Salish Sea News Week in Review December 20 2024

Aloha Sacagawea Friday!

Sacagawea, who died on this day in 1812, was a Lemhi Shoshone woman who, in her teens, helped the Lewis and Clark Expedition in achieving their chartered mission objectives by exploring the Louisiana Territory. Wikipedia

Making sense of Washington’s multi-billion dollar budget hole
A reckoning has arrived over spending on programs and services that is expected to outpace state tax revenue.

B.C. government aims to permanently protect Fairy Creek
With old-growth logging deferrals set to expire in February, the BC NDP and Greens pledge to work together to safeguard the old-growth valley.

Protecting the health of people who eat fish: The long battle over water quality standards
...A lawsuit filed against the EPA over toxic pollution limits is finally due for a decision. All the old players are waiting anxiously for a judge to decide if the EPA — and now the state Department of Ecology — have made reasonable choices.

Number of salmon returning to Columbia River Basin stays flat over last decade
Average salmon and steelhead counts in the Columbia River Basin over the last decade are still well below officials’ goal of 5 million fish per year.

Canadian youth climate case will go to trial in Vancouver in 2026
The group argues Canada's contribution to climate change violates their rights to life, liberty, and security.

Nearly 150 miles of Columbia River added to EPA’s Superfund list
Sediments behind Grand Coulee Dam contain heavy metals from Canadian smelter.

Montana Supreme Court affirms decision in historic youth climate case
A state limit on the analysis of greenhouse gas emissions is unconstitutional, the court says. 

Federal agencies to revise environmental study for Columbia River Basin dam operations
Supplemental study will consider new data about dam breaching, which environmental advocates say would restore salmon, steelhead populations.

How Whitman College is reckoning with its past
Whitman College has started serving “first foods,” such as roasted elk, fry bread with huckleberry jam, and cedar plank smoked rainbow trout, which are representative of the region’s Indigenous people.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato(at)salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review December 13 2024

Aloha Horse Friday!
National Day of the Horse exists to encourage citizens to consider the contributions that horses have made to the economy, character, and history of the United States. The day was created through a Senate resolution in 2004, with the first National Day of the Horse being celebrated that year.

Honoring the children: Biden proclaims new national monument at Carlisle
President Joe Biden announced the creation of a new national monument on the site of the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School to honor the tens of thousands of students who attended boarding schools.

Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies
The overturning of the ‘Chevron doctrine’ may affect everything from fishing rules to transgender rights under Trump.

Full cleanup begins at Lower Duwamish Superfund site
It has been 10 years since a plan was released for the dredging, capping and recovery of the 5-mile Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site. This fall, work began in earnest. For as much as five months each year, barges and excavators will make their way down the river, removing polluted earth.

Monarch butterflies to be listed as a threatened species in US
U.S. wildlife officials announced a decision Tuesday to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies after years of warnings from environmentalists that populations are shrinking and the beloved pollinator may not survive climate change.

10 years after B.C.’s worst mining waste disaster, company faces charges Imperial Metals applied to expand its Mount Polley mine, still polluting a lake, earlier this year. Conservation advocates wonder if charges today will reduce future risks.

With repeal measure rejected, WA carbon auction prices surge
Prices for Washington’s air pollution allowances rebounded at an auction this month, the first sale since voters upheld the state’s cap-and-trade program.

‘At what cost?’: wind energy projects now exempt from environmental assessments in B.C.
As the Alberta government shuns wind power, British Columbia plans to welcome the industry by exempting all new wind energy projects from an environmental assessment that usually takes one to two years.

Officials plan to file lawsuit challenging constitutionality of I-2066
The coalition said Wednesday that I-2066 supporters misled Washington voters with an extensive misinformation campaign.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato(at)salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review December 6 2024

Aloha Roy Orbison Friday!
Roy Kelton Orbison, who died on Dec. 6, 1988, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for his distinctive and powerful voice, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. Orbison's music is mostly in the rock music genre and his most successful periods were in the early 1960s and the late 1980s. Wikipedia

2024 saw some good news for Pacific Northwest salmon
Kokanee, landlocked salmon, made their biggest return to the Lake Sammamish watershed in a decade, while some oceangoing salmon have returned in big numbers.

