4/3 Cherry blossom, microplastics, BC Indigenous Rights, Nootka Is land title, WSF reservation system, BC bat fungus, Trump's logging, Welcome the Whales, democracy watch, week in review.

 Cherry blossom
The cherry blossom, or sakura, is the flower of trees in Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Sakura usually refers to flowers of ornamental cherry trees, such as cultivars of Prunus serrulata, not trees grown for their fruit (although these also have blossoms). Cherry blossoms have been described as having a vanilla-like smell, which is mainly attributed to coumarin. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Counties worry about long-term funding under state’s public defense mandate

EPA flags microplastics, pharmaceuticals as contaminants in drinking water
Responding to public health concerns about microplastics and pharmaceuticals in the nation's drinking water, the Trump administration for the first time has placed them on a draft list of contaminants maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency. Will Stone reports. (NPR) 

An ‘awful’ year for reconciliation as B.C. moves to change historic Indigenous Rights law
First Nations rejected the B.C. government’s plan to permanently change the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Now, Premier David Eby is proposing to suspend parts of it instead. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

B.C. Court of Appeal overturns B.C. Supreme Court ruling on Nootka Island title
A three-judge panel says the B.C. Supreme Court made three legal errors when limiting the Nuchatlaht Nation's claim over a 201 square kilometre portion of the island, finding the nation had met the test for "sufficient occupation" when the British Crown asserted sovereignty. Darryl Greer reports. (Canadian Press) 

Washington State Ferries terminates contract for streamlining reservations
Ferry stakeholders feel the pain as nearly $3 million in public spending may come up empty. Toby Cooper reports. (Salish Current/Washington State Standard)  

A Deadly Fungal Invader Is Threatening BC’s Bats
But a probiotic developed in the province might be able to save them if the government moves quickly. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee) 

Trump wants to log old growth. These two brothers are out to stop him
After years spent promoting public lands, Will and Jim Pattiz are trying to save them. Chuck Thompson reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Welcome the Whales
Come celebrate the return of the “Sounders,” a group of gray whales who divert from their northern migration along the Washington coast each spring to spend a few weeks feeding on the ghost shrimp that occur along Whidbey shorelines. Parade and festival brought to you by Orca Network and the Langley Chamber of Commerce, April 10-12. Information. 

Democracy Watch

• Pam Bondi, a Trump loyalist who oversaw Justice Department upheaval, is out as his attorney general (AP) 
• Who is Lee Zeldin, the head of the EPA and Trump’s rumored pick to replace Bondi as attorney general? (AP) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review, April 3, 2026: Cellphone Day, pink salmon, Arctic ice, El Niño, "God Squad,"Trump's war, Tacoma trash, terminal expansion, Amazon's pollution, ship pollution.

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-  230 AM PDT Fri Apr 3 2026    
TODAY  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft  at 10 seconds. A chance of showers early this morning, then  showers likely late this morning and early afternoon. A chance of  showers late.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 9 seconds.  
SAT  NE wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft  at 9 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  N wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to NE after midnight.  Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  
SUN  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  11 seconds.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


4/2 Millipede, AltaGas permit, Amazon pollution, ship pollution, democracy watch.

Millipede

 

Yellow-spotted millipede Harpaphe haydeniana
The yellow-spotted millipede, also known as the almond-scented millipede or cyanide millipede, is a species of polydesmidan ('flat-backed') millipede found in the moist forests along the Pacific coast of North America, from Southeast Alaska to California. The dark coloration with contrasting yellow-tipped keels warn of its ability to exude toxic hydrogen cyanide as a defense. The cyanide secretions are not dangerous to humans, but can cause irritation and pain if it contacts sensitive areas such as the mouth, eyes, or nose. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  When the tide recedes

Whatcom County hearing examiner halts Ferndale Terminal expansion
The Whatcom County Hearing Examiner has sided with a coalition of environmental groups in ruling that the county must conduct analyses of the expansion of the ALA Energy Ferndale Terminal before any projects can continue. Hannah Edelman reports. (Bellingham Herald)  Hearing Examiner scolds Whatcom County for AltaGas permitting process, orders redo The Whatcom County planning department failed to adequately exercise its discretion and decision-making powers when it approved 33 project permits for the Ferndale Liquid Petroleum Gas Terminal at Cherry Point. Isaac Stone Simonelli reports. (CDN) 

