By all accounts County Council is poised to rubber-stamp its approval for another major rural park of doubtful need and undefined expense without facing the general public.  A lot of people were promised a bona fide official hearing on the South Fork Regional Park "Conceptual Plan," but that's not happening.   Thumb through AB2012-101 for a moment.    "Should Clerk schedule a hearing?" is clearly marked   ( X ) NO.

As for so many park projects, funding for this 603 acre haven is being presented in a way that makes cost-benefit analysis impossible.   WE see that the estimated cost of improvements will be $1,200,000 to 1,600,000, but the February 16 memo says, "This is a conceptual plan in which development will be contingent upon funding availability from a variety of sources over an unknown period of time."

Times are tough and the public coffers are far from full, and that will continue for some time.   Just last Thursday Jack Louws pleaded with the Planning Commission to move major comprehensive plan revisions along to free-up State funding for essential services.   Yet, he signed this.   And once again Michael McFarlane (Whatcom County's park czar) continues to play "funding futures" with no specificity whatsoever.   The county's money gambits have run afoul like this for years.   Departments frame elaborate projects as grant-bait then start passing the tin cup in earnest, with declarations of "well defined public need" firmly in hand.   Despite fairly sound criticism from residents, outside special interests and NGO klingons (like the Land Trust, near the head of the line) may finally defeat the common sense of the people.

This county is about two-thirds national forest, and yet it's accumulated 6,500+ acres of park property.   WE question why this 603 acre extravagznza should be approved with who-knows-what else in Parks' pipe:  trails galore, the Hansen Farm suddenly being snooped-out way out on Mt. Baker Highway, and with (heaven forbid) the "reconveyance" mess still looming.  Is the public's money "no object" at all?  Apparently it's not, if Parks has its way.   What an empire this department's become, with an appetite to expand despite rational cutbacks everywhere else.

And - what about the honest public hearing promised to this community that has fought so hard and long with merely practical and sincere concerns?   It's a raw deal.   Very raw.   Hope lots of folks attend County Council tonight anyway - Tuesday, 7 PM at the county courthouse in Bellingham.   Here's the story in the Herald - and what a syrupy, one-sided piece of P.R. it is :

The Bellngham Herald
Ralph Schwartz, Feb, 27, 2012

Long-delayed park near Acme on verge of approval

ACME - A 603-acre park along the south fork of the Nooksack River is likely to be approved by the Whatcom County Council at a meeting Tuesday, Feb. 28, according to a group that wants better access to the area for horseback riding.

The park proposal comes before the council Tuesday at the prompting of the Whatcom chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington.

"We think it's time to proceed and make it come to fruition," President Bill McKenna said.

The plan for the South Fork Regional Park has been in limbo for two years. What would be the largest Whatcom County park was approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission in November 2009, but the plan didn't get the support of the council's Natural Resources Committee in January 2010, in part due to concerns raised by an Acme community preservation group.

Despite opposition from the South Fork Heritage Association, McKenna believes the park plan will pass. He said his group has been counting votes among council members.

"We know there's opposition. We don't expect anything to be unanimous, but we expect this time around they'll probably do something in the affirmative," McKenna said.
(more)

There is a vacant position on the Whatcom Farm Conservation District Board.  February 29 is the last day to request a mail-in ballot. Ballots must be received or postmarked by March 13, 2012.

There are two candidates running for this position.  

• Jayne Uerling is a strong liberal whom WE believe supports all of the progressive farm interests.  She spoke out against the Concrete Nor’West rights to continue gravel mining interests in the south county.  The Whatcom County Council voted to deny Concrete a rezone that would have allowed them their rights to apply for new permits for their gravel mining in the future.  
  

• Larry Helm who is a strong conservative who owns a small farm/ranch near Squalicum Lake. Larry raises beef cattle.   Larry is “interested in getting government to consider economic impacts as a  priority when adding fees or environmental regulations to agricultural requirements.”   People who know Larry well believe that he is passionate about all of the issues and attacks that are being made against our local farmers. 
  

Please take a few minutes and follow the following instructions in order just to receive a ballot.  Ballot requests must be in by 4:00 pm Next Wednesday!

There are two ways for you to cast your vote: 

1. Vote in-person in the  Whatcom Conservation District's conference room at 6975 Hannegan Road, Lynden, WA.  
   
2.  Vote by mail.  Your ballot request must be received by February 29, 2012 at 4:00 pm in order to vote this way.  
   

Ballots must be returned or postmarked by election date to be counted.  Please follow the link to request a ballot.

There are three ways to request your mail-in ballot:

1. By phone - call 354-2035 x 3.
   
2. In person - come to the office, 6975 Hannegan Rd, Lynden, WA  98264 and request a mail-in ballot
   
3. At the Whatcom Conservation District website - Use the ballot request link.  This is our preferred method to ask for a mail-in ballot.      It is more efficient and is more accurate.
   

You will need to make a new  request for a mail-in ballot even if you received one last year since the Whatcom Conservation District is not allowed to keep lists from year to year.

