Commentary

  Oct/Nov 2016

Executives Could Be Tried for Environmental Destruction

Whatcom Watch

A move by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague signals a landmark shift that could reshape how business is done in developing countries, says Global Witness, a nonpolitical organization that works to resolve human rights abuses … Continue reading →

Comments Off on Executives Could Be Tried for Environmental Destruction

  Oct/Nov 2016

County Ballot Measure

Whatcom Watch

Whatcom County Measure Proposition No. 2016-1 Regular Property Tax Levy for Emergency Medical Services Official Ballot Title The Whatcom County Council passed Ordinance 2016-019 concerning funding for the countywide Emergency Medical Services system. Will Whatcom County be authorized to impose … Continue reading →

Comments Off on County Ballot Measure

  Oct/Nov 2016

Bellingham Ballot Measure

Whatcom Watch

City of Bellingham Measure Proposition No. 2016-1 A Greenways Levy for Greenways, Open Space, Parks, Park Facilities and Trails. Official Ballot Title For the purpose of funding development, acquisition, and maintenance of greenways, open space, parks, park facilities, and trails, … Continue reading →

Comments Off on Bellingham Ballot Measure

  Oct/Nov 2016

Letter From the Standing Rock Protectors

Whatcom Watch

by Karin Kraft and Aleta DeBee Hundreds of tribes from the United States and Canada are gathered along the Cannonball River next to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. They’ve come together to stand as one in opposition … Continue reading →

Comments Off on Letter From the Standing Rock Protectors

  Oct/Nov 2016

Carbon Tax Initiative On November Ballot

Whatcom Watch

by Rheanna Johnston In the last year, Washington tate has been the center of many environmental efforts ­— from the governor’s Clean Power Plan to our county fighting to ban fossil fuel exports. Among these many battles against climate change … Continue reading →

Comments Off on Carbon Tax Initiative On November Ballot

  Oct/Nov 2016

Blanchard Mountain Recreation Area Threatened

Whatcom Watch

Blanchard State Forest is an enormously popular recreation area located south of Bellingham off Chuckanut Drive that is visited by tens of thousands of people every year. Blanchard Mountain features such things as the popular Oyster Dome and bat caves; … Continue reading →

Comments Off on Blanchard Mountain Recreation Area Threatened

  Oct/Nov 2016

Behind the Veil at the Lynden Rally

Whatcom Watch

by Michael Riordan At first, state Senator Doug Ericksen seemed happy to take credit for bringing the Trump rally to Lynden last May (see September 2016 Whatcom Watch, page 1). But that was before the mounting costs of the massive … Continue reading →

Comments Off on Behind the Veil at the Lynden Rally

  Oct/Nov 2016

The Chuckanut Formation in Our Backyard

Whatcom Watch

by Ron Kleinknecht Fifty million years ago, there were giant, 7-foot-tall chickens wading around palm trees in the subtropical swamp that is now Whatcom County. And the remnants of this geology are still present. (1) Those chickens were Diatryma, a … Continue reading →

Comments Off on The Chuckanut Formation in Our Backyard

  Oct/Nov 2016

poetrywatch

Whatcom Watch

“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 Boris … Continue reading →

Comments Off on poetrywatch

  Oct/Nov 2016

State Should Drop Culvert Case Appeal

Whatcom Watch

Lorraine Loomis We are disappointed to learn that the state of Washington will continue its long-standing efforts to deny tribal treaty-reserved fishing rights by once again appealing a federal court ruling requiring the repair of hundreds of fish-blocking culverts under … Continue reading →

Comments Off on State Should Drop Culvert Case Appeal