Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Draft Work Plan
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 now closed. All comments received by August 25, 2024 are being considered by the Lake Whatcom Management Program partners during the development of the final plan. Staff are working on reviewing these comments and updating the work plan accordingly before sharing an updated draft with the Lake Whatcom Joint Policy Group in December 2024. The Policy Group was provided an overview of the comments at their September 18 meeting. A summary of allContinue reading
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 now closed. All comments received by August 25, 2024 are being considered by the Lake Whatcom Management Program partners during the development of the final plan. Staff are working on reviewing these comments and updating the work plan accordingly before sharing an updated draft with the Lake Whatcom Joint Policy Group in December 2024. The Policy Group was provided an overview of the comments at their September 18 meeting. A summary of all comments received, staff responses to each comment and how comments are being addressed in the updated plan will be shared on this page once the work plan draft has been updated.
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.
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Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Work Plan
Share Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Work Plan on Facebook Share Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Work Plan on Twitter Share Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Work Plan on Linkedin Email Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Work Plan linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
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Program Area 1: Land Preservation
Share Program Area 1: Land Preservation on Facebook Share Program Area 1: Land Preservation on Twitter Share Program Area 1: Land Preservation on Linkedin Email Program Area 1: Land Preservation linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
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Program Area 2: Stormwater Management
Share Program Area 2: Stormwater Management on Facebook Share Program Area 2: Stormwater Management on Twitter Share Program Area 2: Stormwater Management on Linkedin Email Program Area 2: Stormwater Management linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
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Program Area 3: Land Use
Share Program Area 3: Land Use on Facebook Share Program Area 3: Land Use on Twitter Share Program Area 3: Land Use on Linkedin Email Program Area 3: Land Use linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
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Program Area 4: Monitoring & Data
Share Program Area 4: Monitoring & Data on Facebook Share Program Area 4: Monitoring & Data on Twitter Share Program Area 4: Monitoring & Data on Linkedin Email Program Area 4: Monitoring & Data linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
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Program Area 5: Hazardous Materials
Share Program Area 5: Hazardous Materials on Facebook Share Program Area 5: Hazardous Materials on Twitter Share Program Area 5: Hazardous Materials on Linkedin Email Program Area 5: Hazardous Materials linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
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Program Area 6: Recreation
Share Program Area 6: Recreation on Facebook Share Program Area 6: Recreation on Twitter Share Program Area 6: Recreation on Linkedin Email Program Area 6: Recreation linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
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Program Area 7: Aquatic Invasive Species
Share Program Area 7: Aquatic Invasive Species on Facebook Share Program Area 7: Aquatic Invasive Species on Twitter Share Program Area 7: Aquatic Invasive Species on Linkedin Email Program Area 7: Aquatic Invasive Species linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
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Program Area 8: Utilities & Transportation
Share Program Area 8: Utilities & Transportation on Facebook Share Program Area 8: Utilities & Transportation on Twitter Share Program Area 8: Utilities & Transportation on Linkedin Email Program Area 8: Utilities & Transportation linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
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Program Area 9: Education & Engagement
Share Program Area 9: Education & Engagement on Facebook Share Program Area 9: Education & Engagement on Twitter Share Program Area 9: Education & Engagement on Linkedin Email Program Area 9: Education & Engagement linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.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.
Who's Listening
Key Dates
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Public comment period open
Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Draft Work Plan has finished this stageJuly 25 - August 25
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Staff review all comments received
Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Draft Work Plan has finished this stageAugust 25 - September 18
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Review work plan comments at Lake Whatcom Joint Policy Group meeting
Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Draft Work Plan has finished this stageSeptember 18
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Staff update draft in response to comments
Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Draft Work Plan is currently at this stageOctober-November
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Share updated work plan draft with Lake Whatcom Joint Policy Group
this is an upcoming stage for Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Draft Work PlanDecember
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Work plan adopted by legislative bodies
this is an upcoming stage for Lake Whatcom 2025-2029 Draft Work PlanEarly 2025