7/10 Yellowtail rockfish, breast milk, Canada pipes, upper Columbia sockeye, wolf shooting, NW pears, democracy watch, week in review.

Yellowtail Rockfish [Jean DeMarignac]

Yellowtail Rockfish Sebastes flavidus
Yellowtail Rockfish range from Unalaska Island, Alaska, to Isla San Martin, northern Baja California. They can be found from the surface to 549 m (1,801 ft) in water depth. Yellowtail Rockfish can grow up to 66 cm (26 in) in length, and 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs) in weight. Maximum age is at least 64 years old. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  ‘Nothing more punk’ — punk fest returns to Bellingham

Study finds dangerous chemicals in the breast milk of Seattle moms
Breast milk samples from moms in the Seattle area contained chemicals linked to health problems, new research has found.  The chemicals are often used in beverage can liners, receipt paper, and other products, and they’ve been linked to reproductive problems, cancer, and immune problems like asthma. Eilís O'Neill reports. (KUOW) 

Plans for more pipelines to export Canadian oil — and emissions — as planet keeps getting hotter
PM Carney says choices being made now for 'Canada's energy future' will certainly increase emissions. Nick Logan reports. (CBC) 

Fewer sockeye are returning to the Upper Columbia. 
Drastically fewer sockeye are returning to the Upper Columbia than expected. That’s why Washington isn’t allowing sockeye fishing this season there. Courtney Platt reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

Divisions emerge as WA looks to retool its wolf shooting rules
Amid several livestock attacks, two wolves have been slain in recent weeks. The state killed one while the other death is under investigation. Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Economy, fruit prices and pest outbreak devastate Northwest pear industry
About 87% of all fresh U.S. pears come from the Northwest, according to the Pear Bureau Northwest. But many pear farmers in the Northwest say they’re going into deep debt or are getting out of the business. Anna King reports. (NW Public Broadcasting)

Democracy Watch

• WA leads lawsuit to block Trump’s homelessness funding rules (Seattle Times) 
• ICE ramps up arrests in Puget Sound region under new nationwide quota (KING) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 7/10/26: Blueberry Friday, BC pipe, Roberts Bank Terminal 2, ocean fever, sunflower star, leaded water, World Cup physics, BC conservation areas, WA groundwater, mom's milk. 

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-  141 AM PDT Fri Jul 10 2026    
TODAY  W wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt late. Seas 3 to  4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds. A slight chance of rain  early this morning.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds.  
SAT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  10 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 10 seconds.  
SUN  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at  9 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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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7/9 Blue rockfish, BC Indigenous conservation areas, air pollution regulator, BC exotic pets, WA groundwater, democracy watch.

Blue rockfish

 

Blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus
Blue rockfish are distributed from northern Baja California to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, though the northern limit of the species is uncertain. In 2015, blue rockfish were split in to two separate species - blue and deacon rockfishes. Blue rockfish can grow up to 53 cm (21 in) in length and reach more than 5 lbs, living for up to at least 44 years. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  The future of Bellingham’s wastewater

BC Announces Plans for Three New Indigenous-Led Conservation Areas
Small patches of wilderness are ‘lifeboats for wildlife,’ says one advocate. ‘But you also need the arks.’ Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

Trump’s top air pollution regulator to resign
Aaron Szabo, a former registered lobbyist for the oil and chemical industries, said he would resign as the head of the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation on July 17. He did not provide a reason for his departure after nearly a year in the Senate-confirmed position. Maxine Joselow and Lisa Friedman report. (NY Times) 

Meet Gary, an exotic cat that B.C. just outlawed as a pet
As of May 2026, you can no longer buy or sell exotic cats in British Columbia. What do we do with them all now? Michelle Cyca reports. (The Narwhal) 

Groundwater is definitely declining. What now?
“We need to protect water supplies,” says Wash. Gov. Ferguson. But conservation alone won’t solve the problem. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Democracy Watch

• California colleges reveal their military weapons stockade after CalMatters investigation (AP) 
• Meta plans billions for first AI data center in Canada, largest outside the US (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— 

est Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  143 PM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026    
THU  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  9 seconds.  
THU NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. A  chance of rain after midnight.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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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7/8 Black rockfish, World Cup physics, Arctic waters, giant trees, bumblebees, PermitAI, democracy watch.

