Bellingham Bay - trying to get info on pollution

OK, we will play this little scenario right out on the Internet as it unfolds. See for yourself what is involved in trying to learn what our government agencies are doing.

1. Beginning - I sent the following email to the Department of Ecology public disclosure person.

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RESOLUTION NO. 2002-12

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSUTY REGARDING THE VACATION OF SOUTH COLLEGE DRIVE

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Western Washington University master plan, enacted by the Trustees and the Bellingham City Council in 2001, the University has requested that the City of Bellingham vacate South College Drive, which will relocate vehicular traffic to the perimeter of campus and allow the development of athletic fields; and

WHEREAS, vehicular traffic now using South College Drive will be fully accommodated on the recently-improved and expanded 21st Street/Bill McDonald Parkway on the perimeter of campus, and South College Drive is no longer needed for vehicular circulation, as evidenced by the existence of only one access road through the valley since approximately June 2002, in connection with the construction work on the 21st Street/Bill McDonald Parkway extension to West College Way; and

WHEREAS, the City's Hearing Examiner determined that the following factors caused her to conclude that the street vacation should be delayed until a traffic study had been completed and a new road constructed east of Fairhaven College:

A statement on p. III-10 of the master plan, which stated: ìSouth College Drive should not be vacated until an alternative route to the east-side of campus is in placeî, and
Statements elsewhere in the master plan calling for a study of a possible new road on the east side of campus east of Fairhaven College; and

WHEREAS, contrary to the Hearing Examiner's determination, the Board of Trustees is completely satisfied that the roadway improvements and traffic controls built into 21st Street/Bill McDonald Parkway, that are being completed this year, would satisfy the requirements in the Institutional Master Plan (IMP). The IMP showed two alternative access routes to the east side of campus, one, behind Fairhaven College, and two, retaining the connector between Bill McDonald to East College Way. Additional roadways are not needed at this point in time given the completion of the 21st Street/Bill McDonald Parkway project that retains the connection between Bill McDonald Parkway and East College Way. The City's Fire Department has determined that access to Fairhaven College is adequate under the current roadway configuration; and

WHEREAS, the University has a critical shortage of athletic fields for use by Campus Recreation, Physical Education, and Athletics, and this shortage is exacerbated by the construction of the Communications Facility which displace a primary athletic field;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Western Washington University strongly urges the Bellingham City Council to vacate South College Drive without delay.

PASSES AND APPROVED by the Board of Trustees of Western Washington University at its regular meeting on October 4, 2002.

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