Independent, fact-based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties

News from the Salish Current May 12, 2023

Dear Reader—

In this week’s Current:

Is AI cool or creepy or just useful? Matt Benoit reports how artificial intelligence technology is already changing work, education and more.
Ready for more sounds of heavy metal? Kai Uyehara reports on how a B.C. metal recycler may expand operations on Bellingham Bay.
What’s the buzz in the garden? Clifford Heberden reports on beekeepers’ efforts to keep pollinators happy, naturally.
Parting ways: Nancy DeVaux reports on the San Juan County council’s decision to end its development director’s time on the job.

… lots to read and ponder as you’re indulging in a bit more time in the hammock this weekend.

Along with the sunshine and warm weather next week we’ll be entering into the political season as state and local candidates file for office. Count on Salish Current throughout election season to fact-check candidate campaign claims so you can make informed choices. Fact-based, context-rich journalism that is always free for all to read is what we’re here for. Many thanks to all of you who support us to make that happen!

—Amy Nelson, Publisher

Salish Current affirms its commitment to work for truth, justice,
equity and healing for all people.
#SayTheirNames #BlackLivesMatter #NoJusticeNoPeace

Want more environmental news? Salish Sea News and Weather is a weekday curated compilation of news from Salish Sea news sources. Free via email or on the web.

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/12/23: Public garden Friday, salmon migration, hatchery lawsuit, big quake, PFAS, coral reef seaweed, killing geese, Everett port stormwater, underwater mountain.

Support Us

Assistant ... or replacement? AI, in real life

Yes, an app did this: Western Washington University professor Ed Love's cat avatar image — which he finds bears a certain resemblance — was generated by artificial intelligence. (Courtesy image)

By Matt Benoit

The future is already here for users of artificial intelligence technology.

The Whatcom County tax parcel viewer shows the 20-acre property purchased by ABC Recycling in 2021. County planners report no applications for development on the site have been submitted. (Google Earth image)

By Kai Uyehara

A scrap metal recycling company which has been the subject of noise complaints from neighbors is reportedly looking to expand its operations along Bellingham Bay.

No pollinators? No gardens. Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are vital players in the world’s food supply, and local beekeepers are keen on encouraging their health and activity with the help of native plants. (Glen Bristow photo © 2023)

By Clifford Heberden

Native plants and trees provide food for “workaholic” bees.

Building in San Juan County can be complicated, with high percentages of parcels with wetlands, wildlife, critical areas or other considerations — and the county will have a new development director helping homebuilders and others sort all that out. The council voted last week to terminate its relationship with the department head. A vista on Lopez Island spans ponds, pasture, forest and housing. (Salish Current file photo)

By Nancy Devaux

Months of complaints of delays, discourtesy and interpretation led to a decision by the San Juan County council to “part ways” with the county’s Community Development director.

Support Salish Current

Salish Current affirms its commitment to work for truth, justice, equality and healing for all people.
#SayTheirNames #BlackLivesMatter #NoJusticeNoPeace

News from around the region...

(The links found here may have limited access for those who don’t subscribe to the source publication. Sorry for any inconvenience!)

Health and Safety

Post-pandemic. The end of the Federal Public Health Emergency Order on May 11 resulted in changes to how COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccination services are paid for and how much they cost. (Whatcom County Health Dept.)

Lighthouse Mission. The Whatcom County Council voted to withhold $1 million in public funding from the Lighthouse Mission's new homeless shelter because the organization doesn't employ people who are gay and not Christian. Councilmember Elenbaas dissented, Kershner abstained, and Byrd was absent. (Bellingham Herald/paywall)

PeaceHealth care. PeaceHealth's delivery of healthcare is the subject of a public online forum with Dr. Jim Bochsler, Chief Medical Officer for PeaceHealth Medical Group for PeaceHealth’s clinic operations in Northwest Washington and Southeast Alaska. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Bellingham-Whatcom County. May 19, 9:30 a.m. Zoom here.

