HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources March 16 20101
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
March 16, 2010
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 L. Ward Nelson.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Ken Mann and Kathy Kershner.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. PRESENTATION OF THE ENERGY RESOURCE SCARCITY /PEAK OIL TASK
FORCE REPORT (AB2010 -098)
Jim McCabe, Energy Resource Scarcity /Peak Oil Task Force Member, submitted and
read from a presentation (on file). The U.S. imports about three - quarters of the oil it uses.
Even with improving technologies, they still are unable to keep up with the rising demands.
A fluctuating price inhibits companies from doing more exploration and developing new
resources. Even though there may be new oil in the ground, it may not be developed
because of the current recession. Natural gas will peak in 15 or 20 years. Coal will peak
further on.
The following person answered questions:
• Tom Anderson, Energy Resource Scarcity /Peak Oil Task Force Member
Discussion included what other cities, the State, and the federal government are
doing to plan; whether local emergency planning agencies have incorporated this report into
their planning; how much U.S. oil the U.S. is not allowed to get to in areas like Alaska and
offshore; the State's impact to the refineries from an additional tax; the small cities' interest
in forming a group to discuss what to do internally; U.S. risk from geo- political events; the
report's negative tone; how much of the county's 66% of fossil fuel use is natural gas; the
use of hydropower; continuing discussion with the Task Force; next steps for the County
Council; the value of smaller agricultural acreage; task force membership and consensus;
the range of opinion on when peak oil has or will occur; engaging in forward planning to
develop alternative energy sources to address more energy use in the future, rather than
engaging in backward planning to reduce fuel consumption; creating a more positive,
hopeful message; reduced fuel use due to a response from a market - driven society to
higher prices, not government planning; zero population growth; peak population estimates
in the 1970's, and; how to continue the task force.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
Natural Resources Committee, 3/16/2010, Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING RENTAL OF PROPERTY OWNED BY THE WHATCOM
COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT (AB2010 -125) (COUNCIL ACTING
AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS)
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, gave a staff report. They are going forward
with a mandated process to lease this property to a citizen.
Discussion included where the lease money would go; the appropriate legal process,
and; potential use of the property.
Nelson moved to recommend going forward with the lease process.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Knutzen and Nelson (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED CHANGES TO US ARMY CORP OF
ENGINEERS LEVEE VEGETATION POLICIES (AB2010 -126)
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, gave a staff report. This is just a report for
information.
Discussion included whether it helps to write letters of support; the driver for this
change; different levee conditions in the Midwest, and; how they can appeal this decision.
Nelson moved to recommend that the Board of Supervisors draft a letter of
opposing changing policies and send it to the Army Corps of Engineers by the end of April.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Knutzen and Nelson (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:46 a.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
51
52
53
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�omhatcomma.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 3/16/2010, Page 2