THE INSIDER
Nov. 1, 2011

Inside this issue:
THIS MONTH’S CALENDAR 
NEW MEMBER 
FROM THE EO’S CORNER 
2012 HOME & GARDEN SHOW 
BIAWC’s ANNUAL WINE GALA & ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS 
PRE-ORDER WINES FOR THE 2011 BIAWC WINE GALA 
ARE YOU ORGANIZING YOUR COMPANY’s HOLIDAY PARTY? 
IT’S NOMINATION TIME FOR BIAWC’s OUTSTANDING MEMBERS 
2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY  
R.O.I.I. QUARTERLY ENROLLMENT IS DUE NOV. 10 
BIAW HEALTH INSURANCE  
REVISED BUILT GREEN® HANDBOOK & CHECKLIST 
CLASSES at BIAWC – get in your request now! 
LAKE WHATCOM WATERSHED – MEETING TONIGHT 
LANDSCAPE INCENTIVE FORUM  
EPA LEAD PAINT ABATEMENT CLASS 
BIAW FALL BOARD MEETINGS – Nov. 9-11 
NEW PHASE I and PHASE II STORMWATER PERMITS  
ECOLOGY PUBLISHES GUIDE TO WATER RIGHTS AVAILABILITY 

THIS MONTH’S BIAWC CALENDAR
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. – GAC Get-Out-the-Vote calls from BIAWC offices.
Thursday, Nov. 3, noon – MRC
Wednesday-Friday Nov. 9-11, Fall State Board of Director’s Meeting - Yakima
Thursday, Nov. 10, 11 a.m. – GAC
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 11:30 a.m.  – Membership Committee
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 5:30 – General Membership Meeting: Annual Wine Gala and Elections
Thursday, Nov. 17, 10:30 a.m. – Executive Committee
Thursday, Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m. – Board of Directors
Monday, Nov. 21, Built Green® Board – 11 a.m. speaker, 11:30 a.m. meeting
Thursday, Nov. 24, Thanksgiving – offices closed Thursday and Friday
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NEW MEMBERS
A warm welcome-back to Rob Schmid of Rob Schmid Building Services!
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FROM THE EO’S CORNER
This October has been one of the prettiest Octobers I can remember in my 30 years here in Whatcom County. And now, all of a sudden, it’s November 1st.  How did that happen?
Over the last few months we’ve become fond of saying "it’s a new day at BIA.”  And it is!
We have new staff and renewed energy here in the office. We’ve got some new faces coming through the door to participate in home show, membership, government affairs, Built Green® and Master Remodelers.
To extend this energy, we need some new blood on the Board of Directors.
An annual event that occurs this month is the election of officers and board members for the coming year.
We have three openings on the Builder side of the Board of Directors and one opening on the Associate side. These are two-year terms starting in January 2012. The Board meets the third Thursday of the month at 11:30 for an hour and a half.  We don’t meet in August. By participating on the Board you will gain an understanding of how decisions within Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham impact your livelihood.  Our goal at the BIAWC is to be the respected voice of the housing industry and we need your input to achieve that status. Step up and help out your organization.  Please contact myself or Charlie Hudson if you are interested.
The BIAWC Mission is to Advance Home-Ownership.  Become part of it!
Two of our most well-attended and fun events of the year are the November and December general membership meetings. The November meeting features the Wine Gala and elections. The December meeting is our once-a-year dress-up dinner function, awards banquet and leadership installation celebration.  Come on down to your clubhouse and mix it up with your peers. We are keeping the cover charge to a minimum for these meetings in an effort to extend as warm a welcome as possible to you, our members.
We’re here working for you! Come on by and let us know how we can help you and your business be more successful.
It’s a new day at BIA!
-- Brian A. Evans
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2012 WHATCOM COUNTY HOME & GARDEN SHOW
We have been reserving booth spaces for the Home & Garden show at a steady clip.  There are a few spaces still available.  Your Events Director, Sharon Kingston, recommends signing up now to ensure a booth is available for your company for this popular show.  Applications available online.
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BIAWC’s ANNUAL WINE GALA & ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS
Wednesday, November 16,  5:30-8:30 pm
Save the Date for the BIAWC’s annual wine gala and election of officers & board members. This is a celebratory night in which to sample wines, have some festive appetizers and spend time with associates and friends and elect your officers.  Cost is $15 per person, which includes appetizers and wine to taste.

This November general membership meeting provides members the opportunity to exercise your membership benefits by voting on the association’s leadership.  Two key things that will occur November 16 will be the 2012 BIAWC board and officer elections and approval of the BIAWC Bylaws. 