Catch-and-release fishing causing many salmon to die. Here's how to fix the problem, say UBC researchers
A six-year UBC study finds injuries from hooks, nets and handling as leading to high mortality rates of coho and Chinook salmon.

Orcas revive 'dead salmon hat' trend from the 1980s
Researchers in Washington have noticed at least one orca balancing salmon on its head in Puget Sound this fall, taking the dead fish for a ride and possibly snacking on it. 

Enbridge Drops the Westcoast Connector Pipeline
Enbridge says it will not develop the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission line, one of several pipelines previously slated for northern B.C., after its environmental certificate expired last week.

Rising sea levels could put Vancouver’s airport underwater
YVR — the second busiest airport in Canada — sits on an island that could be flooded due to climate change, a new Senate committee report warns.

Worried about bird flu? Here’s what you need to know
The H5N1 avian flu virus has killed tens of thousands of wild birds and devastated poultry flocks. Human cases are rare, but experts say the virus poses a pandemic risk.

Court case in North Dakota calls federal environmental review regime into question
A lawsuit before a North Dakota federal district court could upend nearly five decades of environmental regulations affecting infrastructure projects.

Blue states prepare for battle over Trump’s environmental rollbacks
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to slash federal climate, clean air and clean water regulations during his second term — an agenda that could target rules governing everything from auto emissions to power plant pollution to drinking water standards.

Drilling into oil and gas ads — how accurate are they?
You may have noticed a lot of oil and gas advertising recently, mainly driven by the Government of Alberta and Cenovus Energy. But how accurate are these claims?

Documentary follows effort to free Tokitae, the famous orca held in captivity for 53 years
A new documentary film , “Resident Orca,” tells the story of a captured orca named Tokitae that died in 2023 amid efforts to free her from more than 50 years of captivity.

Vancouver Island salmon return 'one of the best in 20 years'
Climate change could undermine this year's good return and impact future salmon generations, expert says.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato(at)salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review November 27 2024

Aloha Turkey Wednesday!
Americans gobble up more than 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving, according to some estimates. But experts say that this love for the bird shouldn’t end when the holiday is over. Eating turkey regularly — whether it’s sliced in a deli sandwich or ground up in chili — can boost your health in more ways than one. (NY Times)

Climate pollution surges in Washington state after pandemic lull
Policymakers and advocates are essentially driving blind as they pursue the difficult goal of slashing fossil-fuel pollution fast enough to help stabilize the planet’s rapidly heating climate.

Area off Vancouver Island a high-risk zone for ship-whale collisions: study
In B.C., a previously unidentified hot spot for whale-ship collisions was found off the coast of Vancouver Island.

Plucking polluted pilings: 1,200 are being removed along Tacoma’s Ruston Way
Crews have begun pulling the first of some 1,200 polluted pilings that once supported a sawmill on Tacoma’s waterfront. The site is one of “The Filthy Four,” according to the state Department of Natural Resources. 

Class action lawsuit for massive 2013 fuel spill into Kootenay creek settled for $4.5 million
A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit for damages caused by a massive 2013 fuel spill in the West Kootenay's Slocan Valley.  

Canada working with Biden team to finalize B.C. river treaty before Trump takes office
Top officials in both Canada and the United States are pushing the need to finalize the Columbia River Treaty to manage water flowing between the two countries before the administration change in America.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato (at) salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review November 22 204

 

Aloha Humane Society Day!

Humane Society Anniversary Day is celebrated annually on November 22 to commemorate the founding of Humane Society International, the world's largest animal protection organization. The day is a call to action to raise awareness about animal cruelty and to protect animals from harm. 

The power of a logjam: A vision of the Northwest’s rivers of old
In their natural state, Puget Sound rivers are a braided mess of forested islands, jammed with downed wood and surging with salmon. Now work is underway to restore the lower Elwha to a version of its past — in part by building giant logjams.

Trump picks Colorado oil and gas executive to lead Energy Department
Republican President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday he wants Chris Wright, a Colorado oil and gas executive who denies that the world faces a “climate crisis,” to serve the new administration as Department of Energy secretary.

Bird flu decimated tern colony in northwest Washington
Study findings provide new details on a Caspian tern die-off near Port Townsend in 2023 and how the virus killed seals in the region, infecting their brains.

