HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket Water Work Session May 14 2024Whatcom County
Council Water Work Session
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
10:30 AM
Civic Center Building Conference Room / Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING - (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN
INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL
360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Kaylee Galloway
Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremler
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Water Work Session Meeting Agenda May 14, 2024
Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements
Individuals who require special assistance to participate in the Council's meetings are asked to contact
the Council Office at 360.778.5010 at least 96 hours in advance. This committee meeting is also noticed
as a meeting of the Whatcom County Council, with the agenda limited to committee business.
Meeting Materials
AB2024-015 Meeting Materials for Water Work Session May 14, 2024
Water Issues Update
Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District Rate Study -
Revenue Requirements and Rate Design Alternatives
Lake Whatcom Management Program 2025-2029 Work Plan Development
WRIA 1 Planning Unit update
Other Business
Adiournment
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 4/23/2025
• Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
• Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2024-015
File ID: AB2024-015 Version: 1 Status: Received
File Created: 12/12/2023 Entered by: KFelbing@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Receipt of Document(s)
Assigned to: Council Water Work Session Final Action: 05/14/2024
Agenda Date: 05/14/2024 Enactment #:
Primary Contact Email: kfelbing@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Meeting Materials for Water Work Session May 14, 2024
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
None
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
05/14/2024 Council Water Work Session RECEIVED
Attachments: 5.14.2024 Agenda, BBWARM Rate Study Presentation on 5.14.2024, Lake Whatcom
Management Program Presentation on 5.14.2024
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 4/23/2025
WHATCOM COUNTY
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
ELIZABETH KOSA
Director
MEMORANDUM
NATURAL RESOURCES
322 N. Commercial Street, Suite 110
Bellingham, WA 98225
Telephone: (360) 778-6230
FAX: (360) 778-6231
www. wh a tco m c o un tV. us
TO: The Honorable Satpal Singh Sidhu, Whatcom County Executive, and
Honorable Members of the Whatcom County Council
THROUGH: Elizabeth Kosa, Director
FROM: Gary S. Stoyka, Natural Resources Program Manager
DATE: May 7, 2024
RE: May 14, 2024 Council Water Work Session
Please refer to the proposed agenda below for the next Water Work Session. Additional supporting
documents may be distributed at or before the meeting.
AGENDA
Date:
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Time:
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Place:
Hybrid Meeting:
In Person: Civic Center Garden Level Conference Room (322 N. Commercial St., Street Level)
Virtual: For instructions on how to watch or participate in this meeting, please visit us at
www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil or contact the Council Office at 360.778.5010. View
meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, videos, and archives at www.whatcom.legistar.com.
Time
Topic
Council Action
Background Information
Requested
Attached
10:30 AM —
Water Issues Update
Informational
None
10:45 AM
10:45 AM —
Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources
Informational
Rate Study Policy Paper
11:30 AM
Management District Rate Study - Revenue
Requirements and Rate Design Alternatives
11:30 AM —
Lake Whatcom Management Program 2025-
Feedback
2020-2024 Lake Whatcom
12:15 PM
2029 Work Plan Development
Management Program
Work Plan
12:15 PM —
WRIA 1 Planning Unit update
Informational
None
12:30 PM
If you have questions, please feel free to call me at (360) 778-6218.
