HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources June 23 2009WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
June 23, 2009
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:38 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Seth Fleetwood None
Bob Kelly
Also Present:
Sam Crawford
Barbara Brenner
L. Ward Nelson
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE ON THE PUGET SOUND PARTNERSHIP'S ACTION AGENDA FOR
PUGET SOUND, PRESENTED BY NEIL AALAND, WASHINGTON STATE
ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, AND LINDA LYSHALL, PUGET SOUND
PARTNERSHIP (AB2009 -305)
Linda Lyshal, Puget Sound Partnership, submitted and read from a presentation (on
file).
Neil Aaland, Washington State Association of Counties, continued the presentation
beginning with how WSAC has been involved.
The following person spoke:
• Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Discussion included the Salmon Recovery Board and Joint Board of the initiating
governments; the focus and membership of the Ecosystem Coordination Board (ECB);
general information about the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) personnel and funding; how
this effort will be any different from past efforts to clean up Puget Sound; having the tools
for the PSP to make progress, including federal funding; whether they already know what
they need to do to clean up Puget Sound; past success of supporting local efforts; whether
the PSP will provide feedback on how Whatcom County is doing compared to other counties;
the cumulative effect of a growing population on the Puget Sound; whether anyone has the
power to implement what actually needs to happen; being hampered by the bureaucracy
and political system; shifting societal norms toward creating a green economy; enforcement
and holding entities accountable when they receive funding; including a broader group of
stakeholders to achieve true success; potential levels of resistance from business, industry,
and landowners; developing ownership of these concepts by a broader group of people; how
this effort will affect resource industries such as agriculture; whether PSP is willing to
discuss its efforts with the agricultural industry; the purpose of monitoring efforts beyond
things such as fecal coliform and phosphorus; funding required for full implementation of
the action agenda, and whether full implementation will lead to full recovery; the definition
of recovery in 2020 and reversing negative trends; addressing invasive species in the action
agenda; whether tourism negatively affects the salmon industry; Whatcom County
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participation in the Coastal Caucus; efforts in Chesapeake Bay, and; the percent of the
problem that comes from nonpoint activity on roadways and possible retrofit solutions.
OTHER BUSINESS
UPDATE FROM WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS ON POINTS RECYCLING AND
REFUSE (AB2009 -018)
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and update on County
responsibilities regarding garbage; how collection companies are regulated; County
ownership of the transfer station; opportunity for the community to develop an option for
service; the administration's letter to the residents regarding the status of these issues,
and; an upcoming community meeting in Point Roberts with administration.
Discussion included the counties options for curbside collection of garbage
independent from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC); whether
the County can contract with someone to provide the service; letting the residents know
that the County cares about what is happening, even though the WUTC trumps the County's
role; whether Point Roberts can form its own district; determining fees and financial
accountability, and; a full discussion of what type of service the County really wants to see
in Point Roberts.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Trans& iption
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 6/23/2009, Page 2