HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources April 14 20091 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Natural Resources Committee
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4 April 14, 2009
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6 Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:37 a.m. in the Council
7 Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
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9 Present: Absent:
10 Seth Fleetwood None
11 Bob Kelly
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13 Also Present:
14 Sam Crawford
15 Barbara Brenner
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18 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
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20 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TO ADD SECTION
21 20.04.075 TO ADDRESS BOUNDARY MAPS FOR THE REGULATED
22 WATERSHEDS OF WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2009 -163)
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24 Cathy Craver, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report.
25 These boundaries are just guides. Property owners can further define the inclusion of their
26 particular property in the watershed.
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28 The following people spoke:
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30 . David Stalheim, Planning and Development Services Department Director,
31 stated staff can do a field assessment and site investigation on certain sites,
32 according to the unified fee schedule.
33 a Wes Kentch, 6870 Enterprise Road, stated he is within 500 feet of the
34 Drayton Harbor watershed boundary. Define the lines by science, which is a
35 hydrologist report. Don't put the burden of proof on the property owner. Use
36 the best available science, which is the LIDAR maps. The amendment doesn't
37 say exactly how often the County will update the maps. His property drains
38 to the Nooksack River. They aren't really using best science. Being in the
39 watershed requires regulations that he has to comply with as a farmer. He
40 shouldn't have to comply with the critical areas ordinance because his land
41 doesn't drain to Drayton Harbor.
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43 Discussion included how this ordinance is an improvement over the information in
44 the Code now; whether staff is available to go to individual properties to determine
45 watershed boundaries when there is an application; initial assessments by the County
46 watershed team; whether a development could occur if the County doesn't know if an area
47 is in the watershed; the cost of a topographic survey; staff making determinations instead
48 of consultants; County plans to use LIDAR maps, and; how often the maps will be updated.
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50 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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52 Motion carried 3 -0.
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Natural Resources Committee, 4/14/2009, Page 1
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2. ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE 98 -075, AMENDMENTS TO THE FLOOD
CONTROL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (AB2009 -161)
Rebecca Craven, Council Policy Analyst, gave a staff report.
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 3 -0.
3. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RULES GOVERNING MEMBERSHIP,
VACANCIES, AND MEETINGS OF THE FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND RECODIFYING THEM FROM WHATCOM COUNTY
CODE 2.92 TO WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 100, FLOOD CONTROL ZONE
DISTRICT (AB2009 -186)
Rebecca Craven, Council Policy Analyst, gave a staff report and described the
proposed changes.
The following person spoke:
• Dan Gibson, Prosecutor's Office, stated clarify the intent to include one
member representing the Nooksack Tribe and second member to represent
the Lummi Nation. The intent is to have one representative from each tribe,
for a total of two Tribal members.
Discussion included appointments to the alternate list; the appointment process;
membership of the Lummi Tribe and Nooksack Tribe;
Fleetwood moved to amend 100.02.030(C) °Two members, o8ne member
representing each of the two federally- recognized Indian Tribes, after consideration of...."
Motion to amend carried 3 -0.
(Clerk's Note: end of tape one, side A.)
Brenner stated delete "whenever possible" in section 100.02.030(D). They want a
broad stakeholder interest. They don't have that language for any other board or
committee.
Kelly moved to recommend approving the resolution as amended to the Flood
Control Zone District Board of Supervisors.
Weimer moved to amend WCC 100.02.040(B), "...represent special districts, the
cities; the ex officio member...."
Motion to amend carried 3 -0.
(Clerk's Note: Kelly left the meeting at 10 :30 a.m.)
There was discussion regarding removing language at the end of WCC
100.02.030(D), "whenever possible" and the term of length exception in WCC 100.02.080.
Natural Resources Committee, 4/14/2009, Page 2
1 Weimer moved to delete the fifth paragraph in WCC 100.02.080, "if a pesitien has-
2 Fengained vaeant feF FneFe then 90 days ...
3 ehapteF„
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5 Motion carried 2 -0 with Kelly absent.
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7 Motion to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors as amended
8 carried 2 -0 with Kelly absent.
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11 OTHER BUSINESS
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13 Rebecca Craven, Council Policy Analyst, stated the interlocal between the district and
14 the County will come forward soon.
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17 ADJOURN
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19 Thmeeting adjourned at 10:34 a.m.
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23 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
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32 )anA. - a � buno-1 Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 4/14/2009, Page 3
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