WWU scientists awarded $638K grant to study forage fish survival in Salish Sea
A multidisciplinary team of Western Washington University Marine and Coastal Science (MACS) faculty were recently awarded a three-year, $638,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to better understand the impact of polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) – a type of toxic fatty acid, or lipid – on a group close to the bottom of the food pyramid that impacts everything above it: forage fish.

More logging is proposed to help curb wildfires in the US Pacific Northwest
U.S. officials would allow increased logging on 38,000 square miles (99,000 square kilometers) of federal lands in Oregon, Washington and California in the name of fighting wildfires and boosting rural economies under proposed changes to a sweeping forest management plan that’s been in place for three decades.

Urban salmon return to Metro Vancouver streams to spawn
Efforts to rehabilitate urban waterways have helped bring spawning salmon back to parts of Metro Vancouver, including unlikely-looking streams surrounded by industrial and residential development.

On BC’s North Coast, First Nations Are Building a New Economy
How the Great Bear Sea initiative is using conservation finance to create jobs and preserve nature.

'A special moment': Water again flowing at Red Slough on the Pitt River, fresh hope for salmon
B.C. Parks Foundation and the Katzie First Nation have announced the completion of one of the largest salmon restoration projects in Western Canada.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato(at)salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review November 15 2024

Aloha Little Red Wagon Friday!

Little Red Wagon Day celebrates little red toy wagons. Toy wagons, which are similar in structure to their larger counterparts, were invented in the late 19th century, and were originally made of wood. They have an open top, can usually comfortably seat one child, often have a pull handle in front, and are usually red. Famous brands include Red Rider, Northern Tool and Equipment, Lowe's, Cardinal, Speedway Express, and Radio Flyer, which is most associated with the little red wagon.

Site C dam reservoir now fully filled, generating power but flooding land loved by locals
Project will increase province's electricity supply by 8%, B.C. Hydro says.

Wildlife petition calls for new Vancouver Island coastal bird sanctuary
Conservationists want to connect Victoria Harbour and Shoal Harbour, creating a new Salish Sea migratory bird sanctuary.

For EPA chief, Trump picks former Congressman Lee Zeldin of New York
President-elect Donald Trump Monday said he will nominate former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to serve as head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Despite Biden’s promise to protect old forests, his administration keeps approving plans to cut them down
On Earth Day in 2022, President Joe Biden stood among cherry blossoms and towering Douglas firs in a Seattle park to declare the importance of big, old trees. But two years later, at a timber auction in a federal office in Roseburg, Oregon, this new day was nowhere to be seen.

The Other Side of the World’s Largest Dam Removal
Removing dams from the Klamath River in Northern California seems like a clear win for fish and rivers. Why do some locals hate it?

3 years, 2 deadly atmospheric rivers. Is B.C. ready for the next one?
On the heels of another destructive atmospheric river that left 5 people dead, we have to learn how to live with water.

Amid Earth's heat records, scientists report another bump upward in annual carbon emissions
Even as Earth sets new heat records, humanity this year is pumping 330 million tons (300 million metric tons) more carbon dioxide into the air by burning fossil fuels than it did last year.

Hereditary chiefs call for a fishing moratorium to safeguard herring stocks
Concerned by the disappearance of herring in their territories, hereditary chiefs are calling for closure of the West Coast’s last commercial herring fishery.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato(at)salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review November 8 2024

Aloha X-ray Friday
An X-ray (also known in many languages as Röntgen radiation) is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than those of ultraviolet rays and longer than those of gamma rays. X-rays were discovered in 1895 by the German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who named it X-radiation to signify an unknown type of radiation. X-rays can penetrate many solid substances such as construction materials and living tissue,[4] so X-ray radiography is widely used in medical diagnostics (e.g., checking for broken bones) and material science. (Wikipedia)

Billy's magic: Tribal leader’s fierce fight for fishing rights to be honored with a statue in Washington, D.C.
Who was Billy Frank, Jr.? Willie Frank III explains.

Washington governor OKs massive new wind farm and urges swift turbine approvals
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has approved a revised plan for a massive proposed wind farm after he rejected a sharply slimmed-down version earlier this year.

