Personal Property vs. Social Consciousness

If there's not enough rancor for you watching the arguments on TV about the health care bill, come to the meetings about pollution in Birch Bay.

Last Saturday morning, 11.21, the Whatcom County Planning Department held an open house to explain the Birch Bay Watershed Action Plan, a yearlong study of the causes of pollution affecting the bay.

In addition to the usual attendees of meetings of the Birch Bay Steering Committee who come smiling, there were the strangers with sullen faces. As one woman explained, while looking at a large map of the watershed, “Those of us who live in this area have nothing in common with you folks in Birch Bay.” She was pointing to the basin that drains into Terrell Lake. The lake for fishing and bird hunting was formed by damming Terrell Creek. The spillover flows into the creek and on to Birch Bay.  Apparently this woman doesn't bring visiting relatives to the bay to dig for clams.

Pollution is one sacred subject that unites most everyone who lives within walking distance of the bay. Many folks who live out in the county don't recognize – or don't want to recognize – that water from their properties, fouled by pesticides, animal waste and faulty septic tanks, is a problem. So they're angry about the tax, passed by the County Council last year, to fund BBWARM, the special Birch Bay Watershed Aquatic and Resource District.  They're looking for opportunities to protest, including the recent election where several of the “seven dwarfs” were replaced by insurgents who said they would defend “property rights.”

"The study that was discussed Saturday isn't costing any Whatcom County taxpayer money. It is funded by a Federal EPA grant, perhaps to create a model for how water pollution issues can be handled. Margaret Clancy, a consultant from FSA  Adolfson and Peter Gill of the county planning department, are managers of the study who explained that their objectives are two-fold. One objective is to develop better maps of the watershed, and the other is to help developers with problem areas. One such action is offering “cap and trade” solutions to problems such as impervious surfaces and mitigation of wetlands.

Mention of wetlands caused one irate man to tell how he bought property from the county without disclosure. He said he's been required to spend thousands of dollars on changes to his small lot that he didn't know was wetland. He ranted against the treatment by a county planning department member who, he says, offers only sarcasm.

David Stalheim, director of the planning department, identified himself, and after an exchange that caused some to fear for David's well-being, the two adjourned to another room. David came back without apparent harm; the angry property owner didn't.

Ms. Clancy’s presentation was devoid of any horror stories or emotional appeals. It was left to Bob Hendricks, a Bay Keeper, to rise and explain perils to the bay, which was closed for a period this past summer because of pollution.

Ms. Clancy reiterated the fact-finding nature of the mission, explaining that there would be three more meetings during the winter, spring and summer with recommendations going to the County Council in the fall.

One of the critics said, “We don't need more presentations; you need to come and talk to us.” Ms. Clancy suggested a focus group.

That may be a step in a good direction.

AK