Cover Story
State Proposes Adding “Motorized Trail Systems” in Whatcom County
by Amy Mower News Update: As of 2/27/18, the Whatcom County Council voted 7 – 0 to remove from the 2018 Planning Commission Docket the DNR suggested amendment to the Commercial Forestry zone. That suggested amendment would have permitted ORV … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival
Blaine/Birch Bay/Semiahmoo, March 16-18 The Wings Over Water birding festival celebrates its 16th anniversary this year and, if the popularity of recent festivals continues, it could become a permanent fixture for Whatcom County birders of every level. The festival originated … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
by Joe Meche From my own experience, I have a select list of places I’ve been where the birding was, and hopefully still is, spectacular. The short list ranges from the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) on Sanibel Island … Continue reading
Being Frank
by Lorraine Loomis In a hasty move to “fix” the Hirst ruling, the State Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee are writing a bad check on our limited water supply at the cost of salmon, future generations and holders of senior … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at January 16, 2018 Meeting Shall the council: 1. Fill the at-large (B) position vacancy on the County Council? The postion became vacant when Todd Donovan was elected in November 2017 to the District … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at January 2, 2018 Meeting Shall the commission: 1. Appoint officers for 2018? Ken Bell as president; Bobby Briscoe as vice president and Michael Shepard as secretary. (7211/Action Item 1) Approved 3-0 2. Establish … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at January 8, 2018 Meeting Shall the council: 1. Authorize the mayor to sign a 0,000 settlement agreement with Curtis A. Parrott for alleged excessive force? On 2/11/2015, Mr. Parrot was arrested by two Bellingham police officers for … Continue reading
Agriculture
A Paradigm Shift From Industrial Agriculture to Diversified Agroecological Systems
Lead Author: Emile A. Frison The following excepts were obtained from a report by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food).The complete 96 page report can be acquired at www.ipes-food.org/images/Reports/UniformityToDiversity_FullReport.pdf. Key Messages • Today’s food and farming systems … Continue reading
Conservation District Election
Whatcom Conservation District Election
An election for one seat on the Whatcom Conservation District board will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Ballots must be postmarked on or before March 13, 2018, to be counted. Registered voters have the option of voting at … Continue reading
Fossil Fuels
Another Disappointing Year For King Coal
by Clark Williams-Derry This article is reprinted with permission from Sightline. A few silver linings, but mostly dark clouds for the coal industry. Despite the Trump administration’s promise of a coal industry rebound, data from the US Energy Information Administration show … Continue reading
Letter to the Editor
Athletes Honor an Ideal America
When we go to a movie, we pay for a performance rather than purchase the actors. Similarly, when we go to concerts, we do not control the musicians or the music. Regarding athletes, is there any difference? Even if they … Continue reading
poetrywatch
Do You Enjoy poetrywatch? Want to see it continue? Then please, send your poems to us and let the Whatcom Watch share them with our readership! Seriously, we really do want your roughly 25-line poems (though length is by no … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
Forestry-Related Landslides and Their Impact on Neighbors
by John DiGregoria On November 18, 1996, a landslide originating in a 164-acre clearcut moved swiftly down Hubbard Creek, Oregon, into a residential house killing four people. Unfortunately, this tragedy need not have happened. It could have been prevented when … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
Whatcom Watch Has Joined with Northwest Citizen on the Internet
by Ken Russell Have you ever regretted recycling the Whatcom Watch prematurley because of an article you wanted to reread or share with someone? Never again! Whatcom Watch has gone digital and joined with Northwest Citizen (www.nwcitizen.com) to provide up-to-date … Continue reading
Watch Out!!
Guns and Liberty, Guns and Fear
by Bob Schober Another mass shooting, more calls for something to be done. Politicians pause for prayer, Republicans and red-state Democrats squirm with generalities, and Trump picks his way carefully through the National Rifle Association policy thicket, hoping not to … Continue reading
Whatcom: Chronic & Acute
Realities of End-of-life Issues Confronted
by Robert A. Duke Healthcare Providers and Public in Landmark Meeting on End-of-Life Issues “Rumors and Realities” was an apt title for the Jan. 17, 2018, standing-room-only public meeting about dying in Whatcom County. Community rumors were rife that PeaceHealth’s … Continue reading
