HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources March 25 20141
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
March 25, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(9:30 :48 AM)
Present: Carl Weimer, Sam Crawford and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Rud Browne, Barbara Brenner and Pete Kremen.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. PRESENTATION FROM THE EAST WHATCOM COMMUNITY COUNCIL CLEAN
AIR COMMITTEE ON ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH POOR AIR QUALITY IN THE
COLUMBIA VALLEY AND DISCUSSION OF HOW A VARIETY OF AGENCIES
AND CITIZENS IN THAT AREA HAVE COME TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THOSE
PROBLEMS (AB2014 -135)
Wain Harrison, Planning Department, introduced the East Whatcom Clean Air
Committee and described the history of air quality problems in the Columbia Valley.
Lou Piotrowski, Committee Chair, stated the East Whatcom Resource Center is a
great place for the committee to meet. He described the mission and goals of the
committee to improve air quality in the region.
Katie Skipper, Northwest Clean Air Agency Director of Communications, stated it's
been a pleasure to work with this committee. She described the air problems in Columbia
Valley from wood smoke and toxic chemicals, the short -term and long -term exposure risks,
monitoring efforts of the Northwest Clean Air Agency in the area, air quality standards, and
outreach and education efforts.
Phil Cloward, Committee member, stated he's always burned wood for heat. The
committee wants solutions other than enforcement and punishment. He described a
community wood bank program.
Jerry DeBruin, Fire District 14, described the outreach program and the Fire District's
involvement in air quality efforts for life safety purposes.
Mark Schofield, Opportunity Council Conservation Programs Coordinator, described
the Opportunity Council's effort to help residents keep their home wood stoves clean and
efficient through a wood stove rebate and replacement programs.
Natural Resources Committee, 3/25/2014, Page 1
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Weimer asked and there was discussion of heat pump costs, whether residence are
choosing the option to replace a wood stove with a heat pump, and how many other areas
in the three counties have this problem.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether natural gas is available in the
area. A wood bank program may encourage people to continue using wood heat.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether any of the pollution comes from
British Columbia (B.C.), what would be the ultimate solution, the number of homes in the
area, the standard for a clean wood stove, the possibility for dry wood storage, and the
description of cellulosic distillation.
Buchanan asked and there was discussion of how the community is responding to
the programs.
Browne asked and there was discussion of how to accelerate community
involvement.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE OF PURCHASE AND DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PROGRAM BY THE
PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND COUNTY
STAFF (AB2013 -363A) (10:18:15 AM)
Paul Schissler, Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program Oversight Committee
Member, thanked the Council for supporting the agricultural economy through the PDR
program and described recent PDR Program changes.
Karin Wessman, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and
read from a presentation (on file).
Schissler submitted a handout (on file) and described the program's budget, a
reverse auction trial program, and using conservation futures fund money.
Wessman concluded the presentation on the hiring of a PDR program staff
coordinator and an upcoming field tour of PDR program properties.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of whether matching funds are available for
the reverse auction and if reverse auctions will drive down the price of the development
right.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of staffing and budgeting the PDR outreach
coordinator position. He's skeptical of the cost of the PDR program to extinguish
development rights and hire someone to offer people money. He asked and there was
discussion of how they are measuring the increase in pressure from neighboring residential
uses. Make sure they aren't making blanket statements and they identify the specific
problem before making a statement about increasing pressures.
Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department, answered
questions.
Natural Resources Committee, 3/25/2014, Page 2
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Browne asked and there was discussion of whether the reverse auction process is a
sealed bid or online interactive process.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether the conservation futures fund
allowance for maintenance and operations would be used, the definition of ground - truthing,
and choosing a local appraiser.
Kremen stated the farming industry is growing in population. He asked and there
was discussion of agricultural property increasing in value more than the value for
residential uses.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
ATTEST:
, Council Clerk
-, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barry Buchanan, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 3/25/2014, Page 3