Coal: What Does Lake Whatcom, Waterfront Redevelopement & The Olympic Pipe Line Have to Do With It?

This lengthy title precedes a more lengthy blog, with lots of moving parts and a call for action.

Even if the reader does not agree with the position taken, perhaps you will appreciate the importance of the challenge we are now facing as a direct result of the Coal Terminal -and its accompanying extra trains, large seagoing vessels, unanticipated costs -without funding, and everyday inconveniences coming to pass.

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Mysteriously, an old and forgotten Chinese fortune -from a cookie- appeared as I was cleaning out old stuff.

For some reason, I picked it up, read it and saved it for future reference.

It said: "Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be great chaos."

Wow, that seems to fit the world we're living in, doesn't it? And why not expect great brilliance later?

Today's headlines also featured at least two lead stories containing the word 'chaos'. One pertained to the 'Occupy' movement, which now seems to be more about what people don't like, rather than what they are for; I hope that changes. The other referred to the situation in Greece, where fiscal austerity seems very necessary for that country to save itself -and maybe Europe- from a fate worse than debt. [Yes, that pun was intended]

Point is that major chaos does exist, must be dealt with skillfully and effectively, and is up to people to force their chosen leaders to help them do something about it!

Is there ever any other way? Think about it.

That intro brings me to the meat of today's subject, which I'm just gonna put out there; the proposed GPT Coal terminal has galvanized chaos in our community; what are we going to do about it?

Pout? Fulminate? Complain? Point fingers [you pick which one]? Jawbone each other? Blame our corrupted Constitution? Blame corporations? Blame organized labor? Blame the ancient & vested 'right' of railroads to ship whatever they want to anywhere without asking permission? Blame Warren Buffet, Bill Gates for being unable to curb their appetite for big profits? Blame our elected members of Congress for daring to support such a project? Blame the State government for not nixing this idea out of hand? Blame Whatcom County for having a do-nothing Executive & Council that continues to lean hard right? Blame those idiotic planners of the past for suggesting Cherry Point be a terminal site? Blame each other? Blame China? Blame big Coal? Blame history that actually sought to make Bellingham a leading west coast rail terminus? Blame God for making the waters off Cherry Point deep enough for the largest vessels afloat? Blame WTO, NAFTA and other world trade agreements for greasing the skids for -gasp- world trade? Blame the current economic situation on creating an atmosphere conducive to grabbing any new job opportunity that comes along? Blame the Obama administration for whatever comes to mind that displeases some of us? Blame the previous administration for running up the national debt from unfunded wars & rebates to the rich, then sticking to us to pay for? Blame the Founders for being business friendly? Blame the Courts for interpreting the Constitution such that corporations have now achieved actual person-hood? Blame all the big money that appears around virtually every political contest or proposed change? Blame George Washington for not living long enough to continue being our President? Hell, blame everybody else but ourselves!

Get serious, people!

We have met the enemy, and it is us!

So, how do we go about corralling this churning chunk of local chaos and turning it into energy for positive change -or in the case of GPT- no change?

Let's see; we could buy the property and turn it into a park! You know, like the City did when it splurged and went into unfunded debt on the overly densely zoned area euphemistically known as Chuckanut Ridge.

Maybe that property could be traded back to its former owners -once or twice removed- in exchange for the Cherry Point property currently owned by the same people?

And, if that weren't enough, we could sweeten the pot by agreeing to rezone their other property known as Governor Point, provide them sewer & water and waive all impact fees so they can build an exclusive marina & living spot for the very wealthy.

That ought to jump-start our local economy and create more jobs than GPT, don't you think?

What say you, wealthy owners? A deal? Where do we sign?

Experts say that just by acknowledging it, one solves half the problem. If that's true, maybe a little Resolution -but preferably an Ordinance- along the lines suggested further below, will get us to the halfway point. Of course, our erstwhile Mayor and -as he is quick to point out- the lazy and irresolute Council would have to raise the tempo of our local chaos by getting off their collective keisters and doing something to demonstrate the dire mood of the populace on this issue!

Surely, that would be no problem, would it?

Don't kid yourself, Bellinghamsters, our fearless leaders aren't fearless when it comes to this sort of thing at all!

