HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources May 17 2016WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
May 17, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Carl Weimer, Satpal Sidhu and Todd Donovan
Absent: None
Also Present: Barbara Brenner and Rud Browne
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
(PDR) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR TO APPLY FOR PDR EASEMENT MATCH
FUNDING THROUGH THE WASHINGTON STATE RECREATION
CONSERVATION OFFICE (AB2016 -165)
Karin Beringer, Planning and Development Services Department, referenced and
read from the staff report in the Council packet.
Chris Elder, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file) describing each property. He described the classification of
Soils of Statewide Significance, the purpose of farm conservation plans, and the role of
water rights while considering a property for the purchase of development rights (PDR) or
Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS) funding.
He answered questions about the possibility of receiving matching funds from the
NRCS and other agencies and the criteria formula.
Beringer stated today's request is to authorize staff to apply for matching funds from
the State. The Council is not approving these purchases today.
The councilmembers discussed whether there is an advantage to purchasing only one
development right per application in agricultural zoned land, the value of development
rights on agricultural land versus rural land, parcels that no longer in engage in agriculture
after their development rights have been purchased, the best way the County can preserve
100,000 acres of agricultural land, landowners saving 5,000 gallons per day of water when
eliminating each development right, rural land used for agriculture that isn't included in the
total agricultural land count, considering the details of water availability when determining
value, how the target areas were identified, why some parcels have already received NRCS
funding, and whether an application gets a higher rank if they are near other PDR
properties.
Donovan moved to recommend approval to the full Council. The motion was
seconded.
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Sidhu, and Donovan (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 5/17/2016, Page 2