This is a huge energy drain

Well, readers - trying to combat malicious hacking is much more trouble than it is worth. Google and other sites do not take the time to verify malicious claims and frankly, I'm bored with the whole thing.

Stopbadware.org

An organization dedicated to the eradication of "badware" or suspected malware, in the same way Joseph McCarthy was dedicated to eradicating communisim from America. Doesn't matter if your guilty of wrong doing, all that matters is that you were accused wrong doing.

Harvard, you have some work to do if you want the stopbadware organization to be credible. First, you have an obligation to document that the sites you are listing actually contain "badware"

To list sites incorrectly -- is, well, defamatory...

(P.S. I'm fighting back)...

Here is Google's safe browsing message for GoodCounter (which I don't even use).

http://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=goodcounter.org/

Hacker

Yeah, we all know the drill!

Here's what google analytics said:

Has this site acted as an intermediary resulting in further distribution of malware?
Over the past 90 days, whatcomforum.blogspot.com did not appear to function as an intermediary for the infection of any sites.

Has this site hosted malware?
No, this site has not hosted malicious software over the past 90 days.

Responsible Water Resource Management through Watershed Management Districts

People - no matter where they live, are the key to protecting natural resources

Successful management of water resources is dependent upon the people who live and work on the land.

Washingtonians have enjoyed an abundant supplies of clean, affordable water in a state that historically has enjoyed an abundance of water. But rapid population growth and temperature changes have created unforeseen supply challenges.

Our responsibility as citizens is to share our water supply and to use it carefully so there is enough water for farming, energy, recreation, fish and building the state's economy.

Those closest to the land, including landowners, farmers, local governments, special districts and the Washington State Department of Ecology have a responsibility to plan and manage surface and ground water resources efficiently.

Our state already has many successes on finding new and effective ways of managing water. One tool is Watershed Management Planning, with emphasis on careful management of individual drainage basins.

What is a Watershed Improvement District?

In 2003, the Bertrand Watershed Improvement District (WID) was formed as an irrigation district by votes proportionate to the number of acres owned.

The WID provides local organization of water management within the drainage basin. Parcels under 2.5 acres, tax exempt parcels and City of Lynden owned parcels were tax exempt.


The WID allows property owners and regulators to develop and fund projects that are designed to improve fish habitat, instream flows, irrigation efficiency and to address non-permitted surface and groundwater withdrawals. The result: a healthier watershed.

Who is involved in WIDs?

In addition to the Bertrand Creek Watershed Management District, the Nooksack Recovery Team (NRT), Whatcom County, The Whatcom Conservation District, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and Lummi Natural Resources and the Nooksack Tribe are providing technical, funding and restoration activities in Bertrand and other watersheds.

How does one go about forming a Watershed Management District?

Here is a copy of the Whatcom County Resolution that was adopted to create the North Lynden Watershed Improvement District in 2007. http://www.mrsc.org/ords/W47r2007-054.pdf
Whatcom County, WA Resolution No. 2007-054 North Lynden Watershed ...

For additional information about the Bertrand Watershed Improvement District, please visit http://www.n-sea.org/images/editor/BetrandCreek.pdf

There are several excellent resource sites listed on the Internet and at the WRIA 1 website: http://www.whatcomcd.org/Watersheds/Bertrand/Bertrand.html

Comments welcome until May 28th to improve Government Transparency and participation

Friends,

Yesterday was the biggest day for Government Transparency since Mike Klein and I started the Sunlight Foundation in 2006.

The new administration did two unprecedented things: 1. Launched Data.gov - the first-ever catalog of federal data being made freely (and easily) available to citizens 2. Launched the Open Government Initiative and asked us for our best ideas in creating a more transparent, participatory government http://sunlightfoundation.com/OpenGovDialog

One of President Obama's first acts when he took office was to commit his administration to the guiding principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration, and now they are calling on all of us to help shape that commitment - starting immediately.

The bad news is that our time frame is short - we only have till next Thursday, May 28, to submit our ideas for this first "brainstorming" phase of the initiative.

The good news: Sunlight has a great headstart. Months ago, we launched Our Open Government List (OOGL) and you responded in force with your ideas. So we got a little innovative. I've asked the folks in Sunlight Labs come up with a quick way to see your ideas from OOGL right next to the submission form on the page for the Open Government dialogue. Add your ideas and vote the best ones up or down on the Open Government

Dialogue form.

http://sunlightfoundation.com/OpenGovDialog

Now's our chance to get our ideas directly to people who can implement them. Let's not miss this.We'll continue to keep you up to date over the next few weeks as this exciting three step process unfolds. Thank you all for your invaluable contribution to this movement and for ensuring our government serves us the way that was always intended.

Ellen

Sabbatical

I will be taking a short sabbatical from Latte Republic to research and write a book.

Washington Coalition for Open Government calls for Nominations for James Anderson Award

Call For Nominations 2009

James Andersen Award:
Honoring an individual or organization that has done something extraordinary to advance the efforts of the Washington Coalition for Open Government.

Nomination form available onlie at: www.washingtoncog.org/awards/ja_nomination.pdf

Deadline for James Andersen Award nominations is June 30, 2009.

Save the Date:
The award ceremony will be held on Friday, September 18, 2009

For more information:www.washingtoncog/awards.html
Phone: 206.782.0393
Email: info@washingtoncog.org