County officials plan to bring the interests of the timber industry more to the fore with the creation of a Forestry Advisory Committee. Whatcom County Council member Bill Knutzen said this would address a gap in the public's access to the council.

The timber industry "hasn't had any say in how their resource land is managed," Knutzen said.

While the makeup of the committee is subject to change, it now calls for 11 members, including eight from the timber industry. Similar committees exist in the county for agriculture and surface mining.

The forestry committee proposal will come before the council's Natural Resources Committee at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. The meeting will be held in the county courthouse, 311 Grand Ave., Bellingham. The proposal is tentatively scheduled for a vote of the full council on March 26.

Reach Ralph Schwartz at 360-715-2289 or ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com. Read his politics blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldpolitics.