HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources April 14 2015WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
April 14, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barry Buchanan, Carl Weimer, Satpal Sidhu
Absent: None
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen and Rud Browne
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION OF THE LAKE WHATCOM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2015-
2019 WORK PLAN (AB2015 -124)
Cathy Craver, Public Works Department, submitted a handout (on file) and stated
this is a precursor discussion to the upcoming Joint Councils and Commission meeting. She
described a recent public comment period, the purpose and components of the 2015 -2019
work plan, comparisons with the 2010 -2014 work plan, and the accomplishments report
from the past work plan.
The Committee discussed receipt of the total maximum daily load (TMDL) detailed
implementation plan (DIP); the cost for commitments to education and engagement; plan
funding sources; verifying lake facts, including the correct size and water volume of Lake
Whatcom and the minimum lake level; performance reporting for work done the past few
years; distributing reports and meeting information before meetings occur; the total pounds
of phosphorus removed from the lake; natural versus manmade lake degradation; naturally
occurring versus manmade contributions of phosphorous in Lake Whatcom, and;
Department of Ecology (DOE) requirements for phosphorus reduction.
The following people answered questions:
• Kirk Christensen, Public Works Department
• Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department
Linda Twitchell, Building Industry Association, stated there is public debate about
whether the work is worthwhile. She asked for the introduction to the work plan to specify
how much phosphorous is coming from non - developed areas, forestry, or other natural
areas. Describe where the phosphorous is coming from. There is conflicting information
about the best natural vegetation to filter phosphorous. Include more information that
shows what they're doing is actually working.
Greg Brown asked if the phosphorous coming into the lake from the diversion is a
different kind of phosphorous.
Natural Resources Committee, 4/14/2015, Page 1
1 OTHER BUSINESS
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3 There was no other business.
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6 ADJOURN
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8 The meeting adjourned at 10:09 a.m.
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22 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Ba chana , Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 4/14/2015, Page 2