Aloha Snowflake Friday!
There are different sizes and shapes of snowflakes, and none are
exactly alike, although they do fit into one of 35 different
shape categories. They form when water vapor condenses into ice
crystals in the clouds. They accumulate around particles of dust
or dirt, which affects their shape, as do factors such as
temperature, humidity, and currents. Snowflakes have different
numbers of water molecules, and it is these molecules which
cause them to form a crystal pattern. A six-sided crystal
snowflake is most common, but flat or thin needle-shaped flakes
also form. Snowflakes also have different amounts of oxygen and
hydrogen, which also affects their shape. Although they are made
of clear ice, they appear white because of diffuse reflection.
Groups
blast Trump logging plan aimed at reducing wildfires
Conservation groups are blasting a Trump administration decision
officials said will reduce wildfires by streamlining
environmental reviews of timber salvage projects.
Northern
spotted owl’s Endangered Species Act status will remain
unchanged
The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service ruled against upgrading the
iconic Northern spotted owl’s protection status Monday under the
Endangered Species Act. The agency said the species’ continued
decline warrants a reclassification from “threatened” to
“endangered’' but it elected against taking that step because it
considers other listed species to be higher priorities.
Researchers
aim to use artificial intelligence to save endangered whales
in B.C.
Researchers are aiming to "teach'' a computer to recognize the
sounds of resident killer whales in order to develop a warning
system for preventing ships from fatally striking endangered
orcas off British Columbia's coast.
Calls
to terminate Columbia River Treaty spark concern after 2 years
of negotiations
A cross-border treaty that has regulated the flow of the
Columbia River for over 50 years could be in jeopardy as a group
of American politicians calls on the president to invoke his
executive authority and terminate the treaty.
Coalition
aims to expand protected area
A coalition of conservation groups, shellfish farmers, tribes
and area residents is asking the state Department of Natural
Resources to cancel plans for three timber sales to protect a
rare rhododendron forest. The 936-acre forest on the Toandos
Peninsula and along Dabob Bay is the largest in the world.
Victoria’s
sewage treatment plant up and running
After four years of construction, the Capital Regional
District’s $775-million Wastewater Treatment Project has begun
treating sewage at the McLoughlin Point plant.
Monarch
butterfly denied protection by Trump administration, despite
growing extinction dangers
The monarch butterfly was turned down by the Trump
administration on Tuesday when the government declined to use
the powers of the Endangered Species Act to help save it from
extinction.
Inslee
proposes his latest climate-change package as part of
Washington budget
Gov. Jay Inslee Tuesday unveiled a new climate-change package
that includes a renewed push for a clean fuels standard and
capping some greenhouse-gas emissions.
B.C.
sets new 2025 emissions target after falling behind on climate
goals
The British Columbia government is setting a new target for
cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 after determining it is
further from reaching its goals than previously forecast.
Once
hearty 'hooligans' declining in the Salish Sea
A river spawning species of forage fish known as the longfin
smelt is rare and getting rarer in the Salish Sea.
NMFS
Demands More Mitigation for Nearshore Projects in The Puget Sound
Region
In November, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS or the
Service) issued a final jeopardy opinion for 39 nearshore
development projects in the Puget Sound region that had been under
consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).
Discovery
Islands salmon farms to be phased out of existence over next 18
months
he controversial open-net salmon farms in the Discovery Islands near
Campbell River, B.C., will be phased out over the next 18 months.
First
time in more than a generation, Chinook salmon spawn in upper
Columbia River
For the first time in more than a generation, Chinook salmon have
spawned in the upper Columbia River system.
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
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