreen State breaking up with the U.S., according to a new survey. Washington counted the second-highest rate of secession support in the U.S., tying with New Mexico and behind only California (27%). Simone Carter reports. (The Olympian) 

Democracy Watch

• U.S. Deports Nine Migrants in Secret, Ignoring Legal Protections (NY Times) 

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-  759 PM PST Mon Feb 16 2026    
TUE  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at  13 seconds. A chance of rain and snow showers in the morning,  then showers likely in the afternoon.  
TUE NIGHT  E wind around 5 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of showers.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


2/16 Crocus, climate fight, Columbia R salmon, WA Fish & Wildlife Commission, democracy watch

Crocus

Crocus
Crocus are low growing plants, whose flower stems remain underground, that bear relatively large white, yellow, orange or purple flowers and then become dormant after flowering. Many are cultivated for their flowers, appearing in autumn, winter, or spring. The flowers close at night and in overcast weather conditions. 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Taking action, staying engaged

As U.S. abandons climate fight, Washington state feels the heat to do more
Washington state’s push for a rapid switch to electric vehicles is in jeopardy— with its ultimate fate likely to be decided in the courts. A Trump administration move Thursday to axe the centerpiece of federal climate policy jeopardizes state-level efforts to control pollution from motor vehicles as well. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Trump budget maintains many Columbia River salmon, environment programs — despite dramatic proposed cuts
Columbia River salmon recovery programs fared better in the 2026 federal budget than tribes, advocates, bureaucrats and biologists feared. President Donald Trump had made major cuts to the programs in 2025. But those cuts brought together a wide-ranging group of powerful interests around the Columbia River Basin to ask Congress to fund programs such as hatcheries, habitat restoration and sea lion killing. Henry Brannon reports. (The Columbian) 

WA Fish and Wildlife saga deepens with claims of collusion
A previously undisclosed memo suggests two current commissioners were coordinating with a conservation group. Those named deny the allegations and say the document is defamatory and riddled with falsehoods. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump tells soldiers to vote GOP in campaign-style rally at Fort Bragg (Washington Post) 

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-  210 AM PST Sun Feb 15 2026    
MON  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft, building to 5 to 7 ft  in the afternoon. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.  
MON NIGHT  S wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to SE after midnight.  Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 12 seconds. Rain and snow  likely.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


 

2/13 Friday the 13th, greenhouse gas, 'forever chemicals,' delisted endangered plants, buy more coal, WA coal plant, AK drilling, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th, date that signifies bad luck in many Western cultures. The superstition is akin to the beliefs that crossing paths with a black cat, walking under a ladder, opening an umbrella indoors, or breaking a mirror bring bad luck. (Brittanica)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Lopez moth hunt engages community in bat fungus research

Trump administration completes rollback of Obama-era greenhouse gas regulations
President Donald Trump and his top environmental policy officer finalized a move Thursday to undo an Environmental Protection Agency regulation that laid the foundation for federal rules governing emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Jacob Fischler reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Concerns over "forever chemicals" pose biosolids challenge for treatment plants
Increasing concerns surround PFAS in products from wastewater treatment plants. How great a risk do they pose, and are there feasible approaches to removing them? We continue our occasional series on water quality and wastewater management in Puget Sound. Sarah DeWeerdt reports. (Salish Sea Currents Magazine) 

Not so fast: Celebrations over delisting endangered plants might be premature
Validating local botanists' concerns, rare PNW plants have experienced steep declines since removal of federal protections. Nathan Gilles reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Trump Orders the Pentagon to Buy More Coal-Fired Electricity
Mr. Trump is trying to revive coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel. At the White House, coal executives awarded him a trophy as the “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal.” Brad Plumer reports. (NY Times) 

Coal power in WA Legislature’s crosshairs after talk of Centralia plant’s revival
The Trump administration has moved to keep the power plant available to burn coal. A bill the state House approved Thursday would impose hefty taxes and fees if it fires back up. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Feds schedule first lease sale in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve since 2019
The Trump administration’s 5.5-million-acre auction is one of several mandated over next few years for federal lands in Alaska and federal waters off the state’s coast. Yereth Rosen reports. (Alaska Beacon) 

Democracy Watch

• Federal authorities announce end to Minnesota immigration crackdown (AP) 
• Shutdown looms for FEMA, Coast Guard, TSA with stalemate over Homeland Security funds (Washington State Standard) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/13/26: Galentine's Day, Stillaguamish Tribe, Marine Monument fishing, fighting climate change, orcas and us, marsh restoration, greenhouse gas regs, AK oil drilling lawsuit dropped. 

