Cover Story
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
Cover Story
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
Beaks and Bills
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
Being Frank
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
Being Frank
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
Watching Government
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
Watching Government
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
Watching Government
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
Beyond Fossil Fuels
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
Climate
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
Community Service Providers
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
Full Bloom Farm
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
