ome municipal projects to be exempt from critical areas rule
Certain municipal construction projects could dodge some of the city's environmental rules, but the local chapter of anti-sprawl group Futurewise says that's hypocritical.
The City Council on Monday approved an ordinance establishing a process to let some city projects skirt the "critical areas ordinance," a law that restricts development near wetlands, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas and wildlife habitats. The council voted 6-0, with council member Louise Bjornson absent, to approve the language.
City staff members say the law is needed because the critical areas ordinance makes some projects too costly or impossible to design. Exempt projects still would be subject to strict environmental standards, council member Barbara Ryan said.
"The bottom line is: We're doing the best we can to protect the environment, because that is the way Bellingham operates," she said.
But Futurewise said the critical areas ordinance should apply to everyone because it's so important.
"The city's proposed exemption for its (essential public facilities) sends a terrible message to the private sector: 'Do as I say, not as I do,'" wrote Eric Hirst, local chapter chairman for Futurewise. "It could become difficult to strictly enforce the CAO on private projects if the city too readily exempts its own projects from these requirements."
The council also voted, 4-2, to reject a list of projects that could qualify for the exemption. Council members Ryan and Terry Bornemann voted for the list.
Read more at The Bellingham Herald
