HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources February 23 2016I WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Natural Resources Committee
3
4 February 23, 2016
5
6 CALL TO ORDER
7
8 Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the Council
9 Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
10
11
12 ROLL CALL
13
14 Present: Todd Donovan, Satpal Sidhu, and Carl Weimer
15 Absent: None
16 Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, and Rud Browne
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19 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
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21 3. BRIEFING FROM PUBLIC WORKS ON FLOOD DAMAGE AT RUTSATZ ROAD
22 (AB2016 -104)
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24 Paula Harris, Public Works Department, submitted a presentation (on file) and
25 described the location and planned work to install riprap and build a road in a cutback area
26 of the riverbank. This work will stabilize the bank and deflect the river from the unstable
27 bank. The cost will be in the range of $600,000 to $800,000. They will use money from
28 the emergency flood fund, and will ask for a supplemental budget request to replenish the
29 road.
30
31 Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, stated they will be working on this
32 in the next couple of weeks. The Executive signed an emergency proclamation to get this
33 work done as soon as possible.
34
35 Harris answered questions about the construction contract, permits, how long the
36 project will last, proximity to Highway 9, whether the State will help fund the project to
37 protect the State highway, and this emergency being caused by other work upstream by
38 others.
39
40 1. BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 11,
41 ENVIRONMENT, AND APPENDIX G, WATER RESOURCES PROGRAM AND
42 SALMON RECOVERY PROGRAM (AB2016 -047K)
43
44 Cliff Strong, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read a
45 presentation (on file). Strong answered questions about whether the Planning Unit or Joint
46 Board reviewed the chapter, defining lahar zones, removing development rights from lahar
47 zones, the overlap of the flood zone and lahar zone, the accuracy of lahar inundation maps,
48 the frequency of tsunamis, the level of detail that goes into the Comprehensive Plan versus
49 the County's regulations, and language required by the Growth Management Hearings
50 Board.
51
52 Weimer stated councilmembers can send proposed amendments to Council Policy
53 Analyst Forrest Longman.
Natural Resources Committee, 2/23/2016, Page 1
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2. PRESENTATION OF THE DRAFT LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND LAKE WHATCOM
PARK RECREATIONAL TRAIL PLAN (AB2016 -091)
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, introduced the
presentation and described the planning process. The primary focus is trail -based
recreation.
Rod Lamb, Parks and Recreation Department, submitted and read from a
presentation (on file). He answered questions about whether people have commented on
the draft plan as it's presented, connecting to Department of Natural Resources (DNR) trails
in the South Fork Valley, conflicting language about discouraging people from driving in the
Lake Whatcom watershed and encouraging people to go to parks in the watershed, whether
it's wise to make big parking lots in the watershed, bus service to trailheads, washroom
facilities, allowing food truck concessions along trails, the timing of public comments and
different versions of the draft plan, determining the phases of trail development, how many
miles of forest roads that have been decommissioned, submitting the plan to the Forestry
Advisory Committee, fire hazards, focusing on Galbraith Mountain, the Trail Town model for
trail development, the costs of the trail development phases, creating a list of benefits of
the trail system, connectivity with Galbreath and other mountain trail systems, the
environmental assessment, the next steps in the approval process, and submitting specific
changes to the plan to Mr. Lamb.
Seth Fleetwood stated create access and connection to the end of the Ken Hertz trail
by using eminent domain. Also, consider recreating the Smith Creek basin trails.
Fred Miller stated minimize water quality problems by slowing development as long
as possible. There is a big landslide risk. He is opposed to creating equestrian trails in the
Lake Whatcom watershed. Consider the DNR road plan. Don't develop bigger parking lots.
Don't create backcountry campsites. Don't create new problems.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
`,ThQ [neeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
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Da ,a Br6%rO . • .S, *tW, l it Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 2/23/2016, Page 2