B.C. workers facing ban on open-net farming worry about job losses
Those who oppose open-net fish farms are frustrated by delays in phasing them out but the farms have generated wealth and jobs for a generation of people. Jamie Mah reports. (Vancouver Sun)

B.C. ports lockout: Vancouver businesses already feeling the bite of labour dispute
The lockout has halted operations at more than a dozen terminals run by Maritime Employers Association members, leaving containers of goods behind picket lines.

Two southern residents missing, presumed dead in B.C. waters
Two southern resident killer whales are presumed dead after multiple sightings of two endangered pods failed to turn up a 30-year-old male and a calf. The news reduces the southern resident population to 72.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato(at)salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review November 1 2024

Aloha Vinegar Friday!

Vinegar is made by a fermentation process, which can go fast or slow, taking a few months or a year. Sugar in juice is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide, and the alcohol combines with atmospheric oxygen to form acetic acid and water. The flavors and aromas of the different varieties of vinegar come from the organic acids and esters from the fruit or other source material. There are many varieties of vinegar, some being apple cider, red wine, white, balsamic, malt, beer, cane, coconut, rice, and sherry. The first vinegar was likely made from wine. 

Massive WA salmon recovery plan scrutinized with latest $100M project
The Washington State Department of Transportation is planning a giant salmon restoration project here that could require buying out a motel owner, tearing down the building and excavating the highway culvert beneath it, at a price tag of some $100 million.  Lawmakers and at least one tribal leader are asking whether projects like this make sense.

Metro Vancouver removes 50 tonnes of 'fatbergs' from Richmond, B.C., sewers
Every year, Metro Vancouver says it spends more than $2.7 million fixing grease damage in its sewer systems.

Slim majority for NDP after Elections B.C.'s final count, Eby forming government
The NDP has 47 seats, the Conservatives 44, and the Greens two pending automatic judicial recounts in Surrey-Guildford and Kelowna Centre ridings.

The massive Site C dam has begun generating power for B.C.'s electrical grid
Project will increase B.C.'s electricity supply by 8 per cent, B.C. Hydro says.

Marine Weather Forecasts Are Getting an AI Upgrade
Machine learning systems—powered by new data—are taking some of the guesswork out of maritime safety. 

Record 1.3 million cruise ship passengers arrived in Vancouver this year, port authority says
As the final cruise ship of the year sails away from the city Tuesday, the Port of Vancouver said a record number of tourists arrived in the city by cruise ship this year.

Atmospheric rivers could raise sea levels, drive flooding in B.C., says scientist
More powerful atmospheric rivers could lead to higher storm surges and flooding in the future, finds study.

Iowa AG leads multi-state opposition to court decision on Clean Water Act
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and 24 other states filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court Monday in support of the Port of Tacoma’s appeal of a U.S. circuit court decision that upheld a citizen’s ability to sue individuals for violating the Clean Water Act.

Everett initiative asks: Should the Snohomish River have legal rights?
Initiative 24-03 proposes legal standing to prevent environmental damage. Opponents say it’ll lead to unnecessary lawsuits.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato(at)salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review October 25 2024

Aloha Chocolate Friday!
Chocolate comes from the Theobroma cacao tree. The word "chocolate" itself comes from the Spanish, and it stems from the Aztec word xocolatl, which means "bitter water." The Aztecs pounded cacao beans and drank them without adding any sugar, and they thought that the beans came from the gods. Indeed, Theobroma means "food of the gods." Cocoa beans are about 50% "cocoa butter" and 50% "chocolate liquor." Hernando Cortés brought cocoa beans back to Spain, and a chocolate drink that included sugar became popular there right away.  The word "chocolate" first appeared in print, in England, in 1604.

Prince George, B.C., hydrogen project plans put on hold
An Australian-based minerals company is withdrawing from a project in Prince George, B.C., that would have been a key part of the province's plan to scale up production of hydrogen and reach net-zero emissions.

Oil tanker traffic surges in WA waters with Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion
The May opening of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion in British Columbia has led to a sevenfold increase in oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Juan de Fuca so far this year.

Salmon return to Klamath Basin in Oregon after more than a century
Wildlife officials this week documented salmon above the former J.C. Boyle Dam in Southern Oregon for the first time in more than a century. It happened less than a month after removal of four Klamath River dams was completed to restore fish passage.

