Waterfront Wednesday News

July 31, 2024

County Seeks Changes to HII Zoning Outside Comp Plan Review

The un-incorporated growth areas north of Bellingham downtown. Code changes to the HII Zones in this location would set precedent for other HII zones.

The Whatcom County Council is considering changes to the codes of acceptable uses for the unincorporated growth areas north of Bellingham zoned High-Impact Industrial. The changes are a response from neighborhood associations around Bellingham pressuring the Council to move industrial jobs and businesses further out into the county.

The changes are an attempt, proponents say, to protect the character and safety of the nearby neighborhoods. The current County codes under which permits are vetted and approved, however, already directly mitigate and address those concerns through a fair and impartial process of review that allows businesses to evolve and meet the standards, pushing industries to be safer, cleaner and more transparent.

To read more on the issue or see the lists of approved and un-approved uses proposed, follow the links below. County Council contacts are also linked. Please contact the County Council will feedback on these proposed lists, and let them know your concerns and thoughts. If your business would be impacted by these changes, please contact our staff and let them know. While the changes proposed are only for the UGA HII Zones north of Bellingham, these changes can, and likely would, be applied to other zones in the future if the measure is successful. 

Bellingham Leads in Hydrogen Powered Ferry Launch

M/V Sea Change. WA state is officially designated as a Hydrogen Hub, one of only 9 hubs in the country to receive federal aid in building hydrogen technology and energy infrastructure. Photo: All-American Marine. 

All-American Marine launched the M/V Sea Change, the world's very first hydrogen-only powered ferry two years ago. Marking a new era of renewably-powered watercraft, the technology and concept are putting Bellingham on the map for alternate fuel transportation and industry. The ferry is now fully operational in San Francisco Bay, and Cascadia Daily News reported recently that the ferry is soon to be actively transporting passengers.  See the story linked below:

State Parks Revokes Access for Businesses at Larrabee

Dragonfly Kayaks along the shore. After-hours access for unique bioluminescent tours has been revoked for Dragonfly and others.  Photo: Dragonfly Kayaks

Whatcom County is fortunate to offer visitors and tourists a chance to see the natural wonder of ocean bioluminescence. The plankton in the ocean emit light as a defense, causing the sea to turn to field of sparkling green sequins. The effect is only visible in low light conditions, and Larrabee State Park officials have granted permitted businesses access after-hours to allow the public access to the natural phenomena.  Recently, State Parks has revoked that access, and with it, for the public of varying skill levels and physical ability to witness this special sight.

Cascadia Daily News recently explored the topic with Dragonfly Kayaks' owner, Tori Ayres, discussing the Parks' stated reasons, and the impacts to tourism, access, and businesses:

Working Waterfront Wins Photo Contest

The winning photo in a recent contest - Nets and buoys at Gate 5 of Squalicum Harbor. Photo: Dan Tucker

The Working Waterfront Coalition is part of the National Working Waterfront Network, a growing coalition of organizations from every shore of the United States working to protect and enhance our maritime heritage, marine trades, maritime economy and steward our waters and shores.

Recently, the WWC entered into a photo-contest with the NWWN, for a photo depicting still-life scenes of a working waterfront. Above is the winning photo, captured by our staff, Dan Tucker, back in April this year. The NWWN recently featured the photo, and a blog post about our Coalition and Foundation organizations to the entire network. In winning the contest, the organization has also been invited to participate as a speaker in the upcoming National Working Waterfront Conference in San Diego, in February of 2025, to highlight the strong work we're doing and the accomplishments in both policy, and in programs. To all who are a part of our Coalition, our members, our Board, committees, and leadership, your work is impressive, and the entire network of working waterfronts has recognized it.

Follow the link below to read the post and see the image a bit larger:

Bristol Bay Sockeye Smaller This Season

National Fisherman - As the season comes to an end, data from this year’s sockeye salmon harvest in the Bristol Bay region show record lows. According to Undercurrent News reporting data from the McKinley Research Group (MRG), harvests in the area have surpassed the preseason forecast. Still, the average size of the sockeye salmon being landed has been the lowest on record.

Learn more via the link below:

M/V Whatcom Chief Project Skyrockets in Cost

The Whatcom Chief ferries vehicles to Lummi Island.

The forecasted funds necessary to to upgrade or replace the aging Whatcom Chief ferry servicing Lummi Island has jumped almost 90% since initial bids as presented in a recent report to the County Council. The ferry was slated to be replaced with a 34-car electric ferry. However, with the large increases in the project's costs, those plans are now back to the drawing board. Read more via the link below:

Affordable Benefits for Maritime Companies - Statewide

The Working Waterfront Health Trust provides affordable pooled-insurance health plans for qualifying marine-trades businesses - state-wide. The Trust launched two years ago, has grown steadily each year and provides a range of health plans to consider through Premera Blue Cross.

If you'd like to know more about the Health Trust, contact your insurance broker today and ask them about the Working Waterfront Health Trust. Fall is the peak time to meet with your broker to discuss options for your employees for 2025.

Are You Hiring? Use the Coalition Job Board

The Coalition's Job Board is free, contactless, and easy! We designed this board for our commercial fishermen, marine trades industries and other waterfront jobs in mind, to act as a digital bulletin board for crew positions, contract hires, or regular employee spots that you want to have a digital space for.

If you have any questions on using it, reach out to our staff, info@whatcomworkingwaterfront.org. To submit a job posting, use the link below:

Upcoming Waterfront & Coalition Events