Salish Sea News Week in Review March 5 2021

Aloha Absinthe Friday!
Absinthe, a light green alcoholic beverage, is made of herbs, the most prominent being anise, fennel, and wormwood—usually grand wormwood—which contains thujone.   A theory says that absinthe was invented in 1792 by Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor, who created it to be used as a medical elixir. Shortly thereafter, Pernod Absinthe became the first commercial absinthe on the market. Absinthe became popular in Europe in the 1800s, particularly in France in the 1840s. Writers and artists were soon known to drink it. In 2007, the United States ruled that it was legal to manufacture, sell, and import absinthe, as long as the thujone level wasn't too high. This took place on March 5, the date now celebrated as National Absinthe Day.

State agency drafting fish passage rules
The state Department of Fish & Wildlife is drafting rules related to a state law that applies to fish passage in rivers, streams and lakes in an effort to make more clear how the law aids in the recovery of salmon and orca whales.

Digital maps show how climate change’s impact in WA isn’t equal
From floods to wildfires, mapping programs in Cascadia are showing scientists which communities face higher risk. Peter Fairley reports.

The most expensive dam in Canadian history: cost of B.C.’s Site C dam balloons to $16 billion
Premier John Horgan defends decision to push ahead with beleaguered BC Hydro project, which has nearly doubled in cost under NDP government as a result of escalating safety issues. ‘Who would feel safe?’ Site C dam concerns build in downstream communities ‘Who would feel safe?’ Site C dam concerns build in downstream communities Concerns about the safety of the Site C dam are mounting in some downstream communities along the Peace River, despite the B.C. government’s assurances that the project can be completed safely after two independent experts approved BC Hydro’s proposed fix for the dam’s weak foundation.

How Washington’s Protection Island Became a Haven for Wildlife — And One Man
The small island was supposed to be a vacation destination. Now it’s a refuge for birds, seals, and Marty Bluewater.

‘Like going back in time’: W̱SÁNEĆ people to regain rightful ownership of abundant remote island
Abundant with meadows of colourful flowers and other pristine wildlife, a remote Salish Sea island is being returned to its rightful owners — the W̱SÁNEĆ people.

U.S. House passes Wild Olympics bill with public-lands package
Congressman Derek Kilmer’s Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has passed the House as part of a package that includes seven other bills.

Killer Whale CSI
Collisions with boats and other interactions with humans are "significant" causes of death for killer whales in the northeastern Pacific, a recent study says.

Salmon experts predict more wild coho but fewer Chinook in Puget Sound this year
Greater numbers of wild coho salmon are expected to return to Puget Sound later this year, according to forecasts released last week, but threatened Puget Sound Chinook stocks are likely to see another decline.

Gray whales return to region
A group of Pacific gray whales known as the Sounders because they stop over in Puget Sound during their coastal migration is beginning to arrive in the region.

Winter supply of Chinook salmon critical to survival of orcas, says study
Endangered southern resident killer whales would have a much better chance of survival if chinook were in their hunting grounds during winter off the coast of British Columbia, a new study 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, 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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