HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources March 27 2018WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
March 27, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Tim Ballew and Todc
Absent: Satpal Sidhu
Also Present: Tyler Byrd, Barbara
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Donovan
Brenner, Rud Browne, and Barry Buchanan
1. ANNUAL REPORT FROM WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
(AB2018 -066)
Chris Benedict, Washington State University Extension, submitted and read from a
presentation (on file). A goal with residential low impact development (LID) is to reduce
stormwater impacts from residential landscaping. Sue Blake, Natural Resources Program
manager, leads research on regional coastal community resilience and a green crab citizen
science program. He described the agricultural trade show that happens in Lynden and the
water talks with farmers that focus specifically on water for agriculture. On -farm research
includes the use of raw manure and bio- fertilizers that can be applied in a food safe method.
Other projects look at alternative irrigation management strategies for berry growers and
custom tailored insecticide applications.
Beth Chisholm, WSU Extension, continued the presentation and stated she
coordinates the community horticulture program, which includes the Master Gardner and
Master Compost Recycling programs. Certified volunteers receive ongoing training.
Outreach is provided for science -based information and alternatives to pesticides, soil
conservation, and smart watering practices to protect natural resources. The Master
Gardeners develop their own programs. The Waste Reduction and Education Program
focuses on diverting food that would end up in the trash to food programs and keeping it
out of the landfill.
The presenters answered questions and councilmembers discussed how much food
from Whatcom County ends up in the landfill; composting facilities at homes and multi-
family units; how food plus waste is composted and converted to material for purchase or
use by the State Department of Transportation along roadways; using meal worms on food
waste; and importing fertilizer.
Natural Resources Committee, 3/37/2018, Page 1
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. BRIEFING BY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF OF MINERAL
RESOURCE LANDS COUNTY -WIDE DESIGNATION PROCESS (CONTINUED
FROM MARCH 13) (AB2018 -090)
This item was withdrawn from the agenda and will be scheduled at a later date.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE LAKE WHATCOM STORMWATER UTILITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AB2018 -105)
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, gave a staff report on creating an advisory
committee and holding a general public meeting.
He answered questions and councilmembers discussed giving members of the public
an opportunity to speak at all advisory committee meetings, making sure that the four
general committee members live or are taxpayers in the watershed, whether or not the
Sudden Valley Community Association representative has to represent the Association or
just be a resident member; and the timeline for coming up with a rate schedule and setting
a deadline.
Ba//ew moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ballew and Donovan (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Sidhu (1)
Councilmembers discussed which councilmember could be the nonvoting member of
the advisory committee.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:22 a.m.
ATTEST.. -
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Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATC OUNTY, WASHINGTON
Todd Donovan, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 3/37/2018, Page 2