Citizen Journalist • Member since Jul 23, 2015
Eric Hirst has a Ph.D. in engineering from Stanford University, spent 30 years as an energy policy analyst at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and retired to Bellingham 18 years ago. He is a local environmental activist.
Jim Davenport recently wrote an excellent piece on the just-started adjudication of water rights in the Nooksack River Basin. He emphasizes the importance of seeking “constructive, broad public and water-user [...]
It feels weird to write about water scarcity during this very wet, rainy season. However, streamflows throughout the Nooksack River basin are very low during the summer, when fish most [...]
How can we best resolve long-standing water-resource issues in the Nooksack River Basin? These problems–primarily too little water in the river and streams during the summer months–have been [...]
"Hi David, Thanks for your insightful comments. I agree that unpermitted water use in the agricultural sector is a big problem, perhaps 40% of total irrigation water use in Whatcom County. [...]
"John, Congratulations on turning 77 and deciding to begin a well deserved retirement. Although I often disagree with the stories and/or comments published in NW Citizen, I very much [...]
"Elisabeth, thanks for your helpful comments on my article. We likely both believe that salmon are doing poorly because of many factors, some involving ocean conditions and others involving their [...]
"I agree with Greg’s comments. As he notes, we have allocated more water for human, out-of-stream uses than is actually available. Therefore, salmon, other fish and the environment in [...]
"I agree"that it is impossible to make definitive statements about who is or is not using water illegally, until we have accurate data.” But there are no plans, at [...]
The top 20% of commercial banks in the United States control 95% of our total banking assets. Remember “Too-Big-to-Fail”?
3 comments, most recent 2 weeks agoThe City has created another useless document ensuring nothing changes and mediocre communication services are protected.
13 comments, most recent 2 weeks agoWhy a vote for Jason Call for Congress is a good vote for conservatives, liberals, Democrats and Republicans. Yes, an unusual idea.
Heaven forbid our reps should attack the main problem, Medicare Advantage, head on. But no. They must nibble around the edges to give the appearance of doing something.
1 comment, most recent 2 months agoMorally significant double binds force doctors and combat soldiers into identical life and death quandaries, damaging their moral centers. To these two groups we can also add law enforcement officers.
4 comments, most recent 3 months agoIt is time to stop the “Real Steal” from Medicare.
3 comments, most recent 3 months agoEric Hirst gives us a brief and clear explanation of the water adjudication process that is beginning now in Whatcom County
3 comments, most recent 2 months agoAggressive citizen involvement carried the day.
5 comments, most recent 3 months agoBuild-for-profit, incarceration-inspired housing is destroying our souls.
11 comments, most recent 3 weeks agoThe last of the scrap metal is loaded on the ship and it will be gone from our town.
1 comment, most recent 4 months agoA 54-photo tour of the ruptured pipe area of the Whatcom Creek explosion taken in July 1999.
1 comment, most recent 4 months agoBelow is an audio tape of 911 calls, emergency responders’ radio communications, and local radio coverage from June 10, 1999 when Whatcom Creek exploded in Bellingham
2 comments, most recent 4 months agoWhatcom County’s confusing water rights will be defined by court proceedings beginning now
1 comment, most recent 3 months agoIf not killed-in-action, they are still dying from the effects of their service in Vietnam.
7 comments, most recent 4 months agoThe foam of secrecy hides all.
Local presentations scheduled on a reasonable use framework for water resource management
Broadband-Washing: Greenwashing the Internet
6 comments, most recent 6 months agoPacific Northwest organizers join a global campaign to abolish all nukes and push for a city council resolution to start
4 comments, most recent 5 months agoIf the hospitals are smelling a rat, so should Medicare (Dis)Advantage victims (AKA enrollees).
2 comments, most recent 4 months agoWith such a bank in place, we would likely not be scrambling around and asking Congress for rebuild monies, as we are now with the catastrophic event involving the Francis Scott Key bridge on March 26, 2024.
Port of Bellingham commissioners terminate last 13 years of ABC Recycling lease
5 comments, most recent 6 months agoNo public fiber means we can’t compete with big telecom. EVER.
4 comments, most recent 6 months agoCrappier coverage for us, even more money for insurance companies.
3 comments, most recent 7 months agoWho benefits? Palestinians are being slaughtered. Genocide. Gaza is being leveled.
6 comments, most recent 6 months agoThe Port Commission has decreed that Bellingham’s waterfront will remain a toxic, festering sore
6 comments, most recent 9 months agoWe needed a hook, and we think we found it.
13 comments, most recent 8 months ago"Sweet Jesus,” shrieked the thralls of the Sehomus Republic,as ABC the Yochlowitz,successor to GorgoPacificus the Destroyer,...
3 comments, most recent 10 months agoPeoples Bank proposes to tear down the once popular Zane Burger restaurant to build a branch office.
3 comments, most recent 10 months agoBiden administration is asking the public to report on bogus advertising claims of Medicare Advantage providers.
7 comments, most recent 10 months ago15 new townhouses, out-of-town developer, build-and-run, in south side Happy Valley neighborhood of Bellingham.
2 comments, most recent 10 months agoTuesday, Dec, 5, will be the first time ABC Recycling has agreed to answer the public. Don’t miss this meeting. Here are the issues.
6 comments, most recent 10 months agoThe effect of WWU students on Whatcom County’s rental housing market
5 comments, most recent 10 months agoThere seems to be no barrier to the depths to which scammers will go to steal money from the most vulnerable or deserving.
Merely musing about soldiers.
4 comments, most recent 11 months agoThe city comes through on public wi-fi hotspots
1 comment, most recent 11 months agoAn insider’s view of rental inspections in Bellingham as experienced by a long-time renter.
5 comments, most recent 11 months agoIt is time to stop the injustices that have been propagated over the years.
6 comments, most recent 11 months agoGetting a letter that declares, “An exciting new prescription drug benefit for you!” should activate your BS detector.
7 comments, most recent 9 months agoWho benefits?
3 comments, most recent 11 months agoAt Large position on the Bellngham City Council
Is this a good place to live? Do you feel safe? Can you afford it? Are too many of us living on the streets? Doug Karlberg has some ideas.
Why a Liberal is voting for a Conservative for the Whatcom County Council
14 comments, most recent 11 months agoThe truth is out there; Jon Humphrey has researched the issues and concisely compiled the results.
5 comments, most recent 11 months agoWard 3 position on the Bellingham City Council
Wendy was an intrepid voice for the environment and the humane treatment of animals. May her memory be for a blessing.
3 comments, most recent 11 months agoWhatcom County Sheriff is elected by all county voters, including those in Bellingham, Ferndale and other towns.
Or at least, take a moment to learn about the privatization of Medicare, commonly called Medicare [Dis]Advantage.
1 comment, most recent 11 months agoAn in-depth look at local housing: insightful, researched, and provocative.
5 comments, most recent 11 months agoWhatcom County Sheriff voted on by registered voters in Whatcom County
The passage of time alone will not save Bellingham from this dangerous situation. Only strong and persistent action on the part of its citizens will be effective against this menace.
