HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources January 28 2020Whatcom County
Council Natural Resources Committee
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste H105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
9:30 AM
Council Chambers
COUNCILMEMBERS
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Carol Frazey
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Natural Resources Committee Committee Minutes - Final January 28, 2020
Call To Order
Roll Call
Committee Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: 3 - Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas and Carol Frazey
Absent: None
Also present: Rud Browne, Tyler Byrd, Barry Buchanan, and Kathy Kershner
Special Presentation
I. AB2020-058 Update from the Department of Natural Resources on the Baker to Bellingham
Non -Motorized Recreational Plan
Other Business
Tim Stapleton and Chris Hankey, Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
submitted and gave a presentation (on file) about recreation planning on DNR lands,
including the Baker to Bellingham non -motorized recreation plan. They answered
questions about whether they have seen a decrease in off road vehicle (ORV) use on
DNR lands as a result of not allowing it, what the County can do to bring the planning
process for the Bellingham to Baker trail more front and center, what specific sensitive
cultural resources make the trail area incompatible with recreational uses and whether
there is a plan to work around those areas or re-route the trail.
Daniel Probst spoke and answered a question about how much of the trail is still not
developed and where that part it is.
Stapleton and Hankey continued discussing with Councilmembers and answering
questions about whether the Council should reach out to and work with the tribes and
the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the possibility of using Planning and
Development Services Department staff resources to keep the trail work going, and a
request from the presenters for a letter from the Council in support of developing
areas such as those that connect into Lake Whatcom Park to help DNR with securing
grants.
This agenda item was PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED.
There was no other business.
Whatcom County Page I
Council Natural Resources Committee Committee Minutes - Final
Adjournment
The meeting adjotl>gpd at 10:13 a.m.
ATTEST,,',6'�y
CSC a ;
,F
Dana,1 rowr'Ds; C,puhcil Clark
0
Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
WGatcom County Page 2
January 28, 2020
WHAT OM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHA C M COUNTY, WA
r
Todd Donovan, Committee Chair