HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1997-072WHATCOM CO LINTY CO UNCIL AGENDA BILL
NO. 1997 - 369
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Orig. Dept.: County Council
10/27/97
11/18/97
Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT.-
Resolution supporting efforts of International Mobility /Trade Corridor Project
ATTACHMENTS
The proposed resolution
SUMMARY STATEMENT.-
Related County Contract #: Should the Clerk schedule a hearing? (Y/N N Requested Date:
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
1997,- 369 11/18/97: Approved 7 - 0. Res. #97 -072
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
I imccpnes 10/22/997 SPONSORED BY: CONSENT
2 PROPOSED BY: SUTTER
3 INTRODUCTION DATE: 12/18/97
4 RESOLUTION NO. 97 -072
5 SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL
6 MOBILITY AND TRADE CORRIDOR PROJECT
7 WHEREAS, Canada and the United States are each others' largest trading and tourism
8 partners; and
9 WHEREAS, Western Canada/Northwestern U.S. is the fastest growing region in population
10 and international trade in North America; and
11 WHEREAS, facilitating domestic and international tourism is a common objective of
12 Canada, the United States, and the Two - Nation Vacation Initiative; and
13 WHEREAS, the Blaine/Douglas Port of Entry and Interstate 5/Highway 99 corridor is the
14 third busiest truck corridor and border crossing between Canada and the United States; and
15 WHEREAS, the Canadian/U.S. Free Trade Agreement, the North American Free Trade
16 Agreement, the Asian Pacific Economic Conference, and the Open Skies Agreement have all led to
7 a steady increase in trade and tourism in the region and a strain on transportation systems; and
18 WHEREAS, the Canada/U.S. Accord on Our Shared Border promotes international trade and
19 facilitation of legitimate movement of the people while enhancing drug and smuggling interdiction
20 and reducing costs for both users and governments; and
21 WHEREAS, the successful CANPASS/PACE Initiative in the lower mainland and Whatcom
22 County are expanding to ensure more public access; and
23 WHEREAS investments in border facilities and operations should be integrated with local
24 and regional transportation systems in a bi- national planning process; and
25 WHEREAS, bi- national planning for the region provides opportunities for joint operational
26 efficiencies facilities, and enhanced technology for expedited border clearances in the face of
27 reduced government resources; and
28 WHEREAS, bi- national planning is encouraged in the Federal Highway Administration
29 Assessment of Border Crossing Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act Report, and,
30 corridor planning and border pilot projects are encouraged in the U.S. Department of Transportation
31 National Economic Crossroad Transportation Efficiency Act Proposal; and
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1 WHEREAS, the Lower Mainland/Whatcom County gateway is an integral part of a larger
2 system of trade flows represented by the Pacific North West Economic Region which includes the
3 two western provinces of Canada and the five northwest U.S. states; and
4 WHEREAS, intercity passenger rail service has resumed between Seattle and Vancouver,
5 BC; and
6 WHEREAS, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia have developed a Rail Options
7 Plan for the Northwest Rail Corridor from Vancouver to Eugene, Oregon.
8 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council supports the bi-
9 national planning process leading to the development of a Lower Mainland/Whatcom County
10 Border Business Plan to address the following:
11
— Infrastructure, facilities, and technology for expedited clearances
12
— Financing for road and rail capacity and safety enhancements
13
— Joint operational procedures, expanded hours of operations and staffing at border
14
facilities
15
— Harmonization of regulations
16
— Facilitation of Immigration pre - clearance for business and tourist travel
17
— Cross - border forum for border user groups and community leaders
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council supports the integration
' 9 of the results of this planning process into the Connecting the Gateways and Trade Corridors Project
/.0 to ensure coordination with Western Canada and Northwestern United States transportation, trade,
21 and tourism initiatives.
22 APPROVED this 18 day of November, 1997.
23
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27 APPROVED AS TO FORM:
28 'q 4
29 Civil Deputy Prosecutor
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WHA g O Y, WASHINGTON
Warelson, C uncil Chair