Education

Lynden cuts. The Lynden School District Board is considering $2.5 million in budget cuts for the 2023-2024 school year which would result in about two dozen jobs lost. (Lynden Tribune/paywall)

The Border

Goose kill. The City of Vancouver Park Board authorized the lethal removal of Canada geese which numbered about 2,200 in 2022 and are estimated to increase by 18% each year. (CBC)

Nature

State dino. Suciasaurus rex, a therapod fossil discovered in 2012 at Sucia Island State Park, has been named Washington state’s official dinosaur. (Associated Press)

Coho return. Fish biologist Jenny De Groot reports on the second-generation emergence of coho salmon at Coho Preserve on Orcas Island, habitat protected by the San Juan County Land Bank. (San Juan County)

Nooksack restoration. Whatcom County has been granted about $3 million by the state legislature to restore the South Fork Nooksack River flood plain by acquiring property, removing levees and allowing selective logging. (CDN/paywall)

Tree cover. The Bellingham City Club returns to in-person meetings at its next forum presentation, "Boosting Climate Resilience One Tree at a Time" May 24, Noon, Bellingham Yacht Club, reservations. See also: "City seeks balance: housing needs and forest benefits" (Salish Current May 4, 2023)

Clam garden. Marco Hatch, Samish Indian Nation member and Western Washington University professor, has received a Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation in recognition of his ongoing work in Indigenous clam gardens. (CDN/paywall)

Oly oyster. Olympia oyster spat was reintroduced to Padilla Bay this week by the Research Reserve in an effort to recover the native species. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)

Business

Troll fishery. Recent court orders to close the troll fishing seasons will provide more salmon for orcas at the expense of Alaska's fishing industry, while court orders maintain enhanced salmon hatchery production to provide more prey. (Puget Sound Institute)

BLM buttons. A National Labor Relations Board administrative judge ruled in favor of union workers at Fred Meyer and QFC grocery stores who were banned by employers from wearing Black Lives Matter and certain face masks to work. (KUOW)

Food desert. The 2015 acquisition of Safeway stores by Albertson's left Bellingham's Birchwood neighborhood without a grocery story as a result of antitrust laws. Will the proposed merger of Kroger's and Albertson's create similar food deserts? (KUOW)

Ferry meetup. Washington State Ferries will hold a virtual community meeting for its San Juan Islands/Anacortes route, May 31, 6 p.m. Register here.

Community

Local news. The Skagit County League of Women Voters holds a forum to discuss "The Future of Local Journalism: Is It Important to Our Democracy?" on May 15 from 6:30–8 p.m. in the Mount Vernon High School Auditorium.

Highway 20. The North Cascades Highway reopened to traffic on May 10. (The Northern Light)

Encampment cleared. The City of Bellingham cleared a large homeless encampment in the Meridian shopping area after a settlement of a lawsuit with the owner's property. Campers were reported to be offered shelter and services but none accepted. (Bellingham Herald/paywall)

Food relief. Whatcom County and city and tribal food banks will be granted $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funding to meet unprecedented demand for food. (CDN/paywall) See: "Food banks and visitors struggle during food and funding scarcity" (Salish Current, April 7, 2023) and "Empty cupboards, new anxieties increase with rising food insecurity" (Salish Current, April 7, 2023)

Code change. The request by East Harbor Hills developers to change a city code to allow large manufactured home parks over five acres was withdrawn this week. (The Northern Light)

Anacortes planner. The Anacortes city council confirmed John Coleman as its new director of planning, community and economic development, replacing Don Measamer, who retired in March after 30 years with the city. (Anacortes American/paywall)

Commentary

Insectivore Birds. Wendy Feltham in the second part of her feature photo-essay looks at a small sampling of our most common Wood-Warblers, and then some larger insectivore birds — a few ducks, shorebirds, woodpeckers and one hungry owl. There’s more about our friends, the insects. (Rainshadow Journal)

Arts & Leisure

Women's films. The Cascadia International Women's Film Festival continues online through May 21. Information.

Aloft and At Rest. Sculptor Tony Angell looks back on the evolution of his work over 75 years, describing subtle changes over time that he describes as a "curious reciprocity between the artist and the subject." Foster-White Gallery, Seattle, through May 20. Artist talks May 13, 2 p.m. Details.

Early music. Salish Sea Early Music Festival presents Bach Cantata: Ich Habe Genug with Maike Albrecht (soprano), Hans-Jürgen Schnoor (harpsichord) and Jeffery Cohen (baroque flute). May 17, Friday Harbor Brickworks, 7 p.m. By donation $25; under 18 free.

Matthew Shepard. Kulshan Chorus presents "Considering Matthew Shepard," the first concert-length work by Craig Hella Johnson to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, a young gay student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie who was kidnapped, severely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in a lonely field under a blanket of stars. May 20, 7:30 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre. Tickets here.

