Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Draft Work Plan

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Lake on a fall day

Thank you for your interest in the health and future of Lake Whatcom! The engagement period for the draft Lake Whatcom Management Program 2025-2029 Work Plan is closed. All comments received by August 25, 2024 were considered by the Lake Whatcom Management Program partners during the development of the final draft plan.

In fall 2024, staff incorporated public comments in an updated draft of the work plan that was shared with the Lake Whatcom Joint Policy Group and the Water Resources Advisory Board (WRAB). Both groups supported bringing the work plan to the relevant Councils and Commissioners. The final

Thank you for your interest in the health and future of Lake Whatcom! The engagement period for the draft Lake Whatcom Management Program 2025-2029 Work Plan is closed. All comments received by August 25, 2024 were considered by the Lake Whatcom Management Program partners during the development of the final draft plan.

In fall 2024, staff incorporated public comments in an updated draft of the work plan that was shared with the Lake Whatcom Joint Policy Group and the Water Resources Advisory Board (WRAB). Both groups supported bringing the work plan to the relevant Councils and Commissioners. The final draft will be shared with Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners in January 2025 for their review and approval.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to review and provide input on the five-year work plan. We will continue to consider these comments through our work to protect Lake Whatcom. View a summary of public comments received as well as staff responses to each comment.

Background

Lake Whatcom plays an important role in the quality of life for Whatcom County residents. It is the drinking water source for more than 100,000 people, a recreational destination for outdoor enthusiasts and provides valuable habitat for plants and animals unique to our region. Keeping the lake clean and its forests and ecosystems healthy is no small task. Watershed residents and visitors play a critical role in this effort through stewardship of this shared resource. Local governments and organizations work to promote stewardship and take cooperative action to restore water quality, protect environmental health and preserve healthy forests in the watershed.

The 2025-2029 Lake Whatcom Management Program Work Plan represents this coordinated endeavor, bringing together the planned efforts of the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District and consolidating them in one place to ensure actions are efficient and effective. The work plan outlines the efforts that these local entities will implement over the next five years to further the goals of the Lake Whatcom Management Program.

  • Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Work Plan

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    View and download the text of the full draft Lake Whatcom Management Program 2025-2029 Work Plan. You can provide comments on the full plan using the comment textbox, or you can share comments about individual program areas below. Comments can also be submitted via email or mail (see instructions above). All comments received through August 25 will be considered in the development of the final work plan.

    If you have a question about the work plan process, please add it to the Questions tab for staff to follow up.

    number of comments, image icon 14 comments

  • Program Area 1: Land Preservation

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Objective: Preserve and restore land that might otherwise be susceptible to development or other land disturbance to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.

    View this program area in the draft work plan. You can add a comment about this program area using the comment textbox below.

    number of comments, image icon 6 comments

  • Program Area 2: Stormwater Management

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Objective: Protect and restore water quality in Lake Whatcom and its tributaries by using best management practices to collect, treat, and manage stormwater runoff from developed areas throughout the watershed.

    View this program area in the draft work plan. You can add a comment about this program area using the comment textbox below.

    number of comments, image icon 5 comments

  • Program Area 3: Land Use

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Objective: Prevent and minimize water quality impacts from new development and redevelopment.

    View this program area in the draft work plan. You can add a comment about this program area using the comment textbox below.

    number of comments, image icon 7 comments

  • Program Area 4: Monitoring & Data

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Objective: Collect and manage data to increase our understanding of water quality and pollution sources, reduce uncertainty in the Lake Whatcom loading and response models, and guide management decisions.

    View this program area in the draft work plan. You can add a comment about this program area using the comment textbox below.

    number of comments, image icon 5 comments

  • Program Area 5: Hazardous Materials

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Objective: Prevent water quality impacts associated with improper storage and handling of hazardous materials and ensure that spill prevention and response programs adequately protect water quality.

    View this program area in the draft work plan. You can add a comment about this program area using the comment textbox below.

    number of comments, image icon 3 comments

  • Program Area 6: Recreation

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Objective: Provide access to recreational opportunities that are consistent with water quality and land management goals.

    View this program area in the draft work plan. You can add a comment about this program area using the comment textbox below.

    number of comments, image icon 9 comments

  • Program Area 7: Aquatic Invasive Species

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Objective: Prevent new aquatic invasive species (AIS) introductions to Lake Whatcom and minimize impacts associated with established invasive species.

    View this program area in the draft work plan. You can add a comment about this program area using the comment textbox below.

    number of comments, image icon 2 comments

  • Program Area 8: Utilities & Transportation

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Objective: Prevent water quality and quantity impacts from water, sewer, and transportation systems.

    View this program area in the draft work plan. You can add a comment about this program area using the comment textbox below.

    number of comments, image icon 5 comments

  • Program Area 9: Education & Engagement

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
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    Objective: Educate and engage watershed residents and visitors to promote and facilitate the adoption of behaviors that protect water quality.

    View this program area in the draft work plan. You can add a comment about this program area using the comment textbox below.

    number of comments, image icon 3 comments
Page last updated: 16 Jan 2025, 11:47 AM