This year has seen lower than usual rainfall locally, which has led Governor Inslee to add Whatcom County (actually, the Nooksack Watershed, aka WRIA 1*) to the list of state areas already under a drought emergency declaration.
By itself, the Governor’s declaration does not provide the robust response that a serious drought would warrant. What is needed is a local plan, understood and supported by the public, which guides preparation for drought years during years prior to a drought, and effective drought responses when one occurs.
Op-Ed: A Drought Plan for Whatcom County, but Without Public Process…
Citizen Journalism: Port of Bellingham Meeting Report for July 9, 2019
An insurance rate increase at the airport and repairs at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal were among the main points of interest at the Port of Bellingham Commission regular meeting on July 9, 2019.
Citizen Journalism: Whatcom County Council Meeting Report for June 4, 2019
Restricting the use of wakeboard boats on Lake Samish and an ADA Transition Plan were the main points of interest at the Whatcom County Council meeting on June 4, 2019.
The Whatcom Waterfront and Fishing Industry; is there a Future?
Last Thursday, May 23rd, Common Threads co-sponsored a forum that brought three local leaders together to talk about the issues faced and potential solutions for retaining a working waterfront and viable fishing industry. Panelists: Ken Bell, Port of Bellingham Commissioner (Pres.), Doug Thomas, President and CEO of Bellingham Cold Storage and Chairman for the private-nonprofit – San Juan Area Sea …
Citizen Journalism: Whatcom County Council Meeting Report for April 23, 2019
The County Executive’s
State of the County Address
and a heated discussion over apprenticeship programs were the main point of
interest at the Whatcom County Council meeting on April 23, 2019.
The public meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Council members Barbara Brenner, Rud
Browne, Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Carol Frazey and Satpal Sidhu were all present.
Councilmember Todd Donovan was absent.
Citizen Journalism: Whatcom County Council Meeting Report for Mar. 12, 2019
Mar. 12, 2019 evening Council Meeting covering: prosecution reform, comprehensive plan amendments, Whatcom County Jail repairs, and the Alaskan Marine Highway.