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Scheduled For: |
March 19, 2003 |
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Time: |
4:00– 6:00 p.m. |
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Place: |
Blaine Harbor Meeting Room, Marine Drive |
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1. |
4:00 |
Public Comment Period |
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2. |
4:05 |
Review Agenda and December Meeting Summary |
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3. |
4:10 |
Land Use Issues- Presentation and Discussion- Terry Galvin |
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4. |
5:10 |
Water Quality Report- Alan Birdsall |
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5. |
5:25 |
NPDES Permits Update-Blaine and Seafood Processors- Mark Henderson |
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6. |
5:40 |
Updates- Geoff Menzies and Ami Stillings
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7. |
5:55 |
New Business / Next Meeting’s Agenda |
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Committe Members |
Public |
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Bob Williams |
Mark Henderson – Department of Ecology |
Geoff Menzies |
Ami Stillings- Water Resources |
Bjorn Hrutfiord |
Courtney Sterkel – Anvil Corporation |
Alan Birdsall – Port of Bellingham |
Stephen Banham – Blaine Public Works |
Charlie Hawkins |
Terry Galvin – City of Blaine |
Bonnie Onyon- Blaine City Council |
Ed Halasz – Whatcom County Health Department |
Pam Taft – Port of Bellingham |
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1. Public Comment Period
There were no public comments.
2. Review Agenda and Previous Meeting Summary
Review Agenda
Geoff Menzies reviewed the agenda and added time for the committee to discuss the grant money available through the Regional Geographic Initiative (RGI).
Review Meeting Summary
One member mentioned that the representative from the Port of Bellingham who attends the meeting should be listed with the committee members rather than the public attendees.
3. Land Use Issues- Presentation and Discussion- Terry Galvin
Terry Galvin gave AC members an informational presentation on the basic services of the Community Development Department of the City of Blaine (COB). The department is responsible for planning, building, and other public service issues in the area and Terry specializes in the long-term aspect of land use issues.
The department works in the planning and permitting processes of new land developments and provides zoning information to the public.
Terry mentioned the local development projects that are scheduled to go before the planning commission, including Drayton Shores II, Sea Grass Cottages, Harbor Estates, and an upgrade to the food processing plant. Most discretionary permits granted by the department include a public process period, requiring that the public be notified through a notice in the local newspapers and have a public comment period where comments can be submitted in writing or at a public hearing.
In many cases a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Checklist must be completed and submitted with the application, which is then granted one of the following three Threshold Determinations (TD) by the SEPA Official:
A DNS indicates that the proposed project is determined to have no significant adverse impacts to the environment and may require a 14-day comment period. A mitigated DNS indicates the possibility of environmental impact and studies are required to rule out various options/problems. A Determination of Significance requires that applicants prepare and submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with their applications. An EIS may take up to 1 or 2 years to complete. After a threshold determination is granted, there is a 10-day window for applicants to appeal the determination.
One member asked if a determination has ever been changed due to the public comments received. Terry mentioned that determinations are never changed but these comments enter into the decision-making process before a determination is made. Terry noted that he has the option of collecting any additional information that he feels is needed to make a knowledgeable determination.
The planning commission also holds work sessions for issues that involve complicated elements or several diverging positions related to the project.
One member asked if there is some way to convey to the public the process involved with the development review of proposed land developments. Terry mentioned that he is working on a document that sets out the benchmarks of the process and is working to organize a community meeting to discuss these proposals and the process.
One member expressed concern about the existing EIS for the Semiahmoo Master Plan. The member wondered if the numerous issues surrounding the EIS imply the need to develop an entirely new EIS. Terry mentioned that several aspects of the EIS are still valid but the EIS on a whole may need to be discussed.
The proposed Harbor Estates development project provides one example of an area that was granted a conditional DNS. After they have met the stipulations of the Conditional DNS, a final report will be submitted to the city. The city will then determine if the conditions have been fully satisfied before releasing an official DNS.
One member thinks the committee could help contribute to public comments regarding proposed development projects, particularly in regards to storm water runoff and fecal coliform, since this is the primary pollutant of concern impacting Drayton Harbor. The Current Ecology storm water manual does not specifically address fecal coliform control in storm water. One member asked for any suggestions regarding how new developments can have post-development runoff that is equal to or less than the pre-development condition runoff. Terry mentioned that this is issue is covered under the SEPA criteria, which requires the runoff conditions before and after development be equal.
The Puget Sound Restoration Fund has recently submitted a grant request to the EPA Regional Geographics Initiative program. This proposal is to partner with Blaine, Nat. Resources Conservation Service, and a local engineering firm in order to design a storm water treatment system that can be retrofitted into a high priority urban drainage in east Blaine in order to reduce fecal coliform concentrations prior to storm water discharge into Drayton Harbor. The goal is to install a system that can be used as a demonstration project for fecal coliform control of storm water.
Terry wants the city to have more control over its Urban Growth Area (UGA), which is currently under Whatcom County jurisdiction and ultimately establish stricter road, planning, and developmental regulations. The potential for harm is greatly increased if criteria and regulations are not developed for roads, planning, and development.Blaine should start to develop updated planning and development standards because the larger cities nearby, mainly Bellingham and Ferndale, are filling up and soon will have significant overflow of residents that are attracted to the smaller, less expensive areas like Blaine. Terry mentioned that a proactive approach is needed to help produce sound development in this environmentally sensitive area.
