From Pacific Legal Foundation     (See editorial note below, re Ninth District*)

Washington, DC; June 28, 2011:  When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asserts control over private property, claiming it is “wetlands,” does the owner have the right to meaningful judicial review?  This is the question in Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a property-rights case accepted today by the United States Supreme Court.

“The decision to take the case and review an anti-property rights ruling by the Ninth Circuit should be encouraging for all property owners, all across the country,” said Damien Schiff, senior staff attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation...."

The Sacketts were blindsided several years ago when EPA suddenly told them that it considers their small parcel in a residentially zoned neighborhood at Priest Lake to be “wetlands,” and that the federal government — not the Sacketts — controls the property.   The Sacketts sought court review of EPA’s determination.  But the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that they must first apply for a wetlands development permit — a long and probably fruitless process, the cost of which ($200,000 or more) would exceed the value of their property!

“With this case, the Supreme Court confronts important issues for property rights and due process...”   more... 

*Editorial note:   Whatcom County is within the same overall jurisdiction as the original Idaho case that was rejected by the Ninth District Court of Appeals.   Another major case testing the proper limits of federal environmental regulation was heard by the Supreme Court in April - you can read about that here.

From CNSNews.com

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told the House Small Business Committee Wednesday [June 22, 2011] that the Obama administration believes taxes on small business must increase so the administration does not have to "shrink the overall size of government programs."

The admnistration's plan to raise the tax rate on small businesses is part of its plan to raise taxes on Americans who make more than $250,000 per year -- including businesses that file taxes the same way individuals and families do."  (more)

WE focus on local issues, but this item was too important to ignore.   With big government's profound new interest in local affairs, the intentions of tax-happy limousine lizards in Washington D.C. will be reported from time to time.

Small businesses in Whatcom County should also brace for the federal government’s new “Patient Protection Affordable Care Act” regulations, that are profoundly unfriendly to “mom & pop” businesses.  A quiet IRS Small Business advisory released on April 15 (a "tax-day" gift) explains that insurance coverage on family members employed by a business will not be eligible for "tax credit" calculations.   Editorial note:  the "Affordable Care Act" (ACA) - that's what's known as Obamacare.

Also, from "The Blaze"

On June 9, 2011, President Obama signed his 86th Executive Order, and almost nobody noticed.

(For the record, Obama is on par to match President Bush’s 291 orders executed during his two terms in office. The National Archives defines an Executive Order this way; Executive orders are official documents, numbered consecutively, through which the President of the United States manages the operations of the Federal Government.)

President Obama’s E.O. 13575 is designed to begin taking control over almost all aspects of the lives of 16% of the American people. Why didn’t we notice it?  Weinergate.  In the middle of the Anthony Weiner scandal, as the press and most of the American people were distracted, President Obama created something called “The White House Rural Council” (WHRC).   (more)

WE encourage citizens to take a very hard look at this presidential order that was given without transparency or debate.  Be alert to what will surely follow in the form of directives to apex councils and local planners.  This White House blog illustrates how the executive branch has planned a coordinated federal strategy for implementing sustainable communites, beyond "laws" as we know them.

Do we need yet another layer of federal bureaucracy directing the people in every endeavor - down to the local level -- led by a new agency in Washington D.C.?   "Land of the free" appears to be an outdated concept to those seeking the integration of local living economies into a greater global vision.   The Canada Free Press also posted a summary and comments (here).

This is likely tied to the "nation building at home" theme that the President spoke to in his speech June 22, 2011 (YouTube, go to about minute 11).   The "limits of American power" abroad pales next to the growing power of government at home.    What say you?

From Yes! Magazine:

Bellingham, Washington is the nation's leader in community green power. It was named the number one small city in urban process toward sustainability, and is home to a thriving network of businesses, consumers, and government programs that make creating a "local living economy" a city priority. (more...)

Still not sure what's wrong with this picture?   Here's a hint...  Another name for the "thriving network of businesses, consumers and government programs" is crony capitalism, shadow government, Agenda 21 mandates.

 Voluntary conservation is one thing. Mandatory environmental extremism is quite another. 

From The Bellingham Herald:

As electric vehicles become more popular, Whatcom County cities along Interstate 5 are coming up with rules on where the charging stations can be installed.

With Bellingham between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., "we feel somewhat of a regional obligation" to usher in charging stations, said Ryan Nelson, resource conservation management specialist at Bellingham Public Works.

Blaine has already approved changes to its code outlining what type of charging stations can go where. Ferndale leaders will consider changes for their city Monday, June 20.   (Read more...)

Now, the question that WE need to ask is, "where's the demand?"  WE don't see very many electric vehicles on the road, so why is government in such a hurry to "usher in" these facilities?  When gas powered vehicles first came on the scene, private enterprise stepped up to put gas stations along highways, and individual motorists had to make sure they brought the necessary fuel for the long stretches between refueling stops. If there's a demand, the necessary service stations will pop up as needed.  Of course there's always the risk that one might end up at a location not sanctioned by one of our self-appointed control freaks, but WE digress.

Another question you might want to ask your local control freak is why they're so all-fired anxious to get people to switch to coal-fired vehicles.  That's right, much of the electricity in this country is generated from coal fired power plants -- and that's not likely to change rapidly without politically unfeasible social upheaval.  So switching to electric vehicles isn't going to do much, if anything, to reduce our CO2 footprint*.  And batteries are really nasty for the environment.  WE're sure American ingenuity and know-how could do much better if the government would just step aside and stop micro-managing us. 

*premise not accepted that reducing it would have any measurable effect on anything, but used here for the sake of argument.

At one hour and 34 minutes, this video is rather long, but it covers the major elements of Agenda 21 and ICLEI in detail.   Rosa Koire is a committed "liberal Democrat" see Democrats Against Agenda 21, and a planning professional who explains the imminent danger to everyone's liberty through U.N. global governance initiatives.  At one point she says, "This may sound like a conspiracy theory, but it's a conspiracy fact!"  Indeed it is.

Welcome to the Whatcom Excavator WE Journal. Check the WE Journal frequently for the latest news items of local interest regarding your property rights and your freedom.