cc:
Dana Brown -Davis
Kristi Felbinger
Jill Nixon
Jennifer Schneider
Bennett Knox
Erika Douglas
John Thompson
Paula Harris
Kraig Olason
Chris Elder
Cathy Craver
Doug Ranney
Melissa Donnelly
Roland Middleton
Erin Page
Josh Fleischmann
Mark Personius
Kayla Schott-Bresler
Sue Sullivan
Julie Anderson
Brandy Reed
-1
BBWARIP County Council:
Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Water Work Session
Resources Management district
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Solutions -Oriented Consulting
•;:� Agenda
Revenue requirements
Existing rate structure
Alternative rate structure
Next steps
FCS GROUP Slide 2
•;�� Study Process & Next Steps
0 B13WARM
Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic
Resources Management District
January 17 Public Meeting
Rate study process & policies
April 17 Advisory Committee Meeting
Revenue requirement scenarios
May 8 Public Meeting
Alternative rate structure
WHATCOM COUNTY
W A S H I N G T 0 N
May 14 Council Water Work Session
Revenue requirement & rate structure
June 4 County Council Meeting
Resolution introduced
June 18 County Council Meeting
Public hearing
FCS GROUP Slide 3
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CSGROUP 1 -,7 ;� . ., . 4lide'4
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•;�� Rate Study Overview
Policy Framework
Utility rates are set
to recover the
annual cost of
providing service.
Revenue Requirement & Rates
FCS GROUP Slide 5
•;�� Costs Increasing; Rates Have Not Changed
Cumulative Adjustments
70%
60% — ► 62%
50% • • /o
40% •
30%
40
0% • • 0%
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
=mBBWARM Rates (Adopted 2008) • • CPI-U - Sea-Tac-Bell m ENR CCI - 20 City Average
FCS GROUP Note: CCI = construction cost index; CPI = consumer price index Slide 6
•;�� Many Capital Projects on the Horizon
2023-33 CIP contains $17 million in capital, $1.5 million per year (2023 $, before estimated inflation)
$2,500,000
CD$2,000,000
N
N
o $1,500,000
U
ca
a $110001000
U
`o $5001000
Q
With inflation, $20.1 million total and $1.8 million per year
2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
■ Design & Permitting ■ Construction
2030 2031 2032 2033
FCS GROUP Slide 7
Source: BBWARM Fund Balance Projection from County Staff, some projects budgeted for 2023 will roll over into 2024.
•::� Scenario 1: With Road Funds
Capital Funding % Increase
Grants Annual single-family rate (medium density)
$3,500,000 10i. Rate increase amount year over year
$3,000,000
$2,500,000
$2,0001000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000 $75
$500,000
0 2.5% 2.5%
0 2.5% 2.5 /o $196 $201
16.0% 2.5 /o $187 $191 $5
20.0% $178 $182 $5 $5 $5
$ $25 $4
27.0% totoM-
34.0% $128 $��•�
$27
$101 to.
0.0% 26 $75 $00 � � . .
$0 00
2023 2024
Operating & Maintenance
2025 2026
New Debt Service
2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033
Rate Funded Capital —Revenue @ 2023 Rates — —Revenue with Increases
FCS GROUP Slide 8
�♦� Scenario 2: No Road Funds %Increase
�♦ Annual single-family rate (medium density)
Capital Funding Rate increase amount year over year
$3,500,000 , . .
$3,0001000
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000 $75
$500,000
2.5% 2.5%
0 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% $236 $242
21.0 /o $219 $224 $230 $6 $6
$214 $5 $6
23.0% $37 $5�����-
'rants $177
ots 32.0% $33 0 *o �
$144 00 00
45.0% $35
0.0% $109 00 00
$34
• �
$75
$0
2023 2024
Operating & Maintenance
2025 2026
New Debt Service
2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033
Rate Funded Capital —Revenue @ 2023 Rates — —Revenue with Increases
FCS GROUP Slide 9
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$250
co
ry
$200
co
J) $150
6n $100
co
Updated BBWARM Rates in Survey Group (2025)
Annual Stormwater Fee
$101 $109
$75
Q
$50
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FCS GROUP Slide 10
Note: Rate survey performed in fall/winter 2023.
How Will Costs be Recovered?
Revenue requirement
How big is the pie?
Rate structure
How to slice the pie?