A Radical Approach to Flooding in the UK: Give Land Back to the Sea
When a huge tract of land on the Somerset coast was deliberately flooded, the project was slammed as “ridiculous” by a local lawmaker. But the results have been transformative.

A look inside Puget Sound’s declining bull kelp beds
.... The kelp collects in bunches near the surface, the bed hugs the shoreline of the island and sways with the current. This is just one of the many beds watched closely by the Samish Indian Nation and mapped out yearly using aerial footage and GPS data to show just how fast bull kelp is disappearing throughout the San Juan Island archipelago.

More states ban PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals,’ in more products
Legislative momentum against PFAS has surged this year, as at least 11 states enacted laws to restrict the use of “forever chemicals” in everyday consumer products or professional firefighting foam.

If you like to watch: Klamath River reemerges after the removal of four dams
Video captures four Klamath River dam sites before and after a $500 million removal operation.

BC’s Legislature Hits Gender Parity
For the first time in the province, women will hold the majority of seats.

How is the world doing on climate change? Not great
It’s report card season for climate change. Each year, the United Nations takes stock of whether countries are on track to cut carbon emissions and limit global warming. The grade this year: needs more improvement than ever.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato(at)salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review October 18 2024

Aloha Moby Dick Friday!
The epic novel by Herman Melville was published on this day in 1851 as 'The Whale' in London and a month later as 'Moby Dick' in the United States.

Baby orca in L pod is ailing
The newest southern resident baby orca is ailing, and researchers dread a devastating blow to its first-time mom and the struggling population of orcas.

The U.S. gets a new national marine sanctuary, the first led by a tribe
More than 4,500 square miles of ocean will soon be protected by the federal government off the Central California coast, creating a new national marine sanctuary, which will be the third largest in the U.S.

Why the future of B.C.'s forests has become a huge election issue
The province's trees are connected to concerns about the economy, climate change and reconciliation.

Lack of salmon may not be the problem after all for endangered orcas, report suggests
A key assumption about dwindling numbers of southern resident killer whales pins the blame on a lack of salmon, but a study out of the University of British Columbia has found they have twice the number of chinook available in summer as their much healthier cousins, the northern residents.

Oregon's Land Board approves plan to put state forest in a carbon market
The decision, which officials said would fight climate change, makes Oregon the second state after Michigan to dedicate an entire state forest to storing harmful emissions while selling carbon credits for revenue.

Amazon announces nuclear power deals as tech giants scramble for more clean energy
Amazon today announced agreements supporting the construction of a next-generation nuclear power plant in its home state of Washington — marking the latest development in the tech-driven resurgence of nuclear energy.

B.C. election: where do the parties stand on key climate and conservation issues?
Here’s where the NDP, Conservatives and Greens stand on the carbon tax, LNG, old-growth forests and other key issues.

Road closed
The Mount Baker Highway road to Artist Point (HWY 542) is closed for the seasons of Wednesday morning.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato at salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review October 11 2024

Aloha Egg Day!
World Egg Day celebrates eggs and highlights their versatility and the benefits they bring to people of all ages. The day has a different theme each year, and celebrations are held in countries all around the world. Eggs are nutrient-rich, being high in protein as well as in 13 vitamins and minerals that the body needs, such as choline, vitamin B12, iron, and iodine. They improve brain function, support physical strength and the immune system, and aid with child development.

Endangered Southern Resident orcas return to Puget Sound
Whale researchers on Saturday spotted orcas that are part of the endangered Southern Resident pod. They’re back in Puget Sound, for the first time since April.

Have you considered the Canada Goose?
Giant Canada geese, so ubiquitous today in cities across the country, were once considered extinct. What can we learn from watching them up close?

Orca census shows declining population; researchers discuss risk of extinction
Three deaths and one birth among the southern resident killer whales have been documented over the past year.

What happens to shipping containers when they have been lost at sea?
More than 20,000 shipping containers have tumbled overboard in the last decade and a half.

Carbon dioxide pollution in the West could drop with expansion of electrical grid, report says
Planet-warming carbon dioxide pollution could dramatically drop in the West if a dozen electrical energy transmission projects currently proposed or being built are completed in the next five years, a new report found.

Are WA schools ready for earthquakes? We don't know
Seismic data helps prioritize building improvements and inform emergency planning. But the data is inconsistent, incomplete and difficult to access.

