The Farmhouse Gang
North Sound Connecting Communities
The North Sound Connecting Communities project, also known as the "Farmhouse
Gang," is a loose coalition of elected, agency, and citizen representatives
from five northwest Washington counties: Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish. The goal of the Farmhouse Gang is to develop better ways to move people
through the region by using all available modes in an effective and smoothly
functioning network that does not rely solely on the automobile.
Realization of North Sound Connecting Communities (NSCC) goals will be accomplished by:
- identifying solutions to transportation challenges
- seeking innovative funding sources
- emplacing and improving transportation systems capable of supporting travel demand through regional partnerships.
The NSCC is not sanctioned by any political or other entity and carries no force of law, but rather is a consortium of interests focused on avoiding the pitfalls of inadequate planning for mobility as this region grows in population and productivity.
The NSCC membership includes state legislators, local lawmakers, and managers as well as transportation planning organizations and providers. The NSCC generally meets monthly.
Completed and in-progress work includes the following projects:
- Regional Transportation Governance Study - In 2001 the Washington State Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation identified regional governance of transportation as an area in which improvements were necessary. Following up on these recommendations, in 2001 the Washington State Legislature considered a number of legislative proposals regarding regional governance and regional financial mechanisms. The NSCC requested and received funding from the State Legislature to conduct its own study of regional transportation governance models, and to develop alternatives that would build upon the positive working relationships developed through the Farmhouse Gang. In 2002 the NSCCP completed its final report, prepared by Whatcom Council of Governments and the Cascadia Project of the Discovery Institute.
- Recommendations Regarding Governance - The governance study found no compelling need or interest in changing fundamental attributes of the Farmhouse Gang, but suggested opportunities for improvement, including clarification of the coalition's purpose, mission, and goals. It was suggested that ways to identify overall performance are needed and that more clear goals would assist with this. It was also determined that support of existing constituents should be strengthened. A set of recommendations has been prepared.
- Intermodal Connections and Commuter Study -The Intermodal Connections and Commuter Study examined existing and future demand for work-based and other commuter transportation in the five-county region. The study considered availability, feasibility and desirability of all potential modes of transportation for commuters.
- Traveler Information Kiosk System - This pilot project established ten traveler information kiosks at primary transportation crossroads around the region, including train stations, ferry terminals and airports. The kiosks were supplied with poster-sized Transportation Connections maps as well as individual brochures. This project was funded by a combination of local contributions and federal funds obtained through the statewide competitive Transportation Enhancement program. Although this project has been completed, WCOG continues to provide maps and update the posters.
- Inter-County Transit Service - As a result of the Intermodal Connections and Commuter Study, funding was set aside by State Senator Mary Margaret Haugen for a joint transit project providing continuous transit service among Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. Subsequently this project was made permanent and continues to provide transportation connections to schools, universities, and medical and other services. Later, additional connections were coordinated to allow transit travel from Whatcom County through Skagit and Island Counties to Everett in Snohomish County.
- Continuing Research - With federal funding provided by U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen, studies continue on ways to extend rail, passenger-only ferry and other services in the five county area and beyond. NSCC members meet quarterly to identify new and emerging technologies, opportunities and methodologies in the interest of striving for a better transportation system.