FCS GROUP Slide 11
Existing Rate Structure
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•'�` Current BBWARM Rate Structure
Single-family residences & agricultural parcels* charged for 1.0 equivalent service unit (ESU)
All other developed properties charged for 1.0 ESU per 4,000 square feet of measured impervious area
Undeveloped parcels not charged
development)
(medium development)
$104.52 (high development)
FCS GROUP *"Agricultural parcel" means a developed parcel participating in the Whatcom County agricultural open space program, with less than one acre of impervious area. Slide 13
Drawbacks of Current Rate Structure
Drawbacks for Residential Customers
Parcels with less impervious area can pay
more than parcels with more impervious area
Drawbacks for Non -Residential Customers
Similar amounts of impervious area charged
differently (for density fee)
Different amounts of impervious area charged
similarly (for density fee)
Examples provided in appendix
FCS GROUP Slide 14
•;�� Annual Rate Adjustments Under Current Structure
Scenario 1: With Road Funds
% Incr. 34.0%
27.0%
20.0%
16.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Low $60.24 $80.72
$102.52
$123.02
$142.70
$146.27
$149.93
$153.68
$157.52
$161.46
Medium $75.00 $100.50
$127.64
$153.16
$177.67
$182.11
$186.66
$191.33
$196.11
$201.01
High $104.52 $140.06
$177.87
$213.45
$247.60
$253.79
$260.13
$266.64
$273.30
$280.13
Scenario 2: Without Road Funds
% Incr.
45.0%
32.0%
23.0%
21.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Low $60.24
$87.35
$115.30
$141.82
$171.60
$175.89
$180.29
$184.79
$189.41
$194.15
Medium $75.00
$108.75
$143.55
$176.57
$213.65
$218.99
$224.46
$230.07
$235.82
$241.72
High $104.52
$151.55
$200.05
$246.06
$297.74
$305.18
$312.81
$320.63
$328.65
$336.86
FCS GROUP
Slide 15
•;:� Rate Structure &Adjustment Recommendations
Eliminate density tiers (Low, Medium, High)
Round ESUs to nearest tenth
Continue to...
Assign single-family customers 1.0 equivalent service unit
(ESU) per developed parcel
Charge others based on measured impervious area, where
1.0 ESU = 4,000 impervious square feet
Keep current adjustments and credits
Exception: consider eliminating 27% and 10% capacity and
maintenance credit (results in very little actual savings, high
admin burden, no one even qualifies for 27% credit)
All current adjustments listed in appendix slides
FCS GROUP Slide 16
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•;�� Recommended Rate Design
Low (1-10% impervious) $
Medium (11-50% impervious) $$
High (>50% impervious) $$$
All Customers
o6
FCS GROUP Slide 18
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Imp's,xm is
2025 en H°gan a.
21113
•;�� Capital Project Locations
23 Past 1 Future Projects 2012-2033*
Outside UGA
7
30%
Inside UGA
16
70%
UGA = urban growth area
FCS GROUP TIP schedule for 2027-2033 subject to change
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Slide 19
Map P—L-d:
Customer ESU Locations
Roughly 9,500 ESUs in service area
Roughly 1/3 outside of UGA
Roughly 2/3 inside of UGA
Estimated ESUs in 2025
Inside UGA
69%
Outside UGA
31%
FCS GROUP Slide 20
•;�� Reasons for Uniform Rate per ESU
Uniform Rate per ESU Consistent with Industry Norms
Projects generally align with .11L Wide benefit from better water
69 � customer population density quality of the Bay
(inside/outside UGA)
Wide benefit from water quantity p Some water quantity issues
management (transportation, � from outside UGA move into
erosion control, emergency access) UGA via Terrell Creek
FCS GROUP Slide 21
•;�� Annual Rate Adju
• Scenario 1: With Road Funds
stments Under Alternative Structure
% Incr.
34.0%
27.0%
20.0%
16.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Per E S U
$107.55
$136.59
$163.90
$190.13
$194.88
$199.75
$204.75
$209.87
$215.11
• Scenario 2: Without Road Funds
% Incr.
