Blaine GMA Conflicts of Interest


Due to the careless attitude toward environmental protection historically in Blaine, the forests, salmon streams, and harbor have been seriously degraded. Rather than learning from the lessons of the past, the City of Blaine has embarked on a mission to destroy what's left. Legally required restoration is neglected.

2022-2024, Blaine Community Development Services fast-tracked this degradation from the city aquifer in East Blaine into Spooner Creek, Dakota Creek and Drayton Harbor. Same for the Central Business District adjacent to Cain Creek, Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay--as well as in the Semiahmoo headlands.

By issuing fraudulent State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) designations and subverting public participation under the Growth Management Act, Blaine has also violated the Clean Water Act and the Civil Rights Act. Additionally, these actions by the City of Blaine have impaired the treaty rights of Northwest Indians.

Blaine Water Coalition is a group of Blaine, Washington citizens who came together in 2024 to oppose official corruption by the City of Blaine that threatens our community's drinking water aquifer, salmon streams, and oyster beds. The official corruption involves Blaine City Council, Blaine Planning Commission, and Blaine Community Development Services willfully violating the Clean Water Act, the State Environmental Policy Act, and the Growth Management Act.

Retaliation by the City of Blaine toward our members who revealed financial conflicts of interest and self-dealing by city council members and developers includes forms of intimidation aimed at preventing meaningful public participation in planning Blaine's future. One of our members received an anonymous death threat. Despite these violations of our first amendment and civil rights under federal law, we have persevered and are holding these corrupt officials accountable.

The Growth Management Act requires "early, continuous, and inclusive public involvement throughout the planning process." In a time of unprecedented growth in Blaine, the city has not held one educational workshop to involve the citizens of Blaine in planning its future. Public hearings where we are allowed to comment in writing on backroom deals between city hall and developers is not the same thing.

The significant changes to zoning and development regulations by Blaine City Council—absent from public participation—a​re not just ten-year updates to our comprehensive plan, cumulatively they are a once-in-a-century major makeover of our community. Expediting planning amendments by resolution to build momentum absent public participation is contrary to the law.

The takeaway is that the city unlawfully fast-tracked upzoning and amending of our existing comprehensive plan in 2024 in order to permit massive development city-wide, prior to any public participation in the 2025 comprehensive plan update.

While other cities look for ways to engage with their citizens in reimagining and recreating their communities, Blaine public officials have closed the door to all the goodwill, leadership and volunteerism that could emerge were we treated with respect.

 They will pay for their crimes.

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