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-  204 AM PST Fri Feb 13 2026    
TODAY  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: W 8 ft  at 15 seconds. A chance of rain early this morning, then rain  likely late this morning and afternoon.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft  at 14 seconds. Rain likely. Patchy dense fog.  
SAT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  13 seconds. A chance of rain.  
SAT NIGHT  N wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to NE after midnight.  Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 14 seconds.  
SUN  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  14 seconds.  
SUN NIGHT  W wind around 5 kt, backing to SE after midnight.  Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 13 seconds. Rain likely  after midnight.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


2/12 Water striders, Clean Air Act regs, Arctic refuge oil drilling, WA dead bills, democracy watch

Water striders

 

Water striders Gerridae
The Gerridae are a family of insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as water striders, water skeeters, water scooters, water bugs, pond skaters, water skippers, water gliders, water skimmers or puddle flies. They are true bugs of the suborder Heteroptera and have mouthparts evolved for piercing and sucking. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  How big should Whatcom County’s new jail be? Part 2

Trump’s EPA plans to end a key climate pollution regulation 
On Thursday, the Trump administration will rescind the central scientific finding that underpins much of the nation’s climate pollution rules, its most aggressive action yet to halt initiatives that address planetary warming. The 2009 Environmental Protection Agency endangerment finding was a determination that pollutants from developing and burning fossil fuels, such as methane and carbon dioxide, can be regulated under the Clean Air Act. The EPA now argues that the Clean Air Act does not give it the legal authority to regulate greenhouse gases. Jeff Brady and Camila Domonoske report. (NPR) 

Washington and other Democratic-led states drop lawsuit against Arctic refuge oil drilling in Alaska
Fifteen Democratic-led states have dropped a six-year-old lawsuit challenging the legality of a federal plan that allowed oil and gas drilling in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The states are dropping their case but said they will continue their opposition to ANWR drilling. (Washington State Standard) 

More dead bills stack up in WA Legislature
Bills focused on psilocybin, medication abortion and taxing short-term rentals are among those that didn’t survive the latest key deadline in the state Legislature.  Monday was the cutoff for bills involving money to pass through fiscal committees. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Gabbard ends intelligence reform task force after less than a year of work (AP) 

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-  205 PM PST Wed Feb 11 2026    
THU  SW wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 14 seconds and  W 2 ft at 18 seconds. Rain in the afternoon.  
THU NIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 6 to 9 ft after midnight.  Wave Detail: W 9 ft at 16 seconds. Rain.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


2/11 Midge, Edmonds marsh, Ingenika, caribou habitat map, ‘Na̱mg̱is territory, WA income tax, democracy watch.

Midge

 
 Midge Chironomidae
Any of a group of tiny two-winged flies (order Diptera) that superficially resemble mosquitoes. Although they resemble mosquitoes, midges are harmless, with small mouthparts that are not elongated into a piercing structure for blood feeding. Midges are usually found around ponds or streams in late afternoon and evening in swarms that produce a humming sound. Midges may breed in water or manure or under tree bark. (Brittanica)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  How big should Whatcom County’s new jail be? Part 1 

Edmonds receives federal grant to advance marsh restoration
The $677,400 grant will go toward a public planning process and developing a design to connect the marsh with the Puget Sound. Jenna Peterson reports. (Everett Herald) 

Vigil to mark 5 years since deadly northern B.C. tugboat accident, push for stronger standards
Charley Cragg, Troy Pearson died after tugboat Ingenika sank near Kitimat in Feb. 2021. Nick Logan reports. (CBC) 

Ottawa sued over B.C. caribou habitat map delays
An application to the Federal Court claims the federal government has failed in its legal duty to map southern mountain caribou habitat in B.C. and Alberta. Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist) 

Life on ‘Na̱mg̱is territory, at the edge of the ocean
 Off the northern tip of Vancouver Island, in the tiny community of Alert Bay, B.C., residents hold deep connections to the land and waters. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal) 

WA income tax on higher earners clears first legislative hurdle
Democrats rejected GOP amendments before pushing their tax on millionaires through a Senate committee. The bill was revised to expand an exemption for small businesses and make other changes. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump administration takes down a rainbow flag at the Stonewall National Monument (AP) 

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-  231 PM PST Tue Feb 10 2026    
WED  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  10 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  NE wind around 5 kt, backing to W after midnight.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 11 seconds.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


2/10 Caddisfly, U.S. climate regs, orcas, democracy watch.