Ask me how I know.

OK, glad you asked: here's an instant replay of a little scenario that took place over 10 years ago, regarding what everyone said they thought was important, but had done very little walking of that talk. Yes, I'm talking about the Lake Whatcom Reservoir, our public water supply that needed more than talk. Fortunately, the City Council did take action to establish the Watershed Acquisition & Preservation Ordinance, but only after a vigorous public initiative demanded it, and over the objection of the Mayor and 2 or 3 Council members that were too lazy or timid to act!

Read about it here.

That, folks, was a struggle, but one that resulted in action that was badly needed and has been pretty effective.

Something like that will be needed again, but maybe without the luxury of an actual public initiative?

Tell me, why the City Council can't -or won't- represent citizens' interests and agree to pass a simple Resolution -not even a law- that clearly states Bellingham doesn't want the GPT, all those coal trains and the enormous tangible and intangible expense this proposal will burden us with?

Could it be that without a public initiative, they just don't pay attention? Does that mean they disagree with the widely held opinion that GPT is a really bad idea? Or, just lazy, risk adverse or simply clueless?

Maybe, you, -gentle reader- will agree to tell the City Council what you would like for them to do?

And, if they resist, tell them again and again until they get the message.

Tell them individually and forcefully. Tell them publicly and privately. Tell them you mean it!

If that doesn't work, then remember that during the next election; which unfortunately, may be too late to influence the decisions that others will undoubtedly make - whether Bellingham speaks up or not.

• Tell Terry Bornemann, the longtime henchman of organized labor, that you want him to think for himself, but this time to represent your wishes, not only those of his good buddies!

• Tell Gene Knutson, longtime union laborer, populist, sound-byte quipster and sometimes unreliable idol of lazy folks, that you want him to do something that gets him off his ass, and might make him unpopular to some in his audience!

• Tell Stan Snapp to get serious about something besides Lake Whatcom and the Budget while he's still in office!

• Tell Barry Buchanan, come on, what do you really have to lose? Make a lasting statement on an important issue before you go!

• Tell Seth Fleetwood, hey, your South Hill, Edgemoor & Fairhaven constituents need you to speak up on this issue, and with unaccustomed force - that they hope you do have!

• Tell Michael Lilliquist, wrap your carefully coiffed intellect around this issue all you want, but also follow the will of most all the citizens of Bellingham, and hurry up about it!

•Tell Jack Weiss to do what he knows is the right thing and resist this GPT scourge with every ounce of his considerable energy & wit!

And while you're at it, tell our current Mayor, and our new Mayor-to-be, to lead the parade only with the full backing of citizens -we've got your back- and get the hell out of the way if the trombones goose you, or the Majorettes want to strut their stuff, which they can always do better!

And, for god sakes, don't use the predictable advice the City Attorney will surely offer to cover your ass, because what will be proposed may seem slightly outside the bounds of what some may call 'legality'!

Remind this person that she really works for you, comfortably or not.

And, bullshit to any goal-line defense by 'Legal Man', that fictitious Super Hero who loves to stall, stymie and sink any action that doesn't fit pre-ordained protocol!

Hell, we fought a revolution over that crap!

Now, we need to do it again, if we are to regain our rights over a ridiculously stupid project designed to enrich a very few while impoverishing the rest of us.

I have never -at least rarely- been more serious about something in my entire life!

So, without further preamble, here's a few basic points that could be the gist of a Resolution our Council needs to pass, say, by the day after elections? That would be Wednesday, November 9, so next Monday would be a good time to publicly discuss and pass this subject Resolution and post-date its effective date by 2 days. Oops! My bad, today's the deadline for packet agenda items, but there's always the requirement for a mere 24 hours notice if the Council Pres is up to it.

Title and premise could include something like the following:

Bellingham's concern relates to direct impacts likely from tripling of train traffic through its entire shoreline which will create what amounts to an almost constant nuisance and safety hazard that will affect almost 40% of Whatcom County's population and over 60% of its jobs.

