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Based in part on an article originally published in Seattle Times Opinions on March 10, 2019. Coauthored with Janet Alderton, whose brief bio appears below. Despite overwhelming opposition from British Columbia, Washington [...]
In March 2018, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an executive order that directed state agencies to take “immediate” action to help the critically-endangered Southern Resident orcas and formed a nearly 50-member Southern [...]
If Bellingham Public Schools (hereafter noted as BPS) goes forward with plans to renovate its bus barn and storage facility, it will automatically foreclose on any option this community might [...]
Jason Hickel, anthropologist, author, and fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, has written perhaps the best article I’ve read on the growth imperative and its ecological impact: [...]
Update, Tue, Oct 23 Cliff Mass has posted a second article on why we should vote NO on I-1631. He is getting a lot of push back from liberals but they [...]
State water law is a complicated mess, a piece-by-piece accumulation and accretion of disparate laws since 1917. Worse, these laws confound solutions to the problems we face today in managing an [...]
Years ago, the Greenways Advisory Committee of Bellingham considered buying two lots on Padden Creek adjacent to the Interurban Trail. The thinking at the time ran that there was no [...]
Update, Wed, April 25 noon. The comment time for this development will be restarted next Tuesday, May 1 and continue through Tuesday, May 15. This is according to an email from the planning [...]
UPDATE: The campaign treasurer for Tim Ballew II, who is running as a Democrat against Doug Ericksen for his state Senate seat in the 42nd Legislative District, turned in two [...]
Editor’s Note: Mercury Victims of Whatcom County is an anonymous, loose-knit organization that credits itself with having delivered the final blow that prompted Georgia-Pacific to end its Bellingham operations. [...]
The herons that we enjoy watching all over Bellingham actually all live in one colony of nests in Fairhaven. This is an overview of efforts to protect their colony.
In meeting with Jamie K, Mayor Kelli commits to the city purchasing the land for the heron reserve.
3 comments, most recent 3 weeks agoCity planning - and the developer - abandoned their defense of the illegal permit to build in the critical area by the heron colony.
1 comment, most recent 3 weeks agoThe developer and city have surrendered in their effort to allow building new homes in the Critical Area that protects the Great Blue Heron colony on Bellingham’s waterfront.
2 comments, most recent 3 weeks agoThe ban against the sale and possession of consumer fireworks in Bellingham is more than is apparent.
It is too early to determine the effects of a new code on accessory dwelling units aimed at improving housing affordability. Experience elsewhere says they will not.
2 comments, most recent 2 months agoFragrances cover up odors that should be eliminated by cleaning, not chemicals.
Updated May 21. How each of us can help protect the Great Blue Herons nesting trees from city proposed approval of development in the buffer trees.
4 comments, most recent 2 months agoJamie K clarifies several issues that Gabe Rogel posted about the protective woods buffer to the heron colony.
Bellingham’s Only Great Blue Heron colony Faces Human Threats - Again. Who Wants to Help?
6 comments, most recent 3 months agoGas hit $1.55 a litre in Vancouver this week. The safe prediction is that pump prices will never go down.
11 comments, most recent 1 year agoA good explanation of the amount of water in the Nooksack River on a seasonal basis - and the demands that people and salmon make on that flow. Eric is the expert.
6 comments, most recent 1 year agoEric’s perspective on the state wide new rural water fix legislation, ESSB 6091. Governor Inslee signed it last Friday, and it went into effect immediately.
Washington state Governor Jay Inslee signed bipartisan legislation today that resolves the rural water permits for homeowner uses.
6 comments, most recent 1 year agoIrrigation, the use of huge field sprinklers, is the big user of unpermitted water in our county. Not family households. Eric presents a solution.
10 comments, most recent 1 year agoFossil-fuel loving climate-change deniers—including Doug Ericksen—who have taken over the federal government are seriously endangering our nation and planet.
6 comments, most recent 1 year agoCNN interviews Darell Hillaire of the Lummi Nation about the Salmon Emergency, Rosalinda Guillen about the Detention Center hunger strike and Satpal Sidhu about the Arch of Healing
The Trump regime has turned its back on science and reason, endangering democracy in America.
The author of “The Mushroom Hunters” takes on the Pacific Northwest’s signature environmental issue.
1 comment, most recent 2 years agoBelingham School District is installing Crumb Rubber artificial turf fields for high school football and soccer. Made with old car tires. They appear to cause cancer in kids.
5 comments, most recent 2 years agoRental inspections in Bellingham performed by private inspection services should be audited immediately.
4 comments, most recent 2 years agoSulfurous gases released from crude-oil tankers anchored south of Bellingham appear to be a fairly common summer occurrence.
2 comments, most recent 2 years agoThe President’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement flies directly in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence for human-caused climate change. It calls into question his ability to lead this great nation.