The city is struggling to determine the capacity of the city as well as how to better prepare for this growth. Stephen mentioned that the city is in the process of initiating a plan (Comprehensive Sewer Plan) for the city’s wastewater treatment plant in coordination with DOE, which should be finished by October.
The proposed downtown portal boardwalk in Blaine (Peace Portal Way and G Street) will allow residents to enjoy the beauty of the area that is too often taken for granted. The design and review phase is to be completed by 10/03, which is when the Phase I construction will begin. This project includes an overpass for pedestrian access to the park or other destinations.
Blaine is also working to update the existing shoreline inventory and shoreline program, which would provide a great opportunity for the committee to have input to help support the sustainability of Blaine. Another idea under consideration is adding a boardwalk to the shores surrounding the marina. Geoff expressed a need for the Marine Drive breakwater to be improved, which Stephen agreed was a critical project and will likely be the focus of improvements.
Geoff expressed concern about the projected growth for Blaine and surrounding areas and the small growth in east Blaine and other areas. Geoff asked how to target residential growth in the desired areas and keep it out of the more sensitive areas to protect natural resources. Terry suggested providing input at the standard development level (lead by Stephen), which will address environmental standards. However, Stephen felt that efforts should initially focus on comprehensive planning and work down to development regulations. City zoning also has a lot of potential for significant improvements.
The comprehensive plan requires that the tools set out to implement the plan actually be used as a portion of this process. The COB will update/revise the current comprehensive plan in 2004 which is when the committee should be involved and comment on the proposed elements of the plan.
One AC member expressed concern about the UGAs and wondered how the city will protect these areas by taking over the property. Terry noted that the city is not permitted to annex property until the established criteria has been met. One criterion allows annexing if Blaine cannot support additional growth through infilling alone. The best way to approach UGAs is to establish a specific plan or infrastructure that specifies the best way to accommodate future growth and identifies the areas that cannot accommodate additional growth.
4. Water Quality Report
Pam Taft distributed the Port of Bellingham’s 2/6/03 Water Quality Report to AC members for their review.
Page 8 of the report indicates there is an increase in FC counts, which Alan Birdsall thinks may be assumed due to a lack of data/evidence.
The report also indicates a lack of data regarding bird waste and possible correlations between the waste and the FC counts.
The Port has installed all pump-out stations signs and plans to install the Pollution Control Warning signs and the sensitive area signs next week. They have 6 remaining (of 50) live-aboard inspections to perform. So far, they have yet to find significant information linking live-aboards to Blaine Harbor’s high FC counts.
Geoff expressed a need for the committee to be informed of the end results and any conclusions the Port makes after completing the live-aboard inspections.
5. Blaine and Seafood Processors NPDES Permits Update
Mark Henderson updated AC members about the local fish processors NPDES permit as well as the City of Blaine’s NPDES permit.
The City of Blaine’s discharge permit was finally issued to Blaine after several complications. The permit has been signed and submitted and was 7 years overdue. Several groups/citizens commented on the permit and called for significantly more information and monitoring that need to take place over the next 5 years.
The new permit requires the same FC limits as the last permit because of the technological nature of the existing limits and characteristics specific to this area, including the location of discharge that occurs in marine waters and in the most severe tides of the year DOH found that FC counts will not exceed the water quality regulations.
Geoff mentioned that many people are concerned about the lack of bacteria limitations in the requirements. Mark said that if requirements were more stringent, municipalities would not be able to meet them. Geoff is also concerned about the two-year allowance for evaluation of the outfall diffuser.
The primary processing plant in the marina has been reporting very low FC counts and the plant has implemented BMPs that focus on All Known and Reasonable Technologies (AKART), which have significantly lowered contamination.
6. Updates
Geoff updated AC members about the latest development of several local issues relevant to Drayton Harbor:
Dye Test
Geoff mentioned that he is currently working with the City of Blaine and DOH to evaluate if there are any cross-connections between the sewer system and two storm drains with high FC counts. In March, Steve’s crew will release dye into 10 manholes selected with the assistance of WDOH. The stations will be monitored and charcoal packets at various locations will be evaluated for the presence of dye over the course of a one-week period. This project is being funded through a contract with Whatcom County and managed by the Puget Sound Restoration Fund. The last data will be collected April 1.
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Circulation Studies in Commercial Portion of Blaine Harbor
During the upcoming weekend, Geoff will conduct circulation studies using multiple-depth floats from late in the ebb tide through the flood tide. So far, surface floats throughout the ebb tide do not leave Blaine Harbor, while 13 foot -deep floats move outward from the commercial area towards the Blaine harbor entrance, suggesting that deeper water is the primary mechanism by which water is entering and leaving Blaine Harbor.Stillaquamish Water District Presentation
The committee did not discuss this item due to time constraints.Drayton Harbor Open House
The committee did not discuss this item due to time constraints.Grants
The committee did not discuss this item due to time constraints.
7. New Business / Next Meeting’s Agenda
New Business
Geoff mentioned that his term as committee chair is up and said the committee will need to discuss nominees for the next term. Geoff suggested that this item be included on the next meeting agenda since there were not enough committee members present to form a quorum.Next Meeting’s Agenda
Committee Positions for 2003