HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2010-034 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2010 — 328
CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned to:
Ori inator: _ 9/14/2010 9/14/2010 Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head: (46.2a 9 ' i $ ,o
Prosecutor: j_ oq/l
Purchasing/Budget:
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Resolution requesting traffic improvements in/near Lummi Reservation 2010-2011
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.)
Resolution in support of Whatcom County's and Lummi Nation's request for appropriation in the federal budget for fiscal year 2010-2011 for traffic
improvements in and near Lummi Reservation
COMMITTEE ACTION: COUNCIL ACTION:
9 / 14 / 2010 : Council Approved 6-0- 1 , Kershner
abstained Res . 2010-034
Related County Contract #: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res . 2010-034
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.
Res. Supporting Lumnii Nation SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Consent
INTRODUCTION DATE : September 14 , 2010
RESOLUTION NO . 2010-034
IN SUPPORT OF WHATCOM COUNTY'S AND LUMMI NATION 'S REQUEST FOR
APPROPRIATION IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010- 2011 FOR
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS IN AND NEAR LUMMI RESERVATION
WHEREAS, Whatcom County and Lummi Nation are currently in negotiations
regarding a County lease for the pertinent portions of tidelands and uplands at Gooseberry
Point for continued operation of the County's ferry to and from Lummi Island ; and
WHEREAS, a portion of the tidelands over which County ferry dock infrastructure is
placed is owned by the United States in trust for Lummi Nation and is administered in
accord with that ownership ; and
WHEREAS, one of the concerns that has been raised by Lummi Nation is the impact
of traffic generated by ferry users upon members of Lummi Nation residing within the
Lummi Reservation ; and
WHEREAS, the primary route for vehicular traffic to and from the ferry landing at
Gooseberry Point is Haxton Way within Lummi Reservation and Slater Road along the
northern boundary of Lummi Reservation ; and
WHEREAS, increased residential density within reservation boundaries, together
with increased traffic volume, a measurable portion of which is generated in connection with
the County's ferry operation to and from Lummi Island , have intensified traffic impacts upon
the resident population of Lummi Reservation ; and
WHEREAS, in the negotiations between Whatcom County and Lummi Nation over
the ferry lease , tribal officials and staff have made clear their position that tribal consent for
continuation of a lease arrangement is dependent upon significant provision for traffic
improvements on the route to and from the ferry landing ; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County , while it desires to provide for traffic improvements
along Haxton Way and Slater Road , has limited resources with which to address Lummi
Nation 's traffic concerns ; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the crucial nature of the ferry operation for Lummi
Island residents and the critical concern for traffic safety along the route leading to and
from the ferry landing , Whatcom County and Lummi Nation officials presented their request
for federal assistance to members of Washington 's federal congressional delegation last
March ; and
WHEREAS, the amount of money jointly requested for traffic improvements of the
nature sought by Lummi Nation was $ 16 million ; and
WHEREAS, the U . S . Congress has not yet acted upon the budget for the next fiscal
year or upon the request by Lummi Nation and Whatcom County to include the sum of $ 16
million within that budget for traffic improvements upon and near the Lummi Reservation
that will facilitate the parties' successful negotiations for the lease of the area essential for
the Lummi Island ferry operation ; and
WHEREAS, the County Council is desirous of achieving a satisfactory resolution of
the traffic improvements issue so as to enhance traffic safety and to achieve a reliable,
long -term arrangement for use of Lummi -owned and U . S . - owned lands necessary for the
ferry operation ;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that it
supports the request of the parties for federal appropriation in the amount of $ 16 million for
traffic improvements upon and near the Lummi Reservation and it further urges Congress to
make such appropriation so that traffic safety may be improved and that the necessary
a rra nriVelith ' f&oyse of Lummi -owned and U . S . -owned trust properties for the County's
fergn`aikett(Ora fr ,achieved .
y� : 4th day of September , 2010 .
01,§ COUNTY ; r
• = WHAT OM COUNTY COUN
■ T: = WHAT OM COU TY, 1 AS tit GTON
i
•
• r
na [3rQ iNAP ; is C er of the Council Sat rawford , Counci Chair
• • • • •
A twir /�5 our bRM :
Civil Deputy Prosecutor