2 comments, most recent 2 years agoStartling change in British Columbia government today, Monday, may lead to the cancelling pipeline and no increase in oil tankers in the San Juan Islands
6 comments, most recent 2 years agoRural Whatcom County farmers use a lot of water for irrigating their fields. How much is used? Eric Hirst tells us what is known and not known.
10 comments, most recent 2 years ago84% of the respondents to the 2017 Bellingham Residential Survey are homeowners. What?
2 comments, most recent 4 months agoThe state supreme court ‘Hirst Decision’ has a lot of false information swirling in our county. Eric Hirst takes on seven myths and tries to clarify the issues.
5 comments, most recent 2 years agoOur rural Whatcom County residents are being denied the right to have water for new homes, and this in a county that has no idea how much water it has, but has a lot.
22 comments, most recent 2 years agoSearch warrant for facebook messages on the North Dakota Access Oil Pipeline has been withdrawn in face of ACLU court challenge
At least Doug Ericksen showed up, but he didn’t say anything to reassure a largely hostile audience at Saturday’s town hall meeting.
5 comments, most recent 2 years agoWhatcom County has plenty of water in winter, when people need it least. But in summer, when demand for water is at its peak, it is often in short supply.
2 comments, most recent 2 years agoMichael Riordan guest writes about state senators Doug Ericksen and Don Benton being appointed by President Trump to bring his changes to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
5 comments, most recent 2 years agoStoney Bird explains the Community Rights movement and notes a documentary movie about this showing in March in Anacortes and Bellingham
4 comments, most recent 2 years agoTrump supporter: America must fight back against China
3 comments, most recent 2 years agoRental inspections are providing a window into the condition of rentals and the view is outrageous.
3 comments, most recent 2 years agoEric Hirst writes an overview of seasonal water use in Whatcom County - and supports his views with a well researched report that he also wrote.
7 comments, most recent 2 years agoA brief primer on the options for handling sewage sludge, and how B’ham has chosen the worst, from a planetary perspective.
6 comments, most recent 2 years agoA counter to Hirst’s position. An insightful overview of the current situation with Whatcom County’s exempt water wells and the unfair building moratorium the council has put on rural property owners.
3 comments, most recent 2 years agoA brief essay, an homage, to people of the country. Country People.
2 comments, most recent 2 years agoA rainy autumn is worsening the Swift Creek landslide, and a long-term fix seems nowhere in sight.
While the push is for ever greater economic acceleration, deceleration is the counter-intuitive solution for the future.
Eric Hirst responds to Elisabeth Britt’s article about the legal and physical issues of our rural Whatcom County water wells for homes, farms and businesses.
3 comments, most recent 2 years agoThe state DOE has prepared an interactive map that allows rural property owners to check on water resources for their property.
3 comments, most recent 2 years agoA counter to the Eric Hirst inspired decision of the county council to clamp a total moratorium on drilling new water wells in Whatcom County - and thus a home building ban.
1 comment, most recent 2 years agoInitiative 732 may be the most important issue on our ballot. The pro and anti campaigns were instructive - until the last minute anti ad blitz. Time to call out the anti folks.
The city has given an extremely short notice for comments on a substantial logging operation for 110 acres of Samish Hill. The city has known about this project since May.
4 comments, most recent 2 years agoToday the Washington Supreme Court ruled Whatcom County Comp plan does not protect water resources, providing a victory for local environmentalist litigants Hirst, Brakke, Harris & Stalheim.
6 comments, most recent 2 years agoUpdated on Monday. An elaborate tripod was erected over the railroad tracks on the bridge over Chuckanut Bay and protesters sat in a sling. 11 hour train stoppage.
3 comments, most recent 2 years agoThe Greenways Advisory Committee meets this evening and may reverse their May decision to purchase the heron colony buffer woods.
10 comments, most recent 3 years agoBellingham’s only heron colony needs forested buffer - and the land owner is willing to sell. Greenways has voted to buy it, but our city council must act.
5 comments, most recent 3 years agoThe planned concrete walkway from Boulevard Park to the Cornwall landfill, using millions in Greenway funds, has been abandoned by Bellingham. We again thank the Lummi.
11 comments, most recent 3 years agoJay Taber, a strong environmentalist for decades, guest writes a harsh critique of the 350 org anti-fossil fuel demonstrations at the Anacortes oil refineries last weekend.
2 comments, most recent 3 years agoThe March Point protestors this weekend will hopefully show serious concern and not disturb the heron colony near the refineries.
2 comments, most recent 3 years agoThe Seattle office of the Army Corps of Engineers has formally denied a permit for building a coal terminal at Cherry Point in Whatcom County. Updated at 4pm.
4 comments, most recent 3 years agoLiquid natural gas terminal is rumored to be in planning stages for Cherry Point as the Oregon proposed LNG plan is abandoned.
6 comments, most recent 3 years agoAt Clayton Beach, we have tracked increasing erosion under railroad tracks and written to the railroads and federal inspectors. To no avail.