Black rockfish [Chad King]

 

Black Rockfish Sebastes melanops
Black Rockfish range from Amchitka Island (in the Aleutian Islands) and Kodiak Island, Alaska, to northern Baja, California. They have been found at water depths up to 366 m (1,200 ft), but are most commonly found in waters shallower than 73 m (240 ft). Black Rockfish can grow up to 69 cm (27.6 in) in length, and 6 kg (13.3 lbs) in weight. Maximum age is at least 56 years old. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Washington to ‘stay the course’ on climate goals despite federal deregulation

Science Wednesday—

Expert breaks down the physics behind the World Cup
Every goal is a lesson in physics. Michigan State University physicist Stuart Tessmer explains how forces, momentum, and even air pressure shape the world’s most popular sport. (Futurity) 

As Ice Melts in the Arctic, Some Deep-Sea Creatures Are Thriving
A new study suggests that deep-sea life reaps the benefits of icebergs’ castoffs — a rare silver lining as a warming planet destabilizes glacial ice. (NY Times) 

Giant trees have tricks to work around drought
Tweaks to leaves and vessels allow trees to still get water to their crowns in dry times. (Science News) 

Bumblebees collect up to 7 times more toxic metals than honeybees
Bumblebees are picking up dramatically more toxic heavy metals than honeybees, even when both species forage in the same places. Researchers warn that this hidden pollution could quietly reduce their ability to find food, reproduce, and keep colonies healthy. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260707025044.htm

PermitAI Public-Private Partnership Speeds Environmental Review Drafting Tasks
An innovative public-private partnership has yielded powerful new tools to help federal agencies rapidly synthesize complex data, historical documents and more into draft environmental impact statements. (PNNL) 

Democracy Watch

• DOJ threatens WA election officials with prosecution if noncitizens vote (Washington State Standard) 
• The Vances added a chicken coop to the vice president’s residence. We had questions. (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-  155 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026    
WED  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  9 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 9 seconds.

---


"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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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7/7 Copper rockfish, marine heat wave, eastern pipe, rusting rivers, sunflower star, old-growth grasslands, leaded water, fin whale, democracy watch.

Copper rockfish [Andrew Harmer]

Copper rockfish Sebastes caurinus
Copper Rockfish range from the northern Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California. They can be found from the subtidal zone down to 183 m (600 ft). Copper Rockfish can grow up to 66 cm (26 in) in length and 4.5 kg (10 lb) in weight, living up to at least 50 years. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  State AG Nick Brown visits Bellingham, compares Trump administration to North Korea

The Pacific Ocean is running a fever. Why that’s an ominous sign
Across the Pacific Ocean, there’s a massive marine heat wave covering an area more than eight times the size of the contiguous United States — and it could have profound ripple effects for weather events around the globe in the coming weeks and months. Ben Noll reports. (Washington Post) 

Alberta and Ontario propose a pipeline to carry western Canada’s oil to the east
Alberta and Ontario proposed a pipeline Monday to carry western Canadian oil east and eventually to Atlantic export terminals as Canada seeks new markets beyond the United States, reviving a project that was abandoned nearly a decade ago. Rob Gillies reports. (Associated Press) 

Rusting Rivers: Alarm Grows Over Rising Acid in Arctic Waters
Climate change is thawing permafrost and increasing rainfall, producing sulfuric acid in rivers and lakes. Ed Struzik reports. (The Tyee) 

How a Northwest tribe and an endangered sea creature are helping each other
One of the most endangered sea creatures of the Pacific Ocean is getting a leg up in the kelp forests of Washington’s San Juan Islands: a 24-armed sea star called the sunflower star. University researchers and the Samish Indian Nation are working to bring this pizza-sized predator back from the brink of extinction after a vast underwater pandemic nearly wiped it off the face of the earth. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

WWU researchers document 93% historical loss of persistent, old-growth grasslands in the San Juan Islands
Native grasslands have shaped the ecological and cultural landscapes of the San Juan Islands for millennia, but the extent of grassland ecosystems has shrunk dramatically since the 19th century. Jennifer Nerad reports  (WWU Stories) 

