There is hereby established the Whatcom County forest advisory committee.
(Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A; Ord. 2025-011 Exh. A)
The forest advisory committee provides review and recommendations to the county council on issues that affect forest lands within Whatcom County, including those related to the timber economy, forest ecosystems, climate impacts, and recreation. The forest advisory committee also provides a forum for all sectors of the forest community to contribute to discussions on the future of forest lands in Whatcom County.
(Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A; Ord. 2025-011 Exh. A)
The forest advisory committee reports directly to the county council and collaborates with other appropriate advisory groups as necessary to carry out the following functions:
A. 
Review and provide recommendations on zoning issues, comprehensive plans, subarea plans, regulation and annexation issues, forest management plans, the climate action plan, the comprehensive parks, recreation and open space plan, and other plans, policies, and proposals which directly affect forest lands, forest resilience, or forestry activities in Whatcom County.
B. 
Establish, promote, and implement a comprehensive forestry protection and conservation program.
C. 
Review, track, and provide expertise on the county's efforts related to forestry, forest management, and forest resilience, including on county-owned forest lands.
D. 
Analyze and develop recommendations that will assist the county in addressing issues which affect forestry at the city, county, regional, state, and federal levels.
E. 
Analyze and provide recommendations on proposed timber harvest and land management plans and projects occurring on state trust lands, federal forest lands, and other public lands within Whatcom County as requested by the county council.
(Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A; Ord. 2025-011 Exh. A)
A. 
The committee shall consist of 16 voting members and one nonvoting member as follows: two small forest landowners with forest land in Whatcom County, two commercial forest landowners or their representatives, two harvesters or silviculturists, two community members with forestry, forest ecology, or forest management experience, two forest product manufacturers (including a representative from at least one sawmill that receives wood from Whatcom County), and ex officio representatives designated by each of the following: the Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Whatcom Conservation District, and Whatcom Land Trust; and one nonvoting member of the county council.
B. 
In appointing committee members, council should consider previous work and/or educational experience in relevant subjects including, but not limited to: forestry, forest management, forest engineering, forest economics, forest products, forest health, forest ecology, silviculture, reforestation, afforestation, conservation, environmental studies, science, and policy, natural resources, and/or climate science.
C. 
Terms will be four years and shall run with the position rather than the individual member.
D. 
Except for the ex officio representatives, members shall not serve more than two consecutive full terms unless there is at least a one-year separation between terms.
E. 
Except for the ex officio representatives, committee members shall be appointed by the county council. The council shall appoint members to specific positions. In the event of a vacancy before the end of the designated term, the council shall appoint an interim member to fill the remainder of the term for that position.
F. 
Whatcom County shall be the primary residence for all appointed members of the committee. The county council shall have the right to waive the residency requirement (WCC § 2.03.090) for representatives of the commercial forest landowner and manufacturer positions on the committee. Whatcom County residency is a preference, but not a requirement, for ex officio representatives as designated by their respective agencies or organizations.
(Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A; Ord. 2022-041 Exh. A; Ord. 2025-011 Exh. A)
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 least 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, Advisory Groups.
(Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A; Ord. 2025-011 Exh. A)
Whatcom County planning and development services department shall provide staffing for the committee. Whatcom County public works and parks and recreation departments shall be available upon request for topics relevant to their departments. The committee is authorized to request information from administrative departments through the county executive's office.
(Ord. 2013-014 Exh. A; Ord. 2025-011 Exh. A)