Amazon to pay $20.5 million settlement over Oregon nitrate pollution 
Tech giant Amazon will pay $20.5 million to settle with northeast Oregonians living with contaminated groundwater in exchange for no admission of guilt in the polluting. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Oregon Capital Chronicle) 

Policies meant to limit air pollution allow toxic dumping in Salish Sea
Washington state is facing a conundrum on the open water. A tool to reduce air pollution from ships can result in water pollution. And a proposal to untangle that paradox ran aground this winter in the Washington Legislature for the second year in a row. Paige Browning, Tom Banse and John O'Brien discuss (KUOW) 

Democracy Watch

• Ferguson signs controversial law tightening standards for WA sheriffs (Washington State Standard) 
• WA decertifies about 47 cops accused of misconduct a year. Here’s how it works (Tacoma News Tribune) 
• FACT FOCUS: False claims Trump made as he addressed the nation about Iran (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-  723 PM PDT Wed Apr 1 2026    
THU  W wind around 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft  at 12 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning.  
THU NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SW 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft, subsiding to 3 to 5 ft after midnight.  Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 11 seconds. Rain likely after midnight.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


4/1 False Solomon's-seal, fossil fuel era, Tacoma litter, I-5 landslide closure, democracy watch.

 

False Solomon's-seal

False Solomon's-seal Smilacina racemosa
Growing from the ground every spring, this three foot tall, graceful, arching perennial makes a grand show in mid spring with fragrant, tightly massed tiny flowers followed by redish berries. It prefers moist streambanks, meadows and clearings and looks best planted in large masses. In the fall, the leaves turn a tawny brown and gradually melt into the duff. (King County)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Collision course: Washington State Ferries terminates contract for streamlining reservations

Trump’s Iran war and drilling push show ‘dangerous volatility’ of fossil fuel era 
Critics say president is locking into 20th-century energy systems even as his ‘bet’ on oil and gas ‘isn’t going so well’ Oliver Milman reports. (The Guardian) 

Millions of pounds of trash. Is there hope for Tacoma’s litter problem? 
More than 26 million pounds of litter end up on Washington roadways every year, see some of the weirdest. Bonny Matejowsky reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

Interstate 5 south of Bellingham remains closed to northbound traffic
Interstate 5 south of Bellingham remains closed to northbound traffic as the state Department of Transportation continues its work to clear landslide debris. There is no estimate as to when the stretch of I-5 will reopen. Milo Whitman reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Democracy Watch

• Citing First Amendment, federal judge blocks Trump order to end funding for NPR and PBS (AP) 
• Washington adds safeguards for Flock cameras (Washington State Standard) 
• Trump signs order directing creation of a national voter list, a move sure to face legal challenges (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-  243 PM PDT Tue Mar 31 2026    
WED  SE wind 20 to 25 kt, becoming SW 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE 4 ft at 5 seconds and  W 5 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.  
WED NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: SE  2 ft at 6 seconds and W 5 ft at 10 seconds. Rain likely, mainly  in the evening.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


3/31 Trowbridge's shrew, BC conservation, 'God Squad', Murrow Fellowship, democracy watch

Trowbridge's shrew

 

Trowbridge's shrew Sorex trowbridgii
Trowbridge's shrew is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is found in southern British Columbia and in Washington, Oregon, and California . Trowbridge's shrew was first described in the scientific literature in 1857 by Spencer Fullerton Baird, in a report of surveys and explorations conducted to find a suitable route for a railroad from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  ‘No Kings’ rallies see record attendance

Hummingbird?
Yesterday's hummingbird item prompted Richard Wright of San Juan Island to say that Jenn's photo was of a Rufous hummingbird, not an Allen's hummingbird. If it were, its back would be green. See? 

‘Creative math’ or conservation loophole? B.C. rethinks 30-by-30 after industry push
Following lobbying by a mining group, B.C. is reviewing how it defines conservation across the province — raising concerns about weaker protections and stalled new protected areas. Cameron Fenton reports. (The Narwhal) 

U.S. could exempt oil industry from protecting Gulf animals, for 'national security'
National security has never been used to call a meeting of the "God Squad." But other federal agencies have been citing the "energy emergency" to avoid rules meant to protect endangered animals. Chiara Eisner reports. (NPR) 

WSU Murrow News Fellowship fights news deserts across Washington
In recent decades, many local newsrooms in Washington state - and nationwide - have shrunk or disappeared. Now, an effort to bring more journalists to Washington state communities has a new goal of placing reporters in all 39 counties over the next 3 years. Ryan Famuliner reports. (CascadePBS) 