How Washington is working to get rid of lead contamination in public school drinking water 
Time's up for many schools in Washington to test drinking water for lead. If lead contamination is found in an outlet, such as drinking fountains or sinks, the water source has to be fixed, replaced or shut off, which is already happening around the state. As of the state deadline, 91% of schools required to complete testing had done so: 1,645 out of 1,806. Courtney Platt reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

Will Tacoma become WA’s next ‘Bee City?’ Mayor wants to save local pollinators
In response to extinction risks, the city of Tacoma is considering becoming a Bee City USA affiliate, an initiative spearheaded by a nonprofit called the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The initiative encourages communities to work together to conserve natural pollinators by providing a framework to create and restore healthy habitats. Elizah Lourdes Rendorio reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

Second-largest whale species spotted off Vancouver Island
A fin whale estimated to be about 21 metres long was photographed swimming off Sheringham Point, west of Sooke. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist) 

Democracy Watch

• Seattle Immigration Court launches new Trump tactic: ‘Mega’ hearings  (Seattle Times) 
• A new ICE facility could speed up deportations for families and kids (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-  146 PM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026    

TUE  W wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  
TUE NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 9 seconds.

---


"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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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7/6 Brown rockfish, BC pipeline, pipeline risks, Roberts Bank terminal, Skagit restoration, democracy watch.

 

Brown rockfish [Steve Lonhart]

Brown Rockfish Sebastes auriculatus
Brown Rockfish range from the Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California. They inhabit depths from the intertidal zone down to 287 m (941 ft). Browns can grow up to 56 cm (22 in) in length and 2.7 kg (5.9 lb) in weight, living for up to at least 34 years. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  United States 250: Celebration, mourning and a call to action

Alberta submits plans and announces partners for new pipeline to B.C. coast
Alberta has formally submitted a proposed route to the major projects office, after a federal deal with B.C. effectively opened the way for a bitumen pipeline to B.C.’s southern region. Chuck Chiang and Jack Farrell report. (Canadian Press) 

Proposed oil pipeline to B.C. coast spurs alarm in Washington state
Increased tanker traffic could threaten orcas and raise spill risks in the Salish Sea, according to tribes and environmental advocates. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Why expansion of Delta, B.C., container port is going hand-in-hand with Alberta pipeline
Federal funds for Roberts Bank Terminal 2 come despite environmental concerns. Akshay Kulkarni reports. (CBC) 

State begins restoration of Skagit River estuary
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife kicked off this week restoration of 270 acres of Skagit River estuary that will take about two years to complete. The restoration is on the department’s Island Unit, just south of Conway. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Democracy Watch
Supreme Court declines to halt $800-a-day fine for ex-Fox News reporter refusing to divulge sources (AP) 
Revamp of WA public records rules nears completion (Washington State Standard) 

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-  134 PM PDT Sun Jul 5 2026    
MON  W wind around 5 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds.  
MON NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  5 ft at 8 seconds.

---


"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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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7/2 Morning glory, fish bubblers, Amazon's carbon, deep-sea mining, transmission lines, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Salish Sea News and Weather will return on Monday. Enjoy a safe 4th!

Morning glory [James Steakley]

Morning glory Ipomoea tricolor
Morning glory is the common name for over 1,000 species of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae. Ipomoea tricolor is the archetypical species for the group and is renowned for its many beautiful varieties, such as 'Heavenly Blue', 'Flying Saucers', and 'Pearly Gates'. Morning glory species were historically used in China for their laxative seeds, by ancient Mesoamericans to vulcanize rubber with their sulfur-rich juice, and by Aztec priests for hallucinogenic purposes. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  United States at 250

What are fish bubblers and why are they coming to the Snake River?
The Army Corps of Engineers is deploying new technology to assist the movement of migrating fish. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Amazon's carbon emissions jumped 16% in 2025. The driver: massive data center buildout
Amazon has pledged to have net zero emissions by 2040, but the data center requirements of artificial intelligence have raised questions about the potential for Amazon and other big tech companies to reduce their carbon footprint. Monica Nickelsburg and Stephen Howie report. (KUOW) 

The Vancouver Company Working with Trump to Mine the Deep Sea
As the US snubs international law, experts say Canada has a duty to step in. Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

Western governors establish multi-state task force to update the region’s transmission lines
Governors of Itah, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, Arizona, New Mexico and Washington  signed a letter endorsing the establishment of a multi-state task force to develop a study and action plan to update the region’s energy grid.  Alixel Cabrera reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Crypto, real estate, watches: How Trump made over $1 billion last year (AP) 
• Immigrant arrests surge to 10,000 in 5 days as ICE clamps down (NY Times) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review, July 2 2026:: Alice in Wonderland, OR lawsuit, Skagit restoration, Canada electricity, heat dome, BC orcas, Indigenous-led whale watching, salmon guts, deep-sea mining. 

