Clean water makes good business sense
A business owner and operator's perspective on sustainable business practices and how clean water fits into this model.
Six years ago I moved to Whatcom County and a year ago my husband Kurt and I opened our business, Tree Frog Night Inn, a bed and breakfast on Mount Baker Highway.
Like many who either grew up or moved here, I value this place because of its trees and open spaces, the water of its lakes and bays, and, of course, the mountains. I like how we are looking out for our future by doing business more sustainably. It feels good to be part of a vibrant and creative community in Whatcom County.
My business, like many other businesses in the county, depends on the health and attractiveness of the land and waters. People come to visit and stay, to explore and recreate, to relax and enjoy our natural environments.
As a business owner and operator, I consider this quality of life in Whatcom County to be a tangible asset. The health of our land and waters is something to be protected and enhanced. When I see how heavy rains wash off the streets and parking lots and I learn how chemical pollution is carried off into our streams, rivers, lakes and bays, I feel our valuable quality of life going down the drain.
We can't stop the rain, but slowing and eliminating this growing problem of toxic runoff pollution is something Whatcom County and its residents can do. To start, I support the Clean Water Jobs Act currently being considered by legislators. I support creating an ongoing fund to help Whatcom County and its cities build and maintain systems to control and eliminate chemical pollution in water running off the land.
Building systems like storm drains and curbside swales isn't cheap but has to be done if we are to have clean water that we and future generations can enjoy in our rivers, lakes and bays. It makes sense to me that the Clean Water Jobs Act will be funded by a fee on petroleum and other pollutants that make up a large part of the toxic chemicals causing runoff pollution problems for fish and wildlife.
It also makes sense to me that there will be jobs created for Whatcom County workers when the county and the cities retrofit urban streets and build storm drains. Cities and counties know what they need to build and the construction industry, with workers facing record unemployment, is ready to get to work.
Our county has grown 20 percent in the last decade, from 166,000 residents to about 200,000 residents. Because we are living in a very attractive place, I'm sure we will continue to grow and, if we do not deal with the problem of toxic runoff pollution, we will fall further and further behind in our quality of life. Our elected representatives and civic leaders must demonstrate the political will and show leadership.
As a business owner and a resident of Whatcom County, I'm committed to do my share as well. As a business pursuing sustainable practices, I'm committed to buying locally as much as possible and operating Tree Frog Night Inn with as minimal as possible adverse impact on our environment. In fact, that's how we market and operate our bed and breakfast and we are heartened by how many customers we have who appreciate our best practices and commitment to sustainability.
I'm an optimist. When I imagine what Whatcom County will be like in the next 10 years, I see a thriving network of local, sustainable businesses serving most of the basic needs of the people who live here. There will be more people but we'll manage development better. I see an every-growing creative community of music, theater and the arts. Bike paths wind throughout the county and electric car stations (and electric cars) are everywhere. And, majestic Mount Baker shines clear and white above the tall cedars in the clean, clear air of our county. Let's all work to make it so.
Kara Black is owner and innkeeper at the Tree Frog Night Inn just east of Bellingham on the Mount Baker Highway; online at treefrognight.com. The Clean Water Jobs Act being considered in the state Legislature is Senate Bill 5604 and House Bill 1735.
