Whatcom County Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee

**Committee Leadership Selection Process** The appointment process demonstrated collaborative decision-making, with initial nominees withdrawing to allow others to serve. Council Member Boyle initially expressed interest but withdrew when the committee was smaller, and Council Member Scanlon temporarily withdrew before putting his name back in for vice chair. This flexibility allowed the committee to settle on a structure with Chair Galloway and Vice Chairs Rienstra and Scanlon. **WSU Extension Water Resources Program Overview** Lovato-Niles presented comprehensive data on three main program areas: sustainable landscaping education, Whatcom Watersheds Information Network coordination, and salmon habitat restoration work. The sustainable landscaping courses focus on preventing water pollution from common landscaping practices, with specific attention to the Sudden V…

**Chair Kaylee Galloway** - Expressed strong appreciation for the WSU Extension programs, having personally attended both the Salmon Summit and conflict engagement training. Requested to be kept in the loop on 2026 events for potential council participation. **Council Member Jon Scanlon** - Focused on practical applications, asking about watershed-specific targeting of programs and exploring opportunities to integrate water rights adjudication outreach with existing Extension property owner c…

**Kaylee Galloway, on WSU Extension events:** "I attended both the Salmon Summit and the conflict event, engaging conflict productively. And I will say they were both incredible events." **Jon Scanlon, on water rights outreach integration:** "I think anytime we have somebody talking with property owners in the county, I think we should be offering those resources to help people file by that deadline." **Cheryl Lovato-Niles, on program flexibility:** "But if Whatcom…

- **Committee Leadership**: Kaylee Galloway appointed as Chair, replacing previous chair structure - **Vice Chair Positions**: Jessica Rienstra and Jon Scanlon appointed as dual Vice Chairs for 2026 - **Council Awareness**: Enhanced understanding of WSU Extension's water resource programs and c…

### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee met on January 13, 2026, to reorganize leadership for the new year and receive an annual report from the Water Resources Program of Washington State University Extension. The meeting focused on appointing new committee leadership and learning about water protection and sustainable landscaping education programs serving the county. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Committee Chair:** The council member who leads committee meetings, sets agendas, and guides discussion. In this case, Councilmember Kaylee Galloway was appointed to chair the Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee. **Vice Chair:** Up to two council members who assist the chair and can lead meetings when the chair is absent. Councilmembers Jessica Rienstra and Jon Scanlon were appointed as vice chairs. **WSU Extension:** Washington State University's community education program that brings research-based knowledge directly to communities through local educators and programs. **Sustainable Landscaping:** Gardening and landscaping practices that minimize environmental impact by reducing pesticide use, conserving water, preventing soil erosion, and protecting water quality. **Whatcom Watersheds Information Network (WIN):** A coalition of organizations, agencies, and citizens working together to protect and restore local waters and watersheds through education and collaboration. **Water Adjudication:** A legal process where property owners must file claims to establish their water rights. Council Member Scanlon noted that 16,000 people have filed out of 15-20,000 expected to file by the deadline. **Nooksack Basin:** The watershed area drained by the Nooksack River, which was the focus of the 2025 Salmon Summit Conference on habitat restoration and salmon recovery. **Nutrient Pollution:** Contamination of water bodies by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, often from fertilizers and other landscaping chemicals that run off into streams and lakes. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Kaylee Galloway | Whatcom County Council Member, newly appointed Committee Chair | | Jessica Rienstra | Whatcom County Council Member, appointed Vice Chair | | Jon Scanlon | Whatcom County Council Member, appointed Vice Chair | | Elizabeth Boyle | Whatcom County Council Member | | Barry Buchanan | Whatcom County Council Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Whatcom County Council Member | | Mark Stremler | Whatcom County Council Member | | Cheryl Lovato-Niles | Water Resources Educator, WSU Whatcom County Extension | ### Background Context This meeting represents the annual reorganization of the Climate Action and Natural Resources Committee, which focuses on environmental issues affecting Whatcom County. The committ…