This forum features candidates for Port of Bellingham Districts 1 & 2 positions, and Bellingham City Council Ward 6 and At-Large positions. Doors open and speaker check-in at 9:30 a.m.; forum starts at 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION
Bellingham City Council Chambers
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Comment on the Shoreline Permit for the Tesoro Refinery Expansion
Description: Comment on the Tesoro Refinery Expansion permit.
Background: The Tesoro/Andeavor Anacortes Refinery has proposed to produce 15,000 barrels of xylenes per day for export to Asia. Xylenes are toxic petrochemicals used in making plastics. If this proposal goes through, it’d be a big step in turning the Salish Sea into a petrochemical superhighway and would increase the risk of toxic spills.
Learn more on Facebook about Stand.earth’s public hearing on Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. at 1800 Continental Pl., Mt Vernon, WA 98273-5625.
Contact Information:
Written testimony will be accepted in the following ways:
Via US mail addressed to:
Planning and Development Services
Attention: Kathy Jewell
1800 Continental Place
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Hand deliver to Skagit County PDS during business hours, or submit at the public hearing
Suggested Script:
Talking Points:
Xylene is a toxic petrochemical used in making plastics. If this proposal goes through, it’d be the first step in turning the Salish Sea into a petrochemical superhighway and would increase the risk of toxic spills.
By sending petrochemicals to Asia, Big Oil will be able to duck responsibility in the U.S. and move their climate pollution to other countries — while putting the Pacific Northwest at risk for toxic spills. Investments in xylene exports are a step in the wrong direction for our communities and the planet.
The threats that this project poses to our climate, the Salish Sea and the surrounding community make it clear that this project should not be permitted as proposed.
Sample letter:
Dear Skagit County Planning and Development Services,
I am calling on you to deny the Shoreline Permit permit for the Tesoro Refining & Marketing Company LLC, proposed “Clean Products Upgrade Project.”
The project, as proposed, in handling and transporting highly toxic chemicals such as Xylene, presents imminent threats to workers, members of the Skagit County Community and the lands, waters, and creatures, including endangered species such as Southern Resident Killer Whales, in and around the Salish Sea.
Our state has already demonstrated during the recent spill of farmed Atlantic Salmon into the Salish Sea that it is not well-equipped to handle spill disasters, whether it is one of invasive fish species, or at some time in the future, of poisoning chemicals such as Xylene or other substances devastating to our marine ecosystem. Thus, we cannot risk permitting such a project that would, in addition to posing irreparable damage to our living systems and waters, serve to welch on federal promises that Native American Tribes and Nations be allowed to pursue fishing in their usual and accustomed waters.
I encourage you invest in the health and well-being of Skagit County, surrounding communities, and the great Salish Sea by denying the permit to this ill-advised project.
Act by 10/17! Tell EPA not to withdraw Clean Water Act Restrictions for the Pebble Mine
Source: Save Bristol Bay
Description: The Trump Administration is proposing to reverse restrictions on discharge of mining wastes in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed, the largest sockeye salmon spawning area in the world. The 90-day public comment period ends Tuesday, 10/17/17.
Background: Pebble Mine, a proposed open-pit mine to extract copper, gold, and molybdenum, threatens one of the last great salmon fisheries in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Over 770 Washington fisherman hold permits to participate in the salmon fisheries there that last year yielded more than $200 million. EPA plans to withdraw its 2014 Proposed Determination that, if finalized, would have placed common-sense restrictions on the proposed mine. EPA’s Proposed Determination to protect Bristol Bay and limit the Pebble Mine came at the direct request of the tribes, communities, fishermen and businesses of Bristol Bay—and only after the agency undertook an extensive three-year, twice-peer reviewed scientific assessment that found a mine like Pebble would have “significant” and potentially “catastrophic” impacts on the Bristol Bay watershed. EPA’s decision to withdraw the restrictions came after meeting with the Pebble Limited Partnership CEO.
Suggested Script: I am writing you today to ask that you stand with American jobs and communities and not withdraw the Bristol Bay Proposed Determination.
As you know, Bristol Bay, Alaska, is one of America’s last great wild salmon fisheries. Tens of millions of wild salmon return annually, supporting upwards of 14,000 American jobs in the commercial and sport fishing industries and attracting anglers from around the world. Over 770 Washington fisherman hold permits to fish for salmon in Bristol Bay.
