WRIA 1 Planning Unit Meeting – What’s In It For You?

Control water (and property), and you control a people. The citizens of America have enjoyed extensive lifestyle and faith freedoms, made possible by foundational freedoms in managing water and property since 1776. All these freedoms are at huge risk today, thanks to a dedicated group of progressives who are reshaping public policy on water and land use.

In the last forty years, there has been a different, environmental only drumbeat. Industrialization has left a mixed legacy to our generation. Our generation hopes in technologies, yet at the same time fears the industrial and resource use processes that give them to us. Slipping quietly through these discussions is the spectre of communitarianism, the new socialist, group think, precautionary principle. (That should be another post). Stall all new development until the educated few control the unwashed many.

Whatcom County has two very diverse interest groups. There is a power struggle going on between them. The WRIA 1 planning unit is a prime example of this.

On the one hand are technocrats in public works and environmental agencies, many with considerable educational credentials. They live in world of grants and tax revenues, and are quite good at developing complicated mechanisms for achieving their ends, and using public sentiment to give themselves a unilateral playing field. They are water “managers”.

On the other hand are water users. Tribes. Fishermen. Farmers. Rural families. Small Whatcom cities. Most are not paid to deal with water management issues during work day hours. Some of these groups have put together caucuses to represent themselves. They are rough and ready, and usually kept out of the public eye unless it suits the media and the water managers to make a public example of them.

(Note that the media organs of Whatcom County sent no reporters to the first reconvened WRIA 1 Planning Unit meeting last month.)

The WRIA 1 RCW mandated process brings these two groups together.

A particular concern of the water users is being shut out of the decision making process by the water managers. An undetermined number of closed door meetings were held between 2009 and 2013, where water managers took actions that have raised a considerable pushback from the water users. The tribes were given special seats in the recent closed door meetings, even after they torpedoed aspects of the process right from the beginning in 1999. The tribes did not come to the first reconvened PU meeting last month.

Take some time to read the following two submittals for tonight’s water planning unit meeting. The city of Bellingham speaks for its residents. The water districts association speaks for a farther flung group of interests. Note the application of the RCW law (or lack thereof) in the two proposals.

My questions. Can the managers make a place at the table for the users? Will the managers try to run out the clock and budget of these first four meetings with procedural discussions? Should state (DOE) entities be given a full voting position? Should a statement limiting federal participation to ex officio positions be adopted? Come. Listen. Compare the reality with the RCW requirements. Speak if you have a chance.

See you tonight!

WRIA 1 First Meeting Minutes

10/16/13 - WRIA 1 Water Planning Unit
6:00 PM; Civic Center Building Garden Level Conference Room, 322 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA 98226

City Of Bellingham On Voting Positions

Water Districts Caucus On Voting Positions