HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources February 12 20131
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
February 12, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Carl Weimer, Bill Knutzen and Sam Crawford.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Kathy Kershner, Pete Kremen, and Barbara Brenner.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE ON THE WHATCOM COUNTY AG- WATERSHED PILOT PROJECT
(AB2013 -080) (9:30:54 AM)
Henry Bierlink, Whatcom Farm Friends, stated one of his farmers said he would like
to trade development rights for water rights. Therefore, a group of people convened to talk
about how they would develop a trade program. They developed a voluntary agricultural
resource market.
Samya Lutz, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file) describing the pilot project. The County has a contract with
the Department of Commerce for a grant for this project.
Heather McKay, Lead Consultant, continued the presentation describing the program
strategy.
Steve Seymour stated he's always looking for tools to resolve agricultural conflicts.
It comes down to buffers. This pilot project will be a useful tool. They must begin with the
pilot project to work out the details.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of the timeline for pilot project
implementation.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of who is on the Watershed Characterization
Technical Assistance Team and the review committee.
Peter Gill, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of what exactly a farmer could trade other
than development rights and whether everything else listed are things the farmer doesn't
have to trade, what currency a farmer has available to give up other than development
rights, examples of what a farmer can get in return, whether farmers know they can do
some of these things already, whether the program will create a system that gives the
Natural Resources Committee, 2/12/2013, Page 1
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County credibility to ask the Department of Ecology to grant them the use of more water,
and the function of a natural resource market.
Bierlink stated there are three broad types of currency: water, ecosystem services,
and land, which includes development rights. The farmers control the land that the fish and
habitat people want to have. There must be an incentive for farmers to allow that, such as
water rights or drainage permits.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of whether farmers will buy into this pilot
program and what happens if farmers don't want to participate.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion about City of Lynden drainage issues,
whether a farmer could help with those issues by storing water, and how to mitigate the
farmer's inability to maintain ditches that have become salmon- bearing streams.
Weimer stated they are hearing from Department of Ecology that they have to set up
a currency like this in Lake Whatcom for phosphorus trading. He hopes they pay attention
to how this goes so perhaps they can use the same type of currency system for some kind
of phosphorous currency.
Bob Vanweerdhuizen stated he had problems in his ditch that had become a salmon -
bearing creek, so he was no longer allowed to clean out the ditch. Farmers need help.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. UPDATE FROM PEOPLE FOR LAKE PADDEN RELATED TO WATER QUALITY
AND WATERSHED LAND USE STUDIES AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES IN
COOPERATION WITH THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WHATCOM COUNTY, AND
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY /HUXLEY COLLEGE OF
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (AB2013 -077) (10:22 :00 AM)
Betsy Gross, People for Lake Padden Director, gave a presentation about her
background and organization. She learned that lake data was sporadically collected and
there is no baseline. She began to work with governmental, educational, and private
agencies who are knowledgeable about Lake Padden to study the lake. Data was collected
using the best scientific standards, and the data was shared with Dr. Robin Matthews.
David Roberts, People for Lake Padden, read from the presentation beginning on
Council packet page 20 regarding study results and submitted a handout (on file). Reasons
for studying the lake include algal blooms, an increase of water plants in the lake, and
potential bacterial issues and phosphorous issues. He described studies done on the lake.
They must work with City management on pet waste in and around the dog park and along
Upper Padden Creek. They recommend instituting education programs in neighborhoods
that have a higher rate of phosphorous loading.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of sampling efforts focusing on the lake
instead of surrounding areas, if they could estimate what full build -out would do to the lake,
and whether People for Lake Padden has a plan for educating the residents. He's impressed
that this is a citizen -led effort.
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Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether they know for sure that a lot of
the problem comes from the dog park and whether they discussed an option for
oxygenating and aerating the lake.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of Mr. Roberts' expertise.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of the study sources used to come up with
findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Darcy Jones, Jones Engineers, stated the effort made is impressive. He submitted
and read from a handout (on file).
Roberts stated the historical data are from single samples, one or two samples per
year. They don't truly characterize the overall condition of the lake.
Weimer asked who they are working with at the County. Roberts stated he is
working with Cathy Craver.
Crawford stated address the identified sources of the dog park and golf course and
find out what the City of Bellingham is doing to limit pollutant sources from those areas.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council(g-.o.w hatcom .wa.us
Natural Resources Committee, 2/12/2013, Page 3