20090212-comment-futurewise

P.O. Box 1517 Bellingham, WA 98227 February 12, 2009 Whatcom County Council Whatcom County Planning Commission 311 Grand Avenue Bellingham, WA 98225 Subject: Adopt the Wisest Population Projection for 2031 (~220,000 people) Dear Members of the Whatcom County Council and Planning Commission: One of the primary goals of Futurewise Whatcom is to protect our working farms, forests, and other rural areas from sprawling development. In order to support this goal, we recommend that Whatcom County adopt the lowest feasible population projection within the Office of Financial Management (OFM) range for the year 2031. We argue for a low population projection for two broad reasons: • The lower number represents the preferred future for the people of Whatcom County, and therefore is the most appropriate basis for planning decisions. • Political and fiscal prudence dictates that we select a course that can be adjusted to future conditions, and that we avoid a course that is difficult to undo, if our predictions prove inaccurate or our efforts inadequate. In other words, Whatcom County should use a low number as the basis for future planning because it is both the right thing to do and because it is the least risky course of action. By committing itself to a larger population number, Whatcom County would also be committing itself to build and pay for significantly more infrastructure and government services. Rather than over-commit ourselves, good ...