On Monday, the Bellingham city council will be taking action on the proposed waterfront district plan. On Tuesday, the port commission will be taking action. The proposed waterfront plan does not protect our local birds, or other waterfront species. This plan will pass without strong public opposition.
How bad is the situation? The port conducted an environmental assessment (EIS) for the waterfront district, but failed to include plant and animal impacts in its analysis. Therefore, no mitigation is being required for development impacts, such as increased marine traffic, or increased human and pet presence along the shoreline. Issues of habitat connectivity were completely ignored. Only 50 foot habitat buffers have been provided, and even then, pedestrian trails will run through the middle of the "buffer." Public shoreline access, and shoreline restoration are located at the same waterfront sites. Concerns raised by the Department of Ecology over potential conflict have been ignored. Under a "Planned Action Ordinance", the public will forever lose the right to amend waterfront environmental standards, or to participate in the environmental review process for waterfront projects. Publicly held land, including tidal lands that provide access to the Bay, will be transferred to the port and permanently lost.
To address public criticism, the city is offering to have staff piece together a habitat assessment from a number of state projects, leaving large data gaps, particularly for terrestrial species and for birds. This data is necessary to create a quantifiable baseline standard from which to measure and monitor changes in species status and impacts from development. This requires field investigation by an experienced wildlife biologist. A good starting point would be identification of all waterfront wildlife species, species population numbers, and location of connectivity and migration corridors.
An even greater problem exists with regard to timing. The city's proposed "assessment" would not occur until after the waterfront plan is approved, undermining the purpose of a comprehensive habitat assessment. The waterfront plan reflects important planning decisions regarding zoning, density, park, road and other infrastructure, and building standards, all determined without reference to habitat needs.
This may be your only chance to speak out for our local wildlife. Tell the city and the port, by written comment or public testimony at open session, that you oppose the waterfront plan because it fails to protect species and habitat. Ask the city and port to conduct a supplemental EIS to address plant and animal impacts. We have already lost our Caspian tern breeding colony. We need to protect the remaining waterfront habitat for animals like the adorable otter family, so wonderfully photographed by our talented members.
Wendy Harris
Several people have contacted me for the email address for the city council and port commission. Here is it. Thanks for your efforts.
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