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Tree Wetland Survey Complete:    At the request of the Mayor's office, the Parks Arborist was requested "to make a determination regarding mature trees in relation to wetlands located within the Fairhaven Highlands development."  The results of the survey indicated that there were 84 mature trees within the wetlands.  Tree Survey

Scope of EIS Is Set:  After public hearing and receiving approximately 800 public comments, Bellingham's planning director, Tim Stewart, augmented the scope of the EIS.  It will not include a review of the aesthetic and greenhouse gas impacts, widening the 12th Street Bridge and the building of a connector road.   Scope of Review (Herald  3-13-08)  The study does not consider the city's purchase of the property.  Purchase Not Considered  (Herald 3-12-08)

Army Corps of Engineers Asserts Jurisdiction:  Developer David Edelstein requested a jurisdictional determination for the wetlands on Fairhaven Highlands by the Army Corps of Engineers.  On April 12, 2006, the Army Corps of Engineers responded by asserting its jurisdiction over some of the wetlands.  Army Corps of Engineers Letter

Chuckanut Ridge Wetlands Are Critically Important:   These wetlands are important for flood and storm control, wildlife habitat, the protection of subsurface water resources, recreation, and for additional reasons.  Critical Nature of Wetlands

Dr. McLaughlin Fights to Protect Chuckanut Ridge from Destruction:  John McLaughlin is a professional environmental scientist with a Ph.D. in biological sciences from Stanford University.  He is a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University.  Since the early 1980s, Dr. McLaughlin conducted research in diverse ecosystems and has developed protocols for wildlife surveys and has conducted surveys of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.  He believes Chuckanut Ridge is a unique property, vital to the ecological health of the Bellingham area.  Dr. McLaughlin has been an outspoken defender of the protection of Chuckanut Ridge.  The following are documents Dr. McLaughlin submitted to the city. 

• Critique of Fairhaven Highlands SEPA Checklist

• Educational Values of Preserving Chuckanut Ridge

• SEPA Requires EIS for Fairhaven Highlands Development

• Fairhaven Highlands Wetland Delineation

Fodor Evaluates Financial Impact of Fairhaven Highlands:  Eben Fodor is a well respected community planning consultant.  He was hired by RD to study the financial impact of the Fairhaven Highlands development.  He concluded that the project will cost the city $12.1 million for the transportation, school, fire and park facilities services.  Attached is his 20 page report.  Due to its size, it has been broken down into four batches. 

•     Fodor Study pages 1-4

•     Fodor Study pages 5-9

•     Fodor Study pages 10-14

•     Fodor Study paged 15-end

Huxley College of the Environment