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-  132 PM PDT Wed Jul 1 2026    
THU  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NE in the afternoon. Seas  around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. Rain.  
THU NIGHT  SE wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail:  W 3 ft at 8 seconds. Rain likely, mainly in the evening.  
FRI  W wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon.  Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds.  
FRI NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 ft at 7 seconds.  
SAT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at  9 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 8 seconds.  
SUN  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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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7/1/26 Chickweed, salmon guts, Alberta pipe, tapeworms, microplastics, democracy wqtch

 

Chickweed [Wikipedia]

Chickweed Stellaria media
Chickweed is an annual flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Eurasia and naturalized throughout the world, where it is a weed of waste ground, farmland and gardens. It is sometimes grown as a salad crop or for poultry consumption. (Wikipedia) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Commentaries: Pride without the price tag / The Salish Sea at a crossroads

Using Salmon Guts to Map Forage Fish Populations
A new study examined thousands of chinook stomachs to track a vital and often overlooked part of the Salish Sea’s food chain. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee) 

Alberta to unveil details of 'million-barrel-per-day' oil pipeline route to West Coast on July 2
Province was given July 1 deadline to submit proposal to the Major Projects Office. Andrew Kurjata reports. (CBC) 

Fox tapeworm found in Pullman fox, Puget Sound coyotes
While common in parts of Europe, Asia and northern North America, the parasite was not believed to be present in the Pacific Northwest until recently. Emmalee Appel reports. (KREM) 

After bold pledge, EPA shelves microplastics testing in U.S. drinking water 
On Friday, the EPA submitted a list of chemicals it plans to test for under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, a mandatory testing program used to collect information about concerning chemicals in drinking water that could be harming human health. It did not include microplastics or pharmaceuticals. Susanne Rust reports. (LA Times) 

Democracy Watch

• Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s proposed limits (AP) 
• Supreme Court upholds state laws banning transgender girls and women from school athletic teams (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-  141 PM PDT Tue Jun 30 2026    
WED  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  9 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 7 seconds.

---


"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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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6/30 Vetch, WA heat dome, BC heat dome, BC orcas, democracy watch.

 

Vetch [Katy Chayka]

Vetch Vicia americana
American vetch is a native, perennial, climbing vine that grows approximately 1 to 2 feet tall. It fixes nitrogen and can be grown as a cover preceding late spring-planted crops. Native Americans used the pods, seeds, and leaves of American vetch as food. This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. (USDA) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Lopez Swim Center finally opens

Five years after the dome: Washington remains vulnerable to extreme heat
Five years after a record-shattering heat wave hit the Pacific Northwest, killing an estimated 1,200 people in British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington, the region is somewhat more prepared to handle extreme heat...Lasting about a week, the late June 2021 heat dome was Washington’s deadliest weather disaster. It delivered the highest temperatures ever recorded in Oregon (119°F), Washington (120°F), and Canada (121°F). John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

How B.C.’s heat dome overwhelmed paramedics and changed emergency response forever
A record-breaking heat dome sent nearly 12,000 emergency calls into B.C.’s ambulance system in a single day, in 2021. Five years later, are we any more prepared? Cameron Fenton reports. (The Narwhal) 

Plenty of food and conservation have turned B.C. waters into whale-sighting hot spot
A recent surge of sightings of orcas, humpback whales and other cetaceans along B.C.’s southern coast is in line with scientific studies that show populations have increased. Wolfgang Depner reports. (Canadian Press) 

Democracy Watch

• Supreme Court rules states can count late-arriving mailed ballots, rejecting Trump-led challenge (AP) 
• Trump Cut a Billion-Dollar Mining Deal. His Sons Stand to Profit (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-  147 PM PDT Mon Jun 29 2026    
TUE  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas  5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 10 seconds. TUE NIGHT  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 9 seconds.

