Bellingham to have equal footing with Whatcom County on metal-shredder review, Two waterfront cleanups on Cornwall Avenue to begin next year ahead of future park, Two waterfront cleanups on Cornwall Avenue to begin next year ahead of future park, WA ferry crew, Coast Guard rescue 6 people, 2 dogs in Rosario Strait, Larsen Secures $19.3 Million for Fifteen Local Projects in Fiscal Year 2024 Spending Package, WA approves more funds for tenant attorneys as evictions remain high, WA expanding health care options for undocumented immigrants
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STORY: Bellingham to have equal footing with Whatcom County on metal-shredder review
The Bellingham City Council will now jointly investigate with Whatcom County the environmental impact of the proposed mental shredder.
The city council voted unanimously yesterday to co-lead the environmental investigation of ABC Recycling’s controversial proposed project on Marine Drive, even though the facility would be outside city limits. In an email from county Planning Director Mark Personius, Whatcom County has jurisdiction but would welcome the help.
The timeline for completing the review isn’t clear but likely is several months away. County planners are preparing to request a consultant to review the potentially significant impacts to air quality, stormwater, and noise and traffic levels in the Alderwood area. The changes also would be felt all the way to the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, as the processed metal would be trucked from Marine Drive to the waterfront for export. According to city council member Dan Hammill, these wide-ranging effects were a good reason for the city to help in the environmental review. In an interview with Cascadia Daily News, ABC Community Relations Manager Riley Sweeney said that ABC takes no issue with the decision, and are confident that they are building a state-of-the-art facility.
Only county officials will have a role in deciding final approval of the project.
STORY: Two waterfront cleanups on Cornwall Avenue to begin next year ahead of future park
A new 17-acre waterfront park is scheduled to open by 2027 at the former RG Haley and Cornwall Avenue Landfill sites along Bellingham Bay.
The project, aimed at enhancing waterfront areas, includes cleanup efforts alongside construction of the new Salish Landing Park. The Cornwall Landfill operated from the late 1800s to 2005, while the RG Haley site was used from the mid-1800s to 1985 for various industrial purposes. Cleanup plans for the sites were finalized in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Cleanup costs are estimated at around $28 million for RG Haley and $17 million for Cornwall Landfill, with anticipated state funding covering 50%. Phase one of construction, costing $2 and half million, will provide beach access, trails, plants, and parking. Phase two, estimated at $13 million, is in development.
Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with phase one opening in 2027. Concerns about parking space were raised during a public comment period, but plans are based on a 2014 master plan, with opportunities for refinement in the future.
STORY: WA ferry crew, Coast Guard rescue 6 people, 2 dogs in Rosario Strait
On Saturday, a Washington State Ferries crew helped the Coast Guard rescue six people and two dogs from a boat in Rosario Strait.
According to the Coast Guard station in Bellingham, a 37-foot cabin cruiser called for assistance during bad weather near Decatur (duh-KEI-tur) Island around noon. A wave over the bow shattered the boat’s front windshield, injuring some of the boaters and causing the vessel to take on water. The boaters shared their GPS position before their radio lost communications. The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast — a radio message for all boaters in the area — and dispatched vessels and a helicopter.
Before the Coast Guard arrived, the ferry Samish responded and launched its rescue boat. Four boaters were taken on board the ferry, and the ferry used its size to shield the damaged boat from wind and waves. A Coast Guard boat responded soon after and took the two other passengers and their dogs on board. The Coast Guard drove the cabin cruiser safely to Anacortes while the Samish shielded it from the wind.
Once on shore, the Anacortes Fire Department took the boaters to EMS to be checked for any injuries.
STORY: Larsen Secures $19.3 Million for Fifteen Local Projects in Fiscal Year 2024 Spending Package
Representative Rick Larsen has announced more than $19 million in funding for 15 local projects.
The Fiscal Year 2024 spending package will go to critical projects across the state. The funding will benefit Bellingham, Lummi Nation, and Whatcom County as well as Mount Vernon, Skagit County, and other areas in our region. Some projects include the Lummi Indian Nation’s Slater Road Elevation Project, Mount Vernon’s Library Commons Project, Lynden’s Bradley Road Safety Improvements, and Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office’s Rapid DNA System.
The package now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
STORY: WA approves more funds for tenant attorneys as evictions remain high
Amid a surge in eviction cases in Washington, the state is allocating additional funds to provide legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction.
Lawmakers have approved $3 million for the Office of Civil Legal Aid’s right-to-counsel program, who will hire 10 more attorneys to reach a total of 80 statewide. The move aims to address the imbalance in legal representation between landlords and tenants, particularly in areas with high eviction rates. However, some landlords advocate that funds be allocated to financial assistance for tenants who are behind on rent instead. The spike in eviction filings follows the expiration of pandemic-era tenant protections, leading to concerns about housing instability and homelessness.
Since its inception, the program has represented tenants in about 15,000 cases, primarily related to unpaid rent. Although challenges such as attorney shortages and burnout exist, legal representation has proven effective in preventing evictions and mitigating harmful outcomes for tenants.
The program’s budget for the upcoming year stands at approximately $18 million with the new funding.
WX: Sun
Your Whatcom County weather – today will be rainy and cloudy, with a high of 49 degrees and moderate winds. Rain will continue tonight, as temperatures drop to a low of 38. Tomorrow is expected to be partly sunny, with rain not projected for the rest of the week.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman and Tristan Trudell. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thanks for listening.
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STORY: WA expanding health care options for undocumented immigrants
Washington is expanding healthcare options for undocumented immigrants.
Seattle Times reports that the Legislative agreed to allocate an additional $28 million in order to accommodate the 16,000 undocumented immigrants who applied for Apple Health coverage during the latest enrollment period. Starting in July, Apple Health will expand to undocumented immigrants whose incomes are 138% below the federal poverty level.
Washington has allowed for undocumented immigrants to buy private health insurance since last year, when the state’s waiver application was approved by both the HHS and the Department of the Treasury. The waiver also allows for undocumented immigrants to apply for Medicaid. Undocumented immigrants are also eligible for assistance through the federal government’s Premium Tax Credit program.
