HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Resources January 26 1993WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE
January 26, 1993
The meeting was called to order at noon in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest
St., 2nd floor, by Barbara Brenner, Chair.
Also present:
Larry Harris
Ken Henderson
Absent:
Henderson nominated Harris to be the 1993 Chair. Harris accepted the nomination
and he was elected unanimously.
1. ROUND -TABLE DISCUSSION WITH FLOOD CONTROL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE AND STAFF, AND REPORT OF WORK TO DATE.
Topics discussed: Update; compliments to the Advisory Committee members;
introduction of those present; overview of river and flood control section (attached); FEMA
protection plan; frustrations of committee members; State's Final Report from the Select
Committee report; FEMA funding; Army Corp of Engineers programs and funding;
Temporary Management Subcommittee (attached); problems of homes /structures repeatedly
damaged by flooding; role of Council in State's actions; request from Nooksack Tribe to
prioritize the Nooksack River on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) list; Dept.
of Ecology's (DOE) plan to coordinate flood management statewide; relationship between
tribes and County; request for more coordination between Planning and Engineering
Departments and the Flood Control Advisory Committee; information request for how
previous funding has been spent; rule changes under Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) regarding watersheds; change in philosophical approach to flood control; DOE grant
to the County; problems of integration of all entities involved; deadlines for working with
the State Select Committee; pros and cons of Corp of Engineers plan; need for follow -up
studies on work done on river; need to develop a management philosophy for the river;
Edfro Dam; wetland acquisitions; siltation increase caused by diking; potential mitigation
of riverbed buildup; benefits to Advisory Committee of smaller subcommittees; need to
share reports from subcommittees; expectations of Council including prioritizing and
timeframes; subcommittee structure; need to determine permanent funding sources; request
for more coordination with the Planning Dept.; request for minutes of meetings; plans to
meet again.
Persons speaking: Ed Henken, County Engineer; John Matzinger; Henderson;
Brenner; Harris; Art Hyatt; Betty Lou Close; Matt Lagerwey; Doug McKeever; Doug
Dobyns; Larry Williams; Deb Kingsley; Fred Polinder; Ron Bronsema; John O'Leary; Bob
Woods, Budget Analyst.
Others in attendance: Lara Mihelich; Susan Spence.
Brenner was named to be the liason person to the Agriculture Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
ATTEST:
WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Nancy CAn, Assistant Clerk Larry Harris, 6hair
Water Resources Minutes, 1126193, Page 2