HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works June 9 20151
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
June 9, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen, Ken Mann
Absent: None
Also Present: Barry Buchanan
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. APPROVAL OF A JOINT REQUEST SUBMITTED BY THE WASHINGTON STATE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA
FE TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE LOOMIS TRAIL ROAD SOUTH OF BLAINE TO
ALLOW FOR ROAD AND RAIL IMPROVEMENTS (AB2015 -190)
This item is withdrawn from the agenda.
2. APPROVAL OF THE 2015 WHATCOM COUNTY INTEGRATED VEGETATION
MANAGEMENT PLAN AND DISCUSSION OF GENEVA CONSULTING'S REPORT
ON NO -SPRAY OR RESTRICTED SPRAY ROADSIDE VEGETATION
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS (AB2015 -187)
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department, gave a staff report.
He referenced the summary on Council packet page 188. It lists the primary
objectives for roadside vegetation maintenance programs. The objectives fall under the
Comprehensive Plan goals for vegetation maintenance, which limit the use of herbicides.
The County has a track record of reducing the amount of herbicides used over time. As
they continue to refine the program, the result will continue into the future. They must
have all tools available for more effective and safer work on the streets and roads.
Laurel Baldwin, Public Works Department, submitted and read from a presentation
on what the no -spray or restricted spray policies are in other counties (on file). Geneva
Consulting did the study, but couldn't attend the meeting today.
Kremen asked about the policies in counties that allow spraying by certain
departments. Baldwin stated some counties have a policy for certain departments, but not
other departments.
Kremen stated he would like to have more detailed information for each county.
Baldwin stated the summaries for each county have more detailed information.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 6/9/2015, Page 1
I Kremen stated the amount the County sprays has declined since 2002. There is a
2 discrepancy between the amount for spraying and the amount for mowing. He would like to
3 know how much it would cost to eliminate spraying.
4
5 Baldwin submitted and read from a presentation on the 2015 Whatcom County
6 Integrated Vegetation Management Plan (on file).
7
8 The following people spoke and answered questions:
9 • Jeff Gollen, Public Works Department
10 • Greg Haubrich, State Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Coordinator
11.
12 The councilmembers discussed annual sign -up of the owner will maintain program;
13 whether noxious weeds are native or nonnative, the difference between the native and non -
14 native noxious weed blackberries, the responsibility of the landowner if there are noxious
15 weeds, and whether landowners open themselves up to enforcement if they request help
16 from the County.
17
18 Baldwin continued and concluded the presentation on the Integrated Vegetation
19 Management Plan and the updated herbicide list (on file).
20
21 The councilmembers discussed the possibility of a program for the community to
22 adopt and maintain a section of a road, optimizing County efforts to manage vegetation for
23 safety and the natural environment, State requirements for treating Class A, B, and C
24 weeds, duties of the State's Noxious Weed Board, the process for considering whether a
25 weed should be included on the State noxious weed list, whether the State Noxious Weed
26 Board determines the classification of each species, whether there are native plant species
27 that can be planted to crowd out the nonnative noxious weeds, and public awareness of
28 noxious weed infestations in Western Washington as opposed to Eastern Washington.
29
30 Lorraine Holcomb spoke about her owner will maintain program. Allow program
31 applicants to mail their applications to the County. Also, herbicides make her sick.
32 Roundup is a carcinogen.
33
34 Stephanie Davis asked that the Council hold approval of the plan to discuss needed
35 changes. There are no conclusions about whether transitioning to a no -spray policy would
36 not work in Whatcom County. A no -spray policy may take more County time and resources,
37 but the health benefits are worth it. Also, plants on the noxious weed list are being sold at
38 local nurseries. Weigh the costs and benefits to public health and water quality. The public
39 should be able to participate in the process.
40
41 The councilmembers discussed the various noxious weeds that are being sold locally
42 and whether the County has authority to prevent the sale of class C noxious weeds.
43
44 Elise Kennedy stated the State is responsible for improving and operating plans to
45 protect the environment. Using Roundup does not preserve the environment.
46
47 Mary Green stated she helped to write the County's vegetation program with a varied
48 group of citizens and County staff. Whatcom County crew training has been upgraded
49 extensively. They are trained, licensed, monitored, audited, and they adhere to label
50 instructions. Her parents owned and operated a forest farm throughout their lives and did
51 not have any problems with herbicides. The City of Ferndale stopped spraying on Malloy
52 Road in 2011, and now the road has weeds growing into the pavement, causing dangerous
53 driving conditions. Herbicides are one of many tools available to Whatcom County.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 6/9/2015, Page 2
1
2 Charles Law stated he is concerned about chemicals in his yard and garden. Pulling
3 weeds by hand or with tools is more difficult and expensive than spraying herbicides, but is
4 safer, especially for children and pets.
5
6 The councilmembers discussed looking at potential new programs, doing a better job
7 of getting information out to people who want to maintain their own property, whether the
8 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report is not yet complete, allowing people to apply
9 for the owner will maintain program by mail and stay on it for longer than a year, and a 90
10 percent reduction in glyphosate use by Whatcom County.
11
12 Mann moved to recommend approval of the integrated vegetation management
13 (IVM) plan to the full Council, with the understanding that the EPA report will come to the
14 Council and the program is brought forward for reconsideration next year.
15
16 Brenner stated staff should also consider making it easier for people to enroll and
17 stay in the owner will maintain program and consider creating a program that allows a
18 neighborhood or community to maintain an area.
19
20 Mann stated that is not a part of his motion. He assumes staff has heard their
21 concerns and will look into it. Hutchings stated they will.
22
23 The motion carried by the following vote:
24 Ayes: Brenner, Kremen, and Mann (3)
25 Nays: None (0)
26
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28 OTHER BUSINESS
30 There was no other business.
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33 ADJOURN
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35 The�.fneeW)g adjourned at 3:08 p.m.
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50 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 6/9/2015, Page 3