45.0%
32.0%
23.0%
21.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Per ESU
$116.38
$153.62
$188.95
$228.63
$234.35
$240.20
$246.21
$252.37
$258.67
FCS GROUP Slide 22
2025
•;�� Sample Bills Scenario 1: With Road Funds Systemwide
♦ Average: 34 /o
Category ,i MME" 11YI, "E"Nomm % Change
Single-family (1 low ESU) $60.24 $107.55 79%
Single-family (1 medium ESU) $75.00 $107.55 43%
Single-family (1 high ESU) $104.52 $107.55 3%
Customer & Category % Change
Regional Park (32 low ESUs) $1,927.68 $31441.60 79%
Condos (14 low ESUs) $843.36 $11505.70 79%
Golf Course (24 medium ESUs) $1,800.00 $21581.20 43%
Medical 6 medium ESUs $450$645.30 43% Nearly same
( ) .00 impervious;
Eating Place (6 high ESUs) 1 $627.12 1 $645.30 3% previously
charged diff.
Mini Storage (77 high ESUs) $8,048.04 $81281.35 3% L
Gas Station (10 high ESUs) $1,045.20 $11075.50 3%
FCS GROUP Reminder: Cumulative operating/capital cost inflation since 2009 = 50-62% Slide 23
2025
•;�� Sample Bills Scenario 2: No Road Funds Systemwide
♦ Average: 45 /o
Category.,i�'j-1 WErIjjgMrW Change
Single-family (1 low ESU) $60.24 $116.38 93%
Single-family (1 medium ESU) $75.00 $116.38 55%
Single-family (1 high ESU) $104.52 $116.38 11%
Customer & Category % Change
Regional Park (32 low ESUs) $1,927.68 $31724.16 93%
Condos (14 low ESUs) $843.36 $11629.32 93%
Golf Course (24 medium ESUs) $1,800.00 $21793.12 55%
Medical 6 medium ESUs $450$698.28 55% Nearly same
( ) .00 impervious;
Eating Place (6 high ESUs) 1 $627.12 1 $698.28 11% previously
charged diff.
Mini Storage (77 high ESUs) $8,048.04 $81961.26 11% L
Gas Station (10 high ESUs) $1,045.20 $11163.80 11%
FCS GROUP Reminder: Cumulative operating/capital cost inflation since 2009 = 50-62% Slide 24
•;�� Updated BBWARM Rates in Survey Group (2025)
cn
$300
$250
$200
M
d)
$150
$100 $75
Q
$50
$-
Annual Stormwater Fee
$108 $116
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FCS GROUP Slide 25
Note: Rate survey performed in fall/winter 2023.
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•;:� Summary
Revenue requirement: How big is the pie?
Annual Increase in Revenue Needs
32%
23016 21%
34% 27%
20% 16%
2025
KIN
2027
KIM:
- - Scenario 1: With Road Funds —Scenario 2: No Road Funds
Rate structure: How to slice the pie?
» Current density -based rate structure perpetuates issues
» Alternative rate structure recommended: uniform rate per ESU
Eliminate density designations
FCS GROUP Slide 27
•;�� Study Process & Next Steps
0 B13WARM
Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic
Resources Management District
January 17 Public Meeting
Rate study process & policies
April 17 Advisory Committee Meeting
Revenue requirement scenarios
May 8 Public Meeting
Alternative rate structure
WHATCOM COUNTY
W A S H I N G T 0 N
May 14 Council Water Work Session
Revenue requirement & rate structure
June 4 County Council Meeting
Resolution introduced
June 18 County Council Meeting
Public hearing
FCS GROUP Slide 28
John Ghilarducci
President 1 Principal
(425) 867-1937
johng@fcsgroup.com
Thank you!
