The Salish Sea

[miss.myra]

It looks like there's renewed enthusiasm to unite the single body of water with 3 names (Straight of Georgia, Straight of Juan De Fuca, Puget Sound) into the Salish Sea. This doesn't mean the other names will be gone, but more so, the Straight of Georgia would be considered in the context of existing within the Salish Sea.

I think it's a pretty cool idea.

article here:

http://www.canada.com/Technology/Wes...250/story.html

VANCOUVER — The Pacific Northwest's inland waters could soon be christened the Salish Sea, thanks to a proposal by a Washington state marine biologist.


On Tuesday, the Washington State Board of Geographic Names decided to consider the new name, which would cover the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound near Seattle.


"My argument is that the Salish Sea is an ecosystem — an integrated ecological entity — and when you're studying or working on something it needs to have a name," said Bert Webber, a retired professor of marine science at the University of Western Washington.


Webber has also filed an application with the B.C. Geographic Names Office.


"The general understanding is unless it's acceptable to both B.C. and Washington it's an idea that should not go forward," he said.


Webber, a University of B.C. graduate who moved to Bellingham, Wash., in 1970, first submitted the proposal to the U.S. agency in 1990. It was soundly rejected.


Almost 20 years later, "Salish Sea" has gained broader use on both sides of the border, so Webber re-submitted his proposal.


The new name would not replace the existing names for the individual waterways, but would remind people of the interconnected nature of the marine ecosystem and the need for cross-border solutions in tackling pollution, fish stock depletion, and other marine issues, said Webber.


It would also be an acknowledgment of the Coast Salish people who first inhabited the area, he said.


Chemainus elder George Harris caused a furor last year at a First Nations summit when he suggested renaming Georgia Strait the Salish Sea.


Provincial Aboriginal Affairs Minister Mike de Jong expressed support for the idea, which drew mixed reviews from the public.


Tuesday, Harris said Webber's proposal has the full support of the Coast Salish people.


"It sounds great," he said. "The Coast Salish nations have discussed this as far back as 2007. It's been on our agenda already."


The Washington state board will ask individuals and government agencies for feedback. Webber is hopeful a decision will be made by October.


Jessica McLachlin, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, said the B.C Geographic Names Office will also consult with community groups to determine if there is support for the new name. It anticipates taking the proposal to the Geographical Names Board of Canada in late summer.


Webber said he's hopeful both countries will approve the name. "It seems that by and large most people I talk to are in favour of it," he said.

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