The Growth Management Hearings Board has been asked to reconsider its recent approval of Island County’s new regulations of critical areas in rural lands.

A motion for reconsideration was filed Monday by the Whidbey Environmental Action Network. The Hearings Board had ruled against WEAN on every point in its decision upholding the county’s regulation.

WEAN stated the board made “misinterpretations of facts and law,” in its Island County decision, and goes on to cite several concerns. As an example, WEAN claims the county “ignored science” in adopting the use of so-called Best Management Practices in rural areas.

Phil Bakke, the county’s director of Planning and Community Development, said WEAN’s request for reconsideration came as no surprise. The county and WEAN have been fighting either before the Hearings Board or in court since at least 1998.

Bakke said the county will give its response to the board if asked to do so. “We do not think WEAN has raised any issues currently before that board that were not specifically addressed,” in the initial arguments, he said.

It is not yet known if the Hearings Board will accept WEAN’s motion for reconsideration. WEAN also has the option of going to Superior Court if it wants to fight the board’s decision.