Democracy Watch

• Can you pass the new U.S. citizenship test? (Washington Post) 
• New York Times accuses Pentagon of flouting judge's order blocking its press access policy (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-  213 PM PDT Mon Mar 30 2026    
TUE  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft  at 4 seconds and W 2 ft at 7 seconds.  TUE NIGHT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft or less, then  around 3 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: SE 2 ft at 5 seconds and  W 3 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of rain.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


3/30 Allen's hummingbirds, 'No Kings,' humpies, mystery orcas, arctic ice, warm weather, BC pipelines, Columbia R dredging, sea lion frolic, floating hotel, democracy watch.

Allen's Hummingbird [Jenn Varno]

Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin
Jenn Varno from Lummi Island writes: "Two beautiful hummingbirds have been flitting around my studio window - both with brilliant yellow-orange breast feathers. There's a mature Japanese Maple right there that they love to sit in the branches and assess the territory. Here's a photo I took
last year. For a being that zooms around at high speed with a wing beat of 50/second, it doesn't seem possible they could just 'sit.'" 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Dredging up risk: what’s at stake in Burrard Inlet

Seattle police estimate at least 75K 'No Kings' protesters marched through downtown Seattle
Dozens of rallies took place across western Washington, including in Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Olympia and Bellingham. (KING) 

Why pink salmon are climate winners
Humpies, or pink salmon, are among the world’s so-called climate winners. About 8 million were forecast to return to Puget Sound watersheds last fall. They are the top salmon in the North Pacific, their surging abundance fueled in part by ocean heating and hatchery production. Fiona Martin and Isabella Breda report. (Seattle Times) 

Mystery orcas return to Seattle area
A trio of unidentified orcas, never observed in the Pacific Northwest before, showed up in early March, first in Canada’s Vancouver Harbour, then in the busy ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia. The mystery trio showed up again Thursday morning, cruising along the downtown Seattle waterfront in Elliott Bay and the mouth of the Duwamish Waterway, beneath the giant cranes and cargo ships of the Port of Seattle’s Harbor Island. John Ryan reports.(KUOW) 

Arctic sea ice hits lowest winter level as unprecedented heat hits smashes records all over Earth 
Vital Arctic sea ice shrank to tie its lowest measured level for the winter, the season when ice grows, as a warming Earth shattered records across the continents. Seth Borenstein reports. (Associated Press) 

El Niño, marine heat will likely make Washington's warm year even warmer 
This winter has been one of Washington’s warmest and driest on record. Despite the wet weather we have experienced recently, the state’s snow pack remains much lower than normal. And climate observers say conditions are likely to get worse. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX) 

LNG Canada, Coastal GasLink sign pipeline deal, bringing projects closer to reality
The companies behind the Coastal GasLink pipeline and the massive LNG Canada facility in Kitimat, B.C., have signed agreements bringing both of their second phases closer to reality. TC Energy says the agreement to establish a "comprehensive commercial framework" is an important milestone for advancing its Coastal GasLink Phase 2, while supporting LNG Canada's pathway to a final decision on its second stage. Wolfgang Depner reports. (Canadian Press) 

Corps of Engineers’ plan to address Columbia River dredge spoils could cost Southwest Washington ports millions
The federal agency that maintains the Columbia River’s shipping channel is proposing to build seven giant in-water pens as part of a $377 million project to manage dredge spoils. Henry Brannon reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

Sea lions feast and frolic in Port Madison 
Sea lions were seen playfully swimming in Port Madison, Kitsap County, last weekend. James Anderson, a fisherman and member of the Suquamish Tribe, says they have been here for the past several weeks feasting on herring and will be heading back toward the Columbia River once the herring are done spawning in about a week. Karen Ducey reports. (Seattle Times) 

Floating hotel with 250 rooms proposed for Vancouver's Coal Harbour
Floating hotel would include bar, shops, restaurant and water-level dock with public walkway. Lauren Vanderdeen reports. (CBC) 

Democracy Watch

• 'No Kings' rallies draw crowds across US, in Europe. Springsteen headlines Minnesota demonstration (AP) 
• Washington farmers feel the pain of Iran war (KUOW) 
• As Washington gets an income tax, the fight to overturn it begins (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-  146 AM PDT Sun Mar 29 2026    
MON  N wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to E in the afternoon. Seas  4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 8 seconds. MON NIGHT  NE wind 5 to 10 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. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