(Re)explaining Washington’s Climate Commitment Act
Understanding the cap-and-invest law that Washington Initiative 2117 would repeal.

Unravelling the complicated past of B.C.’s newest pipeline conflict
B.C. has until the end of November to decide if the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission line requires a new environmental assessment. 

Native bees are an important piece of the pie. Why aren’t we protecting them?
Our food security relies on a diversity of pollinators on Canadian farms. Honeybees get a lot of credit, but they’re pushing native species out.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato at salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review October 4 2024

Aloha Diversity Friday!
Taking place during Global Diversity Awareness Month, National Diversity Day is "a day to celebrate and embrace who we are, despite our differences, no matter what race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, nationality, or disability. A day to reflect on and learn about different cultures and ideologies. A day to vow acceptance and tolerance. A day to consciously address these areas at educational and religious institutions, as well as in the workplace and at home."

Oregon’s offshore lease sale canceled as bidders back out, governor raises concerns
Oregon’s upcoming floating offshore wind auction has been canceled because only one of the five companies eligible to bid was still interested. 

Why the Salish Sea's new baby orca surprised researchers
News of L90 becoming a mother is a bit of an "outlier," according to NOAA wildlife biologist Brad Hanson. At her age, it's likely that L90 has been pregnant several times before but lost those calves. "She's also a relatively small female. So to be honest, we had sort of written her off, if you will,” he said. 

Bycatch of nearly 20,000 Chinook salmon shuts down Alaska trawl fishery
Nearly 20,000 Chinook salmon were caught inadvertently as bycatch in the pollock fishery in the Gulf of Alaska, shutting it down early and sparking outrage among orca scientists and wild salmon advocates. Chinook salmon are the most prized food for endangered southern resident orcas that frequent the Salish Sea. 

The grid is insufficient for renewables. BPA has a $2 billion plan
The Bonneville Power Administration announced a plan to move ahead with more than $2 billion in multiple high-voltage transmission substation and line projects necessary to reinforce the transmission grid that connects the Pacific Northwest with the American Southwest and points east.

Litigation looms over latest round of Washington state timber sales
A group pressing to save older forests from logging is threatening to sue. School officials and others are raising alarm about lost revenue.

Sister seas on opposite shores face same foe: polluted runoff
For decades, Puget Sound and its East Coast counterpart, the Chesapeake Bay, have had federal, state, and local programs aimed at restoring them to ecological health. Yet America’s two biggest estuaries south of Alaska remain in poor health.

Canadians Are Still Paying for Trudeau’s Trans Mountain Pipeline
The federal government is the owner of the $34 billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX), yet charges oil companies less than half of the tolls required to recover the eye-watering capital costs owed to the Canadian taxpayer. According to a new report from the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), this amounts to a subsidy to the fossil fuel sector of up to $18.8 billion, or $1,248 per Canadian household.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato at salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review September 27 2024

Aloha Koala Friday!

On the last Friday in September, Save the Koala Day raises awareness for the plight of the koala. It's also a day to educate the public on the importance of conserving the koala's natural habitat. Even though it's called a koala bear, the koala isn't actually a bear. Instead, the koala is a marsupial.

Steelhead: Washington's 'gray ghost' battles extinction
Steelhead already are listed for federal protection almost everywhere they live, up and down the rivers of the West Coast, including in the Columbia and Snake rivers and all over Puget Sound. And they were recently petitioned for listing on the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula.

‘Give them a chance’: The fight to bring salmon back to Edmonds stream
The Edmonds Stream Team has released 8,000 coho fry in an upper stretch of Perrinville Creek. Volunteers placed fish in other local creeks as well, with the larger goal of reestablishing salmon runs in small streams that coho, in particular, depend on for rearing and spawning.

Dan Evans, three-term Washington governor, dies at age 98
Daniel J. Evans, former governor of Washington and U.S. Senator, died Friday at the age of 98.

Forever chemicals are everywhere. These burnt wood chips could help change that
Forever chemicals are everywhere, from cookware to cosmetics to clothes to carpets. For decades, they've been building up in the environment and our water – and in our bodies. Now Canadian researchers say they have developed a practical way to remove the toxic compounds from our drinking water.

