20081118-comment-baker-foothillsdata

Deborah Ellen Baker P.O. Box 5149 - Glacier, WA 98244-5149 (360) 599-2544, Fax 599-3446 - orion@telcomplus.net November 18, 2008 Whatcom County Planning & Development Services 5280 Northwest Drive Bellingham, Washington 98226 Attention: Mr. David Stalheim, Director Mr. Matt Aamot, Senior Planner, and Mr. Gary Davis, Senior Planner Mr. Tyler Schroeder, SEPA Official Whatcom County Council, Planning Commission, and Growth Management Coordinating Council Subject: Continuing Concern – Erroneous and Incomplete Data: Economic Analysis, 2007 Draft Foothills Subarea Plan, and Whatcom 2031- Data for Foothills Area (Demand Allocation and Land Capacity Analyses/Methodologies, etc.) Gentlemen: Considering the volatility of the economy at this time, and particularly in light of challenges to past Whatcom County comprehensive plans, surely all parties in responsible charge will agree that the success and integrity of both Whatcom 2031 and completion of the 2007 Subarea Plan Update require realistic and reliable information. rdOn June 3 , I wrote a lengthy comment letter describing serious statistical problems, inconsistencies, and unsubstantiated data in the 2007 Draft Plan “Section 7 - Economics.” There are significant and inescapable errors and oversights in the ECONorthwest material, referenced throughout the 2007 Draft Plan, which will have major negative consequences, resulting in a Subarea Plan (and ...