 

Caddisfly

Caddisfly Trichoptera
Any of a group of around 17,000 species of mothlike insects that are attracted to lights at night and live near lakes or rivers. They are an important food for many fish, particularly in their immature, aquatic stages, and are vital to local food webs. Because trout take flying adults, caddisflies are often used as models for the artificial flies used in fishing. (Brittanica)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Honoring four decades of spill response in San Juan County

Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory’ in Wiping Out U.S. Climate Regulation
A small group of conservative activists has worked for 16 years to stop all government efforts to fight climate change. Their efforts seem poised to pay off. Lisa Friedman and Maxine Joselow report. (NY Times) 

Orcas and ourselves
Sea pandas or sadistic killers? These enigmatic creatures invite contradictory labels that say far more about us than them. Jason Colby writes. (Aeon) 

Democracy Watch
DOJ seeks to undo Bannon’s conviction for defying Jan. 6 subpoena (Washington Post) 

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-  213 PM PST Mon Feb 9 2026    
TUE  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  12 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning.  
TUE NIGHT  NE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  5 ft at 11 seconds.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


2/9 Sea hawk, Stillaguamish Tribe, underwater noise, national monument fishing, dicamba, salmon affliction, lovebird, democracy watch

 

Osprey

Osprey Pandion haliaetus
The osprey, historically known as sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm in length and a wingspan of 180 cm. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Flood response increases in Whatcom County

The Stillaguamish Tribe gives its river north of Seattle room to roam
Over the past 15 years, the Stillaguamish Tribe has purchased 2,000 acres of land for fish and wildlife habitat. Under the 1855 treaty, the Stillaguamish and other Puget Sound tribes gave up almost all of their land but kept their rights to fish and hunt. What the tribe wants back on track is salmon. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Construction set to begin on new marine life center in Port Angeles
Groundbreaking event scheduled for April 8 at Pebble Beach Park. Emily Hanson reports. (Peninsula Daily News)  See also: Major changes coming to Bellingham’s Marine Life Center. Jacob Kornfeld reports. (Salish Current) 

Steps being taken to reduce orca-disorienting underwater clatter in Puget Sound
In 2022, the port introduced its first Underwater Noise Mitigation and Management Plan, and since then, it has implemented several measures to reduce underwater noise pollution. Theron Zahn reports. (KOMO) 

Trump Opens Marine National Monument in Atlantic to Commercial Fishing
Off the coast of Cape Cod, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a unique stretch of ocean that had been protected for a decade. Maxine Joselow reports. (NY Times) 

Trump administration approves weed killer dicamba for two common genetically modified crops
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday reapproved the weed killer dicamba for use on genetically modified soybeans and cotton, a pesticide that has raised widespread concern over its tendency to drift and destroy nearby crops. Michael Phillis reports. (Associated Press) 

A Mysterious Salmon-Killing Affliction is a Mystery No More
In California, scientists tracked the source of a severe vitamin deficiency that’s killing endangered fish. Alastair Bland reports. (bioGraphic) 

Who is your lovebird?  It’s the season for lovebirds — but which bird? Here at The Narwhal, we spend a lot of time writing and reporting on birds from coast to coast to coast. They’re ecologically critical, dazzlingly diverse, often imperiled by human activity and climate change — but also, let’s not forget, very romantic. Has a partner ever built you a home in a chimney? Or regurgitated food to save you all that tiresome chewing? Have they ever locked their talons to yours and executed a “death spiral” at high altitude to prove their undying affection? Take our Valentine’s Day quiz to find the nest-mate of your dreams. Michelle Cyca writes. (The Narwhal) 

Democracy Watch

• ‘Take the vaccine, please,’ a top US health official says in an appeal as measles cases rise (Associated Press) 
• 'Washington Post' CEO departs after going AWOL during massive job cuts (NPR) 

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-  213 PM PST Sun Feb 8 2026    
MON  SW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 13 seconds. Rain.  MON NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 13 seconds. Rain.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


2/6 Squid, more TM oil, WA dead bills, salmon grant, democracy watch, week in review.

