The Salish Sea

Today’s Crossuct http://crosscut.com/2009/03/27/mossback/18927/ is worth reading. Knute Berger writes an interesting article about naming the northwest waters that connect Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia the “Salish Sea”. At issue in the article is the concern that a new name might undermine work to educate Washingtonians about the urgent need to protect and restore Puget Sound. It is unfortunate that an effort to mark the greater ecosystem and to link us to our northern neighbors and our rich cultural history with the traditional name is being clouded by the plight of Puget Sound. However, the real sad story is that despite all the resources, especially knowledge, at our disposal in this region, Puget Sound is still so polluted that our resident killer whales are among the most toxic in the world. Research tells us that about 52 million pounds of untreated toxic chemicals including oil and petroleum products, PCBs and phthalates flow into up Puget Sound every year. That’s over 140 thousand pounds per day. Let's work to tackle this daunting number. Come to the next chapter meeting, answer our next action alert, make changes at home, and engage your friends and neighbors.