3/27 Merganser, BC climate agency, Klamath chinook, Port of Vancouver, BC at-risk lists, Chehalis dam, Gulf ESA oil exemption, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Common Merganser [Jay McGowan]

Common Merganser Mergus merganser
Common Mergansers are streamlined ducks that float gracefully down small rivers or shallow shorelines. These large ducks nest in hollow trees; in winter they form flocks on larger bodies of water. (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom riders brace for WTA fare increase 

BC Cuts Climate Agency, Sends Some Staff to Work on Pipelines
B.C. has quietly eliminated its Climate Action Secretariat, the long-running agency that produced and implemented climate policy across government ministries. Zoë Yunker reports.(The Tyee) 

Chinook salmon found naturally hatching in Upper Klamath River for first time in a century
The Klamath Tribes’ Ambodat Department documented the first naturally hatched Chinook salmon within the Upper Klamath Lake in more than a century, as observers witness promising signs of the species’ return following dam removal. Justin Higginbottom reports. (Jefferson Public Radio) 

As Canada diversifies trade partners, Port of Vancouver records its strongest year
Port's success and planned expansion challenges local industrial developers to keep up. Paul Richter reports. (CoStar) 

Just 14 Species Have ‘Genuinely’ Improved on BC’s At-Risk Lists
That’s out of 2,642 struggling species tracked in a new wildlife study. Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

A new dam could imperil one of Washington’s last unobstructed rivers
A “flow-through” dam on the Chehalis just south of Pe Ell would create an artificial reservoir during major flooding events. Also known as perforated dams, flow-through dams are constructed solely for the purpose of flood control. Unlike reservoir dams, the spillway (opening) is built at the same height as the riverbed level, allowing the river to continue its natural flow in normal conditions and allowing fish to pass through except during floods, when openings seal shut. Nick Engelfried reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Trump administration seeks Endangered Species Act exemption for oil, gas projects in Gulf
As the Trump administration wages war on Iran, it’s citing national security to seek an exemption from the Endangered Species Act for expanded oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico — a move alarming environmental groups who say it could set a dangerous precedent for future fossil fuel projects. Alexa St. John reports.  (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump defends use of mail-in voting, saying he did so ‘because I’m president.’ (NY Times) 
• AI is giving bad advice to flatter its users, says new study on dangers of overly agreeable chatbots (AP) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 3/27/26: Escher Day, artificial turf, WA coal plant, lege session, David Suzuki, Ash Grove Cement, orca capture, bullfrog man, banned refrigerant, Chinook Tribe.

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-  114 AM PDT Fri Mar 27 2026    
TODAY  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW this afternoon. Seas  4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 11 seconds.  
TONIGHT  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 11 seconds.  
SAT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  10 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 9 seconds. A  chance of rain after midnight.  
SUN  NW wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds and W  2 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of rain in the morning, then rain  likely in the afternoon.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


3/26 Red Irish Lord, banned refrigerant, Exxon Valdez, ethanol-blend gas, Chinook Tribe, Haida Gwaii quake, bee survey, democracy watch.

 

Red Irish Lord

Red Irish Lord Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus
The red Irish lord is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Agonidae. It is found in the northern Pacific Ocean, from Russia to Alaska and as far south as Monterey Bay. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Scrub-a-dub dump: Legislature not ready to set sail with ship exhaust crackdown

Amazon and Walmart fined for selling banned refrigerant in WA
Retail giants Amazon and Walmart are collectively facing over a million dollars in environmental fines from Washington state’s Department of Ecology for selling coolant products that contain potent greenhouse gases. Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard) 

‘The day the water died’: 37 years after Exxon Valdez, the damage still lingers
On March 24, 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef and spilled an estimated 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound, unleashing one of the most consequential environmental disasters in U.S. history. (AK News Briefs) 

Trump EPA to ease restrictions on summer ethanol-blend sales as gas prices soar
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will allow gas stations to sell a blended fuel containing 15% ethanol into the summer season in an effort to lower gas prices. The blend, known as E15,  is usually barred in many Midwest states over the summer to reduce smog, though the federal government has routinely in recent years issued waivers to allow summer sales. Jacob Fischler reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Supreme Court denies Chinook petition for federal recognition
Though the U.S. Supreme Court denied to review the Chinook Indian Nation’s case seeking federal recognition, the nation vows to continue the over a century-long fight, looking toward Congress for next steps. Nika Bartoo-Smith reports. (Underscore Native News + ICT) 