Questions?
www.fcsgroup.com
Tage Aaker
Senior Project Manager
(425) 615-6487
tagea@fcsgroup.com
a: I S ► IL
•:;> FGS GROUP
Solutions -Oriented Consulting
Grace Glahn
Senior Analyst
(425) 615-6236
graceg@fcsgroup.com
Appendix
FCS GROUP Slide 30
•;�� Fiscal Policies Examples
Operating Reserve
Capital Reserve
Debt Service Coverage
Cushion to accommodate cash flow
fluctuations
To meet emergency repairs,
unanticipated capital, and project cost
overruns
Compliance with existing debt covenants
and maintain credit worthiness for
future debt
Policy
Targets
90 days of operating expenses (25%)
Consistent with 2007 Study
$300,000
Consistent with 2007 Study
(roughly $200,000 plus inflation)
If borrowing, minimum target:
1.25x annual debt service
FCS GROUP Slide 31
•;:� Drawbacks for Single -Family
Assumed impervious area used, actual density % may vary
Parcels with less impervious area can pay more than parcels with more impervious area (see below)
A. Medium 1.00 25% 30,000 7,500 4,000 13% (Med.) $2.46
B. High 1.00 55% 7,500 4,125 4,000 53% (High) $4.92
B — A
(% change)
Actual Percent Impervious = Actual Impervious Area (ft.) - Lot Size (ft.)
Assumed Density = Assumed Impervious Area - Lot Size (ft.)
FCS GROUP Slide 32
Drawbacks for.NonmSinglemFamily
Similar Amounts of Impervious Area Charged Differently (for Density Fee)
A. High 32,234 23,114
B. Medium 53,579 23,912
B=A
(% change) 3%
72% (High) 6.0 $4.92 $29.52
45% (Med.) 6.0 $2.46 $14.76
* ESUs in BBWARM are rounded to nearest whole number.
'50%
FCS GROUP Slide 33
Drawbacks for.NonmSinglemFamily
Different Amounts of Impervious Area Charged Similarly (for Density Fee)
A. High 147375 8,146
B. Medium 40,511 16,842
B —A 107%
(% change)
57% (High) 2.0 $4.92 $9.84
42% (Med.) 4.0 $2.46 $9.84
* ESUs in BBWARM are rounded to nearest whole number.
(:D
FCS GROUP Slide 34
Current BBWARM Exemptions & Adjustments
Single-family: Low-income senior / disabled person Exempt
Single-family: Less than 2,000 impervious square feet
Contiguous lots
Parcels with privately owned stormwater facilities
(with excess capacity)
Permissive rainwater harvesting system OR privately
owned stormwater facilities (1992 standard)
0.5 ESU (instead of 1.0)
Contiguous lots charged as one lot
for rate calculation
27% discount
10% discount
FCS GROUP Slide 35
Current BBWARM Exemptions & Adjustments (contd.)
Undeveloped parcels Exempt
State / County roads
Agricultural parcels in open space program w/ <1 acre of
impervious area
Property owned by Birch Bay Water and Sewer District
Exempt
Charged for 1 ESU
(like single family)
Exempt per
interlocal agreement (ILA)
FCS GROUP Slide 36
OF BE<</4'
� cy
� y
u 3
gSHING�O
Lake Whatcom Management
Program Five -Year Work Plan
Preparation for 2025-2029 Lake Whatcom Work Plan
"Co ' co
�gSNI NG C0
May 14, 2024
2025-2029 Work Plan Development Timeline
Spring 2024
Work Planning
Direct Staff- May
Leadership Council Input
discussions
0 0 *
April Joint Policy Group
Initial Draft Outline
Policymaker Input
Questions/Directions
Summer 2024
Draft for Public
Comment
Public Input +
WRAB
June Joint Policy
Group
0
0
September Joint
Policy Group
Final Draft
Summary of Public
Input
Winter 2024
Council(s) and
Commission
Adoption
Final
Publication
0
Lake Whatcorn Management
Program: Ten Program Areas
1. Land Preservation
2. Stormwater
3. Land Use
4. Monitoring & Data
6. Recreation
7. Aquatic Invasive Species
8. Utilities & Transportation
9. Education & Engagement
5. Hazardous Materials 10. Administration
+11. Climate Action
+12. Forest Management
EXAMPLE
#Number. Program Area — Current Planning Outline
Existing actions or
programs in 2020-2024
Work Plan that staff
propose to continue in