RSVP to Sharon Kingston at sharonk@biawc.com or 671-4247.
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PRE-ORDER WINES FOR THE 2011 BIAWC WINE GALA
We will again be providing attendees of the Wine Gala the opportunity to pre-order wines. With the holidays coming, this is a great opportunity to get fantastic wines at great prices ... maybe even get a couple of gifts out of the way.  Listed prices are less than retail and some of the wines are not available in stores except by special order. Wines can also be purchased the night of the event. 
A pre-order form will be posted on the website and emailed to members November 8th.  For more information, please contact Sharon Kingston at sharonk@biawc.com or 671-4247.
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ARE YOU ORGANIZING YOUR COMPANY’s HOLIDAY PARTY?
We still have dates available for our banquet and meeting rooms for the holiday season.  Your BIAWC membership gets you 50% off our non-member rental rates.  Create your memorable event here, at your building.  Contact Sharon Kingston (sharonk@biawc.com) or 671-4247 for available dates and ask about our Holiday Party Promotion.
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IT’S NOMINATION TIME FOR BIAWC’S OUTSTANDING MEMBERS
Each year, BIAWC recognizes members who have dedicated time and energy – in a big way –  to The Building Industry Association of Whatcom County. We ask you, the member, to take a moment to nominate a fellow BIAWC member or yourself for the 2011 BIAWC Awards.
Please fill out the online form for your nomination for the following categories: Builder of the Year | Associate of the Year | Remodeler of the Year | Associate MRC Member of the Year | Most Valuable Political Player of the year | Built Green Builder of the Year | Associate Built Green Member of the Year.
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2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
We have begun the process of verifying membership data for our 2012 Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide.  BIAWC members will receive a combined publication which includes both the Membership Directory and the Buyer’s Guide.  A free-standing Buyer’s Guide displaying company name, phone number and website is provided to consumers seeking a guide to builder & associate services and is distributed at the Whatcom County Home & Garden Show in addition to being mailed to the public seeking referrals.  Both the Membership Directory and Buyer’s Guide are featured on the BIAWC website. 

Watch your email for a verification letter which will ask you to confirm or update your business information.  A standard listing is free to all members and it is important that you verify or update your information to ensure accuracy in the publication of this resource.

BIAWC members also have the opportunity to purchase display advertisements in the Buyer’s Guide through Lynden Print Company.  Mitze Kester will be contacting members for their interest in paid advertising over the next few weeks, or you can reach her at: Mitze Kester, Lynden Print Co, cell: 360-510-6464, mitzekester@msn.com
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R.O.I.I. QUARTERLY ENROLLMENT IS DUE NOV. 10
The BIAW Return on Industrial Insurance (R.O.I.I.) Select program quarterly enrollment is due November 10, 2011 for a January 1, 2012 start date.  Coverage will run January 1,, 2012 through June 30, 2012.
In February of 2012 enrollment will begin for the 2012-2013 plan year with coverage from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. Each plan year is independent, therefore, you will need to re-enroll for the next coverage period. 
If you have any questions or would like to find out if your company would be eligible for quarterly enrollment, please call Lara Hastings at 1-800-228-4229 or email: enroll@biaw.com.  An enrollment application is available here.
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BIAW HEALTH INSURANCE
The BIAW Health Insurance program is a non-profit, multiple employer benefit program created for members of local building associations throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Purchasing  power, excellent benefits and rate stability are the cornerstones of the success of the BIAW Health Insurance program. If you have any questions regarding the BIAW Health Insurance program, please call 1-800-545-7011 ext 6 or receive your free health insurance comparison quote here.
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REVISED BUILT GREEN® HANDBOOK & CHECKLIST
The BIAWC Built Green® program has completed updates of the local Homebuilder Handbook and Checklist.  Contact Linda Twitchell, lindat@biawc.com, if you need a copy, and please throw out all previous versions.  BIAWC offers special thanks to our local sponsors who have made revisions of this handbook possible, Cascade Natural Gas and Puget Sound Energy.

