Dredge Committee Members,

Often friends have asked “What can we do to move the dredge forward?” NOW is the time for all of us to make our voices heard to move the dredge project to completion.

In April of 2017 the Committee submitted the dredge permit application to Whatcom County Planning and Development. After their initial review the County issued requests for additional information. We responded to all the requests, fully answering all the County’s concerns.

In October of 2019, the County scheduled our public hearing, the final step in approval of our permit, but that hearing was postponed when it was discovered that the National Marine Fisheries Services had not completed their review of the application. We finally received the NMFS approval and our public hearing was scheduled for April 1, 2020. Unfortunately, that hearing was postponed because of the courthouse closure due to the virus.

We have been pursuing alternatives for a formal public hearing but have not been successful. But recently we were surprised by the County telling us that they need additional information. After three years of review it is outrageous that the County would suddenly ask for more information. Our application was thorough and complete and we have already provided all the information requested by the County.

It is time for this process to come to an end. Our harbor is becoming ever more dangerous and unusable and we cannot sustain another year of government inaction and obstruction. As citizens we deserve the support of our County government so the dredge can be completed.

We are asking all who care about the condition of the harbor to contact your government officials and tell them this situation cannot continue. Please contact:

County Executive Satpal Sidhu (360) 778-5200

Whatcom County Council members at: council@co.whatcom.wa.us

Tell them that it is outrageous that, after over three years of good faith work on our part to comply fully with County requirements, we are now faced with further delays. We cannot wait any longer. County government needs to support our needs as a community.

Please share this information with your contacts and urge them to “Support the Dredge”.

Board of Directors

Sandy Point Dredge Committee

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