Environment and Climate Change | The Fourth Corner

Carbon Tax: Governor may use proceeds to refill emergency fund that his plan empties.

Senate proposed legislation for a new carbon tax may add up to $.30 a gallon more to be paid directly at the pump by Washington Tax Payers. Governor Inslee In a speech made to the WSSDA (Washington State School Director's Association) conference on Jan 28th in Olympia the Governor spoke about the results of the McCleary Decision and stated that he wants additional money for education to be budgeted this year; spending ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-02-02T08:27:14-08:00February 1, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Elections, Government & Politics, Environment and Climate Change|5 Comments

Alert: Realtors: CALL FOR ACTION… Hirst Update County Council: can we restrict more??

In an e-mail to their mailing list the Whatcom County Association of Realtors... Government Affairs Committee... Tell the Council to be open and transparent especially on Hirst. Background: From our reporter at the meeting: The County Council must remove the permit "Moratorium" on new wells and construction that was instituted on Land Owners after the State Supreme Court ruled in October 2016 to implement the legislature's passage of ESSB 6091 (the Hirst Fix). A ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-01-27T15:13:52-08:00January 27, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Elections, Government & Politics, Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News|3 Comments

Whatcom Family Farmers letter to RE-Sources Donors: Consider how contributions are being used.

"Whatcom Family Farmers is the new, (2015) unified voice of Whatcom County's family farmers. Berry farmers, dairy farmers, potato farmers, beef farmers, vegetable farmers, nut farmers, ornamental farmers--all farmers who are family owned and whose farm provides the family income." Whatcom Family Farmers call on RE Sources' donors to consider how RE Sources contributions are being used and writes an open letter to RE Sources donors: Highlights: Whatcom Family Farmers is Contacting RE-Sources Donors. ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-01-17T19:11:28-08:00January 17, 2018|Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News, Rural Living|1 Comment

BREAKING Hirst Fix Bill 6091 pass House and Senate Last Night (Jan 18th) Governor to Sign

BREAKING JAN 18th BILL PASSES SENATE AND HOUSE MOVES ON TO GOVERNOR Only 11 days into the session the legislature sends a Hirst Fix to the Governor along with a 4 Billion Capital Budget (that was held up until Hirst action could be taken). The Fix and the Budget bill Passed about 8:00 PM on January 18th. From Rep Vince Buys: Lots of people want to know the details of the Hirst fix. Here’s ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2018-01-12T18:17:16-08:00January 12, 2018|Beyond the Fourth Corner, Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News, Rural Living|1 Comment

New Taxes and Tax District Proposed for Whatcom County (no vote of the people planned)

AT MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL OCTOBER 5TH 2017. DOORS OPEN 6:30 PM Remember to Vote Beginning October 19th... Attend the Candidate Forum Thursday October 5th 6:30 PM at Meridian High School. 194 W. Laurel Rd. At this writing Attending the Forum: Council Members: (2nd) Todd Donovan and (1st) Rudd Browne... Council Candidates: (3rd) Tyler Byrd, (At Large) Mary Kay Robinson, (1st) Phil Morgan, (2nd) Amy Glasser, (3rd) Rebecca Boonstra Barry Buchanan will not ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2017-10-02T20:49:02-07:00October 2, 2017|Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News|0 Comments

Hirst Updates and Additions

October 6th 2016: Hirst decision opinions by the Supreme Court of Washington. Seventy Three Page document here. WELL OWNERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS ORGANIZE WELL OWNER'S CAUCUS Senator Ericksen:"Optimistic this can be done in September or October" Monday Night September 11th at Rome Grange over 130 Whatcom Residents met to hear what local legislators had to say about the status of the legislation on reversing the "Hirst" decision that effectively has cut all new housing ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2017-09-19T20:53:06-07:00September 19, 2017|Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News, Rural Living|0 Comments

Green-Mail in Ferndale. RE Sources for Sustainable Communities back in the news.

Ferndale Grain being sued by RE-Sources Ferndale jobs threatened by local environmental group's action. RE-Sources for Sustainable Communities (Correction NOT to be confused with the Sustainable Connections organization) in association with another environmental organization; Puget Soundkeeper, has filed yet another suit using "citizen" legislation included in the Clean Water Act. This time the target is Cargill Inc. in Ferndale. Well before the suit; Cargill was working with the Dept. of Ecology and local ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2017-09-08T09:20:16-07:00September 7, 2017|Elections, Government & Politics, Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News|3 Comments

Breaking: Hirst Fix ignored by Demo Majority in State House…They Adjourn for holiday

In a Breaking Story this Morning (Saturday July 1st) the Fourth Corner has found out that a probable vote on the State Senate Bill to fix the Hirst Debacle did not happen in the State House. Although the legislature enacted a new tax and bureaucracy on State Business by creating and mandating a NEW FAMILY LEAVE ACT on employers. Its Striking that the state legislature thinks its more important to enact a New Tax ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2017-07-01T13:31:43-07:00July 1, 2017|Environment and Climate Change, Fourth Corner News, Rural Living|0 Comments

Remember the “What’s Upstream” EPA Anti Farm Campaign??

The Region 10 Director for the EPA at the time of the What's Upstream campaign answers questions. Senator Doug Ericksen 42nd Legislative District On June 14th The State (Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications) Chaired by 42nd District Senator Doug Ericksen held hearings on the confirmation of Governor's Inslee's appointment "Dennis J Mclerran" to the Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council. (A board of directors like structure for the Environmentally based Puget Sound Partnership). ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2017-06-26T19:26:10-07:00June 22, 2017|Environment and Climate Change, Rural Living|0 Comments

State House Committee Refuses to Bring Water Bill 5329 to the Floor for a Vote

The Senate Bill SB 5329 allowing for exempt wells and returning control to pre Hirst Case levels stalls in house... May have no action this year. One of the Key players in the Futurewise case was playing his Saxophone at a Lynden Venue on March 30th... Eric Hirst of Bellingham and member of Futurewise whose name the Exempt Well Case has been tagged with and Steve Kelly played on Thursday Link to event in ...

By Charlie Crabtree|2017-04-20T08:32:32-07:00March 30, 2017|Environment and Climate Change, Rural Living|2 Comments