---


"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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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6/29 Dock, OR suit, seaweed farming, Sound orcas, Indigenous-led whale watching, Skagit salmon recovery, Rayonier cleanup, Canada power, democracy watch.

 

Broadleaf dock [T.W. Miller]

Dock
Curly dock (Rumex crispus), also called sour dock or yellow dock, is a robust tap-rooted perennial growing two to five feet tall. Broadleaf or bitter dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is distinguished by its broader leaves and presence of one to three spines on the fruit’s winged structure. Dock species are native to Eurasia. They are particularly common in wet meadows, along ditch banks, and in waste areas. (WSU)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Israeli soldiers were set to join panel at WWU. Then came outcry and a change of venue

Oregon lawsuit could upend federal management of public lands
A new lawsuit challenging a logging project in Oregon threatens to unravel the management plans governing hundreds of millions of acres of federal public land. At stake are thousands of leases and permits covering billions of dollars of economic activity — including mining, drilling, grazing, logging, ski resorts, wind and solar projects, outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing. Alex Brown reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Seaweed Farming is Growing in BC. Mind the Risks
This form of aquaculture has a lot of benefits but needs new regulations to manage potential environmental threats. John Driscoll and Edward Gregr write. (The Tyee) 

Decades-long dataset shows which orcas are most at home in Puget Sound
Data spanning nearly half a century shows that endangered southern resident killer whales are spending less time in inland waters, whereas their larger cousins, Bigg’s killer whales, are increasingly present in Puget Sound. The results were published June 24 in PLOS One.  Gillian Dohrn reports. (UW News) 

Indigenous-led whale watching tour now offered in Seattle
‘First Stories of the Salish Sea,’ a collaboration with Taproot Travel Co. and FRS Clipper, took its inaugural voyage on June 16, offering the first Indigenous-led whale watching tour. Nika Bartoo-Smith reports. (Underscore Native News + ICT) 

Skagit governments, state agency reach agreement on salmon recovery planning
Tribes, Skagit county officials, dike and drainage districts and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have agreed to meet regularly to coordinate major habitat projects. Sophia Gates reports. (CDN) 

Ecology plans to stick with Rayonier cleanup
The state Department of Ecology is sticking with its original approach to cleaning up the contaminated site and a consent decree requiring Rayonier to implement the cleanup was filed in Clallam County Superior Court on June 25. (Peninsula Daily News) 

Energy minister names 5 priority power-line projects for federal backing
Ottawa has set the ambitious goal of doubling Canada's electric grid by 2050 to meet the growing demand from industry, electric vehicles, heat pumps and artificial intelligence.  While increasing generating capacity is part of that plan, the federal government has said it is committed to helping connect provincial grids.  John Thurton reports. (CBC) 

Democracy Watch

• Millions drop Obamacare health coverage after subsidies expire and costs rise (AP) 
• A Trump commission urges ‘bridges’ between church and state in sweeping draft report (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-  209 PM PDT Sun Jun 28 2026    
MON  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  10 seconds.  
MON NIGHT  W wind around 10 kt, backing to S after midnight.  Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 10 seconds.

---


"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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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6/26 Snapdragons, SRKWs, humpback calf, Centralis coal plant, Columbia R fisheries, Roundup, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Snapdragons

Snapdragons Antirrhinum
Antirrhinum is a genus of plants in the Plantaginaceae family, commonly known as dragon flowers or snapdragons because of the flowers' fancied resemblance to the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth when laterally squeezed. They are also sometimes called toadflax or dog flower. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Local groups promote green boating during World Cup traffic

Study of 50 Years of Data Shows Southern Resident Orcas Are Increasingly Absent From Puget Sound
Researchers analyzing nearly 50 years of data have identified distinct shifts in the movement patterns of two killer whale populations within the Salish Sea. The study tracks the behavioral ecology of the endangered southern resident killer whales and a separate group of transient orcas, noting that the southern residents are increasingly absent from their traditional habitats in Puget Sound. (GeneOnline) 