2025-2029 period
(Ref. to Work Plan)
New and Improved
Action s
New Work Plan items
introduced by Staff or
Policy Group Members for
consideration to be
included in 2025-2029
Work Plan
#1. Land Preservation — Current Planning Outline
• Pursue purchases of additional land
through Property Acquisition
Program (Obj. 1.1)(City)
• Manage and restore purchased land by
planting and invasive species removal
(Obj. 1.2) (City)
• Forest health assessments (Obj. 1.2) (City)
• Wildfire preparedness — Public properties
and adjacent lands (Obj. 1.2) (City)
ImprovedENeew and
• Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan
(City and County)
• Wildfire preparedness expansion — Private
forest and residential properties (City and
County)
• Reassign items to new Program Area
for Forest Management (City and County)
#2. Stormwater — Current Planning Outline
• Capital facility construction and retrofit
projects (Obj. 2.1) (City and County)
• Residential assistance programs (Obj. 2.2)
(City = HIP, County = NNLP)
• System -wide Operations and Maintenance
(O+M) (Obj. 2.3) (City and County)
rLNew or Enhanced Activities
• PBOOM Enhanced Maintenance Plan
(EMP) for capital facilities (City)
• PBOOM Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs) for public areas (City)
• Next generation of HIP (City)
• Develop and monitor advanced
stormwater treatment technologies
(Whatcom County w/King County and
Department of Ecology)
#3. Land Use — Current Planning Outline
• Enforcement and application of land use
regulations and mitigation requirements
for single family lot development/
redevelopment (Obj. 3.1) (City and
County)
• Regulations for development/
redevelopment of multi -family properties
(Obj. 3.1) (City)
• Review and comment on private forest
applications (Obj. 3.2) (City and County)
LlNew or Enhanced Activities
• Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan
(City and County)
• Reassign items to New Program Area
for Forest Management (City and County)
#4. Monitoring and Data — Current Planning Outline
• Lake Whatcom monitoring (Obj. 4.1) (City,
County, LWWSD)
• Tributary monitoring (Obj. 4.2) (County
and LWWSD)
• Stormwater monitoring (Obj. 4.3)
including BMP Effectiveness (City and
County)
ENe:w or Enhanced Activities
• Lake Whatcom Climate Vulnerability
Assessment (NEW) (City and County)
• TMDL Reassessment update (County)
• New studies to understand long term Lake
health (ex: internal loading, Nitrogen
balance, groundwater, urbanized runoff)
(City, County, LWWSD)
• PBOOM BMP Effectiveness Monitoring
(City)
#5. Hazardous Materials — Current Planning Outline
New or Enhanced Activities
• Collect and dispose of hazardous materials
and fertilizers through Disposal of Toxics
Facility (Obj. 5.1) (County)
• Maintain list of low-P materials for use in
gardens and landscapes (Obj. 5.1) (City)
• Respond to spills and track responses
(Obj. 5.2) (City and County)
#6. Recreation — Current Planning Outline
• Stormwater treatment at recreation
facilities (Obj. 6.1) (City and County)
• Manage increasing demand for access to
recreational lands while balancing water
quality impacts (Obj. 6.1-6.3) (City and
County)
• Participate in regional land management
partnerships to engage user groups (Obj.
6.4) (City and County)
New or Enhanced Activities
• Expansion of restrooms at high -use
locations (County)
#7. Aquatic Invasive Species — Current Planning Outline
• Run Whatcom Boat Inspections (Obj. 7.1)*
• Implement AIS monitoring (Obj. 7.2)*
• Participate in regional AIS partnerships to
maintain situational awareness in the field
(Obj. 7.3)*
• Continue to address known and suspected
AIS populations in local waterways (Obj.
