13420 339th AVE SE Sultan, WA 98294

March 27, 2012

David Hambelton, Chairman

Snohomish County Planning Commission

3000 Rockefeller, MS 604

Everett, WA 98201

Dear Mr. Hambelton;

     It appears that the Planning Commission is to be briefed on a proposed amendment to the Snohomish County Comprehensive Plan, GP 11, today that the Snohomish County Farm Bureau is very much opposed to.  Initially we would like to bring your attention two very important points.

     First, this amendment would replace “protection” of agricultural land with “coordination” of agriculture and fish habitat (ref. NE Policy7.B.7).  We would hope that the Planning Commission would recognize this proposal for what it is…….a blatant attempt to legitimize the destruction of agricultural lands in favor of creating more fish habitat.  It should be properly noted that such destruction is prohibited by Washington State Law.

    Secondly, it appears that the Sustainable Lands Strategy would have us believe that replacement of Agriculture lands with fish habitat is a good thing.  Is anyone ever going to ask just exactly how much fish habitat do we really need?  The DEIS for the Smith Island project concludes that just an initial investment of $18,300,000.00 would assist 243 fish per year.  I believe that a reasonable comment would be……you have to be kidding me?

     We hope that the Planning Commission would put a swift end to this sort of nonsense thereby saving the people of this county the experience of more wasteful expenditures of their tax dollars. 

Sincerely,

Ed Husmann

President