Identifying real 'wetland' is a very exacting process, and bona fide determinations can only be made by qualified, licensed professionals.   WE have received information that a number of erroneous 'wetland' determinations have been made by unlicensed persons, and now a petition drive is underway to demand that the Washington State Geology Board enforce the law for the protection of citizens.   This says:

The Independent Campaign for Protection
From Unlicensed Geological Practice

Why This Is Important

The Geology Board has turned a blind eye to the unlicensed practice of geology, hydrogeology, and engineering geology.  We, the undersigned, believe that one of the most persistent violators of the geology licensing laws (RCW 18.220) has been the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology).  Ecology personnel assume titles such as "Hydrogeologist" despite having no license.  In addition, Ecology wetland scientists regularly and openly practice hydrogeology and geomorphology without a license.  Unlicensed Ecology staff  have even rejected the geological reports of licensed professionals, harming the public welfare and interfering with the right of licensed professionals to practice in their lawful profession.  Despite complaints filed with the Board of Geology, the Board has not enforced against such activities, and in fact, the Board has published specific policies outlining their official stance of non-enforcement. In so doing, the Board has aided and abetted the unlicensed practice of geology.  We, the undersigned, demand that the Geology Licensing Board revoke its policies of non-enforcement. We insist that the Geology Licensing Board fulfill its statutory authority to protect the welfare of Washington citizens by vigorous enforcement against unlicensed practice.  We call on the Board to enforce, and if the Board refuses, we call on the Legislature and the Governor to consolidate the Board of Geology with the Board of Engineering (as has been done in California), or to do away with the Board of Geology altogether, as it is better to be without a Board than to live with the illusion of an effective Board; a Board that exists in name only, with an unfulfilled promise of protection.

LINK TO THE PETITION site to learn more.

ALERT-ALERT-ALERT!    In an outrageous exhibition of the federal government's growing intrusion into local affairs, like some medieval Sheriff of Nottingham Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is descending (with next-to-no notice) into Anacortes on Saturday - accompanied by one of the King's Most Loyale Courtiers Senator Maria Cantwell for a "town hall."

A town hall?   A federal cabinet secretary is conducting a town hall "on [the] future of San Juan Islands"?   And this will be in Anacortes (on the mainland) when islanders have to travel by ferry - that's sensitive.  (NOT)   And with 48 hours notice - sensitive?  (NOT)   See Salazar's press notice at the bottom of this post, read the whole thing.

WE ask:   How dare they?   This is the federal role?   To manage local affairs?

Our own elected invited this, encouraged this.   Whatcom County council wrote a resolution supporting the idea of more federal management in the area just last September.   WE knew the feds wanted to expand their grip on the region when WE reported on the Chuckanut Rocks and Lummi Island federal re-designations as part of this same program.

Alarm bells are now ringing through the San Juans, as they should.   Beware, be wary, and spread the word.   Attend, speak your mind if you want to hold on to any local identity and control.    Those we've elected seem to get a thrill up their leg mixing with the big guys; some will do anything for the almighty federal buck.    This "Great America Initiative" will supposedly protect yet promote "back country wildlands."   Most input has been provided upstream from pushy outside power-players referred to as "other interested parties," like the Sierra Club, Conservation Northwest, and the heavily funded land-bankers with a big stake in overseeing "development," "growth,"  and what passes for "critical areas."   They don't seem to give much of a fig about how this affects residents' lives.   They'll make big policy, you'll be forced to abide by their decrees, as in dayes of olde.  Every string attached to this big net of "protection" is intended to tie us down tighter, denying individual liberty and our most simple, basic natural right to self-determination.   Is this serious?   Oh, yes.

From San Juan CAPR
February 16, 2012

TO ALL PROPERTY RIGHTS SUPPORTERS,

On short notice an announcement has been made that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Sen. Maria Cantwell will hold a "town meeting" to talk about the future of the San Juan Islands on Saturday. Please see the messages.

The original plan was to turn the San Juan’s into a Nat’l. Monument but they are instead now looking at a National Conservation Area (NCA) designation (note that they describe the islands as “back country” below!).  NCA’s are administered by the Bureau of Land Management and special conservation rules apply to public lands within the NCA.  However, this is a back door land grab as the surrounding properties are compelled to follow the same rules!  By any other name, this is theft of private property.

If you can, please be in Anacortes on Saturday to loudly voice your opposition.  Also alert friends and acquaintances and especially those who live on the Islands who might not get the word.

Jeff Wright
Secretary
Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights

See the Salazar notices (here) (and here).  Want to lodge a complaint?   You might be able to reach this fella, or at least melt his phone line:

Nahal Hamidi
Special Assistant
Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs
Office of the Secretary
Department of the Interior
202.208.7262

While you're at it, why not share your opinion about this with Senator Cantwell
 (click here)

Sustainability skeptics are being characterized as nitwits and tin-foil hat conspiracy theorists.  Well, here it is, in the sustainability crowd’s own words:

Coal-Free Bellingham - The Initiative Launch – January 26, 2012 , Squalicum Boathouse, Zuanich Park, Bellingham, Washington

Read through their "why" page here.