Market squid [David Andrew/WDFW]

Market squid Loligo opalescens
Squid belong to the class of mollusks known as cephalopods, which also include octopus. Squid are decapods, having 10 tentacles, compared to the eight arms of octopuses. They also are free-swimming creatures and exhibit schooling behavior similar to many species of fish. Adult market squid found in inside waters average about 8 inches (mantle plus tentacles). Market squid are short-lived, probably having life spans of no more than one year. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Flooded homes, hidden lives: volunteers step up for undocumented residents

Trans Mountain proceeding with first of three expansions of oil pipeline
Trans Mountain is moving ahead with its first project to pump more oil through its pipeline system between Alberta and British Columbia. The Crown corporation applied to the Canada Energy Regulator this week to use drag reducing agents (DRA) with the goal of moving up to 10 per cent more oil. The project would cost $9 million, and construction is expected to begin this August, and could be operational by January 2027. Kyle Bakx reports. (CBC) 

The bills that didn’t survive the WA Legislature’s first major deadline
Many policy ideas in the Washington Legislature met their end less than a month in, as they failed to pass the first key deadline on Wednesday to remain in play. Passage of those that survived is far from assured. If bills cost money, they have to advance past another committee by the end of Monday. They’ll then have to pass out of the chamber they originated in by Feb. 17. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Port Angeles secures grant to aid in salmon recovery
The city announced Wednesday the state Department of Commerce had given it a $109,000 grant to support the integration of salmon recovery into city planning efforts. Emily Hanson reports. (Peninsula Daily News) 

Democracy Watch

• ICE agents can’t make warrantless arrests in Oregon unless there’s a risk of escape, US judge rules (AP) 
• Trump Education Department bolsters protections for prayer in schools (Washington State Standard) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 2/6/26: Chopsticks Friday, fish farm ban, Oly marmot, BC spill risk, nuke reactor exemptions, BC polluter pay rule, MAHA and EPA, wind and solar project delay, BC winter, more TM oil, WA dead bills.

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-  217 AM PST Fri Feb 6 2026    
TODAY  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SW 2 ft  at 13 seconds and W 6 ft at 15 seconds.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 6 seconds and  SW 6 ft at 14 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening, then rain  after midnight.  
SAT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, veering to S in the afternoon. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 4 ft at 4 seconds, W 7 ft at  12 seconds and SW 5 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: S 2 ft at 5 seconds and W  6 ft at 12 seconds. Rain likely, mainly in the evening.  
SUN  S wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  13 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning, then rain likely in  the afternoon.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


2/5 Tadpole, BC heat, Thurston Co battery storage, Trump energy delay, WAPO cuts, democracy watch.

Tadpole

Tadpole
A tadpole or polliwog (also spelled pollywog) is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-like features that may not be found in adult amphibians, such as a lateral line, gills and swimming tails. As they undergo metamorphosis, they start to develop functional lungs for breathing air, and the diet of tadpoles changes drastically. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  December floods test salmon habitats, restoration efforts

9 C in February: Heat records fall across B.C., raising questions about winter's future
Repeated ridges of high pressure have been driving temperatures in B.C. up into the double digits, with daily heat records falling in at least a dozen cities from Vancouver to Cranbrook to Dawson Creek. In Bella Bella, on B.C.'s central coast, Wednesday's high climbed to 19.3 C, a mercury level more commonly associated with June or July, according to CBC's climate dashboard which takes data from Environment Canada and compares it to historical records. Andrew Kurjata and Amber Wang report. (CBC) 

Fire chief, residents oppose contentious battery energy site in Thurston County
A New York-based company called Convergent Energy and Power wants to bring a 5.4 megawatt lithium-ion battery site to an 11-acre parcel in the 7500 block of 183rd Avenue Southwest in Rochester. The battery energy storage system, or BESS, is proposed to occupy about 16,000 square feet of that overall site. Rolf Boone reports. (The Olympian) 

