News and Events
November 1, 2007: Lake Whatcom Joint Council and Commissioners Meeting
The Lake Whatcom Management Committee invites the public to attend the Lake Whatcom Joint Councils and Commissioners meeting on Thursday, November 1, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Bellingham Municipal Court, 2014 C Street, Bellingham.
Staff members from the city, county, and water district will present a report of 2007 Work Plan activities. Staff will also present a preliminary draft 2008 Work Plan and seek approval of a proposal for the 2008 Plan’s completion. The Sudden Valley Community Association will make a short presentation highlighting their role in watershed protection. Additional time will be allotted for public comment and for discussion topics that will be brought forward by the Councilors and Commissioners.
For copies of Lake Whatcom Management Program documents, visit the Lake Whatcom website at http://www.lakewhatcom.wsu.edu. For questions, contact Clare Fogelsong, City of Bellingham Environmental Resources, (360) 676-6961.
Documents:Agenda
Policy Discussion
Priority Tasks
Work Plan Progress Report
April 4, 2007: Public meeting on Cable Street reconstruction
Whatcom County Public Works will host a public meeting on upcoming improvements to Cable Street. The focus of the meeting will be on the traffic control plan.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The Firs Conference Center - Lounge Room
4605 Cable Street, Bellingham
For more information, contact Whatcom County Stormwater at (360) 715-7450.
February 28, 2007: Joint Councils/Commissioners Meeting
The next Lake Whatcom Joint Councils/Commissioners meeting will be held on:
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Bellingham City Hall Council Chambers
210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA
The agenda includes:
1. Welcome, Council/Commissioner Introductions (5 minutes)
2. Overview of Meeting Purpose Introduction of Panelists and Meeting Format (10 minutes)
* Rich Horner, Ph.D., P.E.
* Gary Minton, Ph.D., P.E.
* Steve Hood, Department of Ecology
3. Panel Response to Questions
* With respect to current retrofit technologies what advice can you give for choosing the best treatment system(s) for a given situation? (15 minutes)
* How do stormwater retrofit projects fit into comprehensive stormwater management strategies? (15 minutes)
* What are the benefits and limitations associated with monitoring stormwater treatment system effectiveness? (15 minutes)
* Given the wide array of watershed protection activities and accompanying watershed policies in the Lake Whatcom Watershed, what specific management actions are likely to yield the greatest water quality benefit for the money? (15 minutes)
* Wrap up - final comments by panelists (15 minutes)
4. Councils and Commissioners Discussion (30 minutes)
For more information, contact City of Bellingham Environmental Resources at 676-6961. For a printable version of the agenda (PDF format), click here.
January 2007: Upcoming Public Meetings
Three meetings on various Lake Whatcom topics have now been scheduled for late January and early February. We apologize for scheduling two of the meetings on consecutive nights, but due to conflicts with Councilmembers' schedules, these dates were the only ones available.
Tuesday, January 23: County Stormwater Plan Workshop
Whatcom County is beginning to prepare a comprehensive stormwater plan for the unincorporated portions of the Lake Whatcom watershed. This is the first public workshop, and will focus on gaining input and understanding about citizens’ interests, goals, knowledge, and information needs related to stormwater and drainage issues. The workshop will include a background and introduction session followed by break-out groups addressing individual areas in the watershed.
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Kulshan Middle School Commons
1250 Kenoyer Drive, Bellingham
Please contact Whatcom County Stormwater with any questions at (360) 715-7450. More detailed information about the comprehensive stormwater plan will soon be available on http://lakewhatcom.wsu.edu.
Wednesday, January 24: Lake Whatcom Joint Councils and Commissioners Meeting
The next Joint Councils and Commissioners meeting will be held at:6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
Bellingham City Hall
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Topics will include the Institute for Watershed Studies report (5 minutes), an update on the 2006 work plan activities (50 minutes), and the Lake Whatcom Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study (5 minutes). There will also be a Councils/Commissioners discussion period, as well as a public comment period. For the full agenda in PDF format, click here.
