HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council June 4 19911 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Regular Meeting
3 June 4, 1991
4
The meeting was called
5
Present
6
Dennis Vander Yacht
7
Donald Hansey
8
Emily Jackson
9
Marge Laidlaw
10
Bob Imhof
11
Mary Vanderpol
to order at 7 p.m. by Chairman Dan Warner.
Absent
None
12 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
13 1. Presentation by Lake Whatcom Watershed Forum members, Bellingham
14 Mayor Tim Douglas and Gordon Scott, County Planning (AB91 -205)
15 Mayor Tim Douglas said the Lake Whatcom Forestry Forum is to meld differing
16 points of view and consider methods of dealing with forestry issues. There were many
17 instances of litigation on issues in the watershed so this group was formed to create an
18 alternative to litigation and get people to the table. Water Districts, property owners, local
19 groups, environmental groups, etc., were invited to share as well and the structure was
20 informal. There were many educational meetings helping the people who attended to
21 understand the issues. The focus was and remains forest practices; the Forum would prefer
22 to see forestry preserved rather than promotion of urban development because if done
23 properly forestry would cause less problems. When applicants wish to harvest, an
24 application must be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Vital issues
25 are road building and concepts of alternatives to clear cutting. The Forum talks very
26 candidly about what is proposed and makes field visits; the information gathered is
27 forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources. No permit has gone to litigation since
28 the Forum began. The Forum has not agreed enough to make a comprehensive plan but
29 it is working on more understanding.
30 Gordon Scott spoke on the following issues: Aesthetics; Noise; Different types of
31 harvesting; Danger to wildlife; Alternatives to clear cutting; Water quality; Flooding;
32 Sediment from roads; Unstable soils; Property rights; Snow slides; Etc. He stated that the
33 Trillium Corporation is considering harvesting about 1,000 acres in the Smith Creek area.
34 Helicopter logging by Neilson Brothers is planned in some areas.
35 Warner asked about the accomplishments of the Forum. Douglas said the applicant
36 usually incorporates suggestions from the Forum, and the Forum forwards their recommen-
37 dation to DNR. It has the final authority but usually pays a lot of attention to the Forum
38 suggestions.
39 Jackson said the conservative approach was used in the South Fork zoning;
40 if this carries through in other planning processes there will be some positive approaches.
41 Sherilyn Wells: She asked if the proposed timber harvest includes the Georgia
42 Pacific land Trillium has just purchased. Scott said it did not.
43 Douglas said the County Planning staff has been very helpful. The City provides
1 through an intern the clerical support to develop minutes, etc.
2 Fred Miller, Friends of Lake Whatcom: The Forum has been useful but he would
3 like to see more concrete results. What kind of stewardship would the Council like to see
4 from the Forum? There have been major cuts in some of the areas that are currently
5 showing much larger sedimentation runoffs. He spoke about the need for sustainable rates
6 of forestry, and enforcement authority. DNR may be keeping to a sustainable rate of forest
7 harvesting overall in all its harvesting areas but it is cutting 100 percent in the watershed.
8 There was discussion among Jackson, Vanderpol, Laidlaw, Vander Yacht and Warner
9 about the number of applications, the possibility of legislation, the future of the watershed
10 and the effect of logging on drinking water.
11 Vanderpol said that once the land is logged the value would be lower; the County
12 could use acquisition procedures to acquire the land, replant the forest and be able to own
13 and control the rate of harvesting the forest forever.
14 Sherilyn Wells: She recommended a report from a professor from Huxley.
15 Warner said he would write to DNR about the information received tonight.
16 2. Discussion on prioritizing water resource project as per meeting of May 7,
17 1991 (AB91 -170)
18 There was discussion among Van Zanten, Blake, James, Vander Yacht, Jackson and
19 Warner with regard to the priority order assignment.
20 Warner said the main thing he noted was the need for potable water; he explained
21 the priority he had developed.
22 Jackson said she agrees with Warner's list but wants industrial separate from
23 agriculture.
24 Laidlaw said staff did not ask for prioritization but asked for policy direction.
25 Dr. James said task one is to decide which of these things need to be deleted from the list
26 and what should be added; task two is to decide on a priority order as there are limited
27 resources available.
28 Laidlaw distributed a large multi- columned grid for helping determine priorities.
29 The Council discussed the chart.
30 Vander Yacht said he did not believe this was the way to go about it; he said staff
31 has the expertise and should set the priorities.
32 Jackson said if we go to industry saying we want a five percent conservation goal on
33 water usage, industry workers would let the Council know if this was feasible.
34 Warner stated this would be discussed on the July 2 meeting.
35 ** CONVENE COUNCIL MEETING **
36 OTHER BUSINESS
37 1. Adopt a motion placing water resource projects in priority order (this may be
38 deferred pending further discussion) (AB91 -170)
39 VANDERPOL MOVED WE TAKE THIS HOME AND MULL IT OVER
40 The motion carried unanimously.
Minutes, 6/4/91, Page 2
1 2. *Receipt of appeal of Hearing Examiner's decision on S.V. 1 -91, filed by Kirk
2 and Sherry Henderson (AB91 -206) (placed on file pending receipt of
3 transcript)
4 3. *Petition for vacation of a portion of 5th Street, filed by Waldorf Association
5 of Whatcom County (AB91 -207)
6 The above items were received by Council.
7 REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
8 Budget Retreat: He suggested the budget retreat be scheduled for Friday, 4:30 -8:30
9 p.m., June 21.
10 Letters from Council: Laidlaw moved the Chairman prepare two letters; one to
11 timber property owners who are participating in the Forestry Forum expressing appreciation
12 for their voluntary efforts regarding forestry practices and the second to the Forestry Forum
13 suggesting some goals for them to consider in their upcoming workshop.
14 Ground- Brealdng Ceremony: The ground- breaking ceremony for the Courthouse
15 addition will be at 10 a.m., June 12 in front of the Courthouse.
16 Interim Water Regulations: Haney said the Water Resources Committee met today
17 and came up with a proposed interim regulation; there is a fourth draft written now.
18 Hansey introduced Bob Woods and said he did the amendments.
19 Heritage Meeting: Jackson said tomorrow night is the Heritage meeting at the Senior
20 Center at 7 p.m.
21 The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
22
23 ATTEST:
24
25 Bar ara Maher, Deputy Clerk-
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
" w, L "
Daniel M. Warner, Chairman
Minutes, 6/4/91, Page 3