7/22 Coyote, fusion power, carbon capture, Capitol Lake, US energy efficiency, Enbridge pipe, abandoned boats, 6PPD, democracy watch.

 

Coyote [Donald E. Campbell] 

Coyote Canis latrans
At first glance, the coyote resembles a small German shepherd dog, yet its color can vary from animal to animal. Coyotes also have shorter, bushier tails that are carried low, almost dragging the ground, and longer, narrower muzzles than their dog cousins. In Washington, these intelligent and adaptable animals now manage to occupy almost every conceivable habitat type, from open shrubsteppe to densely forested areas to urban areas. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Fire danger heightens; what can be done?

Company secures world-first fusion power license in Washington
The Everett-based Helion is constructing a fusion power plant in central Washington near the Columbia River after receiving a green light from the state. Helion says it’s the first company in the world to receive regulatory licenses for the plant it’s building in Malaga, Wash. in Chelan County. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Canada’s promises to capture carbon span almost 20 years, with little gains
Stephen Harper swore by it; Mark Carney is ready to invest taxpayer dollars in it. A Narwhal investigation reveals how Canadian politicians have bought into an unproven technology they tout as a climate fix. Carl Meyer reports. (The Narwhal) 

Why is Capitol Lake so low this week? Here’s what crews are doing
Capitol Lake in downtown Olympia might look a little different this week, as crews with Deschutes Estuary Restoration project team draw down the water levels to check out the shoreline. The work is part of efforts to restore the Deschutes Estuary by ultimately removing the dam for good and building a new bridge over the connected waterway. Ty Vinson reports. (The Olympian) 

The U.S. Is Pulling Back on Energy Efficiency 
The Trump administration is dismantling a wide array of federal energy-efficiency programs at the same time that war in Iran is raising oil prices, climate change is fueling record heat that is driving up demand for air conditioning and new data centers are straining America’s electricity supply. Brad Plumer reports. (NY Times) 

Enbridge breaks ground on $4B natural gas pipeline expansion
Enbridge is beginning construction on a $4 billion expansion of its West Coast Natural Gas pipeline. The Sunrise Expansion Program will provide up to 300 million cubic feet per day of additional transportation capacity for natural gas in B.C.  Hanna Petersen reports. (CBC) 

How Vancouver’s abandoned boats became everyone’s problem 
As the FIFA World Cup temporarily transformed False Creek, Vancouver’s abandoned boats revealed a deeper story about pollution, bureaucracy and housing insecurity. Anjini Snape reports. (The Narwhal) 

Untangling chemical names and looking back over 200 years of 6PPD history
The tire chemical 6PPD is known worldwide for its deadly effect on salmon, but it also has a complex history. We look at how this history connects to important breakthroughs in modern transportation and medicine and how the unique chemical structure of 6PPD makes it an environmental hazard. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute) 

Democracy Watch

• US civil rights agency moves to end demographic data collection after 60 years (AP) 
• ICE arrests reach new high (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-  149 PM PDT Tue Jul 21 2026    
WED  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft  at 9 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 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.org. 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


7/21 Opossum, LNG Canada, US ESA, Canada tariffs, BC battery storage, taming data centers, Waffles dies, Seattle Aquarium bot, Pt Roberts burial sites, democracy watch.

 

Opossum

Opossums Didelphis virginianus
Opossums are marsupials (mammals with a pouch in which they carry their young), a primitive group of mammals found most commonly in Australia. Prior to European settlement of North America, the opossum was found only in Central America and the southeastern United States. During the 1900s, its range expanded northward and westward. Virginia opossums, also known as “possums,” first arrived in Washington in the early 1900s as pets and novelties. Some of these animals, or their offspring, later escaped from captivity or were intentionally released. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Allegiant Airlines set to close Bellingham crew base

LNG Canada’s Acid Gas-Burning Incinerator Keeps Failing
A key tool for protecting Kitimat’s environment and humans has frequently malfunctioned, leaving it unusable for months on end. Zoë Yunker reports. (The Tyee) 

The feds no longer protect endangered species habitat. States say they can’t pick up the slack
The Trump administration is removing protections from the key places where endangered species live, saying states can keep the areas safe. Federal officials framed the decision as a move to give “freedom” to state leaders to manage wildlife without burdensome federal regulations. But experts say states aren’t equipped for the task. Matthew Brown reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, citing disputes over autos, alcohol and cheese
President Donald Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, declaring that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products. (Associated Press) 

