HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources June 7 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
June 7, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (9:34:04 AM)
Present: Carl Weimer, Bill Knutzen and Sam Crawford.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner and Kathy Kershner.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE ON BIRCH BAY WATERSHED AND AQUATIC RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT (BBWARM) DISTRICT - AB2011 -198
Kraig Olason, Public Works Department, submitted handouts (on file) and gave a
staff report and stated the district has been community driven since its inception. They
work with other groups to optimize existing programs and fill in gaps. He described the
Birch Bay area and the history of the district. He submitted and read from a presentation
(on file) and described the Charel Terrace, Hogan Drive, and Cottonwood improvement
projects planned for 2011.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Why there is such a problem with the Cottonwood area.
• How the mats are constructed.
• Whether Trillium will provide input to the problems.
• How much of Birch Bay is on public sewer.
• How projects are prioritized.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• How easy the access is to the Cottonwood project.
• Whether smart sponges to absorb fecal coliform would be a solution.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of his impression with the Cottonwood
project and concern about the other two projects, which are in high property value areas.
Those problems are everywhere along the coast. Those projects are more about
homeowners getting a few drainage problems fixed, rather than about projects with massive
public benefit.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of how the projects are funded.
(10:07:39 AM)
Ingrid Enschede, Public Works Department, continued the presentation on:
• BBWARM education and outreach programs
Natural Resources Committee, 6/7/2011, Page 1
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• Stormwater system maintenance and operations
• Water quality monitoring
• The BBWARM fund
Weimer asked and there was discussion of:
• Mailing informational brochures to the public.
• Whether cost sharing is included in the installation of best management
practices (BMPs) to protect water quality.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of how the low impact development (LID)
practices would work with the inspectional manual.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Private stormwater systems.
• Encouraging residents to take the County's septic system course.
(10:30:42 AM)
Keats Garman, Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District
Board Member, stated the district purpose is for more than just stormwater. It includes
cleaning up the Bay. Strengths of this district include the community response to this
planning effort; collaboration with other organizations; and the two County staff, Mr. Olason
and Ms. Enschede, who work with the District. He described the Charel Terrace project.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether there is anything they can do to make the permitting process
simpler for owners who have erosion.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether the District works with the ReSources Baykeepers.
• Encouraging people to sign up for the Master Gardener course.
Peter Gill, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read from
a presentation (on file) on the Birch Bay Watershed Action Plan.
(10: 46: 07 AM)
Crawford asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether this applies more to developments than single - parcel construction.
• How the plan applies to a single parcel.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• How they should allow reduced or eliminated fees to single family residences.
• Not planning for wider roads.
• The work of the ad hoc group before making any decisions.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of whether they've identified sites for offsite
mitigation.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of:
• How to mitigate a buffer.
• Why everyone who goes to the Planning Department wouldn't deserve a
dedicated point of contact.
Natural Resources Committee, 6/7/2011, Page 2
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2. DISCUSSION OF SURFACE WATER DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS - AB2011-
208
This item was not discussed.
OTHER ITEMS
There were no other items.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:03 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@�omhatcomma.us
Natural Resources Committee, 6/7/2011, Page 3