Then, the customary litany of whereases [feel free to add your own, see below for comparison to Lake Whatcom]:

• nuisance & noise expected to be tripled from current levels to a projected average of one train every 48 minutes

• safety hazards at all road & trail crossings and water channels [from ships]

• expensive costs of grade crossings & grade separations

• depreciation of public & private property values along Railroad Right-of-way, also affecting current jobs, and future jobs related to waterfront redevelopment and long planned for improved public access

• endangerment of surrounding marine waters, coastlines, aquatic life and inherent exceptional scenic beauty and jobs dependent on same. [tourists, fishers, watercraft, etc]

• arbitrarily wasting the thousands of hours this community has spent in envisioning a higher and better use for over 200 acres of prime waterfront property, plus the accrued expense to date, as well as depriving the City & Port of a viable means of recouping their substantial investment and achieving their anticipated goal of a vibrant mixed use area of universal appeal and value.

You get the idea, see how easy this is?

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Now, we get to add what we want to happen, or in this case, what we don't want to happen.

Like, maybe a prohibition against trains over a certain frequency, length, weight, timing.

And, the precondition of paying for grade-separated crossings at all existing and planned traffic or trail crossings; sound walls & barriers, track & switching gear relocation and improvements.

And, secured insurance against damage from accidents, injuries, spills, excessive air particulates, etc

And, schedule assurance that AMTRAK trains will have priority access over freight between Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC, and all stops in between.

And, BNSF will assign an individual to be personally responsible for handling community concerns and resolving them on a timely, fair basis, without additional costs to the community, local businesses and property owners.

SSA, BNSF & partners will agree to share its profits from additional trains -full or empty- with Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham at a rate to be determined.

While these examples are meant to illustrate what could be demanded, a more inclusive approach could also be sought by asking the project owners & sponsors to agree to submit a proposal covering & committing to all the benefits, mitigations, infrastructure costs, dispute resolution mechanisms, insurable items, payments/penalties, job opportunities they offer our community.

Once in writing -and only then- can we have a real basis for negotiation, much like what we demanded before allowing the Olympic Pipe Line to be re-installed through City property and restarted under more stringent regulatory and management rules.

Note: That process took 18 months, and required active support from all levels of government agencies, citizens and the entire range of elected officials.

Something like that will also likely be necessary to bring the railroads under more reasonable control; this is not the 1800's, when the government opened the box that turned out to become Pandora's!

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{Early excerpts from the draft Watershed Acquisition Ordinance from the year 2000, which became effective on 1/1/2001]

WHEREAS, protection of the Lake Whatcom Reservoir, the drinking water source for the City of Bellingham and others, is of the utmost public health importance to the citizens of Bellingham and others who obtain water from the lake; and

WHEREAS, a proven and effective method of protecting municipal water supplies, such as the Lake Whatcom Reservoir, is to acquire, for public ownership, lands within the watershed and protect them from development; and

WHEREAS, the City, County, and Water District 10 Joint Resolution No. 92-68, signed in 1992, recognized the importance of protecting Lake Whatcom and its watershed as a Reservoir and the major drinking water source for the County; and

WHEREAS, the City's Comprehensive Plan requires that before-the-fact prevention take precedence over after-the-fact mitigation or treatment; and

WHEREAS, a Citizens' Task Force of the Lake Whatcom Reservoir Management Program is currently developing criteria to prioritize land for protection, determining options for preserving & enhancing high priority lands, and mechanisms for integrating these options with identified priority areas; and

WHEREAS, preserving and enhancing the quality of our drinking water supply has been identified as the top priority for the City Council for the past three years; and

WHEREAS, recognizing that a truly comprehensive program of education, land use regulation and enforcement, monitoring, and review as well as land acquisition is essential to preserving water quality in the Lake Whatcom Reservoir; and the City Council will continue its active support and encouragement of the Lake Whatcom Reservoir Management Program with Whatcom County and Water District #10. Therefore ........

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CONCLUSION:

We can do something to help at least condition and cope with the GPT proposal!

In fact, we are the only ones who can - but only if we will.

Our leaders desperately need us to tell them what to do; actually, we'll probably need to command them to do it! That is because most of our elected leaders are a lot like us, they wait until they have to do something to actually do it.

