What issues lie ahead in our environment and coping with climate change?
It’s the end of the year and a time to look back before looking forward to the new year. The environment is one of Salish Current‘s main issue areas and we’d like to share links to some stories we enjoyed bringing to you this year. We’ll be back on Friday and next Monday to share more links to stories we brought to you covering social justice and culture issues. Stay tuned!
Planning and actions are required to develop resilience to multiple challenges. A conservation burn on San Juan Island’s Cady Mountain is geared at maximizing charcoal production. Fires at various stages are shown: fully ignited at left rear, raking out coals at right rear, and beginning to extinguish the fire using a backpack sprayer in the foreground. (San Juan County Conservation Land Bank)
For the first time since Southern Resident killer whales were captured and removed from the area over 50 years ago, L pod orcas returned in November and spent two hours “pacing” near 1970s capture sites. (Jill Hein)
Don’t you be my neighbor, say some to proposed fields of big batteries: NextEra Energy, builder of this project in Parrish, Florida, in 2022, wants to build similar standalone, utility-scale battery storage projects in Skagit and Whatcom counties. (Doug Murray for FPL)
The Olympia oyster is making a comeback — and the importance of that comeback goes beyond the menu or the shooter glass. Samish hopes that Olympia oysters, which were part of their ancestors’ diet, will be safe enough for consumption. (Richard Arlin Walker)
Some water systems in Ferndale and on Lummi and Orcas islands are re-examining risks and looking for contamination sources, as test results for “forever chemicals” now are rated near or above new federal allowable limits. Higher amounts of the chemicals may lead to numerous health issues. (City of Bellingham)
Control of water temperature at Ross Dam and others in the Upper Skagit River is one point of contention between state and federal regulators and hydropower-producing Seattle City Light. Skagit County and diking district representatives — excluded from the main negotiation table until this summer — have joined that conversation. (Amy Nelson)
The closed Alcoa aluminum smelter near Ferndale could be redeveloped as a green hydrogen factory if the prospective new owner can navigate a series of hurdles. (Alcoa Corp.)
While the SeaDoc team was on a recent excursion to film gray whales in Mexico, several whales emerged from the deep and peered up at the crew, seemingly asking for pets and scratches. SeaDoc scientist Joe Gaydos shares stories from this and other encounters with sea life, and what we know about Southern Resident killer whales — including why they may be on the path to extinction, and why it’s so hard to save them. (Joe Gaydos)
Invasive Eurasian watermilfoil in Moran State Park’s Cascade Lake is shading out native aquatic plants, harming the ecosystem and degrading boating, fishing and swimming experience. The lake is the domestic water supply for hundreds of residences in Orcas Island’s Rosario district, and Moran State Park officials are seeking permits for control strategies. Watercraft of any sort and even fishing tackle or footgear can introduce or spread piggybacking invasives such as milfoil and certain types of mussels, but outboard motors and trailers are by far the most significant means of transport. A team inspects a motorized craft at Lake Whatcom in Bellingham. (City of Bellingham)
Are we ready? Completion of a Canadian pipeline expansion means more crude-carrying vessels passing through the Salish Sea en route to the Pacific, amplifying spill concerns.An aerial view shows the expanded Trans Mountain oil export terminal in Burnaby, British Columbia. The Westridge Marine Terminal now has three berths, up from one. (Trans Mountain)