Humpback calf struck by Hullo ferry returns to Salish Sea after months-long absence 
A young humpback whale that was believed to have been struck by a Hullo Ferries vessel in October was spotted in the waters of the Salish Sea this week, which came as a relief to whale watchers who had not seen the animal in months. Adam Chan reports. (CHEK) 

The tab to keep a Pacific Northwest coal plant on standby keeps rising. Who will pay?
Utilities are spurning attempts by the facility’s owner to have them share in the costs stemming from a federal directive. Meanwhile, the plant sits idle. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 

BPA abruptly pulls funding from Columbia River fisheries program
The Bonneville Power Administration isn’t going to put any more money into a fisheries program operated by state wildlife management agencies of Oregon and Washington and Clatsop County Fisheries in Oregon. BPA has provided funding for the program for decades. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Supreme Court ruling blocks thousands of lawsuits against the maker of Roundup weedkiller
The Supreme Court sided with the maker of Roundup weedkiller Thursday in a ruling expected to block thousands of lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people the product could cause cancer. Lindsay Whitehurst and David A. Lieb report. (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• Mount Vernon City Council votes to turn off Flock cameras, mayor concerned with process (Skagit Valley Herald) 
• Trump order limiting voting by mail halted by federal court (Washington State Standard) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 6/26/26: Food truck Friday, WA snowpack, Orcas green crab, L130/129, El Niño, sunflower star, carbon market, wildlife refuges, drilling on public lands, Burrard dredging, Roundup.

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 weeekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  113 AM PDT Fri Jun 26 2026    
TODAY  S wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt this  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: S 2 ft at 3 seconds and W  4 ft at 9 seconds. Rain.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 9 seconds. A  chance of rain.  
SAT  W wind around 5 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 9 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 10 seconds.  
SUN  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  9 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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

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6/25 Honeysuckle, Big Tech, AK orcas, single-use plastics, Burrard Inlet dredge, democracy watch.

 

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle Lonicera
Honeysuckles are arching shrubs or twining vines in the genus Lonicera of the family Caprifoliaceae. The genus includes 158 species native to northern latitudes in North America, Eurasia, and North Africa. Honeysuckle derives its name from the edible sweet nectar obtainable from its tubular flowers. The name Lonicera stems from Adam Lonicer, a Renaissance botanist.(Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bright spot for salmon — sockeye fishing open on Skagit River

Big Tech is bankrolling the clean energy transition... while emitting more than ever
Pacific Northwest scientists and engineers are chasing a watershed moment in clean energy. These projects have something in common: They are all being bankrolled by tech, an industry with an insatiable appetite for energy thanks to the artificial intelligence boom. That these carbon-free energy gambles are being built in Washington and Oregon is no accident. The states have some of the most aggressive decarbonization laws on the books. Monica Nickelsberg reports. (KUOW) 

Famous Orcas from Alaskan Rescue Effort Pop Up on Oregon Coast, Blowing Up Social Media
Not since “Free Willy's” freedom trip from the Oregon Coast Aquarium back in the '90s has there been a visit from such a famous whale (or two). Oregon's Keiko made worldwide news then for being the first whale in captivity to be freed in such a grand manner, but some 20 years later the names T049A2 and T051 became almost as well known for getting stuck in an Alaskan Lake and then freed by rather elaborate means. (Oregon Coast Beach Connection) 

17 GOP AGs sue California over single-use plastics law
Seventeen Republican attorneys general have sued California over a state law that requires plastic packaging producers to move away from single-use plastics, alleging that the law will raise costs for consumers across the country. Nada Hassanein reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Vancouver port receives permission to dredge Burrard Inlet, allow big oil tankers to increase load
Dredging underneath Second Narrows bridge will start in September, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority says.  Wolfgang Depner reports. (Canadian Press)  

Democracy Watch

• Federal judge bars Trump from implementing proof of citizenship requirement to vote (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-  145 PM PDT Wed Jun 24 2026    
THU  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  7 seconds. Rain likely in the afternoon.  
THU NIGHT  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft or less, then  around 3 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: S 2 ft at 6 seconds.  Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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


6/24 Clematis, carbon market, nat'l refuges, drilling, CA offshore wind, CA emissions, enviro podcast, wool weaving, hybrid ferries, democracy watch.