Unless, of course, they want to do something - with or without our advance approval.

This is a time when we need to give our leaders advance approval to stand up for what is essential to keep Bellingham a livable, welcoming and viable community.

Long past are the days when a few robber barons -or wannabes- could take over an area and strip it of its resources, beauty and livability!

Yet, something like that could be in the offing if the current crop of robber barons get their way.

It's time, folks!

It's getting close to past the time for us to get involved, other than jawboning.

We've got to do more than talk; we've got to speak up and take the names of those willing to actively help, and those better suited to laziness and bitching!

A really good way to get started is to pick on those we allow to call themselves elected officials; the City Council & Mayor of Bellingham, the County Council & Executive of Whatcom County, the State Representatives & Senator, the Federal members of Congress.

Get their attention! All of them, and take names of what they propose and what they oppose.

Then, we will have identified not only our enemies, but our allies!

At that point, we'll know who's got our back and who's acting behind our back -to our mutual detriment.

Choose sides wisely, then work to achieve your objective!

The world won't revolve around our little problem, but if we don't find a way to fight it, it may have us revolving around it!

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BP's Deja Vu Squared

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Ever tried to relax by watching a movie, only to find it was a terrible copy of one that you'd seen before?

Ever had to handle a problem caused by someone else?

Ever had to subsidize costs incurred by a corporation's greed and negligence?

Ever been annoyed at the reticence of our elected government to properly regulate and monitor potentially dangerous industries?

Ever been seriously aggrieved at the unnecessary harming of defence-less wildlife, plants and ecosystems?

Ever been mad as hell about the ruinous loss of lives, jobs, commerce and livelihoods?

Ever been stuck with an unwanted, pernicious legacy that keeps on giving?

Ever been fed up with people who mindlessly repeat the mantra 'drill baby, drill'?

Ever wished we were further along in our collective 12-step course to wean ourselves from our fossil fuel addiction?

Ever worried that one day we -or- our children won't be able to enjoy a visit to the beach?

I suspect many people may have experienced one or more of these feelings before now.

And, if not, they are more likely to now, after BP's latest catastrophe.
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As shocked and aggravated as we may be, there is no simple solution to either fixing the current egregious problem, nor preventing a reoccurrence sometime in the future.

Instead, we ought to use the public concern and anger and redirect it in intelligent ways.

That way -as with the Olympic Pipe Line explosion- we can at least use the energy as positive momentum to improve.

Watching the news for the past 36 days or so, has helped document both the initial horror and the growing criticism of the lack of effective action by either BP or the US government.

Many are even comparing the BP blow-out and subsequent enormous crude oil spill to Hurricane Katrina.
Although the aftermath of both events were terribly destructive, the fact remains that one was naturally occurring and the other caused by compounded human error.

Although more comprehensive contingency planning may have partially prevented or mitigated the effects of both events, is it likely to expect that level of preparedness - particularly considering their enormity?

In the case of Katrina, there was plenty of blame to go around, notwithstanding we have little or no control over major weather events.
Of course, siting and building the City of New Orleans on ground that is well below sea level was never smart.
And, not having an adequate evacuation plan in place did not help, regardless of whether this oversight is the responsibility the City, the State of Louisiana, the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA or some combination of the above.

In the case of BP's catastrophe, the lack of adequate government readiness, at any level, is also evident.
But, the significant difference in this case is the role played by BP, the [ultimate] owner, operator and chief beneficiary of the oil production that has now become such a big problem.

Doesn't it seem reasonable for BP to accept full responsibility for this problem?
What exactly would that entail?
Can we even approximate these total costS?
Is it realistic to expect even a major corporation like BP to compensate for what must amount to billions per year for an unknown number of years?

What role should the government play?
How much should the government pay?
Would this amount to another government bailout?
Would Congress authorize another such expense?
Would a bipartisan approach be possible?
What would be the solution offered by those who would rather shrink 'guvmint' and allow a 'free enterprise' approach?
Just some food for thought.
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Here's a few ideas to consider:

• First priority is to stop the leak

• Next, recover as much oil from the Gulf as possible BEFORE it reaches coastlines

• Get the Administration more actively involved, especially if BP's plans repeatedly fail.
Here, it is important NOT to set a precedent of government intervention that others might expect in the future

• Get Congress working on regulations that are more stringent, including much higher liability limits, higher safety standards, better MMS oversight, requirements for relief wells and blow-out prevention devices to be installed and checked BEFORE oil production is allowed.

