Dilapidated Cable System Around Point Roberts

In September 2007, Eastlink assumed rights and obligations for a franchise agreement between Whatcom County and Guiness Communications, Inc. authorizing the installation and maintenance of coaxial cable and other facilities over, on and across county rights of way located in Point Roberts.
This franchise agreement expired in 2017, and the facilities are no longer utilized by Eastlink for the provision of cable service. However, Eastlink has yet to remove its facilities from the county’s rights of way in Point Roberts.
The abandoned cables have created a nuisance and raise concerns about potential liability issues in the event of an accident or other unforeseen circumstances.
In May 2024, Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee member Elizabeth Mason met with Whatcom County Executive Satpal Singh Sidhu to discuss the removal of the dilapidated and sagging cable system around the Point.
As a result, director of public works Elizabeth Kosa confirmed that the franchise agreement required the provider to remove their infrastructure when they left Point Roberts.
As this clearly was not the case, a three-step strategy was implemented:
Step one: a certified letter to Eastlink from public works requesting the removal of the cables and notifying them of their non-compliance with the franchise agreement was sent with no response.
Step two: a demand letter to Eastlink, from the prosecutor’s office was sent with no response.
Step three: after numerous attempts to gain voluntary compliance the county is now pursuing legal action through the prosecutor’s office.