B.C. announces 1st battery energy storage project, to be housed on Vancouver Island
B.C.'s main energy provider says it has chosen Vancouver Island to house the province's first battery energy storage project. The project will be located at the Vancouver Island Terminal Substation near Duncan, according to B.C. Hydro. The utility says it will launch the procurement process for the project by the end of July, with expectations that it will be in service by 2030. Maryse Zeidler reports. (CBC) 

Welcome or Not? BC Communities Plot How to Tame Data Centres
From Terrace to Kamloops, AI proposals have sparked questions from locals and calls for new rules. Lauren Watson reports. (The Tyee) 

Waffles, the baby seal found with gunshot wound, dies
A baby seal found over Fourth of July weekend in Bellingham with a gunshot wound to the head was euthanized Friday, medical professionals said. Waffles, who was around three weeks old, was the third seal in the last year SR3 treated for gunshot wounds. All three have died. Savannah Butcher reports. (Seattle Times) 

Seattle Aquarium's remotely operated robot explores Puget Sound's kelp forests
It's a whole new world right beneath the millions of tourist footsteps along the Seattle Waterfront. So close, yet so far away. Many visitors have no idea what waits below, but the Seattle Aquarium can now show them with its remotely operated vehicle (ROV). George Waldenberger reports. (KOMO) 

Lummi Nation wins preliminary court injunction over disturbed burial sites in Point Roberts 
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction that requires Whidbey Telecom to provide Lummi Nation with 30 days’ notice before conducting future "ground-disturbing activities" in Point Roberts after the tribe said the company's fiber optic cable projects had disturbed ancient burial sites. Stephan Howie reports. (KUOW) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump administration ramps up pressure on indefinite immigrant detention (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-  133 PM PDT Mon Jul 20 2026    
TUE  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 8 seconds.  
TUE NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 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.org. 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


7/20 Raccoon, imperiled animal protection, Roberts Bank expansion, El Niño, BC wildfire, western WA smoke, bacteria beaches, democracy watch.

 

Raccoon [Wikipedia]

Raccoon Procyon lotor
Raccoons are a common sight in much of Washington, often drawn to urban areas by food supplied by humans. As long as raccoons are kept out of human homes, not cornered, and not treated as pets, they are not dangerous. Because their hind legs are longer than the front legs, raccoons have a hunched appearance when they walk or run. A raccoon in the wild will probably weigh less than the urbanized raccoon that has learned to live on handouts, pet food, and garbage-can leftovers. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bellingham celebrates Pride with parade, entertainment

Yellow-rumped Warbler
Reader Don Norman comments on last week's Yellow-rumped Warbler profile: "Yellow-rumped warblers are associated with the coastal shrub wax myrtle in the winter, eating their caloric rich winter berries, making them one of the most abundant wintering warblers in the US, on the east coast associated with Morella cerifera, on the west coast with Morella california.  To birders they are know as 'butter butts'"

US cancels automatic protections for imperiled animals as critics warn of extinctions
The U.S. Interior Department on Friday canceled a rule meant to protect plants and animals that are determined to be threatened with extinction, the latest step by President Donald Trump’s administration to dismantle key provisions of the landmark Endangered Species Act at the behest of industry. Instead of receiving automatic protections, imperiled species will need individualized protection plans once they are added to the threatened species list. That’s a potentially lengthy process in which companies could seek exemptions for oil and gas drilling, mining and other development where those species live. Matthew Brown reports.(Associated Press) 

‘Industrial sacrifice zone’: the plan to bring oil supertankers to the mouth of the Fraser River
As governments look to expand Roberts Bank, scientists warn one of Canada's most important ecosystems for salmon, southern resident killer whales and migratory birds could pay the price. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

El Niño is here, and it’s already looking like it could be 'mind-blowing'
In order to be considered an El Niño, temperatures in that zone need to be 0.5 C above the average. Ocean temperatures are now close to 2 C above average. And we're not even close to the peak yet. This is the warmest on record that region has ever been at this time of year. Nicole Mortillaro reports. (CBC)

B.C. wildfire tally surges past 100 as barrage of lightning strikes transforms fire season in a flash
Two-thirds of fires in province are out of control, mostly in southern Interior. (Canadian Press) 

