HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources September 15 20091
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
September 15, 2009
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:36 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Carl Weimer, Seth Fleetwood and Bob Kelly.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Laurie Caskey- Schreiber, and Sam Crawford.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE /COMMODITY CREDIT
CORPORATION FOR THE FARM AND RANCH LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM
IN THE AMOUNT OF $592,933 (AB2009 -347)
Fleetwood moved to recommend approval of the request.
Samya Lutz, Planning and Development Services Department, updated the
committee on the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Oversight Committee, explained
the contract, and described the subject properties.
Discussion included why landowners withdraw from the process; whether there is a
downside to the program
Ayes: Weimer, Fleetwood and Kelly (3)
Nays: None (0)
The following people spoke:
• Alison Rand, PDR Oversight Committee, discussed the challenges of bringing
people to the program and finding funding, and; enhancing the PDR program.
• Heather McKay, Farm Friends, discussed options for developing a natural
resources marketplace in Whatcom County.
Discussion included negotiations for water rights with other jurisdictions; Farm
Friends' informal technical group; involving major farmers in the county early on; the
timeline and process for developing a marketplace program, and; tools to implement
agreements resulting from water negotiations.
Natural Resources Committee, 9/15/2009, Page 1
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
2. ORDINANCE PROHIBITING, ON AN INTERIM BASIS, THE ILLEGAL AND
ILLICIT DISCHARGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND NON- STORMWATER
RUN -OFF TO THE COUNTY'S MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
(AB2009 -320C)
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department, submitted a handout (on file) and
discussed the staff's recommendation against expanding the Illicit Discharge Detection and
Elimination (IDDE) ordinance beyond the National Pollutant Detection and Elimination
System (NPDES) boundaries at this time.
Discussion included questions about how the County staff will respond to this
ordinance; associated budget issues and staff resources; a timeframe for expanding this
ordinance to the entire Lake Whatcom watershed; requiring a .5 full -time equivalent (FTE)
employee to expand the program; the authority for this ordinance; an expanded program
creating a higher standard to which people should adhere; doing a cost - benefit analysis of
expanding the program; involving the City of Bellingham and others with information to
provide answers, and; creating a policy of zero tolerance of pollutants, whether or not there
are resources for enforcement.
Kelly moved to recommend that the full Council introduce this item.
Fleetwood moved to amend the ordinance, °V. ...Lake Whatcom Watershed not
covered by the NPDES permit. Should any section...."
The motion to amend carried:
Ayes: Weimer, Fleetwood and Kelly (3)
Nays: None (0)
The motion to recommend approval as amended carried:
Ayes: Weimer, Fleetwood and Kelly (3)
Nays: None (0)
1. UPDATE FROM WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION
REGARDING SALMON RECOVERY EFFORTS IN WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2009-
363)
John Thompson, Public Works Department, submitted and read a presentation and
submitted handouts (on file).
Discussion included Canyon Creek always having massive, cataclysmic events,
despite County actions to prevent them; the reason for allowing cottonwood trees to grow
and provide shade to the Nooksack River; the effects to salmon of people who raft and
inner -tube down the river and; restocking Deer Creek.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Natural Resources Committee, 9/15/2009, Page 2
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:02 a.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�o.w hatcom .wa.us
Natural Resources Committee, 9/15/2009, Page 3