2 comments, most recent 3 years agoWork on EIS put on hold as coal companies wait for Army Corps of Engineers decision. Well, it was not in March. This is not an April 1 gag.
3 comments, most recent 3 years agoActivist contests $10,000 fine for climbing on a Shell oil vessel. Rob Lewis guest writes this report.
Updated 4:30pm. Helena, Montana newspaper says GPT may be denied this week by Army Corps of Engineers. US Rep Zinke panics and accuses Army of politics.
4 comments, most recent 3 years agoThe third annual deArmond dinner celebrated the work of Sandy Robson and Neah Monteiro.
2 comments, most recent 3 years agoWhat almost happened on the coast of Maine could happen here at Cherry Point. Portland, Maine, stopped oil exports - and Whatcom County can also. If we act.
Chiara D’Angelo comes across as emotionally intelligent and uncompromising in her high-stakes Coast Guard hearing.
1 comment, most recent 3 years agoThe Coast Guard has levied $30,000 in fines on two Bellingham climate activists. They will fight to have the fines dropped.
16 comments, most recent 3 years agoThey are less famous than the eagles on the Skagit but closer to Bellingham, fewer people and still lots of eagles. A great January afternoon outing.
1 comment, most recent 3 years agoShell Polar Pioneer floating oil drill rig left the Pacific Northwest for Norway today. Nice holiday gift for all of us.
2 comments, most recent 3 years agoStatement by Whatcom Family Farmers on “Eric Hirst and his water ideas” and Hirst’s Reply
1 comment, most recent 3 years agoWhatcom group plans meeting workshop to submit comments to Washington Dept of Ecology against Skagit/Bakken oil trains.
6 comments, most recent 3 years agoPadden Creek daylighting project strays far from city promises to homeowner that his property would remain intact.
4 comments, most recent 3 years agoEric Hirst provides us all with a well researched report on Whatcom County water issues - rights, Lake Whatcom, ground water and more.
10 comments, most recent 4 years agoThe fight to keep Point Roberts from becoming a Radio Tower Farm is not over.
3 comments, most recent 4 years agoLois Garlick has died. For many decades, she and George served as environmental stewards and leaders in preserving wildlife and nature.
2 comments, most recent 4 years agoYoung Chiara spent 3 nights hanging from the anchor chain of Shell Oil’s Arctic Challenger as a protest to arctic oil drilling.
Updated | Ski to Sea race does not need to race through sensitive Chuckanut Community Forest Park for special mountain bike leg. City did not renege.
10 comments, most recent 4 years agoAdd your thoughts and remembrances. Robyn du Pre` was a stalwart and true environmental advocate for Bellingham and Whatcom County. She died this week.
9 comments, most recent 4 years agoDuuhhh! Try doing without it. Marian Beddill provides an overview of our rural Whatcom County water situation and the efforts to find fair solutions.
3 comments, most recent 4 years agoOne part of the environmental study for the proposed Cherry Point mega coal terminal has been completed and released. It deals with ship collisions - they call it “vessel traffic.”
2 comments, most recent 4 years agoUpdate Oct 22: John Lesow has posted a comment with considerable more information on this issue.
1 comment, most recent 4 years agoSandy Robson guest writes of the need for real prosperity at Cherry Point, not a destructive short term coal port that destroys the fishing grounds.
5 comments, most recent 4 years agoGuest writer Sandy Robson breaks the story of officials from Washington treated to a coal-promoting junket to Wyoming.
2 comments, most recent 5 years agoWyoming Senators and coal honchos were in Whatcom County June 10 - to hold a news conference with select reporters.
7 comments, most recent 5 years agoA Venn diagram where coal, the Endangered Species Act, Republicans, and Wyoming’s Board of Education collide.
2 comments, most recent 5 years agoA perspective by guest writer Ellen Murphy reflects on the Whatcom Watch and the threatened law suit by Craig Cole.
22 comments, most recent 5 years agoWyoming is ready to try and legally force us to limit our environmental scoping for the Cherry Point coal terminal
4 comments, most recent 5 years agoBellingham’s annual water quality report indicates that city hall’s propoganda machine is going strong
1 comment, most recent 5 years agoPart 1: Introduction to the Bellingham Basin’s Potential for Fracking, Earthquakes, and Earthquakes Due to Fracking
3 comments, most recent 5 years agoWhy Washington must step in and assume lead agency status in Skagit County for the Shell crude by rail proposal.
6 comments, most recent 5 years agoA closer look at Whatcom County’s industrial “stewards of the environment.”
4 comments, most recent 4 years agoThe public needs to support city council and request that a waterfront habitat assessment include terrestrial species and habitat connectivity.
or How Not to Plan for Future Generations’ Water Needs
12 comments, most recent 5 years agoWhy commenting on the EIS for Comp Plan revisions for Cherry Point means demanding an EIS in the first place.
5 comments, most recent 5 years ago
