Cover Story
Quarry Plan Unsettles Neighbors
by Luisa Loi Four years after he moved with his wife and one-year-old daughter into a house nestled in rural Whatcom County, Andrew Clarke fears his pleasant lifestyle is being threatened by a proposal for a 70-acre open pit mine … Continue reading
Cover Story
by Emma Bjornsrud Western Washington University’s Learning, Environment, Action, Discovery (LEAD) program planted a mini forest at the Sehome Arboretum on Earth Day with the help of volunteers from the City of Bellingham, Washington Trails Association and Whatcom Million Trees … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
by Joe Meche The sweet spot at the end of April and the beginning of May is prime time to schedule ambitious and dedicated road trips. With Cindy jetting off to the Greek Islands for 10 days, I decided to … Continue reading
Being Frank
Harvest Management Is Not Enough
by Ed Johnstone Salmon extinction is not an option, but harvest management alone is not going to get us to recovery. In April, the treaty tribes in western Washington and our state co-manager finalized the 2023-24 fishing seasons’ agreement. The … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at April 11, 2023 Meeting Shall the commission: 25. Authorize the use of electronic signatures in lieu of handwritten signatures? RCW 1.89 allows governmental agencies to send and accept electronic records and electronic signatures. … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at April 11, 2023 Meeting Shall the council: 83. Authorize the executive to sign a 9,191 contract with North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization of Mount Vernon and Whatcom County Human Services of … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at April 10, 2023 Meeting Shall the council: 66. Authorize the expenditure of 5,000 for the acquisition of 19.83-acres of watershed property from Rafael and Karrie Soto? It has one potential development unit. (Discussed in Executive Session) Motion … Continue reading
Climate
Articles You Might Have Missed
Around the world people are taking the initiative to mitigate climate change. Here are some good news briefs compiled by the Climate Issue group of the LWV of Bellingham/Whatcom. Two Washington Towns Recognize the Rights of Orcas Gig Harbor, Washington, … Continue reading
Dear Sasquatch
Stay Cooler — and Warmer — With a Heat Pump
Dear Sasquatch, Hotter days are upon us, and, as I sit in my house, I’m wondering what you recommend for air conditioning. And, for that matter, heating! My utility bills last winter were higher than I’ve ever seen them. I … Continue reading
Life Before Flowers
by Fred Rhoades Mushrooms That Specialize in Decomposition Part 1 In a previous Whatcom Watch article (Oct./Nov. 2021), I discussed some mushrooms that perform nutrient gathering services for trees. The mycorrhizal connection. About half the mushrooms, and many of the … Continue reading
Lummi
Proposed Terminal Violates Lummi Nation’s Rights
by Karlie Kinley Lummi Nation says the approval of a new marine container terminal at the Port of Vancouver violates the Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark decision in R v. Desautel, which confirmed Indigenous groups in the United States may … Continue reading
Twelve Additional Acres Added to California Creek Park
In February, the Whatcom Land Trust (the Trust) transferred an additional 12 acres of conservation land to the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) for expansion of the California Creek Estuary Park. This is the third contiguous parcel … Continue reading
