HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning May 22 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning and Development Committee
May 22, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Bill Knutzen called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (3:04:29 PM)
Present: Ken Mann, Bill Knutzen and Barbara Brenner.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Carl Weimer, Pete Kremen and Sam Crawford.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON PHOSPHORUS AND ITS IMPACTS TO
THE WATER QUALITY OF LAKE WHATCOM (PRESENTED BY PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS) (AB2012-
177)
Crawford stated there has been discussion of new regulations in the Lake Whatcom
watershed and phosphorus sources.
Cathy Craver, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file).
The following person answered questions:
• Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether phosphorus evaporates into the atmosphere and becomes airborne.
• Whether lake sediment is a source of phosphorus if not deposited there.
• If extra oxygen would prevent or reduce algal blooms.
Knutzen stated they are demonizing industry. Smith Creek and Anderson Creek
have some of the highest levels of phosphorus loading to the lake during storm events. He
asked and there was discussion of how they handle phosphorus in undeveloped areas.
Kremen asked and there was discussion of whether a significant amount of
phosphorus entering the lake is not preventable because it comes from the Nooksack River.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of instructions from the State Department
of Ecology to reduce phosphorus levels.
Planning and Development Committee, 5/22/2012, Page 1
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Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether it's enough to reduce after -
development surface runoff to more natural levels and the amount phosphorus loading
proposed by staff and the Planning Commission.
Mann asked and there was discussion of focusing on the big contributors, such as
runoff from exposed soils and lawn fertilizer instead of small issues such as leaf litter.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of why it's not a scientifically good idea to
have an oxygenator in basin one.
Kremen stated and there was discussion of whether existing urbanization, not
sporadic land disturbance, is the biggest contributor of phosphorus loading in the lake.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of how to determine what percentage of
phosphorus reduction can realistically be measured and achieved.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the Planning Commission
recommendation for limiting phosphorus loading and scheduling a Public Works Committee
discussion about oxygenating the lake.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether the State Department of
Ecology's forested condition threshold is arbitrary.
Kremen stated one -fifth of phosphorus comes from forested areas. He asked and
there was discussion of whether that's considered a natural source.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether they're considering the Middle Fork
diversion a natural source of phosphorus since it's manmade.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of the process for the proposed ordinance.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
FERNDALE CONCERNING PLANNING, ANNEXATION AND DEVELOPMENT
WITHIN THE FERNDALE URBAN GROWTH AREA (AB2012 -178) (4:04 :59 PM)
Brenner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Knutzen and Brenner (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Planning and Development Committee, 5/22/2012, Page 2
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council&o.w hatcom .wa.us
Planning and Development Committee, 5/22/2012, Page 3