HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources August 9 20161
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
August 9, 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, Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE OUTCOMES OF THE COUNTY'S AGRICULTURE -
WATERSHED PROJECT, AS AUTHORIZED BY COUNCIL THROUGH GRANT
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE WA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, FOR A PLANNING -ONLY LAND USE GRANT FOR
WATERSHED PROTECTION AND RESTORATION (AB2016 -244)
Karin Beringer, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report.
Heather MacKey, FHB Consulting Service, submitted and read from a presentation
(on file).
Beringer referenced and read from the staff report beginning on Council packet page
two.
Browne stated he would like to get information on the source of the demand for the
marketplace, where the money is coming from, and how much a farmer will get.
MacKey and Beringer answered questions on who the buyers will be, benefits of the
wetland pilot assessment results, whether this presentation has been given to the farmer
groups, whether the demand must be voluntary, whether it's possible to make the demand
side required, valuing land with water rights versus those without, and whether it's legal to
convert agricultural land.
Henry Bierlink stated the farmers' reactions are that there is a lot of technical detail,
but they support it very much. The farmers initiated this conversation several years ago.
They recognize they must be able to restore habitat and other things without more
regulation. It's all incentive - driven, not regulation- driven, so they support it.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee, 8/9/2016, Page 1
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1. RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE PDR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE RANKING AND
AUTHORIZING WHATCOM COUNTY PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
ADMINISTRATOR AND WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO PROCEED WITH
THE ACQUISITION PROCESS FOR 2016 APPLICATIONS (AB2016 -245)
Karin Beringer, Planning and Development Services Department, introduced the
resolution and staff request and submitted a handout on the balance of the Conservation
Futures fund (on file).
Chris Elder, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file).
Beringer and Elder answered questions on the balance of the conservation futures
fund; the number of program applicants; outreach to landowners; water rights and
availability and their impact on the value of the property, and; the budget amount.
Browne stated he needs more information on the source and quantity of water for
each applicant and the County must consider water availability in each application.
Sidhu moved to recommend approval of the resolution to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Sidhu, and Donovan (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
et- 6 ourned at 11:02 a.m.
ATTEST:13 C0UN Y ��•,i ��
--
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Dane Brown'Davis, Co#i 'c11 Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 8/9/2016, Page 2