• Consider additional taxes on crude production to fund an emergency reserve to be used for similar offshore disasters

There are likely other approaches worthy of consideration.
Whatever is decided, this type of incident should be subject to certain, more severe punishment in the future.

Like the tragic Olympic Pipe Line catastrophe, we have the opportunity to greatly improve regulations, operation procedures and contingency planning for the future.
While crude oil will be essential for years to come, it is important to begin to more closely align its price with the true, total cost of its production and use.

Sometimes, it takes a disaster like this to get our attention, so that lasting lessons can be learned.
Just maybe, it will focus us more clearly on the growing need for energy conservation and wider development of alternate energy sources and strategies.

Let's hope so.
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Olympic Pipe Line -Versus- Lake Whatcom Reservoir

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"When the well runs dry, we know the worth of water." – Benjamin Franklin
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The legendary major league baseball pitcher, Satchel Paige, who never disclosed his real age, was once asked 'what is the secret to your longevity?
To which he answered; 'just don't look back, because something might be gaining on you!'
What a great answer, or non-answer, or whatever.

For some reason that little recollection came to mind yesterday, right after the 10-year commemoration of the Olympic Pipe Line disaster here in Bellingham.
As spectacular and tragic as that horrendous explosion and its after effects was, our drinking water reservoir carries a similar potential for undesirable results over a longer, and therefore much less noticeable, period of time.

Does that statement sound plausible?
It ought to, even though the instant and unmistakeable results won't likely be linked in the same dramatic way - at least in the memories of those living here today.

What is the difference?
It's hard to say with certainty of future effects and their timing, isn't it?
Kinda like the difference between a frog being gigged or slowly being brought to a boil in a large pot of water.
The ultimate result is the same, but instantaneous drama is missing.

Anyway, this is the point I'm trying to make; things that surprise us with misfortune, but seem correctable, attract our attention and action.
Things that are merely scientifically and observably trending in a bad direction, don't exhibit the urgency needed for really effective corrective action.
Unfortunately, less urgency translates into doing little or nothing until the situation has grown so bad that emergency action is often required, which in too many cases is simply too little, too late.

Just imagine, for example, if Whatcom Creek had been the inlet to Lake Whatcom, not the outlet.
How might that have impacted Bellingham on JUne 10, 1999, the date of the Olympic Pipe Line explosion?
Think that might have made a difference in how we care for our drinking water supply?
I think something like that would have made a huge difference, not that anyone would ever wish for such a thing.

I'm really glad that so much good of lasting value has come out of our community's response to the Olympic Pipe Line disaster.
Even with that drama and the tragic deaths, destruction and indelible fear of future such events, we pressed on with such determination that other communities, our legislators at all levels, and eventually our regulators and even the petroleum industry itself became part of the solution!
That is as truly remarkable as it is commendable.
It makes one wonder, how did we miss such obvious safety precautions?

One reason we couldn't miss the lessons from the Olympic travesty, was the universally resonating drama it created, among virtually everyone -in the community, state, region, nation and the world.
We do not have that kind of gut-wrenching attention when dealing with preserving our reservoir for future generations, and that is very good!
But, without the publicity to galvanize necessary action, we are left with far less than adequate response.
It's just too easy to 'kick the can down the road' to the next City, County, State or Federal administration to take care of, isn't it?
Yet, the situation never seems to actually get handled.
That's the problem.

Since the Washington State Dept of Ecology issued its so-called TMDL [Total Maximum Daily Load] Study last year, our local governments have been charged with drafting and implementing remedial action plans.
They got about a year to comply, but if that deadline passes, what's the penalty? A slap on the wrist?
After all, it took Ecology 10 years to get the TMDL Report written, reviewed and issued.
Meantime, the clock is ticking!
Not a fancy atomic clock, or even a digital Mickey Mouse watch, but an hour glass, with a too narrow neck and damp sand!