4.3 magnitude earthquake off Haida Gwaii possibly aftershock from 2012: Natural Resources Canada
Seismologists working to determine if Wednesday's quake is same type as the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 2012. Catherine Garrett reports. (CBC) 

Bee survey finds dozens of species new to Washington state
Washington’s first statewide survey of bees has found dozens of species new to the state. The state is home to at least 600 native species of bees, important pollinators for crops like beans, blueberries, squash, and tomatoes as well as wild plants. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Democracy Watch

• At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence ‘against those who deserve no mercy’ (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-  147 PM PDT Wed Mar 25 2026    
THU  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: S 2 ft at  3 seconds and W 6 ft at 11 seconds. Rain likely.  
THU NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SE 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 11 seconds. A  chance of rain in the evening.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


3/25 Oystercatcher, orca capture, first humpback, DRIPA, purple martins, bullfrog man, democracy watch.

 

Black Oystercatcher [Suze Schalbe]

Black Oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani
Among the mussel- and barnacle-covered rocks of the Pacific Coast lives this stout shorebird with a gleaming reddish bill, yellow eyes, and pink legs. Look for them foraging on falling tides, when exposed marine organisms are vulnerable to quick strikes from their sharp, stout bills. (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Whatcom County to deliver needs assessment for new jail

Reflecting on the legacy of the last orca capture in Washington state, 50 years later
Ellie Kinley is a mother, fisherman, and a member of the Lummi Nation in the Bellingham area reflects on the orca captures 50. Kim Malcolm and John O'Brien report. (KUOW) 

First official humpback whale sighting of the season confirmed off Nanaimo 
Vancouver Island Whale Watch says the first humpback whale of the 2026 season has been spotted just off Nanaimo, marking the start of the marine mammals’ annual return to B.C. waters. Jeff Lawrence reports. (CHEK) 

B.C. mulls changes to weaken DRIPA, shares secret document with First Nations leaders
Following two recent court decisions siding with First Nations under British Columbia's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, Premier David Eby is considering amendments that would weaken that legislation. Alessia Passafiume reports. (Canadian Press) 

The Birds Who Call Us Home
We’re in the full flush of spring. Here on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, signs of renewal abound, including winged arrivals from Espírito Santo, Brazil—the ravenous and ravishing purple martins. Brian Payton writes. (bioGraphic) 

Meet the Nisqually bullfrog man. Refuge hires pro to take out invasive amphibian 
The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge been raided by American bullfrogs, an invasive species not native to the area. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been fighting the spread of American bullfrogs for years and recently brought in some reinforcements. His name is Jamie Buchanan. And he’s a professional bullfrog hunter. Gavin Feek writes. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump casts Florida mail ballot as he pushes Congress to severely limit that voting option (AP) 
• US Senate confirms Mullin as next Homeland Security boss (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-  217 PM PDT Tue Mar 24 2026   
WED  W wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at  10 seconds. Showers in the morning, then rain in the afternoon. WED NIGHT  W wind 20 to 25 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 9 seconds. Rain.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


3/24 Redbanded rockfish, enviro and climate bills, orca distance, Ash Grove Cement, David Suzuki, wind farm buyout, Davis Meeker Garry Oak, democracy watch

Redbanded rockfish [Ed Bowlby]

 
Redbanded rockfish Sebastes babcocki
The redbanded rockfish, also known as the bandit, barber pole, flag rockfish, Spanish flag, Hollywood, convict, and canary, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Sebastinae, the rockfishes, part of the family Scorpaenidae. It is found in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Today's top story in Salish Current:  From gallery walls to shop windows, skateboards carve out space in art scene 

Environment and climate bills that passed and failed in WA’s legislative session
Aspen Ford reports. (Washington State Standard) 

DFO aims to increase distance between vessels and endangered orcas
The rule change would increase the distance boats must keep from the endangered orcas to 1,000 metres from the current 400. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist) 

Why a Seattle cement plant burns a million tires a year and wants to burn more
For anyone crossing the Duwamish River on the West Seattle bridge, the Ash Grove Cement plant is hard to miss. Beneath the cooling tower, a massive cylindrical kiln spins on its side like a giant rolling pin, except this cylinder gets up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit inside. Every day, to heat that kiln and turn limestone into “clinker,” a key ingredient of cement, the plant burns natural gas and thousands of old tires for fuel. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

