WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. -- The County Council last week passed an ordinance redefining rural lands in Whatcom County in efforts to get into compliance with the Growth Management Act. 

Anti-sprawl group Futurewise Whatcom is among those speaking out against the ordinance saying it fails to protect water quality, forest and farms.

Kate Blystone with Futurewise says we need to go back to an earlier version of the ordinance and create a plan that meets everyone’s needs.



She believes there was an honest effort on the part of staff to address concerns of the growth management board, but the resulting ordinance doesn’t help anyone.

Futurewise anticipates Whatcom County will again be found out of compliance with the state’s Growth Management Act.