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CLASSES at BIAWC – get in your request now!
Attendance at classes has been slim, given the economy and fact that everyone is busy. Please RSVP to Linda Twitchell lindat@biawc.com or Dave Verret regarding what classes, if any, you and your organization could use next year.  These can be from the BIAW’s online list, or classes we create and teach here (we have a volunteer RE Quickbooks and financial matters). Options include first aid, courses to earn professional certifications, you name it.  Let us know what you want. Thanks!
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LAKE WHATCOM WATERSHED – MEETING TONIGHT (Nov. 1)
The Whatcom County Planning Department has announced two workshops on proposed amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20 addressing stormwater and land use regulations for new development within the Lake Whatcom watershed to comply with the Washington State Department of Ecology's Lake Whatcom Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).   A meeting packet on the proposed regulations is attached. I understand these regulations will be reviewed soon, probably by both the Planning Commission and the County Council.
TUESDAY November 1, 6-8 p.m. at the County Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
WEDNESDAY November 2, 6-8 p.m. at the Bloedel-Donovan Park Gym, 2214 Electric Avenue.
Contact: Cathy Craver (360) 676-6907 or ccraver@co.whatcom.wa.us
To see the packet for these meetings, click here.
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LANDSCAPE INCENTIVE FORUM
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at Sustainable Connections, 1701 Ellis St.
Free. Lunch will be provided.
The city of Bellingham is providing technical and financial assistance to Lake Whatcom Watershed residents within city limits for projects such as reforestation (native planting), rain gardens, infiltration trenches, permeable pavements, sand filters, dry wells, storm water planter boxes, and rainwater harvesting. Financial incentives, paid through a water quality improvement grant from the state Department of Ecology, range from $1,000 to $6,000 depending on project type and size - and take the form of reimbursements for project-related materials, equipment, and labor. The city would like to compile a list of interested and qualified
professionals for distribution to participating homeowners. To learn how the Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP) works and how your business can participate, attend this lunchtime workshop. RSVP to Nick Hartrich, nick@sconnect.org.
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EPA LEAD PAINT ABATEMENT CLASS
Thursday, Nov. 17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Farmhouse Restaurant, Mount Vernon
SICBA is offering an EPA Lead Paint Abatement class in response to a press release stating:
"The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that it has begun administration and enforcement of new rules designed to protect children from lead based paint poisonings. Washington state’s approach to these nationwide rules for lead-safe work practices focuses on training and education… Washington is the 11th state to take over management of the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The new nationwide rule requires that construction and maintenance professionals who perform renovation, repair and painting work in housing, child-care facilities and schools built before 1978 must use "lead-safe work practices.”… If they find someone in violation of a code section, a minimum $500 fine will be issued.”
Click here for the class details and registration form.  This class is limited to 15 students.  Attendees will receive their dual individual certification (EPA nationwide and WA state).  Submission of the Certification paperwork and the filing fee to the state are included in the registration price.  If you are working out-of-state there is an additional form you must submit to EPA for out-of-state certification. For more information, contact Rayna Moe, 360-757-6916 or rayna@sicba.org.
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BIAW FALL BOARD MEETINGS
Nov. 9-11, Yakima Convention Center
To see the flier on this, click here.
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NEW PHASE I and PHASE II STORMWATER PERMITS
The Washington Department of Ecology released, on Oct. 19, new proposed storm water permits for Western and Eastern Washington. Lynden has been identified as a new Phase II area. There will be a 3½ month comment period (until Feb. 3), followed by workshops and hearings. Ecology will issue a final version of the permits in June.   The nearest hearing is planned in Mount Vernon from 10a .m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 17, at the Skagit Transit Station, 105 E. Kincaid St. The new permits will go into effect in 2013, and new requirements will be phased in over the five-year life of the permit, Ecology reports.

The federal Clean Water Act requires these permits in the state’s most populated urban areas, and requires that the permit forms be updated every five years, to gradually increase environmental protections over time with each new update, according to Ecology. According to The Bellingham Herald (AP story, Oct. 20, pA6), another contributing factor is that the state was ordered to consider greener strategies by the state Pollution Control Hearings Board after environmentalists sued.

Find copies of the draft permits, fact sheets and information about upcoming workshops online. Send comments to Ecology by Feb. 3, 2012, to SWPermitComments@ecy.wa.gov or Municipal Permit Comments, WA Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, PO Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696. Direct questions about the Phase I permits to Carrie Graul at carrie.graul@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-7221. Direct questions about Phase II permits to Harriet Beale at harriet.beale@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6457.
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ECOLOGY PUBLISHES GUIDE TO WATER RIGHTS AVAILABILITY
The Washington State Department of Ecology recently published the state's first comprehensive guide to water availability online. These publications map out locations for potential applicants and detail how they may obtain new water in the state's watersheds. The 2011 Legislature directed Ecology to simplify the water rights application process and reduce the time it takes to issue decisions. The guide includes fact sheets on 62 watersheds. Ecology said the fact sheets generally reveal water is a limited resource, and that cheap and abundant water is no longer available in most areas. Ecology's Water Resources Program manages a statewide portfolio of 3,000 permits, 50,000 certificates, 170,000 claims and up to 500,000 permit-exempt wells.
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