At 90, David Suzuki says he has done everything he could to protect the Earth, but fears he has fallen short
The iconic Canadian environmentalist says it may be too late for humanity to stop the worst of climate change. Catherine Zhu reports. (CBC) 

Trump Administration to Pay $1 Billion to Energy Giant to Cancel Wind Farms
In exchange, the French company TotalEnergies would invest in oil and natural gas projects in Texas and elsewhere. Maxine Joselow and Brad Plumerd report. (NY Times) 

Is there enough money to save this 400-year-old oak tree in Thurston County?
The City of Tumwater now has a plan to keep the 400-year-old Davis Meeker Garry Oak tree standing, almost two years after former Mayor Debbie Sullivan called to cut the tree down after a large branch fell near Old Highway 99. The plan consists of a three-year maintenance plan. However, the funds the city has set aside to care for the tree might not cover what needs to be done in the first year. Ty  Vinson reports. (Olympian) 

Democracy Watch

• Supreme Court rejects appeal from online citizen journalist over her arrest in Texas (AP)
• Pentagon spokesman says it will issue new press credentials but remove media offices (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-  214 PM PDT Mon Mar 23 2026    
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY  EVENING    
TUE  S wind 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft.  Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 4 seconds, W 4 ft at 10 seconds and SW 6  ft at 12 seconds. Rain.  
TUE NIGHT  SW wind 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt. Seas 6  to 9 ft. Wave Detail: S 4 ft at 5 seconds and W 9 ft at 12  seconds. Showers in the evening, then rain after midnight.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


3/23 Caspian Tern, artificial turf, BC wildfires, coal plants, microfibers, national park air, whale sounds, democracy watch

Caspian Tern [Sasha Cahill]

 

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
The regal Caspian Tern is the largest tern in the world, easily recognized by its brilliant red fish-knife of a bill and deep, raspy call. Found all over the world, the Caspian favors both freshwater and saltwater environments. It feeds mostly on fish, captured in nimble aerial dives. (All About Birds) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  VSED awareness continues for those unable to use state’s Death with Dignity

New study finds artificial turf fields in Metro Vancouver releasing chemicals harmful to salmon
A new study from the University of British Columbia is raising concerns about the environmental impact of artificial turf fields across Metro Vancouver, which, it says, is leaching a chemical that’s deadly to coho salmon. (CBC) 

Invasive grasses spreading after B.C. wildfires could fuel massive fires
Researchers say invasive grasses act as dry runways that spread flames at highway speed. Marissa Birnie (Canadian Press) 

WA, Trump administration standoff continues in fight over coal plant 
The U.S. Department of Energy renewed an emergency order this week directing the state’s last coal power plant to remain available for operation, continuing a legal fight between the Trump administration and state leaders. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Timers)  See: Trump is forcing coal plants to stay open. It could cost customers billions (Washington State Standard) 

Rivers and tidal currents keep 80% of microfibers from reaching oceans, study suggests
New research shows that up to 80% of polyester microfibers released from wastewater treatment plants in the Salish Sea accumulate close to their sources and behind natural barriers like sills and channels, with only a tiny fraction (approximately 0.13%) escaping into the Pacific Ocean, while the rest either settle in sediments or wash up along the coastline. Hannah Bird reports. (Phys.org) 

Trump's EPA is paving the way for haze to return to national parks, conservationists warn
Conservationists are warning that the Trump administration is working state by state to undo decades of progress in clearing skies over the country's beloved national parks. (Associated Press) 

Oldest known whale recording could unlock mysteries of the ocean
A haunting whale song discovered on decades-old audio equipment could open up a new understanding of how the huge animals communicate, according to researchers who say it’s the oldest such recording known. The song is that of a humpback whale, a marine giant beloved by whale watchers for its docile nature and spectacular leaps from the water, and was recorded by scientists in March 1949 in Bermuda. Patrick Whittle reports. (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters’ access to Pentagon (AP) 
• Trump’s Reaction to Mueller’s Death: ‘Good, I’m Glad.’ (NY Times) 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  203 PM PDT Sun Mar 22 2026    
MON  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  11 seconds.  
MON NIGHT  NW wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to E after midnight.  Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at 3 seconds and W 5 ft at  11 seconds. Rain.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


3/20 Garden mystery, BC flooding, data centers, Chuckanut Shellfish, Imperial Metals, Salish Sea Wonders, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Garden mystery [Laurie MacBride]