How much of this philosophy do you want our government to impose on us in the form of fines, expensive permits, loss of liberty and land use, and ultimately, loss of prosperity and quality of life? Because, make no mistake: they intend to persuade government to do just that, and our government is all too willing to oblige. 

Environmental conservation is one important aspect of quality of life, but it isn’t the only one. Sensible priorities strike a balance between scorched earth exploitation and extreme environmental protection that would roll back 200 years of actual progress.

Preying on issue-crazed NIMBY's , sharks from CELDF (Citizens Environmental Legal Defense Fund) have rolled their Trojan Horse into Bellingham to kick off a communitarian "rights of nature" initiative.

This piece of work, the "Bellingham Community Bill of Rights" sounds like it’s about America and apple pie at first, then it launches into a tirade about the evils of coal.   Buried near the end this proceeds to grant inalienable rights for ecosystems and natural communities, and places those above the individual rights of humans.

A reasonable person might say that something like this could never be enacted.   But we're talking about Bellingham where one loony law has been passed after another, setting precedent like the recent bag ban.    Watch out, Whatcom!

WE could see this coming.    Sharks form schools, and CELDF's aptly named "Democracy School" was reported by the Excavator soon after launch.   According to very recent stories in the Herald and Cascadia Weekly there's local support.   Even the national Daily Kos seems to think this has legs, given Bellingham’s reputation.

Surf the web and you'll find that Rick Dubrow, Stoney Bird and Transition Whatcom have been over the moon for more than a year for Thomas Linzey Esquire, who's hit on one tiny town and township after another sowing these wild seeds.  Funded by moneybag heiress Theresa Heinz Kerry (yup, wife of Senator John Kerry) CELDF has been at this game for at least ten years.  It's created quite a stir around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and it recently made an entry into Seattle feeding ambrosia to the deep green set.

It's widely known that Linzey visited Bellingham last fall to personally tutor former Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike plus a handful of like leaning city councilmen, and even one member of county council.   "Democracy School" teaches the Queen Mother of conspiracy theories, claiming that our fledgling nation was corrupted by secretive aristocrats (those founding fokkers?) who hijacked the people to enslave us with the Constitution and deny the people communal bliss.   To this day the underclass has been systematically cheated by an evil empire known as the "corporatocracy."

CELDF’s professed goal is “to eliminate corporate rights" and the "personhood" of businesses.   The method would impose the will of communities (majorities) upon businesses and individuals, however a community sees fit.   Of course this seems entirely outrageous, but state AG's have failed to pull the plug on these in other states.

Could such a thing pass in Bellingham?   WE wonder, "What says the city attorney?"   The papers have been mighty quiet since the big “launch” was described at the Herald blog on January 26th.

As remote as this may seem, who knows what will happen?   This is one crazy town.   Definitely take time to watch the kickoff videos.

You know we’ve got a long list of control obsessed friends here in Whatcom County, like ReSources “Baykeeper,” those city-livin’ “Farm Friends,” east county’s “Kendall Watch” with a busy-body blight squad, and our positively unhinged self-appointed planning police who are devoted to stopping as much rural land use as possible with boots firmly planted on County Council's neck.

WE all love this place or we wouldn’t be here, and the vast majority of citizens take pride in the stewardship of their homes and property.   There has got to be a limit to this brand of "friendship" that's become a mortal threat to simple liberty.   Don’t miss this article and video  about the plight of an organic farmer in San Juan County who’s in trouble deep, thanks to Friends of the San Juans:

FREEDOM FOUNDATION
February 8, 2012 

Orcas Island, WA—Donors of the “Friends” of the San Juans are contributing—at least partially—to a powerful special interest group that pits neighbors against neighbors in the San Juan Islands. It sounds frighteningly like the secret police—where people were coerced into turning on their neighbors for some radical ideological purpose—but that’s exactly what is happening on Orcas Island.

Charles Dalton, a small organic farmer on Orcas Island has recently felt the effects that the powerful “friends” have. Stephanie Buffum has filed multiple complaints against Charles Dalton for what the “friends” say is construction and building “near a wetland or a stream”. But the “friends” don’t bother to do any real investigation or find out the truth of the matter, instead, they spy on neighbors, take photos, and file complaints. Charles Dalton has hired a professional Hydrogeologist and Engineering Geologist that says there are no streams or wetlands on his property—it is merely agricultural drainage ditches.

The “friends”, however, don’t let the real facts get in thier way. They use their “expertise” to help people file complaints against their neighbors, even if the complaints are untruthful. Charles Dalton said, “The head of the Friends of the San Juans name is Stephanie Buffum and she’s come to my property and she’s taken photos over and over and reported over 50 times to the county ... some of them are outright untruths.”

The “friends” response letter states that, “Since 1979, Friends has been providing science, education, law and citizen action to preserve the land, water, sea and livability of the San Juans.” and “A majority of Friends staff time is devoted to science, research, restoration programs, education, land use policy and planning.”

Now the “friends” can add “neighborhood spy” and “professional harassers” to the list of their qualifications.

Charles Dalton would like everyone to know that, “The friends have been very unfriendly to me.”

Bill Whittle lays it out about as clearly as possible.

   Thanks to Rage Against The Kakistocracy, and Sondrakistan.