July 2022 (volume 31, issue 7)

City Leaders and the Community Struggle With Sewage Waste

by Michael Lilliquist and Rick Eggerth The City of Bellingham is on the cusp of major decisions and an enormously expensive public works project that will have repercussions for decades to come. The sewage treatment plant at Post Point has … Continue reading

Little Squalicum Beach Gets a Summer Makeover

by Tyler Brown Walking along the path near Little Squalicum Beach one Monday afternoon in late May, Cherish Flint and Jeremy Jones, 10-year residents of the Birchwood neighborhood, enjoy each other’s company as well as the natural setting. Flint and … Continue reading

May in the Methow Valley

by Joe Meche The Methow River is a tributary of the Columbia River in north central Washington. Its watershed is in mostly pristine habitats and wilderness areas, so a cleaner free-flowing river would be hard to find. With recreation and … Continue reading

To Save Salmon, We Have to Slow Climate Change

by Ed Johnstone No one in the Pacific Northwest is exempt from the impacts of climate change. Rising global temperatures are intensifying floods, droughts and warming waters. Last summer’s heat dome led to temperatures in western Washington as high as … Continue reading

Proposed Chehalis Dam Threatens Treaty Rights

by Ed Johnstone A proposed dam on the Chehalis River is a threat not only to salmon recovery, but also our treaty rights.  It’s a step in the wrong direction as the rest of the region has moved into an … Continue reading

Whatcom County Council

Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at May 10, 2022 Meeting Shall the council: 130. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Franklin Boteler to the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Commission? The commission advises the Parks and Recreation Director on parks, … Continue reading

Port of Bellingham Commission

Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at May 3, 2022 Meeting Shall the commission: 55. Modify and change the lease from M-Kov, Inc. to APT Maine & Charter Services LLC? The owner is remaining the same. At the 6/1/2004 meeting, … Continue reading

Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at May 9, 2022 Meeting Mayor’s Report The mayor appointed Jed Holmes to a partial term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The advisory board provides recommendations on plans and programs designed to enable the parks department … Continue reading

Renewed Focus on Underwater Forests

by Vicki Thomas What Are Underwater Forests? Commonly called kelp forests, they are soaring stands of giant seaweed, often compared to the redwood forests on land. They aren’t plants, but are macroalgae that can grow to up to 2 feet … Continue reading

Tax Levy to Create Climate Action Fund

by Luisa Loi Bellingham Climate Fund on Hold Editor’s Note: This is an update to the Climate Action Fund article printed in the July edition of Whatcom Watch. It reflects action taken by Bellingham’s mayor after the paper went to … Continue reading

Bridging Past, Present and Future

by WPJC Board (see photo) In downtown Bellingham, on Bay Street, resides one of the true gems of the Pacific Northwest. Hidden behind an array of colorful, defiant posters plastered on its high windows, and accessed via an unassuming door … Continue reading

Spring Winds and Rain Delay Summer Crops

by Elisabeth Marshall Can it really be summer? The calendar says the solstice is behind us. Our summer flowers are catching up to their usual size, but threatened to bloom in June while still too small.  They’ve suffered the cold, … 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