Wildfire smoke to roll into Western WA; highs over 90 
Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia is expected to drift into Western Washington this week, when temperatures are likely to climb into the mid-80s and even the mid-90s in some areas. Lulu Ramadan reports. (Seattle Times) 

Bacteria closes several beaches across Puget Sound area
King County Health Department says the beaches are closed due to high levels of bacteria in water, likely caused by fecal matter from people, pets, or wildlife. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach was one of those beaches; high bacteria levels have also prompted closures at Houghton Beach in Kirkland, Mount Baker in Seattle, and Salt Creek near Port Angeles. Heather Bosch reports. (KIRO) 

Democracy Watch

• DHS boss Mullin warns of possible prosecution for election officials over voter roll access (AP) 
• Federal agents were told FBI will no longer investigate ICE confrontations  (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-  143 PM PDT Sun Jul 19 2026    
MON  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds.  

MON NIGHT  W wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 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.org. 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


7/17 Yellow-rumped warbler, Roberts Bank Terminal 2 major project, virtual fences, grizzly management, shot harbor seal, high Cascade toads, whale-watch biz, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Yellow-Rumped Warbler [Bird Watching HQ]

Yellow-Rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
Two subspecies of this warbler exist in Washington. They are can be distinguished by their throat patch, which is yellow in Audubon’s Warblers and white in Myrtle Warbler (pictured above). Yellow-Rumped Warblers are an active species known for catching insects in midair. They visit feeders with sunflower seeds, raisins, suet, and peanut butter during winter. They also eat winter berries. Yellow-Rumped Warblers often search for food in trees but will venture to the ground to forage in leaf debris, and they’ve even been known to pick through seaweed in coastal areas! [Bird Watching HQ]

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bellingham Herald union members ratify new contract after strike

Federal government refers Port of Vancouver strategy to Major Projects Office
Roberts Bank Terminal 2 considered potential 'project of national interest' (Canadian Press) 

This technology is being called the ‘future of grazing in the West’
Barbed-wire fences changed the western US in the 1800s. Can virtual fences change it back? K.C. Mehaffey reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Feds propose rule shifting management of grizzly bears toward states
The proposed rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not remove the grizzly bear from the Endangered Species list (though it notes the agency is considering a separate determination related to the listing) or change geographic boundaries of the management plan. Instead, it is the first step towards increasing state management of grizzly bears. Micah Drew reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Harbor seal pup with gunshot wound recovering after rescue from Bellingham beach 
A harbor seal pup is receiving treatment after it was discovered with a gunshot wound in the Smith Gardens tidal flats north of downtown Bellingham. The pup was stabilized and transferred to SR3’s Rescue Center in Des Moines, Wash., two days later. Hannah Edelman reports. (Bellingham Herald) 

Watch: The fascinating sex lives of high Cascade toads
Oregon scientist studies the wondrous lifecycle of Western toads. Jule Gilfillan reports. (OPB) 

Whale-watching company Eagle Wing Tours acquired for $24M
Pursuit, a Colorado-based attractions and hospitality company, has taken over the Victoria whale-watching company. Michael John Lo reports. (Times Colonist) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump administration caps how long international students can stay in the US (AP) 
• Multiple investigations refuted Trump’s claims that fraud altered the outcome in 2020 (NY Times) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 7/17/26: Emoji Day, ESA rollback, Microsoft emissions, Trump's climate skeptic, national monuments shrunk, ESA suit, First Nation major projects opposition, five million frogs, Roberts Banks Terminal 2 project of national interest.

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 17 2026    
TODAY  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW this afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds and W 3 ft at  12 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 10 seconds and W  3 ft at 15 seconds.  
SAT  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 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  S wind around 5 kt, veering to NW in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 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.org. 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


7/16 Yellow Island, tribes sue re ESA, chiefs oppose Carney projects, millions of frogs, Skagit hazards plan, democracy watch.

