42ND DISTRICT CONSTITUENTS: SIGN TOWN HALL INVITE
We are inviting Senator Ericksen to a town hall meeting.
IMPORTANT!: OPPOSE SB5239 (Ensuring that water is available to support development)
In the Hirst decision, the Court ruled that Whatcom County, in issuing building permits with permit-exempt wells as water source, failed to comply with GMA requirements in protecting water resources. Per the Center for Environmental Law and Policy (CELP), this legislation “Overturns Hirst and allows unmitigated development to harm existing users of water, including instream flows… [It] Completely undermines instream flows, making them subordinate to new wells.” This legislation absolutely has important implications for the overappropriated Nooksack River watershed.
- Find your Representatives here.
- Legislature Hotline: 1-800-562-6000.
- Email addresses here.
- Submit a Comment!
- Watch the hearing: 2/21 at 1:30
- Suggested comment: Hi, my name is [insert name] and I am a constituent of the [insert district #] legislative district. Please oppose SB 5239, which would overturn the Hirst decision and allow unmitigated development to harm existing users of water, including instream flows important for salmon. Ensuring there is sufficient water to support development is important for smart growth.
THIS TUESDAY, 2/21: Attend the Public Meeting to Support Grizzly Bear Restoration in the North Cascades
***From Friends of the Northwest Grizzly Bear (edited for length)*** While native to the Cascades, fewer than 10 grizzly bears remain. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are holding an open-house to answer questions about the Draft Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement. Attendance at this event will be vital for showing public support for grizzly bear restoration. Specifically, please attend to voice your support for Alternative C: Incremental Restoration. You may also submit written comment here by 3/14. For more information, read this handy fact sheet.
Happy Hour hosted by Conservation Northwest and Defenders of Wildlife,
Happy Hour: Aslan Brewing Company, 1330 N. Forest St., Bellingham, Tuesday, 2/21, 5-6pm
Public Open House: Oxford Suites, 4051 Meridian St., Bellingham, Tuesday, 2/21, 6-8pm
Suggested comment: I am here (or “I am writing”) to voice my support for restoring a healthy population of grizzly bears to the North Cascades, their home for thousands of years. Specifically, I support Alternative C: Incremental Restoration, with additional bear transplants as needed to ensure sustained population growth. Alternative C strikes a sound balance to meet the mutual goals of grizzly bear recovery and the needs of people. I believe grizzly bears will benefit our region’s ecosystems and economies alike, and preserve true wildness for future generations to cherish and enjoy. During your scoping period and in recent public polling, broad support has been documented for grizzly bear restoration. Please do the right thing and bring back this native species through the strategy laid out in Alternative C. Doing so will restore an important piece of our ecosystem, regional culture, and natural heritage.
SIGN PETITION
Tell PSE CEO Kimberly Harris: Time to transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy!
***From Sierra Club (edited)*** Puget Sound Energy, Washington’s largest energy utility, prides itself on being a green utility. However, its actions tell a different story. While PSE recently agreed to retire 307 megawatts of coal-fired electricity from its dirty coal plant in Colstrip, MT, it wants to replace Colstrip with new gas-fired power plants. It’s time to demand a complete transition off fossil fuels to 100% renewable and energy efficiency. No new gas! Click here to submit your message to PSE’s CEO. Note: By taking action, you will also receive periodic communications from the Sierra Club. You can unsubscribe at any time.
From the Calendar
Monday 20 Feb, 10am, Equity Rally at State Capitol. https://wecprotects.org/events/equity-rally/
Thursday 23 Feb, Noon and 4 pm, Ijeoma Oluo is speaking at WWU about race, gender & social change, and writing about politics .
Friday 24 Feb, 6:30, Pickford Film Center, I am Not Your Negro
Sunday 26 Feb, 10am-noon, Bellingham Kids March, Fairhaven Village Green
Monday 27 Feb, 6:15pm, Bellingham City Hall, Family Council Day