Update on local efforts to comply with the State Legislature’s mandates for public water systems in the “Hirst Fix” bill passed in January, 2018. Land use consultant Roger Almskaar, also President of the Whatcom Chapter of Citizens Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR), presented documents to the Whatcom County Council on June 19th asking for a change to the Drinking Water …
County Council Continues Discussion on Regulations to Cherry Point With Moratorium That Will Restrict Growth and Jobs
The Whatcom County Council continued their discussion of a “temporary” Cherry Point permit moratorium during its Special Committee of the Whole meeting, on June 19th. Councilmembers had asked staff to prepare Comp Plan amendments in an effort to write regulations that would interrupt Cherry Point-based industries to expand business growth and avoid a lawsuit for Whatcom County. Some ideas Council …
Citizen Journalism: May 22nd through June 6, 2018, Whatcom County Council and Watershed Management Board Meetings
Whatcom County like our State is better served when the ‘legislatures’ are on vacation or adjourned. Our State Legislature is adjourned, so safe there for now; our Whatcom County Council is still in session and our County is still at risk. 5/22 Whatcom County Council County sales taxes are increased 12% thus far in 2018. Preliminary County Capital Projects …
Watershed Management Board Diminishes the Role of Stakeholders
This recently released PDF document shows the plans being made by the Watershed Management Board to run meetings and exclude the legally authorized WRIA 1 – Planning Unit members from the process. In October 2017, the Washington State Legislature passed ESSB 6091, which redefined the need for an updated watershed plan and acknowledge that the lead agency is Whatcom County Council …
Citizen Journalism Report: Whatcom County Council Meeting Apr. 10, 2018
Last Tuesday, April 10th, 2017, Whatcom County Council addressed and acquiesced to taking public comments on the contentious moratorium placed on Cherry Point Industrial businesses back in September of 2016. This report on the meeting has been provided for public released to CTNW for our Citizen Journalism reporting, courtesy of the Whatcom Business Alliance. Temporary, Cherry Point Moratorium Could Remain in …
Jan. 30th, 2018 – Whatcom County Council Meeting – Hirst Initiated Moratorium Report
Councilman Donovan was the lone vote opposed. The Council Chambers was filled with concerned property owners who need a permit which allows for a private-well to build on their property. Many of those affected testified, Perry Eskridge and Roger Alsmskaar gave wise testimony which several council members mentioned when it came time to vote. Linda Twitchell of BIAWC sums it …