The essays, analyses and opinions presented as Community Voices express the perspectives of their authors on topics of interest and importance to the community, and are not intended to reflect perspectives on behalf of the Salish Current.
Commentary: Residents, workers and business owners in border town Sumas are looking for answers as changes are planned for the busy border crossing.
Ed.: A plan for the Sumas border crossing site including expansion from 4 acres to around three times that area has been through a comment cycle with General Services Administration staff. But as the project proceeds, some questions remain as to how it will affect the town of about 1,500 that has had little actual say in the plans for changes on its one commercial street and adjacent to residential areas. Resident and community leader Helen Solem compiled a list of questions for the GSA.
To: General Services Agency, about the Sumas Land Port of Entry (LPOE)
From: Helen Solem, Member, Sumas Planning Commission; Secretary, Sumas Historical Society and Museum; local business owner
Let me tell you about life in a small border town. I gathered these concerns by listening to residents and business owners who live and work in Sumas.
We see this very big change, border expansion, coming our way and wish to be involved in the planning. We hope to bend this big change to our town’s advantage, not live with the disadvantages.
Several strong ideas and requests have emerged from citizens’ dialog. Here are the main ideas.
1. Staffing.
There six toll booths at the U.S. Customs border station in Sumas. Rarely are they fully staffed! Understaffing is a significant cause of border-crossing waits.
Questions:
- With increased number of lanes will there also be increased staffing?
- Does Sumas offer adequate and affordable housing for additional border related staffing?
- How many more employees will work at the new LPOE?
2. Light and Noise Pollution.
The new LPOE compound will abut the north edge of Garfield Street. Across Garfield Street, homes line the whole street along the southern curb. During construction and at night when the compound is in operation, it appears that significant light will be used. Also, during construction and with the relocation of an additional lane it appears more noise for longer periods of time will occur.
Questions:
- How close to Garfield will flood lights be placed?
- Will flood lights be turned at night during operation?
- How will increased lighting impact residents of Garfield?
- If it impacts them, what will you do about the light pollution? How will the additional noise be mitigated?
3. Flooding, the bane of Sumas.
Part of the proposed 12.6-acre LPOE development site lies within the Special Flood Corridor, City of Sumas, Flood Zones, Comprehensive Plan, June, 2016. All the rest of the land except a thin strip on the west lie within the Areas of Special Flood Hazard. The nine proposed facilities to be constructed must be built a foot above Base Flood Elevation, BFE, per FEMA. Bottom floors often reach heights 6 to 7 feet above the road. This proposed construction will impede the overflow of Johnson Creek thus increase flooding. As a resident said, “You can’t put a cork in the drain of this town and not make a determination as to its effects on the rest of the town.”
Questions:
- How will border expansion, the fill, buildings and fencing, etc., affect flooding in the rest of Sumas, which is upriver from the border?
- Will GSA pay for mitigation of the site?
4. Traffic.
The increased traffic, with its noise and pollution, will haunt the town for decades. The increased traffic will exit our town on the Badger Road and the Guide Meridian. Both roads are already dangerous roads. Our children will have to drive these increasingly dangerous roads.
Questions:
- Does the border expansion calculate how much the increased car and truck traffic will impact our quality of life?
- What does Washington State Department of Transportation plan for these two roads, Badger Road and Highway 9 leaving Sumas and Lynden? [The GSA plan also calls for changes at the Lynden LPOE.]
5. Employ local.
Local engineers, architects, and designers know the residents, the surrounding communities, farmland and wooded areas, land use patterns, past challenges, all Ingredients that make up a thriving community.
Question:
- Will GSA employ a local design firm to contribute to Sumas LPOE?
6. Buildings.
We have identified seven historic buildings that possibly deserve a listing of historic significance in State of Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. One of these buildings lies within the proposed border expansion area.
- Lone Jack Saloon
- WOW Heritage Building
- Wee Drop Inn
- Old Custom’s House
- Two 1906 storefronts
- Doctor’s office
- B and B
Question:
- Will GSA accommodate us the time to provide documentation under the Provision of Governor’s Executive Order 21-20and to allow further consultation and review by State Historic Preservation Office to determine eligibility of Sumas’ historic places?
7. Community Outreach.
Posting a notice in the Lynden Tribune and on City Website is inadequate to reach out to Sumas citizens. Our citizens, who will be impacted the most, were also the most underrepresented participants at both GSA town meetings. The 260-page GSA document at Sumas Library, while read by a few citizens, also provides a daunting source of Information.
Question:
- Would GSA help us put up a year-long public display to show all the border expansion plans, the details, maps, time-lines, explanation and questions, yet to be asked and or decided?
8. Lost business and tax revenue to the City.
This dollar amount is unavailable at this time. We, the people of Sumas, need to know the answers to our questions. Our real estate, homes, quality of life and our children’s futures depend on timely, complete information. We need time to find creative and financial aid in our county and state to help with the changes and to adjust to this big change as gracefully and resourcefully as possible.
— Helen Solem
Also read in Salish Current:
- “Big border plans come with anxiety and opportunity,” Sept. 9, 2024
- “Flood recovery continues in Sumas, seven months on,” June 24, 2022