Trump Administration Is Delaying Hundreds of Wind and Solar Projects
Federal agencies are delaying approvals for renewable energy projects on both federal land and private property at a time when electricity demand is going up. Brad Plumer and Rebecca F. Elliott report. (NY Times) 

Washington Post cuts a third of its staff in a blow to a legendary news brand
The Washington Post laid off one-third of its staff Wednesday, eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its books coverage in a widespread purge that represented a brutal blow to journalism and one of its most legendary brands. David Bauer reports. (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• The Supreme Court lets California use its new, Democratic-friendly congressional map (NPR) 
• President Says He Ordered 700 Agents to Leave Minnesota (NY Times) 

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-  203 PM PST Wed Feb 4 2026    
THU  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at  4 seconds and W 6 ft at 14 seconds. THU NIGHT  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 16 seconds.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


 

2/4 Sword fern, BC polluter pays, MAHA enviro rules, WA income tax, democracy watch.

Sword fern [Greg Rabourn]

 
Sword fern Polystichum munitum
This is the king of northwest ferns. Its stately appearance and adaptability for almost any site condition, make it one of the most usefull of all native plants. The clump of upright, evergreen leaves has an architectural quality and can be used as a structural element in almost any kind of planting. It can also be used as a ground cover. Does best in organic soils but can stand the most acidic conditions found under cedar and redwoods. As older fronds die they provide excellent amphibian habitat around their base. (King County Native Plant Guide)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Major changes coming to Bellingham’s Marine Life Center 

BC Halts Plans to Make Polluters Pay for Cleanup Costs
The province billed its Public Interest Bonding Strategy as a key step to protect the public from massive cleanup bills. Now it’s on hold. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Tyee) 

MAHA has reshaped health policy. Now it's working on environmental rules
MAHA activists who want to hold corporations accountable for harming Americans’ health have found an unlikely ally in a Republican-led Environmental Protection Agency that has traditionally supported big businesses and less regulation. Sejal Govindarao, Ali Swenson and Michael Phillis report. (Associated Press) 

Income tax debate opens up in WA Legislature
Democrats want to tax personal income over $1 million. Gov. Bob Ferguson says lawmakers’ initial plan doesn’t offer enough tax relief for lower earners and small businesses. Bill Lucia reports. (Washington State Standard) 
 

Democracy Watch

• Trump demands $1 billion from Harvard as a prolonged standoff appears to deepen (AP) 
• Honoring Renée Good, Alex Pretti with ceremony (ICT) 

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-  221 PM PST Tue Feb 3 2026    
WED  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming E 5 to 10 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 15 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  E wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 14 seconds.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


2/3 Evergreen violet, 'forever chemicals,' BC oil spill, large vessels, nuke exemption, WA Supreme Court, BC forestry, democracy watch

Evergreen violet

Evergreen violet Viola sempervirens
A creeping violet with evergreen leaves and yellow flowers with purple streaks on lower petals, blooming in early spring. This plant grows west of the Cascades crest and east in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington and from British Columbia to California. (WNPS)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Environmental bills to watch for

A crisis emerges across the US as ‘forever chemicals’ quietly contaminate drinking water wells
Forever chemicals get their name because they resist breaking down, whether in well water or the environment. In the human body, they accumulate in the liver, kidneys and blood. Research has linked them to an increased risk of certain cancers and developmental delays in children. Michael Phillis and Helen Wieffering report. (Associated Press) 

B.C. would struggle to contain oil spill off north coast, research suggests
Decades of research shows waves, wind and darkness would defeat containment efforts for much of the year, raising questions about new oil export plans. Stefan Labbé reports. (Times Colonist) 

Calling for Salish Sea protection: Victoria talks large marine vessels
Victoria city counselors Matt Dell and Jeremy Caradonna want the city to ask the federal government to undertake a series of actions to protect Canadian waters including: the phase-in of low-sulphur fuel by large marine vessels; developing regulations to prevent the discharge of scrubber wash water; ensuring all regulatory emissions requirements are being followed by large marine vessels. (Sooke News Mirror) 