The Mystery in the Garden
Laurie MacBride in Eye on Environment writes: "It’s just a memory now, but what a spectacular one! The plant in the photo began life as a volunteer in our garden last spring. I wasn’t sure what it was at first and almost yanked it out, since it was growing fast and taking up precious space that could be used for food production. Its thick stem resembled a fennel, and we had more than enough of those already – but I wasn’t quite certain enough to take action. (Read more) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Little Squalicum Estuary project models successful coastal habitat restoration

Why B.C. is flooding — again
In the years since the devastating 2021 floods, B.C. has taken some steps to reduce flood risk. Experts say more could be done. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

Opposition to data centers is growing. How far can it go?
As big tech eyes public lands in its quest for power, public opinion is souring. Chuck Thompson and John Stang report. (Columbia Insight) 

Chuckanut Shellfish seeks to expand operations
Chuckanut Shellfish has applied to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to expand its shellfish cultivation area from 6.93 acres to 10.62 acres in Samish Bay. Cameron Martinez reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Imperial Metals Wants to Dig for Gold Despite Indigenous Objections
Vancouver Island nations say the province shouldn’t have granted exploration permits. Nora O'Malley reports. (The Tyee) 

"Wonders of the Salish Sea” is back! 
Celebrate the program's 10th year with a dive into topics such as the powerful convergence of geography, biodiversity, and human activity; the resilience of the Salish Sea; fishes of the shallows; the secret lives of harbour porpoises; sea stars—exposed and explained; gulls—misunderstood and charismatic; Indigenous Food Systems; and a truly remarkable whale tale. March 23, 30, April 13 & 20. 7 - 9 p.m. Online. Registration. 

Democracy Watch

• Pentagon seeks $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, AP source says (AP) 
• Former Trump appointee: MAGA movement is ‘dead’ (The Hill) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 3/20/26: Spring!, BC old-growth, nat'l forest logging, California offshore oil, industrial chemicals, daylighting streams, Duwamish R., fed fish regs.

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-  150 AM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH  SATURDAY MORNING    
TODAY  SW wind 15 to 25 kt, rising to 20 to 30 kt late this  morning and early afternoon, veering to W late. Seas 4 to 6 ft.  Wave Detail: S 2 ft at 4 seconds, SW 5 ft at 9 seconds and W 6 ft  at 11 seconds. Rain this morning, then a chance of rain early this  afternoon. A slight chance of rain late.  
TONIGHT  W wind 20 to 30 kt, becoming NW 15 to 25 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 9 seconds and SW  2 ft at 10 seconds.  
SAT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  9 seconds. A chance of snow showers in the morning. A chance of  showers.  
SAT NIGHT  SW wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: SW  2 ft at 3 seconds and W 5 ft at 10 seconds. Showers.  
SUN  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  11 seconds. Rain, mainly in the morning.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


3/19 Spring draba, Duwamish R., Little Squalicum Estuary, fed fish regs, The Nature Record.

Spring draba [Rick Haley]

Spring draba Draba verna
Reader Rick Haley writes: "Draba verna is my favorite harbinger of better times ahead, as it's usually the first annual flower.  It blooms so early that the better times are sometimes farther off than one might hope.  I've seen it blooming as early as December 28, but more frequently I find it first in February.  One of its favorite habitats in my neighborhood is a crack between the sidewalk and the curb.  Draba verna is less than 5cm tall, and I sometimes wonder what passing drivers think when they see me crouched over trying to take a picture of what appears to be nothing." From Awkward Botany: "Draba verna is a small but memorable plant. Common names for it include early whitlowgrass, vernal whitlowgrass, and spring whitlow-mustard. Sometimes it is simply referred to as spring draba. As these common names suggest, Draba verna flowers early in the spring."