7.3)*
*AIS Program Operated by City: Funded by
City 60%, County 30%, LWWSD 10%
ENe:w or Enhanced Activities
• Lake Whatcom Rapid Response Plan (City)
• Additional early detection and monitoring
efforts to fill in State data gaps
(City, County, LWWSD)
#8 Utilities and Transportation — Current Planning Outline
Manage infrastructure to protect water
quality and provide public services (Obj.
8.1-8.3) (City, County, LWWSD)
ENew or Enhanced Activities
• Water System Plan update - includes
improvements and upgrades across the
system (City)
• Updated Water Conservation Program (City)
and consider policies that increase water
conservation (City, County, LWWSD)
• Direct install program for low -flow toilets for
low-income residents (City)
• Bikeway projects for multi -modal
transportation options Northshore / Lakeside /
Euclid Ave. (City — DRAFT Plan)
#9. Education and Engagement — Current Planning Outline
• New Homeowner packets, Newsletter,.
and other materials regularly distributed
(Obj. 9.1) (City and County)
• Measure watershed residents'
understanding of watershed issues
through five-year repeat survey (Obj. 9.1)
(City and County)
• Continued support for homeowner -
focused programs and behavior change
efforts (Obj. 9.2) (City and County)
ENe:w or Enhanced Activities
• Increase awareness about wildfire
preparedness and risk reduction (City and
County)
#10. Administration — Current Planning Outline
• Coordinate efforts and budget among
three jurisdictions (Obj. 10.1, 10.2, 10.4)
(City, County, LWWSD)
• Organize and publish annual reports (Obj.
10.3) (City, County, LWWSD)
• Ensure that programs meet regulatory
requirements (Obj. 10.5) (City and County)
Work Plan Overall —Your Input
1. Land Preservation
-Conduct evaluation to determine how County Conservation Futures Funds (or similar) can be utilized to accelerate land acquisitions
-Revisit program to purchase undeveloped lots in Sudden Valley
-Focus outreach efforts on increasing the number of willing sellers
2. Stormwater - No additional input
3. Land Use
-Normalize P-reduction/land preservation metrics across jurisdictions
-Convene work session with City and County electeds to explore "phosphorus -neutral" development regulations in City and how those
could be applied in Whatcom County areas
-Regulate and license short-term vacation rentals in the watershed in such a way as to ensure the protection of water quality
4. Monitoring and Data
-Complete On -Site Sewage (OSS) assessment previously initiated. Submit results to Health Department for determination on impact to
environmental health from both performing and underperforming OSS.
-Review earlier work by consultant that identified OSS as source of phosphorus
-Conduct detailed assessment of performance of all BMPs watershed -wide in addition to PBOOM assessment.
5. Hazardous Materials
-Evaluate impacts of firefighting chemicals (flame retardants dropped on forest fires) on water quality.
Work Plan Overall —Your Input
6. Recreation
-Evaluate partnerships with tourism groups to collaborate on outreach for water quality best practices in recreation areas
-Develop a standard of trail maintenance BMPs that is most protective of water quality for public and private trail building and maintenance
-Determine if/how electric bikes may increase risk of erosion of trails and/or fire threat in recreation lands
7. Aquatic Invasive Species
-Include provision forAIS inspection and compliance at short-term rentals as part of regulation of these uses
-Conduct additional monitoring at WDFW and Sudden Valley boat launches to characterize risk of launches outside of inspections, off-
season, and off -hours. Consider seasonal ramp closures based on the risk level identified.
8. Transportation and Utilities
-Engage with Whatcom Transportation Authority or other public transit entities to explore a "Bus to Trailheads" option to reduce vehicle trips
into the watershed and reduce parking pressure at recreation sites
-Engage with Whatcom Council of Governments for an assessment of multi -modal transit options for watershed areas, to determine
additional opportunities for transportation projects
9. Education and Engagement
-Develop emergency outreach plan to reach residents in the event of a wildfire
10. Administration
-Increase number of policymaker-to-policymaker meetings to encourage collaboration. Support technical policy questions/code development.
11. Climate Action - Support for new program area. No additional input