Musings About The Reconveyance Challenge

The Hearings Board still has not decided what to do about jurisdiction over the Petition For Review regarding the so called Lake Whatcom Reconveyance.  Because of that I've been a little lazy about writing the brief that must go to the Board in a few weeks but, I will apply the whip to the mule that is my ambition and get to work in earnest this week.  It is a big undertaking.  I'll probably end up spending about a 100 hours or so on the thing.

I've also been musing over what to do about the fact that exactly at the same time the County was telling the Hearings Board in Olympia (in a telephonic hearing) one story about the Reconveyance it was telling the Board of Natural Resources in Olympia a different story in complete contrast to the story being told across town. 

A second thing of significant importance to citizens in upcoming years is the vast influence the Whatcom Land Trust has over affairs in the County.  They probably control more land in the county than anyone save for the State and Federal governments and, through their influence and control, have tremendous impact on the lives of the County's citizens.  Is that good or bad?  It may be time for discussion on that question.

Well, that is something for another day.  For now, any big news is likely to be the upcoming Board decision regarding jurisdiction and then there won't be much news for awhile... it will be blood, sweat and tears (if the County, and especially, the Whatcom Land Trust, can use hyperbole so can I) involved in writing the brief that will probably determine the outcome of the whole thing.

We're More Than Just A Pretty Face Now

I received a form from the Prosecutor's Office Friday with the case number on it.  Apparently we are Hearings Board number 13-2-0016 based on that communication.  I have not yet been formally notified, probably because mail is a bit delayed from Olympia.

Meanwhile, I thought you might enjoy the photos below, taken in the 1890s.  The two forests pictured are not the Reconveyance lands but are of forests similar to Whatcom County's.

The takeaway is that the pre-settlement forests were not static. They burned, they died, they were blown over in windstorns and they grew again.

Don't forget to hit the "share" buttons at the bottom to share news of the reconveyance with your Facebook and other friends.

According to the survey of the nation's forests accomplished in the last years of the 1800s, much of the forest in Whatcom County had burned before it was harvested.  Note the forest in front of the McMansion in the bottom photo.