Dungeness are WA’s most lucrative seafood, but we know little about them
For decades this crab has helped sustain Washington fishing communities, averaging an annual harvest of 23.3 million pounds over the past 10 years. The nontreaty/state harvest alone was worth an average of $63 million. Even so, relatively little is known about this native species and how future conditions might affect its abundance.

New research reveals diet differences between thriving and endangered killer whale populations
A research team led by scientists from the University of Washington and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has uncovered new insights into the diet of resident killer whales, which could aid in the conservation of endangered populations.

$8.5 million awarded to 21 proposals to advance Puget Sound habitat recovery
The Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead (HSIL) announced its 2024 investment list for EPA Puget Sound Funds to advance habitat protection and restoration.

As Southern Oregon opposition to offshore wind mounts, energy developers opt not to bid
At least one company is no longer interested in bidding on a chance to develop a floating offshore wind project off the Southern Oregon coast, and others may also have backed out.

New Southern Resident orca calf seen in stunning NOAA drone video

A new killer whale calf has joined L pod, the largest pod of southern resident orcas. The calf, dubbed L128, was spotted alongside its mother, L90.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato at salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review September 20 2024

Aloha National Hispanic Heritage Month!

National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. (Wikipedia)

$7.3 million state grant will go toward cleanup of contaminated Bellingham Bay site
A state grant is providing $7.3 million to address a toxic waste site on the Bellingham waterfront, the site of a planned city park. Officials at the state Department of Commerce Public Works Board announced the $7.3 million award for the Cornwall Avenue landfill cleanup.

Too hot for humpbacks: The race to protect Pacific whales
Move over Moby Dick. Big Mama, the first humpback whale to have returned to the North Pacific's Salish Sea after decades of absence, is telling a new story about the global threat to whale populations.

New baby for endangered southern residents; mom spotted alone with calf
A new calf has been reported in the endangered southern resident killer whale population. The tiny orca was spotted with L90 Ballena — a 31-year-old female who has never been documented with a calf — on Sunday off Lime Kiln Park on San Juan Island.

Scientists just figured out how many chemicals enter our bodies from food packaging
More than 3,000 chemicals from food packaging have infiltrated our bodies, a new study has found.

One woman's goal to protect islands in the Salish Sea
Conservationist and author Shelia Harrington has a new book titled, "Voices for the Islands." In it, Harrington highlights the importance of protecting nature on and around the islands of the Salish Sea located off the shores of Washington state and British Columbia.

B.C.’s cash-strapped wildlife ministry operating in triage mode
Disease monitoring for bighorn sheep, bats, among programs affected by government wildlife funding woes.

Province provides millions of dollars for communities to tackle effects of climate change
Island projects range from tackling shoreline erosion on Saanich Inlet to planting trees in Saanich and installing cooling infrastructure in Victoria.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato at salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review September 13 2024

Aloha Friday the 13th Friday!

Is it an unlucky day because of the Norse myth of the trickster Loki joining the dinner of 12 gods as the 13th guest and causing the death of the god Balder and the whole Earth turned dark? Or because there were 13 disciples at the Last Supper on the 13th of Nisan, the night before Good Friday? Or? Go figure.

Very few sockeye have passed Chilcotin River landslide area
Fisheries and Oceans Canada says this year's Fraser River sockeye salmon run is 2nd lowest on record.

A record 86 Vancouver Island marmot pups born this year
The critically endangered ­Vancouver Island marmot is experiencing a baby boom. So far, 86 pups have been born in the alpine regions of the Island — a record number — and scientists and volunteers have yet to finish their count. 

Dead harbor seal in Puget Sound helps expand knowledge on infectious disease
Epidemiologists with the Kitsap Public Health District have co-authored a new report documenting the first recorded case of a human contracting the infectious disease tularemia, also known as "rabbit fever" from a marine mammal.

B.C. sets up a panel on killing of bears
B.C. will review conservation officer training after conservation officers destroyed 603 black and 23 grizzly bears in 2023, according to figures from the B.C. government.

Nearly 2,000 species are at-risk in B.C. Only 42 are being considered for new protections
Internal government records show officials are working to update list of at-risk species under forestry legislation for the first time in almost two decades. 

Are BC’s Forests Running Out of Trees?
The province prides itself on its sustainable forestry. But even industry is now sounding the alarm. Zoë Yunker reports.