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Woe, Canada! Washington State Ferries enters seventh season without cross-border service / Protecting people's right to know is getting harder

Seattle’s Only River Comes Alive Again
How one of the largest cities in Salmon Nation has restored the Duwamish River over the past three decades — community-first and one mucky step at a time. Kathleen Tarrant reports. Photography by Kirk Hostetter. (Magic Canoe) 

Little Squalicum Estuary project models successful coastal habitat restoration
Fish, birds, flora and fauna have flocked to the restoration area in Bellingham. Eli Voorhies reports. (Salish Current) 

Fewer fish in West Coast waters will be federally regulated
The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted this month to loosen regulations on eight groundfish stocks in Washington and Oregon, after doing the same for 39 stocks last year. Bellamy Pailthorp reports.(KNKX) 

Nature assessment describes both peril and promise, as humans relate to the natural world
“The Nature Record,”  originally titled the “National Nature Assessment,” was launched in 2022 as a government project — the first of its kind. The effort involved more than 160 leading scientists from throughout the country, representing wide-ranging fields of study related to the natural environment. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute) 

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-  103 PM PDT Wed Mar 18 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON    
THU  S wind 15 to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: S 2 ft at  3 seconds, SW 3 ft at 11 seconds and W 3 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.  THU NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: S  2 ft at 5 seconds, SW 3 ft at 10 seconds and W 3 ft at  11 seconds. Rain.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


 

3/18 Pacific chorus frog, Snohomish grant, daylighting creeks, Five Star Whale Watching, democracy watch.

Pacific Chorus Frog [Mr.Toad]

Pacific Chorus Frog Pseudacris regilla
The Pacific Chorus Frog (also known as the Pacific Treefrog) is perhaps the most abundant amphibian on the west coast of North America. The geographic range of these little frogs extends from British Columbia down to Baja California, and from the Pacific Ocean to Nevada and Montana. Within this huge area, Pacific Chorus Frogs can be found from sea level to over 10,000 feet, in habitats that include deserts and redwood forests. If you live within the range of this frog, you have probably heard them calling, or seen them hopping about. Michael F. Benard writes. (Mr. Toad)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Colleges see international enrollment shifts amid visa program changes 

Snohomish County to receive $500K urban forest, salmon recovery grant
The Snohomish County Council unanimously voted Wednesday for a $500,000 urban forest grant that will fund data collection and forest mapping to help with future salmon recovery projects. Taylor Scott Richmond reports. (Everett Herald) 

When We Revive Buried Urban Creeks, What Can Happen?
Spurred by advocates, Vancouver has ‘daylighted’ some paved-over waterways. Ducks, and people, are flocking. Hanna Hett reports. (The Tyee) 

Victoria’s longest-running whale watching company shuts down after 41 years 
Five Star Whale Watching announced in a Facebook post Monday that it has suspended operations after 41 years, Jeff Lawrence reports. (CHEK News) 

Democracy Watch

• Joe Kent, a top counterterrorism official, resigns citing Iran war (NPR) 
• Trump's homeland security pick Mullin is poised to inherit a department beset by challenges (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-  240 PM PDT Tue Mar 17 2026    
WED  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, backing to SE in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: SW 5 ft at 10 seconds. Rain.  
WED NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: S  5 ft at 8 seconds. Rain.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told


 

3/17 Bluegill, mystery orcas, industrial chemicals, BC wildfire season, democracy watch

 

Bluegill

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus
Bluegill is one of several "panfish" species in Washington which is very popular across the state because they are easy to catch, they are a great "family fishing activity" and they make excellent table fare. The state record is 2.33 lbs for a bluegill caught by Ron Hinote in 1984. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Good Time Girls to kick off 2026 tours

Mystery orcas from afar thrill Seattle-area whale watchers
Three mystery whales have been surprising whale watchers from Canada to Olympia. Photos taken during the four days that the trio of whales spent in a busy harbor bounded by Vancouver’s Lions Gate and Trans-Canada Highway bridges showed these were Bigg’s killer whales, but they matched none of the whales in the catalogs. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Industrial chemicals have reached the middle of the ocean, new study shows
New research shows the chemicals we use to kill pests, heal our bodies and package our foods are spread throughout the ocean, intermingling with the microorganisms that feed marine life. They’ve reached even the most distant and remote places on the planet. Susanne Rust reports. (LA Times) 

Province preparing for 2026 wildfire season as Environment Canada predicts hot year ahead
Environment Canada expects 2026 to be one of the hottest years on record. Meanwhile, B.C.'s River Forecast Centre says low snowpack in some regions could increase the potential for drought this spring and summer. (CBC) 

Democracy Watch

• Judge blocks US government from slimming down vaccine recommendations (AP) 
• Kennedy Center votes to shut down operations for 2 years and names a new president (AP) 
• With Threats and Claims of ‘Treason,’ Trump Pressures Media on the War (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-  256 PM PDT Mon Mar 16 2026    SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON    
TUE  S wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: S 3 ft at 4 seconds and W  7 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.  
TUE NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: S  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.

---


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



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told