Protection of the
Lake Whatcom Reservoir...

... for the safety and quality of Bellingham's drinking-water source, and related habitat ...

immediately ... permanently ... fairly
... most economically
TIG logo, ©1998 mgbeddill
logo by marian beddill © 1998   .c
The Initiative Group
Got Questions? See the FAQ's --- (frequently-asked questions)
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HOW?
      new text on this page
We asked You, the Voters for support! You gave it.

The INITIATIVE PETITION
succeeded. Over 5000 people signed it!
We now have a CERTIFIED INITIATIVE
to implement that ignored BEST method, protection.
WHY?
The City, County and WD 10 agreed in 1992 that protection is better and cheaper than cleanup, saying as the first explicit General Goal:
"To prioritize protection over treatment in managing Lake Whatcom and its watersheds. Management actions shall reflect a long term view of replacement or treatment costs." But neither organization has acted on it.
    Since:
  • the City of Bellingham delivers your water, and
  • the only source for it is Lake Whatcom, and
  • drinking-water treatment (chlorination or more) does not improve the ecology of the Lake and stream, and
  • a hold on development permits all possible plans to be evaluated, and
  • the City would surely be held liable if water-supply contamination happens, and
  • most major cities have purchased and fenced their watershed source, and
  • Bellingham has NOT purchased and fenced it's watershed source, in spite of saying for at least 50 years that it should, and
  • those who drink this water will benefit most directly from improved protection, and
  • since those who are to be billed should vote on it; .....
    We propose that the City of Bellingham begin a half-century -- or more -- plan to buy up as much land as possible in the watershed, as quickly as can be done, and to do it...
  • the City's water-bills should be used to collect $4 million per year, via user fees;
  • fairly proportioned among industrial users and household users;
  • of between zero and $144/year/per household
    (was: $120/year in previous draft)    ;
  • this money going to buy watershed land and hold it in protected and managed forest.

.... the right thing to do ....

still need answers? - I hope they're in the FAQ's
but if not, ask us: Email to TIG
WHAT?
Our bottom-line principles are: Protect the water supply in perpetuity -- maintain ecological viability of the lake for natural species -- distribute the financial burden fairly among those benefitting -- take immediate action if prudent -- take definitive action -- avoid actions which cut off future options.

this is the TIG why-what page: http://www.nas.com/tig/why_what.htm


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 edited February 10th , 2000 -- mgb
Bellingham, Washington 98226 --- The Fourth Corner of the USA
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