Salish Sea too noisy for endangered orcas to hunt: study
The Salish Sea is too noisy for the critically endangered southern resident orcas to hunt successfully, according to a new study led by the University of Washington.

Micro-hydroelectric power may be the next big climate solution
An InPipe turbine installed by Skagit PUD in partnership with InPipe Energy spins the excess power flowing through miles of water pipe into enough electricity to power 14 Mount Vernon homes and to be sold back to the power utility for about $12,000 dollars a year.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato at salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review September 6 2024

 

Aloha Food Bank Friday!

National Food Bank Day was created in 2017, to commemorate fifty years since the founding of St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance, the first food bank in the world, and to "recognize the outstanding contributions of food banks around the country". St. Mary's was founded by John ven Hengel in 1967, and its mission is to "alleviate hunger through the gathering and distribution of food while encouraging self-sufficiency, collaboration, advocacy and education."

Thawing Alaskan permafrost is unleashing more mercury, confirming scientists’ worst fears
Alaska’s permafrost is melting and revealing high levels of mercury that could threaten Alaska Native peoples.

Lummi Nation salmon hatcheries to undergo major renovations
The Lummi Nation received $2 million as part of a large federal award given to tribes meant to help repair hatcheries. The Skookum Creek Fish Hatchery near Acme, WA, will undergo major infrastructure improvements as a result of the funding.

Puget Sound tanker traffic thickens as Canadian pipeline boosts oil flow
Tankers have been ferrying fossil fuels through the island-studded Salish Sea for decades — but the amount of it is. [There is] a surge of tanker traffic in Washington and British Columbia since the Trans Mountain Pipeline from Alberta to Burnaby, British Columbia, nearly tripled its capacity in May.

Companies logged B.C. forests 170 times without authorization since 2021, records show
The provincial government can’t say how much was improperly harvested and refuses to release details about fines.

Columbia, Snake River tribes fight to keep fishing traditions alive
The U.S. government recently recognized the harm caused by the dams and has promised to work to restore salmon runs but tribal members doubt much will change.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato at salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Salish Sea News Week in Review August 30 2024

Aloha Slinky Friday!
The Slinky was invented and developed by naval engineer Richard T. James in 1943 and successfully demonstrated at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia in November 1945. The Slinky was originally priced at $5, but many paid much more due to price increases of spring steel in Pennsylvania. It has, however, remained modestly priced throughout its history as a result of Betty James' concern about the toy's affordability for less affluent customers. In its first 60 years, about 300 million Slinkys were sold. (Wikipedia)

B.C. Parks Foundation announces protection of coastal habitats with funding help from Chip Wilson's foundation
More than a square kilometre of land in the Salish Sea is now protected, after the B.C. Parks Foundation announced five newly protected “biodiversity hot spots” on Friday. The areas won't be available for public access until use and management plans are developed.

Tribe, USFW sign pact for refuges
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a co-stewardship agreement for the Dungeness and Protection Island National Wildlife Refuges, with the Tribe taking over the day-to-day management of the refuges.

BC Hydro begins filling reservoir as Site C dam megaproject nears completion
It will take up to four months to fill the 83-kilometre-long reservoir, which will cover about 5,550 hectares of land, BC Hydro says.

Vancouver tanker traffic rises tenfold after TMX project
Publicly available data shows that an average of two tankers loaded oil from Trans Mountain's Westridge Marine Terminal until May of this year...In June and July, the numbers increased to an average of 20 tankers a month.

No more wildfires of note burning in B.C.
Weekend rain across a large area of the province has dampened the number and risk of wildfires.

More underwater microphones being installed to protect whales
More underwater microphones that can detect killer whales are being installed in Haro Strait, across from Vancouver Island. 

Inside Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion, a high-tech showcase for the tropical deep sea
Years of construction along Seattle’s waterfront is intended to bring people closer to the water and natural beauty of Puget Sound. The opening Thursday of Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion expansion practically puts people in the water, to explore and better understand one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems on the other side of the Pacific.

Plan finalized to kill thousands of barred owls around Northwest
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a decision on Wednesday to adopt a controversial barred owl management strategy that calls for lethal removal of the birds by shooting them with shotguns and, in some cases, capturing and euthanizing them.

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 at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato at salishseacom.com .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told