3/13 Seaside plantain, income tax bill, car-emission suit, Lost Lagoon, coal power plant tax, Growlers, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Seaside plantain

Seaside plantain Plantar marítima 
A common native plant found on beaches, salt marshes and rocky shore areas where it may sprout from the crevices of boulders. The range for this species is southern California to Alaska. It is also commonly known as sea plantain and goose tongue, and belongs to the plantain family. (Sound Water Stewards)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Skagit County urged to approve FERC licensing agreement — with conditions 

Shiner perch. Regarding yesterday's fish profile, Don Norman writes: "Rob Butler's study of the food habits of great blue herons in eelgrass found that shiner perch, which are ovo-viparous, provide much more caloric value than other fish.  Herons time their chick rearing phase of nesting when late spring minus tides expose spawning shiner perch.  Padilla Bay is a great place to see flocks at low tide, as well as Drayton Harbor and the Tsawwasse causeway."

Income tax bill heads to WA governor for signature
Democratic state senators in Washington pushed a state income tax across the legislative finish line Wednesday after Republicans’ last-ditch attempt to derail it failed. On a 27-21 vote, Democrats approved Senate Bill 6346, clearing the way for it to go to Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson, who is eagerly waiting to sign it. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Trump administration sues California over the state’s nation-leading vehicle-emission rules
The Trump administration ramped up a battle with California over the state’s nation-leading vehicle-emission standards Thursday, suing air regulators over rules aimed at curbing pollution from cars. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office blasted the lawsuit, noting it comes as gas prices climb amid the Iran war and as some drivers consider going electric. Sophie Austin and Christopher Weber report. (Associated Press) 

Stagnating Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park could be reconnected to ocean
Lagoon at entrance to Vancouver's biggest park was disconnected from ocean when causeway was built in 1916. Nono Shen reports. (Canadian Press) 

New targeted tax in WA aims to keep coal power plant shut down
Tax legislation Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Wednesday targets the last coal-fired power plant in the Pacific Northwest. But if the coal tax and a related climate pollution fee work as the Legislature intended, the state treasury will never collect a dime under the new law. That is because the idled Centralia, Washington, generating plant will be uneconomical to restart burning coal. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Growlers are ‘critical factor’ in Operation Epic Fury
EA-18G Growlers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island are taking part in Operation Epic Fury over Iran.  The electronic warfare aircraft are operating from the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R. Ford in their role of protecting other aircraft by suppressing, jamming and destroying radar systems and surface-to-air missile batteries. Jessie Stensland reports. (Whidbey News-Times) 

Democracy Watch

• New data shows immigration enforcement surge in Oregon, Washington (OPB) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 3/13/26: Uranus Day, Puget Sound oxygen, public lands protection, foreign orcas, marmot puppet, California PFAS, OR wildlife fund. 

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Here's your weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  210 PM PDT Thu Mar 12 2026    
FRI  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft  at 10 seconds. Rain and snow in the morning, then rain likely in  the afternoon.  
FRI NIGHT  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 10 seconds. Rain likely in the evening, then a chance of  rain and snow after midnight.  
SAT  NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft  at 9 seconds. A chance of snow showers in the morning. A chance  of showers.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming E 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 8 seconds. A  chance of showers after midnight.  
SUN  E wind 5 to 10 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at 7 seconds. Rain.

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



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