ROBERT P. GIBB, M.D.

PATHOLOGIST

204 VIEWCREST RD., BELLINGHAM, WA 98229 * (360) 733-5775

 

                                                                                                                                       August 30, 2006

 

To Edgemoor Neighbors Association

 

Subject:  The Chuckanut Ridge/Fairhaven Highlands Property

 

On August 16th the owners of the Chuckanut Ridge/Fairhaven Highlands sent a large excavator into the property through wetlands from Chuckanut Drive at 16th Street, to obtain soil samples at over 20 sites.  Excavations, 10 feet deep over areas measuring from approximately 10 to 15 feet in diameter were dug in the Class 1 wetlands, in buffers zones and in other areas.  The digging continued over 3 days.  Subsequent opinions from separate members of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers indicated that the samples could have been obtained with a post hole digger.  It is speculated that the soil samples were procured in an effort to negate the extent of the wetlands and their connectivity during the driest summer on record.

 

Apparently, the development of a connector road between Chuckanut Drive and the Fairhaven Parkway is still on the table, being pushed by the Planning and Public Works Departments assuming that connecting two LOS F roads will accomplish something.  Permitting the zoning upgrade for the high-density development was part of the deal, effected 12 years ago without public hearings.    

 

Chris Spens, of the City Planning Department has stated that under the recently adopted Critical Areas Ordinance, the developers did not need permission to do the digging.  He has also stated that city officials did visit the site and what was done was legal.  Other observers consider what was done to be excessive, unnecessary and an indication of the developer’s lack of concern about the environmental impact.

 

The Critical Areas Ordinance passed last year is permissive, conflicting and vague as was testified by the State Departments of Ecology and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, by Futurewise, by Dr. John McLaughlin from Huxley College at WWU and many others at the hearings on the CAO.  City Council members promised to address these concerns but so far this has not occurred.  It is hoped that the mayor’s resignation will allow these concerns to be addressed.