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Home My WebLink Aboutord2013-014 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2013 - 98 CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned to: Originator: 2/19/2013 2/26/2013 Natural Resources Division Head: 3 /12/ 12 Introduction apt. Head: i_ 02" / 7 ' j 3/26/ 13 Council Prosecutor: Purchasing/Budget: Executive: TITLE OF DOCUMENT: Ordinance establishing a Forestry Advisory Committee ATTACHMENTS: SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( ) NO SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO Requested Date: SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate. Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.) Ordinance establishing a Forestry Advisory Committee for Whatcom County COMMITTEE ACTION: COUNCIL ACTION:: 2 / 26 / 2013 : Substitute amended and forwarded 3 / 12 / 2013 : Introduced to Council for approval . 3 / 26 / 2013 : Substitute Adopted 7 -0 3 / 26 / 2013 : Amended and forwarded to Council Ord . 2013 -014 for approval Related County Contract #: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number: Ord . 2013-014 Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing on the County 's website at: www. co. whatcom. wa. us/council. SPONSORED BY : Council PROPOSED BY : Knutzen INTRODUCTION. DATE : 3 / 12 / 2013 ORDINANCE NO. 2013-014 ESTABLISHING A FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR WHATCOM COUNTY WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council recognizes forestry as an important contributor to the local economy and quality of life for Whatcom County citizens ; and WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan , adopted on May 20 , 1997 , contains goals and policies that direct the county to maintain and enhance Whatcom County's forest land base, maintain and enhance the forest products industry, reduce land use conflicts between forest and non -forest landowners, and ensure that forest practices avoid adverse impacts to the habitat of threatened and endangered fish and wildlife species ; and WHEREAS, designation and conservation of forest resource lands is required under the Growth Management Act ; and WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council recognizes the importance of conserving productive forest lands and associated public resources through a balanced combination of regulatory protection as mandated by the Growth Management Act and the provision of incentives for maintaining lands in long -term land use predictability, for both productive forest lands and adjacent non - forest lands ; and WHEREAS, many decisions made by the County Council can have an affect on forestry production and viability ; and WHEREAS, the County Council desires the input of forestry landowners and others associated with forestry practices prior to making decisions on major land use proposals, land use policies, economic strategies, and other county, regional , state and/or federal programs that directly or indirectly affect forestry in Whatcom County ; and WHEREAS, the Council believes the most efficient way to get input from forestry landowners and others associated with forestry practices is to form an advisory committee comprised of forest land owners and other industry representatives . WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code 2 . 03 . 020 ( D ) requires that term lengths for those members first appointed to newly created boards, committees and commissions shall be staggered so that the terms of future members do not expire on the same date . NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that Whatcom County Code Chapter 2 . 123 , Forestry Advisory Committee, is hereby established as outlined in Exhibit A to this ordinance . NOW, FINALLY, BE IT ORDAINED that the terms of the members first appointed will be staggered so that five members ( one from each category with two appointees) shall be appointed until January 31 , 2016 , and the remaining five members shall be appointed until January 31 , 2017 . jeeee % ttUI ! ! !!! ADO PTEQ\Ui I sQ�V!/of March , 2013 . ATTE �41Se�� 'T C 64;1/4 '% WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ` ` WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON r _a. , Dana Itowrtsliirmi§,FickteOf th$ Council Kat y Kershner, Council Chair Ode • • . . . • .. '.. I/// •!l1i11111t1e e``````` WHATCO COUNTY EXECUTIVE APPRO ED AS TO FO &Pi-f WHAT • COU , WASHINGTON Civi Deputy rosecutor Jac o s, Cou ty Executive ( A • proved ( ) Denied Date Signed : 3/a£s h3 EXHIBIT A Chapter 2 . 123 - FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Sections : 2. 123 . 010 Established 2 . 123 . 020 Purpose 2 . 123 . 030 Function 2 . 123 . 040 Membership - Term of Office 2 . 123 . 050 Organization - Meetings 2. 123 . 060 Committee Staffing 2. 123 . 010 Established . There is hereby established the Whatcom County Forestry Advisory Committee . 2 . 123 . 020 Purpose. The Forestry Advisory Committee provides review and recommendations to the Whatcom County Council on issues that affect the forestry industry . The Forestry Advisory Committee also provides a forum for all sectors of the forestry community to contribute to discussions on the future of forestry in Whatcom County . 2 . 123 . 030 Function . The Forestry Advisory Committee reports directly to the County Council or other appropriate advisory boards, commissions, and committees as necessary to carry out the following functions : 1 . Review and provide recommendations on zoning issues, comprehensive plans, subarea plans, regulation and annexation issues, and other proposals which directly affect lands or forestry activities in or adjacent to forest land . 2 . Establish , promote, and implement a comprehensive forestry protection and preservation program . 3 . Analyze and develop recommendations that will assist the County in addressing issues which affect forestry at the county, regional , state, and federal levels . 4 . Assist, upon request of the Director of Planning and Development Services, that department by providing review and comment on comprehensive planning and zoning related issues in or adjacent to forest land . 2. 123. 040 Membership - Term of Office The committee shall consist of eleven voting members as follows : Two small forest landowners, two commercial forest landowners or their eligible representatives, two harvesters, two private citizens with forestry expertise , two forest product manufacturers, and one representative designated by the Department of Natural Resources . Committee members shall be appointed by the county council . Member terms will be four years . 2. 123 . 050 Organization - Meetings Meetings of the committee shall be open and accessible to the public and shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. The committee shall determine its own meeting schedule, but shall meet at lease twice per year. At every meeting , the committee will schedule an open session to take public comment on forestry issues . Written records of meetings, resolutions, findings, and recommendations shall be kept and such records shall be public . The committee shall adopt its own rules and procedures for the conduct of business . The committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members who shall preside at its meetings . The committee shall comply with Whatcom County Charter section 4 . 20 - Qualifications and with Whatcom County Code 2 . 03 - Boards and Commissions . 2 . 123 . 060 Committee Staffing Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Department shall provide staffing for the committee . The committee is authorized to request information from administrative departments through the County Executive's Office .