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DATE: December 17, 1981 INTRODUCED BY:
PROPOSED BY
RESOLUTION NO. 81 -62
A RESOLUTION TO PRESERVE 'AND ENHANCE THE
AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF WESTERN
WASHINGTON
Muenscher
Muenscher
WHEREAS, a multi - county ad hoc Agricultural Committee of
officials and concerned citizens from Western Washington
counties has determined that agricultural land is a
unique and threatened.resource in Western Washington; and
WHEREAS, such land is ideally suited for production of
food and fiber; and
WHEREAS, agricultural business in Western Washington
represents an important sector of the State's economy which
is forecasted to become more valuable as an energy- efficient
and productive resource readily available to serve the
majority of residents in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, the loss of agricultural production would be
detrimental to the overall quality of life in Western
Washington; and
WHEREAS, a number of Western Washington counties, including
Whatcom County, have taken measures to preserve farmlands;
and
WHEREAS, efforts by individual counties alone will not
adequately address the regional decline of the agricultural
industry in Western Washington.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Whatcom County Council
that a regional approach is needed to recognize the importance and
value of agriculture within Western Washington and that the Governor
of Washington State is hereby requested to establish a Regional
Agriculture Task Force which shall study agricultural problems, make
recommendations to the Governor concerning actions the State of
Washington should take in regard to legislative changes, executive
direction, and other measures which would preserve and enhance
agriculture in Western Washington. The task force should address,
among others, these issues: the competitive situation of Western
Washington agriculture, the agricultural marketing and processing
infrastructure, new farmer assistance programs, support systems for
enhancing agricultural viability, production costs and conflicts
I between farm and non -farm interests.
2 It is recommended that the Regional Agriculture Task Force
3 include representatives of, at least: farmers, consumers, agricultura
4 industries, counties, the Washington Association of Counties, the
5 Association of Washington Cities, the State Legislature, the
6 Washington State Conservation Commission, the Washington State Depar
7 ments of Agriculture and Commerce and Economic Developemnt and the
8 Planning and Community Affairs Agency. The Task Force should be
9 chaired by the Director of Agriculture or his appointee. Staffing
10 should be provided by the Department of Agriculture with assistance
11 from the Cooperative Extension Service, the United States Department
12 of Agri --ulture and Washington State University as needed.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to
14 establish the Regional Agriculture Task Force at the earliest possib-
15 convenience.
16 PASSED this 17th day of December 1981
17 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
18 ,1
19 Shirley V n Zanten, Chair
20 Attest: Joan Ogden
Auditor & Ex- officio
21 Clerk of thq Co -uncil
By:
22 Deputy
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