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Broadband update paused pending USDA review; county suing Eastlink over derelict cable
Summary
Committee heard that the local broadband project's restart is pending a USDA decision and was told Whatcom County has begun litigation against Eastlink to force removal or payment for derelict Delta/Delta‑sold cable in the right‑of‑way.
A broadband presenter told the committee that their COO is out of town and the project's update was continued until December while the group awaits a final USDA determination on whether they can resume work. "All the reports are into the USDA," the presenter said; the project team asked for a continuance and offered to answer questions at next month's meeting.
Elizabeth (committee liaison) provided an update on cable infrastructure: Whatcom County has exhausted demand letters and is now suing Eastlink over derelict Delta‑origin cable attachments. She said the county's approach progressed through certified letters and is now in litigation to compel removal or to recover removal costs. Committee members asked whether the county's claim is for franchise violations and whether lines lying in the public right‑of‑way are the county's responsibility; staff replied that public works addresses hazards in the right‑of‑way and that franchise obligations require the franchisee to remove abandoned attachments.