The Trump Administration exempts new nuclear reactors from environmental review
The announcement comes just days after NPR revealed the administration had secretly rewritten safety and environmental standards. Geoff Brumfiel reports. (NPR) 

Another WA Supreme Court justice to retire
After Justice Barbara Madsen’s retirement, a third of the court will turn over by next year. Jake Goldstein-Street reports. (Washington State Standard) 

B.C. forestry review seeks overhaul, moving focus away from harvest volumes
A government-commissioned review of forestry in British Columbia is calling for the system to be razed and rebuilt with a focus on trust and transparency about the state of the province's forests, shifting away "from managing harvest volumes." Ashley Joannou (The Canadian Press) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump drops demand for cash from Harvard after stiff resistance (NY Times) 
• Trump wants to ‘nationalize the voting,’ seeking to grab states’ power (Washington Post) 

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-  220 PM PST Mon Feb 2 2026    
TUE  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft  at 4 seconds and W 5 ft at 12 seconds. TUE NIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 7 ft at 15 seconds.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


2/2 Purple shore crab, fish farm ban, Oly marmots, Thurston Co habitat, Billy Frank Jr. statue, Minnesota media, democracy watch.

Purple shore crab

Purple shore crab Hemigrapsus nudus
The purple shore crab is a common crab of the family Varunidae that is indigenous to the west coast of United States, Canada, and Mexico. H. nudus was first described in 1847 by Adam White, and in 1851, James Dwight Dana formally classified the species. (Wikipedia) Under most rocks on Puget Sound shores you can find tiny black or gray hairy shore crabs ranging in size from smaller than a fingertip to about the size of a half-dollar. These are of two species, Hemigrapsus nudus and H. oregonensis. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  OPALCO surveys suggest renewable energy is popular — with conditions 

Appeals court upholds ban on fish farms in B.C.'s Discovery Islands
Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has upheld Ottawa’s decision to end salmon farming in B.C.’s Discovery Islands. The Jan. 29 ruling, the latest in nearly five years of litigation, stems from a December 2020 decision by then Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan to phase out open-net pen salmon farms in the Discovery Islands. Stefan Labbé reports.(Times Colonist) 

Olympic marmots under review
The Olympic marmot is being considered for the endangered species list, the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Service has announced. Elijah Sussman reports. (Peninsula Daily News) 

$489,000 state grant backs Thurston County’s salmon recovery planning in south Puget Sound
Thurston County, in partnership with the Thurston Conservation District, has been awarded a $489,000 grant  from the Washington State Department of Commerce to take a broad look at how county programs work together to protect and restore ecosystems such as rivers, wetlands, and forests for salmon populations. (KOMO) 

A Seattle foundry is continuing its work on a Billy Frank Jr. statue. It’s slated to be installed in DC later this year
Billy Frank Jr. is being honored by the state and nation. An 11-foot tall statue and pedestal of him will be installed at the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., later this year. A copy of the full statue will also be installed at Washington state’s Legislative Building. Anna King reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

In Minneapolis, all-encompassing immigration story tests a newsroom in midst of digital transition
With the eyes of a nation upon it, the Minnesota immigration enforcement effort has tested a local newsroom in the midst of a digital transformation — and it hasn't left the local journalists overmatched. David Bauer reports. (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump says feds won't respond to protests unless asked in Democratic-led cities (AP) 
• Trump’s Kennedy Center has no Black History Month events following cancellations (Washington Post) 
• Trump’s Profiteering Hits $4 Billion (The New Yorker) 
• Fact-Checking Trump Officials on Minnesota (NY Times) 

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-  252 AM PST Sun Feb 1 2026    
MON  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at 4 seconds and W  7 ft at 15 seconds. Rain.  
MON NIGHT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming E 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 4 seconds and W  6 ft at 13 seconds. Rain, mainly in the evening.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


1/30 Mickey Mouse, Quatsino First Nation, EPA climate, commercial huckleberry ban, dead corals, 'Streets of Minneapolis,' democracy watch, week in review

 

Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character co-created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. The longtime icon and mascot of the Walt Disney Company, Mickey is an anthropomorphic mouse who typically wears red shorts, large shoes, and white gloves. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Community Voices / Local levies can’t keep covering for the state’s broken school funding system