 

Yellow Island Preserve [WDFW]

Yellow Island Preserve
Yellow Island Preserve is an island in the San Juan archipelago. The entire island is a preserve managed by the Nature Conservancy. The abundance of native grasses and wildflowers make this park a rare ecological gem, and attracts some special species of birds as well. This is a fragile area so visitors are asked to take special care by not bringing any pets or food onto the island. (Washington Trails Association)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Let it go brown: The changing landscape of NW summer water conservation

Washington tribes sue to save endangered species habitats nationwide
The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Squaxin Island Tribe are suing the Trump administration to save endangered-species habitats nationwide. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

First Nations chiefs vote to oppose Carney government's proposed major projects reforms
Assembly of First Nations chiefs on Wednesday unanimously resolved to oppose the Carney government's sweeping proposed reforms aimed at streamlining major project approvals, if those reforms weaken environmental protections or sidestep Indigenous rights. Brett Forester reports. (CBC) 

Five million frogs have been relocated for industry in B.C. No one knows how many survived
Translocation mitigation has been standard in the province since 2010. Sixteen years later, researchers aren’t sure if it’s working. Santana Dreaver reports. (The Narwhal) 

Skagit County approves updated hazard mitigation plan
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners approved Monday a long-awaited update of its countywide hazard mitigation plan. The plan was last updated in 2020. Ironically, the plan’s completion was delayed by the December 2025 Skagit River flooding and recovery work. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Democracy Watch

• It’s official: WA voters will get to weigh in on new income tax (Washington State Standard) 
• Trump expected to make election conspiracies a focus of Thursday's national address (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-  246 PM PDT Wed Jul 15 2026    
THU  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  7 seconds. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers in  the afternoon.  
THU NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to SW after midnight.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds. Showers likely  in the evening.

---


"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


7/15 Yelloweye rockfish, ESA rule revision, outdoor guides, Comox sewage, democracy watch.

Yelloweye Rockfish

Yelloweye Rockfish Sebastes ruberrimus
Yelloweye rockfish are among the longest lived of rockfishes, with maximum age reported to be up to 150 years. This species also is very slow growing and late to mature. Although conservation measures like fishing bans have been put in place in Puget Sound, recovery from threats such as past overfishing and continued bycatch will take many years due to the life history of yelloweye rockfish. The Puget Sound/Georgia Basin distinct population segment (DPS) in Washington State is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. (NOAA)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Indigenous cultural center aims to immerse visitors in Coast Salish history

WA tribes, conservation groups sue over Trump endangered species rule 
Northwest tribal nations and conservation groups sued the Trump administration Tuesday, challenging a new rule that aims to eliminate habitat protections for imperiled species. The new rule, rescinding the longstanding definition of “harm,” would make it legal to kill and injure ESA-listed species by destroying habitat. Isabella Breda reports.(Seattle Times)

Outdoor guides struggle as Washington’s rivers shrink amid drought 
Washington is in its fourth straight year of drought, and many rivers are running much lower and slower than normal. This impacts fishermen and farmers. It is also a problem for outdoor recreation, as the changing conditions make some activities more difficult and dangerous. Bellamy Pailthorp reports, (KNKX) 

Independent investigation into major Comox sewage leak recommended by regional district staff
On May 26, up to 6,000 cubic metres of untreated sewage gushed into the Comox Harbour, a sensitive marine ecosystem. Staff at the Comox Valley Regional District on Vancouver Island have recommended an independent investigation into a major sewage leak in May after residents called for one. Maryse Zeidler reports. (CBC) 

Democracy Watch

• US House passes bipartisan bill to make daylight saving time permanent (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-  210 PM PDT Tue Jul 14 2026    

WED  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 9 seconds.  

WED NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 ft at 7 seconds. A chance of rain after midnight.

---


"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


 

7/14 Yellowjacket, nat'l monuments reduced, Ross Dam fish passage, SnoCo PUD battery storage, Cooper's hawks, Santa Barbara pipeline, democracy watch.

Yellowjacket

Yellowjacket
Yellowjacket or yellow jacket is the common name in North America for predatory social wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. They can be identified by their distinctive markings, their occurrence only in colonies, and a characteristic, rapid, side-to-side flight pattern prior to landing. All females are capable of stinging. Yellowjackets are important predators of pest insects.(Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Island Allies: Building respectful relations on the San Juans

 Trump reduces size of 2 national monuments in Utah as Republicans reshape land management
President Donald Trump on Monday sharply reduced the size of two national monuments in Utah, undoing protections established by former presidents on public lands that are sacred among many Native Americans. Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in southern Utah have ancient cliff dwellings, petroglyphs and scenic canyons, as well as coal and uranium deposits that state officials want made available for development. Matthew Brown and Savannah Peters report. (Associated Press) 

Fish passage at Ross Dam could involve blasting a new road. Is it worth it?
Fish passage at Ross Dam could involve blasting a new road. Is it worth it? Sophia Gates reports. (CDN) 