I know there are other 'priorities'.
I know there is a major budget crunch.
I know, I know, oh how I know!
What I don't know is when the publicity of a very serious problem will get so dramatic and urgent that the required difficult and growing actions will actually start making an observable difference!
So far, despite all the rhetoric, business and actions taken, only a slight decrease in the RATE OF DEGRADATION has been seen to have occurred.
That means the situation with our only source of drinking water supply is still getting worse, not better.
Hello, can you hear me now?

Here's a hint; RESULTS COUNT, not talk and minimally effective 'actions'.
We're talking about REAL actions, like those taken in the last 10 years following the Olympic Pipe Line 'incident', as it euphemistically called at one point.
That must have been a time when someone was trying to gently soft-pedal what was truly a disaster!
Please, let's don't let it happen again, masked as a frog is a pot of slowly heating water.
Please!
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"Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over." - attributed to Mark Twain
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Olympic Pipe Line 'Incident': Personal Reflections

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In less than one month Bellingham will officially remember the 10th anniversary of the explosion that claimed the lives of three young men.
In commemoration of that unfortunate event, the Pipeline Safety Trust -which is headquartered here- is inviting citizens to reflect on their own recollections of where they were and what they felt and thought at that time.

On June 10th the PST will be holding a memorial walk along Whatcom Creek, and a community gathering at Maritime Heritage Park.
Dignitaries, including former Governor Gary Locke, now US Commerce Secretary, who administers NOAA and the Office of Pipeline Safety, will be attending.

Carl Weimer, PST's Executive Director, invites citizens to write a short article to share their stories for publication via Internet.
Submissions can be-mailed to this link at the PST website:

http://www.pstrust.org/whatcomcreek

There are also short video pieces posted at:

http://www.pstrust.org/whatcomcreek/storiesandpictures.htm

My story is posted below.
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Personal reflections on the Olympic Pipe Line 'Incident':

The evening of June 10, 1999 will be forever ingrained in my memory.
That was the time, just after 5PM, that my entire house was severely shaken by a large explosion that occurred only a minute two after I had entered the front door.
Looking out my north-facing windows, which I was surprised did not break, we saw a large, black smoke column rising rapidly to over 10,000 feet from a point roughly northeast of where we were.

A few minutes following the initial blast came a series of about 6 smaller explosions, happening at intervals that spread steadily to the west, until they stopped just short of the Interstate Highway I-5. This indicated to me that flammable petroleum hydrocarbons had somehow entered the creek and were being carried downstream until repeated ignition sources were encountered. And, from the size of the initial blast, the quantity of hydrocarbon had to be much, much more than a truckload!

After the noise came the quiet, and the concerned wonderment of people who fretted about what had happened and why, and whether still more scary stuff was to come.
But, there was also the confused cacophony of blather from the local radio station, which was clueless and given to some weird speculation in the absence of credible information. This was abetted by the failure of government communications systems, which was largely limited to police and fire radio systems and inadequate for this unexpected situation.
Add to all this the inoperability of regular phone service, both land-line and cell, due to overloaded circuits, and you have the ingredients of the temptation to panic.

Living 3 blocks uphill and south of Lakeway Blvd, I was about a mile from what proved to be ground zero - just east of Woburn Street and, upstream in Whatcom Creek. It was hard to imagine feeling the percussion of the blast from that distance, but we did, as did many others living even closer to it.

I decided to investigate by walking down the hill toward the creek, then carefully making my way east. As I left, charred leaves and debris began raining down on my roof, deck and yard. We still keep some of those blackened leaves as tangible reminders of that dark day.

Eventually, I was able to verify my suspicion that the case of the initial explosion and the subsequent smaller ones had their origins from within Whatcom Creek itself.
A City fire truck was stationed to block Woburn Street, just south of the bridge over the creek, and the fireman on the scene was able to communicate more of what happened using information from his colleagues who were searching the area.
There was also a Herald reporter present, in full commuting bicycle gear.

