Salish Sea News Week in Review March 19 2021

Aloha Vernal Equinox 2021!

In 2021, the spring equinox occurs on Saturday, March 20. This event marks the astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The spring (or vernal) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere occurs when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north in the sky. After this date, the Northern Hemisphere begins to be tilted more toward the Sun, resulting in increasing daylight hours and warming temperatures.

The Canada-U.S. border's been shut down for a year — and there's no reopening plan
The one-year anniversary of the quasi-shutdown of the Canada-U.S. border will come and go next week, with no end in sight to disruptions that have affected lives, businesses, and communities touching the world's so-called longest undefended frontier.

Northwest’s iconic salmon face tough conditions during ocean journey
Ocean conditions can be integral to salmon survival. And in 2021, the Pacific Northwest’s iconic fish will face a mixed bag: some good and some bad conditions while out at sea.

B.C. urged to protect at-risk old growth forests while it works to transform policy
The most at-risk ecosystems should be set aside from logging while British Columbia shifts its forestry policies toward a more sustainable system, says a forester who helped write a provincial report on old-growth forests.

Tacoma sues over planned wastewater treatment requirements that could cost $1 billion
Tacoma has sued the state Department of Ecology over proposed requirements for wastewater treatment plants that discharge to Puget Sound, a new regulation the city said could cost up to $1 billion to implement.

Rescue tug stationed in islands is best bet to avoid oil spills in San Juan – Gulf waters, study says
With increased vessel traffic around the San Juan Islands, some worry that the risk of oil spills may be rising as well. A new study makes the case that an emergency response tug stationed in the islands would be money well-spent.

New EPA administrator: ‘Science is back’
In his first interview as the nation’s top environmental official, Michael Regan says he is focused on restoring morale at the agency, combating climate change and lifting up communities burdened by pollution.

Deb Haaland confirmed as interior secretary, becoming the first Native American U.S. Cabinet member
Rep. Debra Anne Haaland of New Mexico was confirmed Monday as the country’s first Native American Cabinet-level official, becoming secretary of the interior. The U.S. Senate vote was 51-40.

Métis Nation in B.C. votes to declare self-government, with plans to forge new relationship with province
Members of the largest Indigenous nation in the province have voted to declare self-government with the goal of preserving its culture and language for future generations.

Washington state, Canada team up to eradicate Asian giant hornets
Wildlife officials in Washington state have said British Columbia and U.S. federal and state agencies will work together to track, trap and eradicate Asian giant hornets in the Pacific Northwest.

Studies: Noise from Navy's Growler jets could impact wildlife
Based on research published in November, the nonprofit Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, or COER, is threatening to sue the Navy, as well as NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, if the federal agencies don’t reconsider how Growler flights may impact endangered Southern Resident orcas and threatened marbled murrelets.

Battle over Washington’s budget looms as revenue picture improves
...Wednesday's March revenue forecast...showed the state returning to pre-pandemic revenue levels... Washington’s improving fiscal picture isn’t an anomaly.

Lower Snake River dam-breaching proposal a 'nonstarter' for more than a dozen regional environmental groups
More than a dozen regional environmental groups, including the Spokane Riverkeeper, are publicly opposing a proposal to breach the four lower Snake River Dams, calling the concept a “nonstarter.”

Chevron Canada to stop funding further feasibility work Kitimat LNG project
Chevron Canada Ltd. says it will stop funding further feasibility work on its proposed Kitimat LNG project on B.C.'s north coast.

These news clips are a selection of weekday clips collected in Salish Sea News and Weather which is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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