These long-established American businesses and jobs are at risk from a foreign-owned mining company that wants to build the proposed Pebble Mine, which is opposed by more than 65 percent of Alaskans and more than 80 percent of Bristol Bay residents.
In 2010, led by Alaska Native Tribes, interests including commercial fishing business owners and sportsmen asked the EPA step in to ensure that this mine wouldn’t jeopardize Bristol Bay. The EPA responded by listening to over 1.5 million Americans, hosting dozens of community meetings, reviewing Pebble’s many detailed filings with state and federal agencies, and conducting a twice peer-reviewed scientific assessment of the potential impacts to the region.
Withdrawing the proposed determination ignores the overwhelming majority of Alaskans and puts the short-term interests of a foreign mining company above thousands of American jobs. Please do not withdraw the proposed determination.
Please do not withdraw the proposed determination. Thank you.
Ask Your US Rep to Oppose Harmful Environmental Legislation
Source: Indivisible Seattle Environment
Description: Several pieces of harmful environmental legislation have been introduced and are moving through the House. Call your Congressional representative and urge them to oppose!
Background:
HR 3668 SHARE Act would gut wilderness protections and make it easier to purchase gun silencers.
HR 2936 Resilient Federal Forests Act would gut endangered species, Roadless Area Conservation Rule, and National Forest Management Act in order to dramatically increase industrial logging in federal forests.
I am calling to ask Representative Larsen/DelBene to stand strong against the all-out assault on environmental protections by the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans. Specifically, please oppose:
HR 3668 SHARE Act
HR 2936 Resilient Federal Forests Act
HR 3144 related to operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System
HR 3990 National Monument Creation and Protection Act
Additional Information:
Background information compiled by Indivisible Seattle Environment:
Description: Our Members of Congress have not yet sponsored the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017.
Background:
Contact Information:
Senator Patty Murray: WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
Senator Maria Cantwell: WA (206) 220-6400, DC (202) 224-3441
Congressman Rick Larsen: WA 360-733-4500, DC (202) 225-2605
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene WA (360) 416-7879, DC (202) 225-6311
Suggested Script: Hi! My name is [name] and I’m a constituent from [part of state]. I’m calling because I’m very concerned about the current situation with North Korea, I’d like [MoC] to co-sponsor the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017. This legislation would make explicit that Trump cannot launch a nuclear strike absent a declaration of war from Congress. That bill is [House: H.R. 669 or Senate: S. 200]. Is [MoC] planning to sponsor?
Senator Patty Murray: WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
Senator Maria Cantwell: WA (206) 220-6400, DC (202) 224-3441
Suggested Script: Hi, my name is {your name} and I am a constituent of Senator {Murray/Cantwell} from {your town}. When will the senator publicly annouce her co-sponsorship of Senator Sanders’ Medicare for All bill?
Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 from 6:00-8:00p.m.: Attend a fundraising party for Rebecca Boonstra’s campaign for a seat on the Whatcom County Council to represent District 3 at 221 Prospect St., Bellingham, WA 98225-4403. Light refreshments will be provided. Visit Facebook for more details.
Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 from 6:30-8:30p.m.: Attend the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum at Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie St., Bellingham, WA.
Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 from 8:00-9:00p.m.: Join the Ask Me Anything with City Council candidate Michael Lilliquist on the Riveters Collective Facebook group.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017 from 7:00-9:00p.m.: Attend the Seattle Event-Faith Over Fear: Standing with our Muslim Neighbors Roadshow at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 111 NE 80th St., Seattle, WA 98115. Join Aneelah Afzali (MAPS-AMEN) and Pastor Terry Kyllo (Neighbors in Faith) for an overview of the Islamophobia industry, the threat it poses to our nation and civil liberties, and what we can do about it together. This event will include time for Q & A and interaction with faith, political and education leaders in your area. Please visit the RC calendar page for Facebook for more information.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017 from 7:30-8:30p.m.: Join the Ask Me Anything with School Board candidate Jenn Mason on the Riveters Collective Facebook group.
Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 from 5:30-7:30p.m.: Attend a fundraiser for Barry Buchanan at 130 S. Forest St., Bellingham, WA 98225-5810. The suggested contribution is $100. Click here to donate. Please visit Facebook to learn more about the event and electbarry.com to learn more about the candidate.
Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 from 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.: Unpacking Cultural Racism Through Our Stories will critically examine how everyday actions are centered on whiteness and uphold privilege and power within our society. The event will be held at the Technology Development Center (downstairs classroom), 1000 F Street Bellingham, WA 98225.
