HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2006-049WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2006-304
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
Originator:
Crawford
7/3/2006
7/25/2006
Finance /Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Purchasin lBud et:
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT.
Resolution regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARYSTATEMENT 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 regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
COMMITTEE ACTION.•
COUNCIL ACTION.
7/25/06: Amended and forwarded to Council for
7 /25 /06:Council Amended and Approved 6 -0,
approval
McShane absent- Res. 2006 -049
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res . 2006 -049
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
PROPOSED BY: Crawford
SPONSORED BY: Consent
INTRODUCED: July 25, 2006
RESOLUTION NO. 2006 -049
REGARDING THE
WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, Whatcom County is home to five land border crossings and a
long sea border with British Columbia, Canada; and
WHEREAS, the Douglas and Pacific Highway crossings are the third largest
crossings on the US /Canada border for both vehicle and truck traffic; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County's economy is substantially reliant on its
tourism and retail sector, both of which are significantly tied to Canadian traffic;
and
WHEREAS, the Canada- United States border relationship is unique with
more than 300,000 business people, tourists and regular commuters traveling
between Canada and the United States every day, and more than $1.2 billion in
two -way trade each day; and
WHEREAS, Washington State and British Columbia have a common interest
in maintaining a secure and open border between Canada and the United States, as
the Pacific Northwest's economy depends on such factors; and
WHEREAS, in December 2004, Congress passed, and President Bush signed
into law, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which will require all
U.S. and Canadian citizens to have a passport or other accepted secure document
that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re -enter the United
States by January 1, 2008; and
WHEREAS, under the current WHTI proposal, this requirement will apply to
all air and sea travel to or from Canada beginning on December 31, 2006, and will
be extended to all U.S.- Canada land border crossings after December 31, 2007;
and
WHEREAS, WHTI, as currently outlined, will negatively impact trade,
tourism, and the daily lives of citizens in border regions like Whatcom County, and
across both countries; and
WHEREAS, on several occasions, letters have been sent from this region by
businesses, political leaders, trade groups, and many others to the U.S. Secretary
of State and the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to encourage the U.S.
Government to adopt a flexible and reasonable approach in implementing WHTI
which would meet security imperatives while minimizing the negative impact on
border crossings by legitimate travelers; and
WHEREAS, numerous governors, premiers, U.S. and Canadian legislators,
and bi- national regional forums, including the Pacific Northwest Economic Region
(PNWER), have expressed similar views with regard to WHTI; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council recognizes that border
communities, and business, travel and tourism industries have expressed legitimate
concerns about the implementation of the WHTI.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council
respectfully requests that the United States Government conduct an economic and
social analysis of the anticipated impact of WHTI on cross- border trade, tourism
and local community activities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council will undertake an active
campaign coordinated with other interested parties and organizations, including the
Business for Economic Security, Trade and Tourism (BESTT) Coalition, to urge
Congress to delay the implementation of WHTI.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council respectfully requests the
United States Government to revise the terms of the implementation of WHTI,
based on the findings of the analyses, and in collaboration with the Government of
Canada, states and provinces, to ensure that the border between Canada and the
United States remains open to the free and fair flow of trade.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council encourages all governments to
pursue collaborative actions at the local, regional and national levels to minimize
the impact that WHTI will have on travelers, communities, tourism and industries.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council is extremely opposed to the
erosion of civil liberties that is represented by WHTI and its implementation, and
expresses its preference that Congress reconsider its December 2004 approval of
the legislation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council respectfully requests the
United States Government and the Government of Canada to fully explore, in close
consultation with states and provinces, options with regard to the implementation
of WHTI, including timelines, terms, technologies, transition measures and
alternative identity documentation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council encourages member
communities to become engaged in the efforts to address WHTI, most notably by
joining the BESTT Coalition; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Canada, the U.S. Secretary
of State and the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, the Canadian Minister of
Public Safety and the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the respective U.S. and
Canadian Ambassadors, the US Conference of Mayors, the Chairmen and Ranking
Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Senate Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, the
House Homeland Security Committee, the House International Relations Committee
and the House Judiciary Committee, and members of the Congressional delegation
for Washington state.
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25 day of July -12006.
Dana B15Pwn t)aWis; 'Clerk f the Council
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Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Laurie Caskey- Schreiber, Puncil Chair
I:\SHARED\RES\20061border resolution- amended7.26.doc