Early music. Salish Sea Early Music Festival Bach II (Bach B Minor Suite, Bach Cantata 209 etc.) • with Maike Albrecht (soprano), Hans-Jürgen Schnoor (harpsichord), Jeffrey Cohan (baroque flute), Carrie Krause (violin), Elisabeth Phelps (violin), Lindsey Strand-Polyak (viola) and Annabeth Shirley (cello). May 23, Fir-Conway Lutheran Church, 7 p.m.; May 24, Orcas Adventist Church, 6 p.m.; May 26, Bellingham First Presbyterian Church, 7 p.m.; May 27, Lopez Grace Church, 12:30 p.m.; May 27, Friday Harbor Brickworks, 7 p.m.; By donation $25; under 18 free.

Jump in!

No ivy. Work party with Whatcom Million Trees at Cornwall Park's west side removing ivy to save mature trees. Good way to take part in direct, easy, positive climate action to keep these trees alive. May 13, 9 a.m.–Noon. Info and registration.

Where's Barney? Help the Skagit Land Trust remove Himalayan blackberry, English ivy and yellow archangel at the Barney Lake Conservation Area. May 19, 9 a.m.–Noon. Register here.

Blaine oysters. The Blaine Oyster Festival returns to downtown for a second year on May 20 with proceeds benefitting local nonprofit organizations. (The Northern Light)

Birding. North Cascades Audubon Society presents Joe Everson talking about "Status and Trends of Wintering Marine Birds in the Marine Waters of Washington State 1993–2023" on May 23, 7 p.m. at the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room (in-person only)

Work party. Rain or shine, come out and build trails at the Barr Creek Restoration Area with the Skagit Land Trust. May 26, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Registration.

Ivy removal. Save trees by removing the ivy on Bellingham's Railroad Trail (along Illinois Path near Huron St.). May 27, 9 a.m.–Noon. Register

Government

Elections
Candidate filing week starts at 9 a.m. May 15 and ends at 4 p.m. May 19.
Gov race. Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz announced her campaign for governor on Wednesday in a challenge to Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson who launched an exploratory campaign for governor on May 2. (Associated Press) Raul Garcia intends to announce his candidacy as a Republican on May 12. (KGMI)

For the people
Housing. A tally of the legislative session's bills to create more homes, at more affordable prices, in communities all across the state. (Sightline Institute)

Ad fakes. ESSB 5152, now signed into law, requires clearly identifying the use of “synthetic media” — more commonly known as “deepfakes” — in videos, audio and images used in political campaigns for elected office. (KGMI)

San Juan County.
The council met on May 9 at the Shaw Island Community Center. Agenda (audio only).
• Discussion: Roads impacted by sea level and drainage at Blind Bay and Neck Point Park. [42:38-59:29)
• Post Office Service [1:03:39-1:07:43]
• Discussion: Homeless and mentally ill camping in park. [1:07:45-1:17:35]

The council will meet again on May 16.

City of Bellingham.
The council met on May 8. Agenda items included:
Public Works and Natural Resources Committee:
• The council unanimously approved the broadband resolution with the amendment changing the 14th recital to read "Whereas, the City has network engineering staff, but has no dedicated staff resources to support the City's broadband network; and"
• Ordinances dealing with the Watershed Advisory Board and the Water Resources Advisory Board were tabled until staff review and recommendations.

The council will meet again on May 22.

Whatcom County.
The council met on May 9. Agenda items included:
Consent Agenda:
• The council unanimously authorized the county executive to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Unity Care Northwest for the Way Station in the amount of $2,000,000. Substitute agreement.
• The council authorized (6-1, Byrd opposed) the county executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to provide housing case management services in the amount of $474,072 for a total amended contract amount of $1,079,307.

Other Items:
• The council approved (4-3, Byrd, Elenbaas, Kershner opposed) sending a letter regarding the Brokedown Palace timber sale. Revised letter.
• The council approved (4-3, Byrd, Elenbaas, Kershner opposed) sending a letter regarding proposed legislation to increase truck size and weight. Revised letter.
• The council withdrew an ordinance adopting amendments to regulate short-term vacation rentals. Staff report.

The council will meet again on May 23.

Port of Bellingham.
Agenda center.