‘It is possible’: this tiny First Nation’s big renewable energy strategy
 On the tip of Vancouver Island, the sun, wind and tides will power Quatsino First Nation into the future. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal) 

Trump’s biggest climate rollback stalls over fears it will lose in court
Trump officials have delayed finalizing the repeal of the agency’s “endangerment finding” over concerns the proposal is too weak to withstand a court challenge. Jake Spring reports.(Washington Post) 

Why the Forest Service is examining its ban on commercial huckleberry picking
Commercial harvesting was eliminated for 2025. Nine months after announcing a moratorium on commercial huckleberry harvesting, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest wants to gauge public sentiment regarding how well the 2025 ban worked. Steve Lundeberg reports. (Columbia Insight) 

The Curse of Dead Corals
When heat waves bleach reefs, do dead coral skeletons help or hinder recovery? Andrew Chapman reports. (bioGraphic) 

Bruce Springsteen releases anti-ICE protest song ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ 
On Wednesday Bruce Springsteen released a protest song condemning the violence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis. The song memorializes the lives of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal agents this month. (NPR) 

Democracy Watch
RFK Jr. picks promoters of debunked vaccine-autism claims for key panel (Washington Post) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 1/30/26: Last concert, WA natural gas initiative, Critical Distance, 400-year old oak, North Coast electrification, Paris Climate Agreement, Goldendale energy storage, logging exemption, 'Streets of Minneapolis.' 

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-  210 PM PST Thu Jan 29 2026    
FRI  SE wind 15 to 25 kt, veering to SW in the afternoon. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 4 ft at 5 seconds and W 7 ft at  12 seconds. Rain.  
FRI NIGHT  E wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 3 seconds and W  6 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.  
SAT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at  4 seconds and W 5 ft at 14 seconds. Rain. SAT NIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 14 seconds. A chance of rain in  the evening, then rain after midnight.  
SUN  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft  at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 15 seconds. Rain.  
SUN NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W  7 ft at 15 seconds. Rain.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


1/29 Mouse lemur, Goldendale energy storage, logging exemption, heavy rain, LNG flaring, democracy watch

Mouse lemur

 
Mouse lemur Lemur pusillus
The mouse lemurs are nocturnal lemurs of the genus Microcebus. Mouse lemurs, like all lemurs, are endemic to Madagascar. They live within the treetops in dry deciduous forests, sub-arid thorn scrublands, and secondary forests, as well as in coastal and bamboo forests, making burrows in the tree trunks. There were two known mouse lemur species in 1992; by 2016, there were 24. It was estimated that the 24 mouse lemur species evolved from a common ancestor 18–11 million years ago. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  New plan for trail on San Juan Island

Major Gorge energy development gets fed go-ahead
The hotly contested Goldendale Energy Storage Project, located near Goldendale, Wash., has been awarded a key 40-year construction and operations license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The decision comes after a five-year application process. Yakama Nation leaders continue to oppose pumped hydropower storage project in Klickitat County. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Federal judge ends oft-used exemption to environmental review for logging on federal land
A 34-year-old rule exempting some commercial logging projects on federal lands from environmental review is unlawful because it lacked statutory limits, a federal judge recently ruled. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Oregon Capital Chronicle) 

Storms bringing heavy rain, high stream flows to Island
People are being warned to be cautious around rivers and behind the wheel, with more than 100 millimetres of rain expected on west Vancouver Island. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist) 

‘How do we correct this?’ Kitimat residents seek solutions to LNG Canada flaring fiasco
For some locals from the northwest B.C. town, confirmation that LNG Canada burned more gas than planned brings relief — and renewed frustration over the noise, emissions and unanswered questions. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump's use of AI images pushes new boundaries, further eroding public trust (AP) 
• More 'No Kings' protests planned for March 28 as outrage spreads over Minneapolis deaths (AP) 

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-  217 PM PST Wed Jan 28 2026    SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON   
THU  SE wind 20 to 30 kt, easing to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 4 seconds and W  9 ft at 14 seconds. Rain.  
THU NIGHT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: SE  4 ft at 4 seconds, SW 4 ft at 13 seconds and W 8 ft at  14 seconds. Rain.

---


"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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told