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STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY:  Comments on the Fairhaven Highlands Draft Environmental Impact Statement based on review of the State Environmental Policy Act:

      DOE Comments on DEIS

Select Comments on the DEIS:  The following are links to resource material prepared by RD's experts and by local residents:

      Earth and Water

      Emergency Services

      FDIC

      Fisheries

      Flora and Fauna

      Recreation

      Wetlands

Horizon Bank Under Two FDIC Cease and Desist Orders:  The FDIC issued two cease and desist orders against Horizon Bank.  A 1994 order prohibits the bank from engaging in multi-family developments.   1994 Order  In March 2009, the FDIC issued a second order requiring the bank to increase its Tier 1 ratio (i.e., net worth) to 10% of its total assets by the end of November.  Rather than increase its Tier 1 ratio, it has been dropping.  The following are articles about the two orders: 

Articles re bank's undercapitalization:

Cease and Desist Order (3-3-09) and Undercapitalization (Herald 11-5-09)

Articles re multi-family housing prohibition:  Development Restriction  (Herald 11-3-09) and Crosscut Article (10-26-09)

Strong Opposition to DEIS - The public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Study for Fairhaven Highlands was held on October 20, 2009.  Numerous experts hired by Responsible Development and local residents strongly objected to the draft report. 

 DEIS Criticized (Herald  10-21-09) 

Draft EIS

Video of DEIS Hearing (211.23 minutes)

Index to video (the number refers to where testimony starts):

     Dr. Bob Gibb, former medical examiner –  56:00

     Llyn Doremus, hydrolology consultant – 61:00

     Sarah Cooke, wetland consultant – 69:00

     Dave Bricklin, land use and environmental attorney – 85:20

     John Lesow, County Planning Commissioner – 110:40

     John McLaughlin, Ph.D., WWU Professor, biologist, researcher –     115.45

     Michael Botwin, former California Deputy Attorney General - 127.45

     Gerry Wilbour, blasting expert – 140.20

     Nancy Joseph, agency SEPA official – 152.15

     Brad Rose, Edgemoor Neighborhood Assn pres. – 155.20

     Christopher Grannis, South Neighborhood Assn pres. – 173:00

City Agrees to Buy 80 Acres for North Bellingham Park:   The city agreed to pay $1.7 million for 80 acres along Northwest Drive for a park.  New Park (Herald (8-1-09)

City Council Denies Water to Governors Point:  Governors Point Development Company appealed from the city's refusal to provide water to the proposed 141-home project at Governors Point.  It's appeal to the City Council was unanimously denied.  City Council Denies Water to Governors Point (Herald 6-16-09). 

Major Revisions Planned for Cordata Project:  Ted Mischaikov, the developer of the 428-home Cordata project, proposes substantial changes in the proposed project that will include a 3.5 acre park, bus pullouts, trails and a community center.  Cordata Project  (Herald 5-4-09)

City Sue Because of Its Refusal to Provide Water to Governor's Point:   Governors Point Development Company sued the city for for $2.83 million because of the city's refusal to provide water to Governors Point.  The development company claims it will have to build a desalinization plant at a cost of around $2 million to provide water for the proposed 141-home project.  Lawsuit (Herald 4-4-09)

City Extends Watershed Ban:  The City Council voted 6-0 to extend the temporary building ban on construction in the Lake Whatcom watershed area to provide more time for new development rules to be drafted.  Building Ban Extended  (March 10, 2009)

King Mountain Becomes Latest Bellingham Neighborhood:  The city approved the addition of 635 acres to the city, thus creating the 24th neighborhood.  The new area is located between Meridian and Mt. Baker neighborhoods.  New Neighborhood  (Herald  3-13-09)

DNR Buys 80 Acres of Blanchard Mountain:  The Department of Natural Resources purchased 80 acres of Blanchard Mountain  in northwest Skagit County.  It will be part of the 4, 827-acre Blanchard Forest state trust lands and will be used for timber harvest, recreation and wildlife habitat.  Blanchard Mountain  (Herald 3-6-09)

Port and City Officials Like Architects' Compromise Plan:   A group of architects submitted a compromise plan for the development of the port (architects' plant  (Herald  3-4-09)) which was warmly received by Port and city officials.  Compromise Plan (Herald 3-5-08).

Horizon Bank Under FDIC Cease and Desist Order:  The FDIC issued a cease and desist order against Horizon Bank that ordered the bank to reduce its bad assets and bring in more capital.  The FDIC accused Horizon Bank of engaging in "unsafe or unsound banking practices."  While the bank will have to curtail its construction and land-development loans, it is unknown what effect the order will have on the Fairhaven Highlands development.  Cease and Desist Order (3-3-09)