Please contact City of Bellingham Environmental Resources at (360) 676-6961 with any questions.
Tuesday, February 6: Open House for Geneva Stormwater Projects
The second public meeting for the Geneva stormwater projects will include brief presentations on upcoming improvements to Cable Street and an update on the Lake Louise traffic study, followed by small-group discussions.6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The Firs - Fireside Room
4605 Cable Street, Bellingham
For more information, contact Whatcom County Stormwater at (360) 715-7450.
November 2006: November 29 Meeting postponed due to inclement weather
November 2006: Lake Whatcom Joint Councils and Commissioners Meeting
The next Joint Councils and Commissioners meeting will be held on:
Wednesday, November 29
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
City Council Chambers
Bellingham City Hall
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Topics will include the Institute for Watershed Studies report, an update on the 2006 work plan, and the Lake Whatcom Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study.
Please contact City of Bellingham Environmental Resources at (360) 676-6961 ext. 382 with any questions.
June 2006: New page for Geneva Stormwater Improvements
There is now a page on this website for the Geneva stormwater projects.
May 2006: Upcoming public meetings
Whatcom County Public Works is hosting two upcoming public meetings on Lake Whatcom topics.
May 24 meeting on Bloedel-Donovan demonstration landscape. Whatcom County Public Works invites you to a public workshop on draft designs for a watershed-friendly demonstration garden at Bloedel-Donovan Park. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 24, from 7-9 p.m., at the Bloedel-Donovan Pavilion, 2214 Electric Ave, Bellingham.
The draft design, which was created by JA Brennan Associates of Seattle, focuses on creating a gallery walk from the community building to the swimming area. The planting beds and interpretive displays will illustrate gardening practices that protect water quality, such as using pest-resistant perennials and ornamentals, lakeside buffers, alternatives to turf, pervious pavement, and more.
The Bloedel-Donovan demonstration garden is one part of the County's gardening education program. Other projects in the works include a video and a certification program for landscapers. For more information, contact Scarlet Tang at 715-7450.
May 25 meeting on Geneva stormwater improvements. As part of Whatcom County's comprehensive stormwater program, beginning this spring Whatcom County Public Works is implementing three projects in the Geneva area to protect public safety and the water quality of Lake Whatcom. Collectively called the Geneva Area Improvements, the projects include improvements to Cable Street, new stormwater facilities along other streets in the neighborhood, and a traffic study to evaluate traffic routing alternatives that address stormwater and safety needs.
You are invited to a public meeting to view preliminary designs for the Cable Street improvements, designs and locations for the new stormwater facilities, and some initial data from the traffic study.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 25, 7 - 9 p.m., in the lounge room of the Firs, 4605 Cable St, Bellingham. For more information, contact Kirk Christensen at 715-7450.
Boating: City ban on 2-stroke engines takes effect
The Bellingham City Council is elected to represent the concerns of the citizens of the City of Bellingham and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the public. (read more)
Lake Whatcom Work Plan Update
In 2005, the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District adopted a 5-year work plan for Lake Whatcom. The Plan is updated annually. To view the updated Plan, click on “2006 Plan Update”.
Urban Fringe Subarea Update
The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County are in the process of updating plans (Urban Fringe Subarea Plan) that affect development potential in certain areas in the Lake Whatcom watershed. To understand and participate in what is being considered, visit the City of Bellingham website and the Whatcom County website.
Shoreline Program Update
Both Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham are in the process of updating their Shoreline Management Programs. The programs could affect the type and nature of activities along the shoreline of Lake Whatcom and along portions of Smith Creek and Austin Creek. To understand and participate in what is being considered visit the Whatcom County website, and the City of Bellingham website.
Website
The Lake Whatcom website is intended to serve as a valuable community resource for information on Lake Whatcom and management actions to protect it. The website represents a combined effort between the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. To assist us in meeting your needs, we would like to hear from you.
- Is there information missing?
- Are there any corrections you would suggest?
- Are you are having any technical problems (e.g. you found a link that doesn’t work)?
Please send any comments or suggestions to mailto:sblake@co.whatcom.wa.us.
