Surface Mining Advisory Committee

​Purpose


The Surface Mining Advisory Committee advises the Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Department and the Whatcom County Council on implementing a surface mining regulatory program consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

​Meetings


  • Generally, the committee meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month, from 3-5 p.m. at the Planning and Development Services Department offices at 5280 Northwest Drive.  
  • Meetings are open to the public. Community members who attend may provide public comment on issues related to surface mining in Whatcom County. 

​Members

:
The Surface Mining Advisory Committee has 11 County Council-appointed members:
  • Harvill Freeland, Civil or Geo-technical Engineer with no financial business ties to the industry
  • Brad Davis, Surface Mining Material User
  • Christopher Secrist, Geologist
  • Leslie Dempsey, Citizen who lives in close proximity to active mining or mineral overlay area
  • Brent Cowden, Member of the surface mining industry
  • Ryan Devries, Member of the surface mining industry
  • Aubrey Stargell, Forestry
  • Leaf Schumann, Potable domestic groundwater supply
  • Dustin Gleaves, Ecologist
  • Shannon Logan, Environmental Consultant
  • VACANT, Agriculture Representative

Vacancies


Term Informatio

n

    • 4-year terms, 2 term limit, 1 year separation required before commencing another 2 full terms

Specifications

The Surface Mining Advisory Committee consists of the following:
    • Citizen who lives in close proximity to active mining or mineral overlay areas
    • Civil or Geo-technical engineer with no direct or indirect financial business ties to the industry
    • Ecologist
    • Environmental consultant
    • Geologist
    • Members of the surface mining industry (2 positions)
    • Representative of potable groundwater supply (preferably a public water system representative or private well owner),
    • Representative from agriculture
    • Someone with experience in and/or knowledge of forestry
    • Surface mining material user