Snohomish PUD prepares to open first battery storage site in Arlington
Washington’s first battery energy storage facility is set to open this fall in Arlington. The facility will store up to 25 megawatts of energy when it is abundant and discharge it to the grid during peak times each month to help reduce costs. Taylor Scott Richmond reports. (Everett Herald) 

On the hunt: the ferocity and precision of Cooper’s hawks
A pair of Cooper’s hawks made their home in one photographer’s backyard. Over the last 18 months, he’s watched these wild birds adapt their routines to urban living. Photos and story by Paul Gains. (The Narwhal) 

This California Oil Pipeline Was Dormant for 11 Years. Trump Reopened It. 
The move in Santa Barbara by the Trump administration has made residents anxious in a region prized for its gorgeous beaches and ocean views. (NY Times) 

Democracy Watch

• Initiative to end Idaho’s strict abortion ban qualifies for November ballot (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-  315 PM PDT Mon Jul 13 2026    
TUE  W wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon.  Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds.  
TUE NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


 

7/13 Honeylocust, ESA, Microsoft climate, climate skeptic, Canada pipes, 'Pop Tart,' microplastics, BC tanker dredging, Blake Is SP

 

Skyline® Honeylocust 
[J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.]

Skyline® Honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos 'Skycole’
A thornless and nearly seedless cultivar of a tough urban tree. The compound leaves on this tree are made up of tiny leaflets resulting in a tree that casts lite shade. This fern-like foliage turns an attractive golden yellow in the fall. Pyramidal in youth with a central leader, this cultivar develops a more reliable structure than the species. (City of Seattle)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  ‘The Earth Said Remember Me’ / Proposed oil pipeline to B.C. coast spurs alarm in Washington

Trump administration rolls back a key protection for imperiled wildlife
The Trump administration has finalized a rule that changes how agencies enforce the Endangered Species Act.  Wufei Yu and Matthew Brown report. (Associated Press) 

Microsoft's climate-warming emissions surge 25%, driven by AI
Microsoft’s total carbon emissions have increased 25% year over year, driven by the company’s aggressive buildout of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Microsoft released the new emissions figures in its annual sustainability report Thursday. It’s a significant surge that makes the company’s moonshot climate change goals rocket even further out in space. Monica Nickelsberg reports. (KUOW) 

Trump taps climate skeptic to run US government’s flagship climate report
The Trump administration has tapped Matthew Wielicki, a former geochemist who has railed against “climate alarmism” and calls himself an “Earth science professor-in-exile,” to oversee the federal government’s flagship report about climate impacts on the US. Dharna Noor reports. (The Guardian) 

Pipeline-a-palooza: unpacking the week in Canadian energy politics
Politicians dropped three pipeline announcements this week. If they’re such an economic boon, why are taxpayers footing the bill? Emma Gilchrist reports. (The Narwhal) 

Beloved humpback whale 'Pop Tart' escapes from tangled fishing gear after a week
A beloved Salish Sea humpback whale known as Pop Tart is swimming free after spending nearly a week entangled in fishing gear, thanks to a cross-border effort involving professional whale watchers and Canada's marine mammal response team. (KOMO) 

He Wanted to Track Microplastics in the Sea. The E.P.A. Fired Him
The official urged requiring a fish farm to monitor for the tiny plastic particles. The E.P.A. said he had taken steps to embarrass the agency. (NY Times) 

Tsleil-Waututh Nation seeks to overturn permits allowing dredging to accommodate larger tankers in Vancouver
A British Columbia First Nation says it has launched a legal challenge against a plan by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to dredge Burrard Inlet to make room for oil tankers with larger loads to operate. (Canadian Press) 

Storied WA state park in central Puget Sound at a crossroads
Boaters, recreationists agitating for improved access to expensive-to-maintain Blake Island Marine State Park. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 
Democracy Watch

• In deep red Idaho, support for ballot question on abortion access is spread across party lines (Washington State Standard) 
• Donald Trump ousts election commission members in latest push to reshape US voting process (AP) 
• U.S. Employers Told to Dismiss Thousands of Immigrant Workers (NY Times) 
• New York Times reporters are subpoenaed after Air Force One stories, raising press freedom concerns (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-  131 PM PDT Sun Jul 12 2026    
MON  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW in the afternoon. Seas  around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds.  MON NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


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.

---


"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


 

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.

---


"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


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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


 

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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


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.

---


"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