GA Advocate
Oct 7, 2011, Issue

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• UPCOMING MEETINGS
• CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATIONS
• CAPR FORUM OCT. 15
• BIRCH BAY AD HOC COMMITTEE
• FERNDALE STORMWATER UPDATE
• BIAWC ‘BUILDER’ BOARD POSITIONS
• OCTOBER CLASSES
• IMPACTS OF FEMA FLOODPLAIN MAPPING SEMINAR Feb. 1

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

BELLINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
Monday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m.

WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Tuesday, Oct. 11
• 3 p.m. Planning and Development Committee – also on evening agenda:
AB2011-317 – Resolution to clarify the intent of expired ordinance 2010-67, which was retroactively invalidated by the Growth Management Hearings Board, in part, because the Board felt the ordinance "purports to allow permit extension requests to be filed for up to two years,” until March 1, 2012, despite that the ordinance has lapsed. Page 20, GMHB Final Decision and Order, August 2, 2011. The proposed resolution clarifies that, because the ordinance lapsed on June 19, 2011, no new requests will be accepted.
• 7 p.m. public hearing:
Ordinance amending the Official Whatcom County Zoning Map for approximately 470 acres south of Drayton Harbor Road and north of Lincoln Road, from the designation of Rural 1 unit per 10 acres to Rural 1 unit per 5 acres (AB2011-274).
• Evening action:
Ordinance amending the official Whatcom County Zoning Map in the Birch Bay area from R5A to R10A (AB2011-310).

Next GAC meeting:  11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct 13
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RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES in the NOV. 8th ELECTION
(Those candidates your Board believes best support the BIAWC mission)
Whatcom County Executive: Doug Ericksen
http://www.dougericksen.com/
County Council District 1: Tony Larson
http://getwhatcomworking.com/
County Council District 2: Sam Crawford
http://www.votesamcrawford.com/
County Council District 3: Barbara Brenner
http://www.barbarabrenner.info/
Bellingham Mayor:  Kelli Linville
http://www.linvilleformayor.com/
Bellingham Council Position 3: Barry Buchanan
http://www.barryforbellingham.net/
Whatcom County Sheriff:  Bill Elfo
http://www.sheriffelfo2011.com/

If you want to have an impact, the Board suggests four means of support:
• Provide a contribution to the candidate.
• Put up yard signs
• Write letters to the editor to the Herald (historically the best-read section of the paper)
• And most important of all – VOTE! This is our right and our privilege – don’t waste it.
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CAPR Forum: RETURN ECONOMIC VITALITY AND JOBS TO WHATCOM COUNTY
October 15, 2:30-4:30 pm, Ferndale Events Center
Free admission - doors open 2 p.m. Panel includes John Koster, Doug Erisen, Steve Neugebauer, Perry Eskridge, Dave Warren and Dick Donahue. Topics: SSA Marine, Cherry Point, property rights, heavy industry, CAO/wetlands, citizen call to action. For more information, contact Ron Reimer, 815-5914 or ron532@gmail.com.
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WHATCOM COUNTY – BIRCH BAY AD HOC COMMITTEE
October 25, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Civic Building, Garden level conference room.
Peter Gill is asking for feedback on "a fresh approach to low impact development and critical area protection in the Birch Bay Watershed.”  A draft will be out in mid-October.
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FERNDALE STORMWATER UPDATE
Ferndale is planning to begin a comprehensive stormwater plan update, to include information on two sub-basins: the Grandview annexation area and the boundaries of the Planned Action area around the four quadrants that makeup the Main Street/Axton Way-Interstate 5 area. The work will be done largely by a consultant. The plan was last updated in 2005. For information, consult Janice Marlega, public works director.
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BIAWC ‘BUILDER’ BOARD POSITIONS
The BIAWC Board of Directors is working to fill 5 builder board member positions for 2012.  If you are interested in participating or know someone who would be good for these spots, please send a nomination to Brian Evans at briane@biawc.com. GAC also is looking for a builder member who would be interested in serving as GAC chairman next year; please encourage people to consider this.
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OCTOBER CLASSES
For more, see the BIAWC website.

"Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) Training”
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18-19
To register, click here.

"CESCL Re-Certification”
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 20.
To register, click here.

"Green Building for Building Professionals”
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27-28.
To register, click here.
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IMPACTS OF FEMA FLOODPLAIN MAPPING: REGULATORY CHANGES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND PROPERTY OWNERS seminar
February 1, 2012, at Crowne Plaza Seattle
Presented by The Seminar Group. Co-Chairs are Steve Bleifuhs manager of the River and Floodplain Management Section of King County; Robert Brenner, Environmental Program Manager for the Port of Tacoma; and Molly Lawrence, a partner with GordonDerr LLP. Topics to be covered:
• Floodplain Mapping - Primer & Status
• Levee Certification and Accreditation
• Options for Appealing or Changing Floodplain Maps
• NFIP Biological Opinion - Status and Implementation
• Perspectives on BiOp Implementation
• Relationships with Other State and Local Statutes/Regulations
• National Flood Insurance Program Update
For information see The Seminar Group, 800-574-4852.
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