Letters to the editor, May 26 - June 1

The Editor:

I understand that some new condos are planned on Semiahmoo spit, and ground has already been broken on parking lots for them. Several local residents are complaining about this on Facebook, but I think it deserves community attention in general because it’s disruptive to the migratory bird habitats in that area.

In fact, the old, weathered remains of a tree are used by bald eagles for hunting, and migratory birds inhabit that whole area, which is why much of the bay is already protected

I believe that this construction should be stopped, because it seems to violate the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act as well as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Also, quite frankly, there are condos farther down the peninsula already that remain unoccupied (to the best of my knowledge), and in general Blaine is not suffering from any particular shortage of housing.

So, what this seems to amount to, is yet more real estate speculation mowing down species habitats for money before the developers move off to another community to do the same. Perhaps in this case they can just leave the habitat alone and move to another town before tearing up more of the natural beauty we all love?

Tim Ventura

Blaine

The Editor:

The Blaine Food Bank and our volunteers would like to give a big “Thank You” to Blaine and Custer Post Office employees during the USPS’ annual “Stamp Out Hunger” campaign on Saturday, May 14. Equally important, we would like to thank the generous people in the Blaine, Birch Bay, and Custer areas who took the time to select, bag, and donate food for this cause. Between both post offices we received a total of 4530 pounds of food.

No one individual knows when they will be hungry, when they will have a financial struggle, or when they might have an emergency. Hunger is equal opportunity. Being generous to the food bank is also an equal opportunity. So please accept our gratitude.

Jerry Bladies

Blaine Food Bank

The Editor:

May 9 was a day filled with relief, joy and gratitude for me and thousands of others, because the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) essentially terminated the GPT coal export terminal proposal.

Previously, the USACE had received two requests – one from the international corporations wanting a permit to build GPT’s commodity export facility at Cherry Point for ships carrying coal to China, and one from the Lummi Nation wanting to continue fishing in their usual and customary fishing grounds as guaranteed to them by the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliot and Article VI of the Constitution of the United States of America.

After carefully considering both requests and thoroughly analyzing and studying the technical documents submitted by both parties, the USACE denied the GPT wharf/trestle permit request.

Above all, this is a victory for the people of the Lummi Nation who staunchly and devoutly fought to defend their homelands and waters from being desecrated by some of the world’s most powerful corporations

and billionaires.

The people of the Lummi Nation prevailed in defending their treaty-protected fishing grounds and in keeping the air, land and water safe for all of us and the creatures who make this area home. I am deeply grateful to the Lummi Nation for protecting this beautiful place that I call home from being destroyed by toxic coal.

Thousands of people fought alongside the Lummi for this victory. If you had learned the facts about GPT and were concerned by its likely significant negative impacts, this victory is yours.

If you talked with a family member or friend about your concerns with GPT, this victory is yours. If you attended a meeting, wrote a letter or scoping comment, put a sign in your window, or voted to make sure that pro-GPT candidates were not elected to the Whatcom County Council, this victory is yours.

And, if you are one of these people, I am sincerely grateful for you and I thank you.

Paula Rotundi

Blaine