A brief article in the Bellingham Herald on Saturday, January 28, sent my irritation level soaring.  It is a perfect example of one of my pet peeves, which is a special interest group taking a stand on an issue based entirely upon what they perceive their self interest to be, while telling the rest of us they are doing it for our benefit.  Over the years I have been and currently am a member of some of these groups, like the Association of Realtors and National and Washington Education Associations, who consistently tout themselves as experts in their field and use that cover to promote ideas which may be for the benefit of their members, but not necessarily the public at large.
The BIAW (Building Industry Asssociation of Washington) has filed notice of their intent to sue the government over the November listing of our region’s killer whales as an endangered species.  The brief news article I read regarding their announcement made the following points:
        1.  The practical impact of the federal decision has not yet been outlined.
        2.  The BIAW “is concerned that the listing will increase restrictions on the development and use of property on or near Puget Sound”.
        3.  The BIAW notes that there are orca populations elsewhere.
When will groups like this stop mouthing platitudes about quality of life and understand that it is the environment that creates the quality of life that is bringing people to this area, fueling the strong building climate we have enjoyed over the past several years?  When will it dawn on them that actively developing ways to protect the environment while providing housing and educating the public on the benefits of that protection is in their own self interest?  Causing degradation of the natural environment we all enjoy is not going to lead to sustainable development and long-term health for the building industry.
Let me say that I do not condem all of the BIA’s positions.  Here in Whatcom County they have consistently pointed out that controlling building around Lake Whatcom is not sufficient to ensure the health of the lake - it is essential that runoff from existing developments and roads be dealt with.  I think they are absolutely right.
We as citizens, however, need to look and listen carefully to any position taken by a special interest group, whether it is representing an industry or an enivronmental issue.  They may see the trees more clearly than the rest of us, but it is up to us to see the forest.