HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources June 3 1997WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
June 3, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 11 a.m. by Committee Chair Marlene Dawson in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Tom Brown None
Kathy Sutter
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION BY STEVE HOOD OF THE NOOKSACK
RECOVERY TEAM ON HABITAT ENHANCEMENT (AB97 -181A)
Dawson noted this item is the result of a resolution brought forward by Bob Andersen,
land use consultant, regarding mitigation banking and the development of a record keeping
process. This resolution brought several concerns, and it was held in committee. She then
turned the meeting over to Steve Hood.
Steve Hood, Nooksack Recovery Team, noted the goal is the coordination of habitat
restoration; one of this year =s goals is to collect all available information on the members=
effects on habitat restoration. He stressed the importance of keeping mitigation and restoration
separate, as many of the completed projects have been funded with public money, which is not
allowed for mitigation. Discussion followed on mitigation.
Sutter explained the ordinance on mitigation banking deals only with record keeping- -
recording and tracking - -on an information data base.
Brown stated the goal of all this is to obtain a record of proceedings rather than just a
frame only. Hood pointed out the data on the completed projects is available, as it is all public
information.
Topics discussed included: costs involved; County requirements; available information
locations; one central location for all available information; knowing who is doing /has done
what; and work other than that done in the grant work considered Aextra work -.
Christy (unable to hear last name) inquired about the location of the information center.
Sutter replied that the County is the whole County not just a watershed or a stream corridor.
Hood requested clarification on why the County wants to take on this record keeping
Natural Resources Minutes, 5/20/97, Page 1
responsibility. Brown replied he wanted to see one location for all data; he wanted to know the
work was at least being done. Dawson was concerned about public monies and stated people
like to be able to evaluate monies expended. Sutter wondered how comprehensive the data is.
Dawson pointed out the need for coordinated information between entities for an overall picture.
Sue Blake, Planning and Development Services, stated one issue of concern was
Geographic Information System (GIS) staff time and resources. She inquired if only publicly -
funded projects or if privately - funded projects were included in the habitat enhancement
program. She also wanted to know how many projects this entailed and what the expectations
were in compiling the information on the GIS. Discussion followed on a process of compiling
information.
Hood asked why not refer an information seeker to a state agency to obtain certain
information; Dawson responded that the County is the entity handling mitigation. Sutter noted
there are various efforts taking place that also need to be recorded and monitored.
Also discussed was the elimination of any fee for the public seeking such information.
Blake spoke to the difficulty of the tracking system if the public would ignore this entire process.
There is a definite need for public education on this subject. Blake thought this was a good
concept and the County was the appropriate agency.
Sutter--s opinion was that since the cost factor was unknown because the extent of the
jobline was also unknown, no one knows the extent of the habitat restoration and enhancement
activities.
Skip Richards had a few questions regarding this item. Topics discussed included: the
scope of this project;
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at approximately
Jill Nixon, Recording Secretary
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Minutes, 5/20/97, Page 2
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk Marlene Dawson, Council Member
Natural Resources Minutes, 5/20/97, Page 3