Chapter 2.123
FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Sections:
2.123.040 Membership – Term of office.
2.123.050 Organization – Meetings.
2.123.010 Established.
There is hereby established the Whatcom County forestry advisory committee. (Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A).
2.123.020 Purpose.
The forestry advisory committee provides review and recommendations to the Whatcom County council on issues that affect the forestry industry. The forestry advisory committee also provides a forum for all sectors of the forestry community to contribute to discussions on the future of forestry in Whatcom County. (Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A).
2.123.030 Function.
The forestry advisory committee reports directly to the county council or other appropriate advisory boards, commissions, and committees as necessary to carry out the following functions:
A. Review and provide recommendations on zoning issues, comprehensive plans, subarea plans, regulation and annexation issues, and other proposals which directly affect lands or forestry activities in or adjacent to forest land.
B. Establish, promote, and implement a comprehensive forestry protection and preservation program.
C. Analyze and develop recommendations that will assist the county in addressing issues which affect forestry at the county, regional, state, and federal levels.
D. Assist, upon request of the director of planning and development services, that department by providing review and comment on comprehensive planning and zoning related issues in or adjacent to forest land. (Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A).
2.123.040 Membership – Term of office.
The committee shall consist of 11 voting members as follows: two small forest landowners, two commercial forest landowners or their representatives, two harvesters, two private citizens with forestry expertise, two forest product manufacturers, and one representative designated by the Department of Natural Resources.
Committee members shall be appointed by the county council. Member terms will be four years. The county council shall have the right to waive the qualified registered voter and residency requirement (WCC 2.03.100) for representatives of the commercial forest landowner positions on the committee. (Ord. 2022-041 Exh. A; Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A).
2.123.050 Organization – Meetings.
Meetings of the committee shall be open and accessible to the public and shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. The committee shall determine its own meeting schedule but shall meet at lease twice per year. At every meeting, the committee will schedule an open session to take public comment on forestry issues. Written records of meetings, resolutions, findings, and recommendations shall be kept and such records shall be public. The committee shall adopt its own rules and procedures for the conduct of business. The committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members who shall preside at its meetings. The committee shall comply with Whatcom County Charter Section 4.20, Qualifications, and with Chapter 2.03 WCC, Boards and Commissions. (Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A).
2.123.060 Committee staffing.
Whatcom County planning and development services department shall provide staffing for the committee. The committee is authorized to request information from administrative departments through the county executive’s office. (Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A).