Tomorrow, Tuesday, the County Council Natural Resource Committee will consider whether to formally ask the Department of Natural Resources to approve the inter-trust exchange and reconveyance to Whatcom County of approximately 8,700 acres of forest land. A remaining hurtle to the reconveyance was removed when the Whatcom Land Trust agreed to compensate the Mt. Baker School District for lost timber revenue.  If the Council agrees to send the DNR letter, the Reconveyance will go forward. 


Conservation Northwest has done a great job contacting and organizing people who support the Reconveyance.  It is providing talking points for anyone who would like to send an email to the Council or speak at tomorrow’s meeting. No public hearing is scheduled, but you will be allowed to address the Council on this matter at Open Session.  The public is encouraged to gather at 6:45 at the Whatcom County Courthouse.  More information is available at http://www.conservationnw.org/getinvolved/whatcom-rsvp.


It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of reestablishing a large tract of old growth forest.  Only a few small, isolated parcels of old growth forest remain in Whatcom County.  Yet, from an ecological perspective, unfragmented old growth forest is the highest and best use of land.  
The Growth Management Hearings Board recently determined that the County needs to do a better job of protecting the Lake Whatcom watershed.  The reconveyance will mitigate some of the harmful impacts of development on critical areas and water quality.  8,700 miles of old growth forest will protect habitat connectivity, biodiversity and provide linkage to other habitat areas throughout the County. 


DNR forest practices have not adequately protected water quality in forested watersheds. The Reconveyance will reduce logging, prevent creation of additional compacted logging roads, and will protect the public from dangerous landslides.  Because this has a positive impact on water quality, it is a step towards meeting TMDL requirements under the Clean Water Act. 


A number of County projects this year are focusing on off-site mitigation issues and how to obtain the most “bang for the buck.”  It would be difficult to find a more effective form of mitigation than restoration of old growth forest.  Nor would it normally be possible to obtain the ecological services provided by old growth forest at such a ridiculously low price.  Let’s not lose out on this great bargain!