Lake Whatcom Joint Councils and Commission to meet March 29

Water quality, homeowner programs to be discussed

March 22, 2017 - by Mark Gardner, Legislative Analyst

The Lake Whatcom Management Program invites the public to attend the annual Lake Whatcom Joint Councils and Commission meeting on March 29 in the Bellingham City Council Chambers, 210 Lottie St. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be taped for later airing on BTV.

What does 2016 monitoring tell us about Lake Whatcom water quality? What are the next steps in meeting the State Department of Ecology’s requirements for reducing phosphorus and bacteria in the water? What can homeowners do to help reduce phosphorus in the lake? These and other questions will be answered at this meeting, attended by members of the Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board.

Staff will review program progress during 2016 and describe expected activities and investments for 2017. Efforts will focus on reducing phosphorus from runoff from public and private land using large public stormwater projects in addition to a revamped Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP). HIP is being expanded geographically, program requirements are being simplified, and incentives for homeowners are being enhanced, with a focus on properties that directly drain to the lake or nearby streams.

Public comment will occur at the end of the meeting. A detailed agenda and the 2016 Lake Whatcom Progress Report can be found on the Lake Whatcom Management Program website at http://www.lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org.

Before the meeting, from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m., staff of the jurisdictions will hold an open house, which will include poster boards, maps, and literature. Staff will be available to answer questions from the public.


Media Contact

Renee LaCroix, Assistant Public Works Director
Public Works – Natural Resources
City of Bellingham
(360) 778-7966
rlacroix@cob.org

Gary Stoyka, Natural Resources Manager
Whatcom County Public Works
(360) 778-6218
patrick.sorensen@lwwsd.org


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