Clematis [Chris Alberti]

 

Clematis 
Clematis are perennials in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) some of which are climbers and others are spreading subshrubs or groundcovers. There are nearly 400 species and many more cultivars and hybrids. They are cosmopolitan in distribution. The genus name derives from the Greek word klēmatis, meaning broken branches, perhaps owing to its fragile stems. (North Carolina Extension)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Commentary: Cascadia legacies are key to World Cup success

WA to agree to link carbon markets with CA, Quebec 
After years of careful planning, public outreach and coordination, Washington, California and the Canadian province of Quebec have agreed on how best to merge their carbon markets. Their agreement marks the most tangible progress to date in what is meant to be the ultimate realization of the Climate Commitment Act, a landmark Washington law that aims to cut planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from the biggest polluters in the state. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times/paywall)  

Tribes seek ownership of National Wildlife Refuges in the Salish Sea
In a surprising statement Monday in a meeting of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, Jamestown S’Klallam Chairman and CEO Ron Allen stated that a number of tribes in the Salish Sea and coastal waters seek to transfer ownership of National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and incorporate them into their tribal reservations. Al Bergstein reports. (Olympic Peninsula Environmental News) 

Interior Department Moves to Relax Rules for Drilling on Public Lands
The Interior Department, which oversees federal lands, said that it would propose to loosen two Biden-era regulations that sought to rein in planet-warming methane and ensure that energy companies are on the hook to clean up their used-up wells. Rachel Frazin reports. (The Hill) 

Kitimat LNG Plant Asks for Massive Flaring Permit Increase
Racked by technical problems, LNG Canada has applied to be allowed to flare far more gas into Kitimat’s airshed. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Tyee) 

California intends to sue Trump administration over deal to end offshore wind project
State officials said they are combating the administration’s attacks on their offshore wind industry by sending a notice of their intention to sue to the Department of the Interior on Tuesday. Tuesday’s action is focused on the administration buying back the lease for Golden State Wind, a floating offshore wind project off California’s central coast. Jennifer McDermott reports. (Associated Press) 

California lawsuit challenges Trump’s effort to revoke auto emissions rules
The state of California and the Trump administration are on course for a major legal clash that could determine whether the state will continue to have unique authority to shape the American automotive market. On Monday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s attempt to roll back California’s vehicle emissions standards. Alex Brown reports. (Washington State Standard) 

New podcast covers environmental disasters in PNW
“The earth doesn’t forget and neither should we” say founders of Ecocide, which launched this month. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Burke Museum Special Exhibit Highlights Coast Salish Wool Weaving
Woven in Wool: Resilience in Coast Salish Weaving is a special exhibition at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle, Washington. The exhibit is a testament to the creativity and tenacity of Coast Salish weaving culture, a love letter to the plants, animals, and community that go into every weaving, and a touchstone for modern cultural-exhibition collaborations. (Burke Museum) 

Washington State Ferries Builds a Hybrid Electric Future
At the head of the U.S.’ largest ferry system is Steve Nevey, Deputy Secretary, Washington State Ferry (WSF), which is engaged in a historic modernization to a hybrid-electric fleet. Nevey gives a candid look inside problems during the Wenatchee conversion, with insights on the hybrid electric direction and pace for newbuilds at Eastern Shipbuilding. Greg Trauthwein reports. (MarineLink) 

Democracy Watch

• Whatcom County temporarily bans immigration detention centers (CDN) 
• How Trump Turned America’s Refugee Program Into a Pathway for White People (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-  214 PM PDT Tue Jun 23 2026    
WED  W wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 8 seconds.  FFWED NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  5 ft at 8 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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


6/23 Columbine, Bellingham Port contracts, Point Roberts burials, El Niño, forest 'enhancement,' pickup pollution, sunflower sea stars, pika watch, democracy watch

 

Columbine

Columbine Aquilegia
Aquilegia, commonly known as columbines, is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae (buttercups). The genus includes between 70 and 400 taxa (described species and subspecies) with natural ranges across the Northern Hemisphere. Natural and introduced populations of Aquilegia exist on all continents but Antarctica. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bellingham Festival of Music creates community from around the world

