tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257022282747854387.post5112573995404958007..comments2023-11-22T22:04:17.326-08:00Comments on Get Whatcom Planning: Of Wetlands and SausagesJean Melioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15759730663769578269noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257022282747854387.post-34011290285785992442011-11-13T12:43:51.100-08:002011-11-13T12:43:51.100-08:00I am pleased to see SSA's assertion that "...I am pleased to see SSA's assertion that "Clearing of paths was accomplished by pushing over vegetation in a 17-foot-wide corridor between marked borehole locations." Can this be proven?<br /><br />When I looked at the pictures of the cleared tracks, I did not see the number of trees I would have expected to see "pushed over" lying along the margins.<br /><br />Where are the trees that were pushed over? Is there any evidence of chain sawn stumps? Did the trees have help getting "pushed over"? Most importantly, did some of those trees get up and go somewhere else?<br /><br />If timber was collected and moved off site, it was presumably merchantable and marketed. In that case, there is no excuse for not imposing the moratorium. That's the best silver bullet the community has.Tiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06034851474589857864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257022282747854387.post-68001186245258057912011-10-25T04:49:36.338-07:002011-10-25T04:49:36.338-07:00As you say, "The sausage that comes out at th...As you say, "The sausage that comes out at the end of the process will only be as palatable as the ingredients that go into it. If we aren't careful, we'll be fed whatever is "practicable" for SSA."<br /><br />And this is why I, for one, have been unconvinced, notwithstanding obfuscation, by the Linville campaign's assertions their candidate opposes development of a major coal export facility at Cherry Point.<br /><br />From the outset, Linville has cautioned us to allow the "process" to work, and criticized Pike for rushing to judgment. This always seemed to me a subterfuge for some other agenda.<br /><br />That agenda became more obvious when it came out that Linville, while chair of Ways & Means just last year, was using her position on behalf of campaign contributors (SSA, BNSF et al) to influence "the process" with state agencies.<br /><br />Recently disclosed e-mails from Ecology director, Ted Sturdevant, refer to Linville's support of a more cordial reception for SSA's plans. <br /><br />Certainly, if the chair of Ways and Means thinks, "the key parties should get around the table to get clear on what the obstacles are and what the path forward is ..." because they suspect, "... the agencies are impediments" the path forward is unlikely to present any overwhelming obstacles.<br /><br />But now Linville tells voters she has never supported the export of coal at Cherry Point. <br /><br />No, just supported a clearer path.<br /><br />Of course this is just politics as usual. Contributors who "pay to play" on one hand; on the other, politicians who play along, not so much for the money, but to keep the money from recruiting opponents to steal their seat on the gravy train.<br /><br />One things clear. The outcome of all this "process" stuff they're pushing may not be "tasty or nutritious" but someone's clearly getting fat!g.h.kirschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10751067888415362776noreply@blogger.com