Lummi Nation Opposes Vancouver Terminal, Boardmill Project Moving Forward, WDFW drones and invasive plants in Skagit County, Bellingham High School Student Struck by Train, Social Media Impacts Youth Mental Health
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KMRE brings you local news for [Tuesday], [May 30th]. Good afternoon,
I’m __.
STORY: LUMMI NATION OPPOSES VANCOUVER TERMINAL
The Lummi Nation is opposing the approved expansion of the marine
terminal at the Port of Vancouver.
In a recent release, the Lummi Nation argues that the expansion violates
a 2021 Supreme Court of Canada decision and would harm fisheries
restoration efforts. Known as the Roberts Bank Terminal 2, the project
received government approval after a lengthy process. However, the
tribe claims that the project will have devastating effects on their ability
to restore fisheries and exercise their rights.
The Canadian Supreme Court decision in R. v. Desautel (DAY-saw-tell)
recognized that non-citizens and non-residents can claim Aboriginal
rights under the Canadian Constitution. By asserting their Aboriginal
rights, the Lummi Nation asserts that Canada and British Columbia must
consider the impact of projects on Lummi treaty rights in the United
States and Aboriginal rights in Canada.
During the environmental assessment process, the Vancouver Fraser
Port Authority consulted with 47 indigenous groups, however Lummi
Nation was not one of them. In a recent release, The Port of Vancouver
emphasized the importance of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 for Canada’s
long-term trade growth and stated their focus is on advancing the
project while protecting the environment and considering Indigenous
priorities.
The Lummi Nation previously opposed the construction of a coal
terminal at Cherry Point in Whatcom County in 2015, resulting in the
permit application being rejected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in
2016.
STORY: Boardmill Project Moving Forward
A project to redesign Bellingham’s waterfront has announced a proposal
for the final design of the area.
West Laurel street along the waterfront will evolve over the next several
years while it is developed into a more community oriented space.
The new additions will include apartments in the form of a seven-story
building and a 5-story apartment building with an attached parking
garage. The apartments will be market rate, with no affordable housing
units.
In Bellingham, affordable housing is defined as housing that doesn’t
exceed 30% of a family’s gross income. And, it must be able to serve
families making at least 80% or less than the median income.
A new two-story boutique hotel is also planned along with an almost 6
thousand square foot commercial space. According to the proposal, the
parking and residential building will also include a 25 thousand square
foot rooftop park.
The final proposal will be submitted in July, with construction is
expected to begin at the end of 2025.
STORY: Bellingham High School Student Struck by Train
On Tuesday night a Bellingham High School student was struck and killed
by a freight train near Little Squalicum Park. According to information
from the Bellingham Police Department the death occurred around 5:30
pm and is still under investigation.
The student has not yet been identified, but Dana Smith, the Bellingham
School District spokeswoman, did confirm that the victim was a student
at Bellingham High School.
Story: WDFW drones and invasive plants in Skagit County
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife announced last
week that a contractor will be flying a drone over almost 28 hundred
acres in Skagit County. The flights are being used to map vegetation and
identify invasive species like cattail or reed canarygrass.
Spraying will occur in select areas that are otherwise inaccessible to
ground equipment. The herbicides used are aquatically safe and
permitted in the area.
The drone flights will occur during daylight hours between 8am and
5pm. After beginning this month, the state says that they expect the
mapping of the area to last through the end of June.
STORY: AG FILES LAWSUIT VS. PFAS MAKERS
Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed an environmental lawsuit
against multiple manufacturers of PFAS , commonly known as “forever
chemicals.”
The lawsuit alleges that these companies were aware of the serious risks
posed by these chemicals to human health and the environment for
decades, but deceived the public while making substantial profits.
PFAS have been used to create water-resistant materials for many years,
but their use is now subject to stricter regulations due to their link to
cancer, infertility, developmental issues in children, and other health
problems.
The lawsuit specifically focuses on PFAS used in aqueous film-forming
foam, which is utilized for firefighting and emergency response,
particularly in areas near airports and military sites. The companies,
including 3M and DuPont, are accused of violating state laws such as
Washington’s law against public nuisances, Products Liability Act, and
Consumer Protection Act. The lawsuit seeks to hold the companies
accountable for damage to water sources across Washington caused by
PFAS contamination and require manufacturers to cover the costs of
investigation and restoration.
STORY: SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACTS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
Social media is having a concerning impact on young people’s mental
health. The U.S. Surgeon General recently released an advisory on its
impacts. Here’s Eric Tegethoff with more.
MENTAL HEALTH AUDIO
WX:
For your Whatcom weather today, expect scattered showers with spots
of sunshine. A high of 63 is forecasted to reach Bellingham in the late
afternoon, as showers are expected to have stopped by then. Tonight
we have another clear evening on the horizon with a low of 48 degrees.
Tomorrow June 1st, more sunny weather is on the way. Clear skies all
afternoon will be accompanied by a high of 66 degrees in the afternoon.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carl Bryden and Questen
Inghram. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m,
and on demand at kmre.org. For news tips and feedback, please send an
email to news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit
community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m
___________ and thanks for listening.
