December 2022 (volume 31, issue 12)

Accelerating Solar and Wind Energy in Whatcom County

by Karen Dalenius and Judith Akins Climate change has reached our doorstep: summer droughts, hazardous air quality, Nooksack River floods, coastal storm surges worsened by sea level rise, this year’s wildfire in eastern Whatcom County. We were grateful when rains … Continue reading

South Fork Chinook Recovery Is in Peril

An Interview with Tom Chance, manager of the Lummi Nation Salmon Enhancement Program Updated November, 2022 by Claire Johnston In September, the Whatcom Land Trust received a call from the Lummi Nation’s Salmon Enhancement Program Manager, Tom Chance. He called … Continue reading

Winter Birding

by Joe Meche It goes without saying that the November rains and colder temps heralded a most dramatic shift from fall into early winter. It’s the seasonal transition that you should be used to if you’ve lived in the Pacific … Continue reading

Infrastructure Is More Than Roads and Bridges

by Ed Johnstone Indigenous tribes existed for thousands of years before we heard the word “infrastructure.” In today’s world, infrastructure includes the roads, bridges, ferries and airports that keep society moving. Generations ago, we didn’t have these things—the natural world … Continue reading

Port of Bellingham Commission

Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at September 20, 2022 Meeting Shall the commission: 111. Authorize the executive director to sign a ,684 modified contract with SP Plus Corporation of Chicago for janitorial and parking management at the Bellingham airport? … Continue reading

Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at September 26, 2022 Meeting Mayor’s Report Mayor Fleetwood announced he is lifting the Covid-19 local emergency orders in conjunction with the governor rescinding the state emergency order on 10/31/2022. In-person meetings for boards and commissions will likely … Continue reading

Whatcom County Council

Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at September 27, 2022 Meeting Shall the council: 236. Authorize the executive to award a ,125,000 grant to the Port of Bellingham for construction costs associated with the Bellingham Shipping Terminal Clean Power/Telecom project? … Continue reading

Hundred Acre Wood: New Name, New Life

by Emma Bjornsrud Correction: An error occurred in this article,  The wetlands in the Hundred Acre Wood are not the headwaters of Padden Creek or Chuckanut Creek. The Hundred Acre Wood lies within the Chuckanut Creek watershed and the Padden … Continue reading

South Fork Habitat Restoration

by Whatcom Land Trust Staff Southern resident killer whales, or orcas, are emblematic of the Pacific Northwest, but sadly their population is declining at an alarming rate. Three pods of these whales were listed as endangered in the United States … Continue reading

poetrywatch

“When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — John F. Kennedy Do … Continue reading

Salmon Farms’ Leases Cancelled

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has ended the remaining two finfish net pen aquaculture leases on Washington’s state-owned aquatic lands. DNR officials informed Cooke Aquaculture that the agency will not renew expired leases for the two remaining … Continue reading

What Is Water Worth in Whatcom County?

by Eric Hirst The long-running drought in the southwest has dramatically lowered flows in the Colorado River, and, therefore, the levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation determined that demand for Colorado River water needs … Continue reading