Records raise questions about how $100K Bellingham Port PR contract was managed 
The Port of Bellingham dropped $100,000 on a yearlong public relations campaign, but its response to a public records request raises questions about what the port gained from the expense and how the contract was managed. Sydnee Chapman reports. the contract was managed. (Salish Current)

Hearing set for Point Roberts burial disturbances 
Lummi Nation suing telecom company, government agencies over trenching tribal members say unearthed ancestral remains. Richard Arlen Walker reports.(Salish Current) 

What a ‘very strong’ El Niño could mean for WA
Meteorologists fear this year’s El Niño will further heat a planet already warmed by fossil fuel pollution and lead to billions of dollars in damages from heat waves, floods and droughts. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times/paywall) 

Millions in Forest ‘Enhancement’ Funds May Be Spurring More Logging
BC subsidizes trucking logs far distances. Some worry it leads to cutting down remote, rare forests. Ben Parfitt reports. (The Tyee) 

Justice Department makes it easier to bypass pollution controls on pickups 
It was one of the easiest ways to make a diesel truck faster, more powerful and more reliable: Pay a local shop to quietly gut the emissions controls with an illegal “defeat device.” Now the federal government has largely stopped prosecuting the people who sell and install them. Karen Zraick reports. (NY Times/paywall) 

Group sues federal government over failure to protect sunflower sea star
The Center for Biological Diversity announced Monday it is suing the federal government over a delay in protecting a sea star species devastated in the Salish Sea by disease. The sunflower sea star is a once-abundant species of sea star that lives along the West Coast. It is a key predator of sea urchins. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall) 

Do you like tiny, furry, squeaky animals? Cascades Pika Watch wants your help
Cascades Pika Watch already has over 400 trained volunteers out looking for pikas this summer, but the group is still looking for more. Participants can train online for free.  Kristian Foden-Vencil reports. (OPB) 

Democracy Watch

• Judge blocks use of federal database to check citizenship, saying it could wrongly purge voters (AP) 
• Postal Service skips hearing with WA lawmakers on mail-in ballot rules (Washington State Standard) 

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-  244 PM PDT Mon Jun 22 2026    
TUE  E wind around 5 kt, backing to N around 5 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds.  
TUE NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  5 ft at 9 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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


6/22 St. John's wort, WA snowpack, Orcas green crab, McKinley mill, L130/L129, 'Try Wait' marine protected area, democracy watch.

St. John's wort

 

St. John's wort Hypericum perforatum
St. John's wort, perforate St. John's wort or common St. John's wort is a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. H. perforatum is the type species of its genus, known for its historical use in folklore and traditional medicine. (Wikipedia)

WA’s snowpack zapped as drought looms, reservoirs sink
Washington’s snowpack is all but finished, weeks before normal, and some major reservoirs are starting to dip as much as a month early. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times/paywall) 

First invasive European green crab discovered on Orcas Island
A male European green crab was captured at Deer Harbor last week, the first of the invasive species to be found on Orcas Island. Kenedy Sanchez reports. (CDN/paywall) 

Northwest company purchases former McKinley mill property
A Washington-based company has agreed to purchase the former McKinley mill property and will undergo an evaluation to determine opportunities to return the industrial area to use. Candelaria Industries LLC, an ownership group led by Rob Janicki, will purchase the property located at 1902 Marine Drive, subject to government approval. (Peninsula Daily News) 

New southern resident orca calf spotted as another vanishes
Calf L130 was seen for the first time Sunday traveling with the female L91 near East Sooke, B.C., by Center for Whale Research biologists, who estimated the young whale was between 1 and 3 months old...Biologists could not locate L129, an L pod calf that was first spotted in February. Greg Kim reports. (Seattle Times/paywall) 

Decade Of Big Island’s ‘Try Wait’ Moratorium Spurs Plenty Fish — And Poaching
Ten years of no fishing has led to a huge recovery on a stretch of the Kona Coast. Now comes the hard part: Protecting those gains.  Marcel Honoré reports. (Civil Beat) 


Democracy Watch

• Battle ramps up over WA ballot measure to bar transgender students from girls’ sports (Washington State Standard) 

Here's your tug weather— West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  153 PM PDT Sun Jun 21 2026    

MON  NE wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 7 seconds.  
MON NIGHT  W wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 7 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  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