As more information slowly became available, the shock felt by citizens and witnesses became replaced by sympathy for the three young men who were the only fatalities, and concern about this catastrophe repeating itself.
Fortunately, our community's healing process in the aftermath had some positive benefits, including strengthened pipeline safety regulations and oversight, a degree of reparation for the 3 deaths, and funding for restoring Whatcom Creek and establishing a pipeline safety oversight organization headquartered locally.
Punishment, in the form of fines, jail time for those responsible, and a major, unanticipated loss of revenue from not being to operate the pipeline, were also experienced.

Reopening the pipeline eventually required some 18 months, during which time local, state and federal representatives worked hard to determine unsafe practices and establish better guidelines to maximize pipeline safety in the future. Resisting the pressure to quickly allow rebuilding the pipeline, the City of Bellingham took a firm stand to insure the new pipeline design was adequate, using the principles embodied in OSHA Process Safety Management practices for petroleum refineries and similar hydrocarbon processing facilities. Essential to this accomplishment was the City's decision to hire competent consultants for expert advice.

We can be thankful for the results achieved, even though they came -as too often happens -at a high cost. Bellingham can be rightfully proud of its determination to insure that something of lasting value came out of this disaster.
June 10, 1999 is a date that will remain permanently fixed in my memory, and that of many others as well.

May that event never happen again!
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Olympic Pipe Line Disaster: Reflections

At the last City Council meeting -literally the last one for Bob Ryan & me- Bob recalled the actions the 1999 Council took in the aftermath of the Olympic Pipe Line catastrophe on June 10, 1999.
That recollection touched a cord in my memory.

How indelibly that date has come to represent the dark time that was to become one of Bellingham's finest hours!

And, how grateful we can be that the tragic deaths of three young men -boys really- meant enough to the people of our community that meaningful changes in our National Pipeline Safety laws were actually enacted as a result!

It is truly sad that we seem to need something tragic like this to happen before corrective regulatory changes are made.
But, we can be thankful that those changes were made, because they now benefit everyone living in this country.

Bob Ryan's remark caused me to reflect upon what the actions were that the City Council unanimously agreed were so important. And, that we had such a gut-level commitment to righting that horrendous wrong, not eventually glossing over it - which would have been so much easier and far less costly.

There were 5 or 6 general courses of action we -the Council- agreed to pursue, and to the best of my recollection these included the following:

• We would enforce the expired Franchise Agreement and not allow Olympic to cross City property to replace the ruptured pipeline without restitution and a stronger Agreement.

• We would seek outside Legal Counsel to represent the City's interests.

• We would seek outside Pipeline Consultant(s) to represent the City's interests. One to help us understand industry lingo and management practices, and another to advise us on corrosion and its detection, mitigation and prevention.

• We would seek to have Olympic redesign their pipeline system to incorporate Process Safety Management features, such as those required in the Petroleum Refining Industry.

• We would enlist the aid and support of our elected Federal & State Representatives in our cause to adequately address what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again -anywhere.

That is the gist of what had been written on the back of an envelope during a briefing by our Mayor, Mark Asmundson.

After each point was mentioned, the entire Council voiced its strong support, making it very clear to the Mayor the seriousness of our intent.

To Mayor Mark's credit, he took that scribbled-upon envelope and pursued every item with great vigor and determination.

And, what an effort it was!

The Olympic Pipe Line Company resisted strongly, until that eventually became untenable, so great was the pressure for rectifying the problems uncovered.

Ultimately, after 18 months of being shut down, a reconstituted Olympic was able to restart its operations and begin again to ship great quantities of aviation gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined petroleum products to the south; but, this time with much greater safety.

That effort was worth it!

I think it safe to say that the Olympic issue pretty well dominated what the City of Bellingham did for the rest of 1999 and most of 2000.

And, the citizens were terrific throughout this time!
So were our elected Federal & State officials who actually changed our Pipeline Safety regulations!
The Herald did its best work ever, by accurately recording every aspect of what happened, why it happened, what was being done to insure it would never happen again!

But, lest we forget, the 3 youths did have their lives cut tragically short, leaving a lingering sadness to this day for their families, and for those who remember what happened.
It was for them the effort happened, because it was the least we could have done.

6/10/99 will remain forever as Bellingham's 9/11.
May it never be repeated.