HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources July 21 2015WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
July 21, 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, DISCUSSION WITH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES LONG RANGE
PLANNING STAFF ON THE PROGRESS AND ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES OF THE
WHATCOM COUNTY AGRICULTURE - WATERSHED PILOT PROJECT (AB2015-
220)
Karin Beringer, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted handouts
(on file) and introduced Heather MacKay.
Heather MacKay, FHB Consulting Services, read from a presentation (on file) on the
agricultural- watershed pilot project.
The councilmembers discussed the ongoing monitoring and verification requirements
and additional individual land practices that economically enhance agriculture, such as drip
monitoring, bioenergy, and value -added agriculture.
Larry Helm stated this information should go to the agricultural advisory committee for
a recommendation. He's concerned about prime farmland that is going into the conservation
reserve enhancement program (CREP). None of these programs takes into consideration the
farmers' profits. There are too many infrastructure requirements for farming activities.
MacKay continued the presentation on the implementing tools.
The councilmembers discussed the amount of bureaucracy required of agriculture, the
amount of the pilot project grant from the Department of Commerce and staff time
committed to the project, whether the agricultural community is in favor of the program, and
the next steps.
Paul Schissler stated this is a voluntary program for farmers who want to get paid
additional funding, and the source is from nonlocal grants. It's a way to boost the
agricultural economy. It's not a burden on anyone who doesn't want to participate. Farmers
will want to know the amount they will get paid for, so they must put a dollar value on what
they are giving up.
Natural Resources Committee, 7/21/2015, Page 1
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The councilmembers discussed strategic planning and incentive -based programs,
allowing the farming community to take the lead in creating programs and solutions, how the
Council can remove roadblocks and advocate for change, continuing to fund expensive
programs after grant funding is no longer available, and determining ongoing costs and
whether it's eligible for conservation futures funds.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
Vi A I-
••0 COUNTY �•. •� °
C3Ana ;WClerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
*Bar uchanan, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 7/21/2015, Page 2