HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket Special Council Mar 29 2023Whatcom County
Council (Special)
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
6:30 PM
ANNUAL LAKE WHATCOM JOINT COUNCILS AND
COMMISSIONERS MEETING
HYBRID MEETING - Bellingham City Council Chambers, 210 Lottie Street and remote
option via Zoom at https:Hcob.org/lwmeeting, or by phone at (253) 215-8782.
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Carol Frazey
Kaylee Galloway
Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council (Special) Meeting Agenda March 29, 2023
See attached agenda for information.
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 41812025
h OF gEL�/NCy City of Bellingham
"�3 City Council Special Meeting Agenda
♦�'SH-2 March 29, 2023, 6:30 PM
Mayor: Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org
Council Members: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org
Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael https://cob.org/council
Lilliquist and Kristina Michele Martens
Legislative Assistant: Jackie Lassiter
Members of the public wishing to view the meeting in person may do so at Council Chambers on the second
floor of City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Council meetings are streamed
live via the City's website at https://cob.org/meetings and on the City's YouTube channel at
https://cob.org/btv. Meetings are also broadcast in high definition on BTV on Comcast channel 321, and in
standard definition on Comcast channel 10. Members of the public who do not have cable or Internet access
may listen to the meeting via telephone by using any of the following phone numbers:
(253) 215-8782, (346) 248-7799, (669) 900-6833, (301) 715-8592, (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 832 2203 9303
Password: 9
Call to Order
23677 1. Lake Whatcom Management Program Joint Councils and Board of Commissioners p. 2
Annual Meeting
Adjournment
Agenda Information
Council Committee and Regular/Special Meeting agendas and agenda packets, which contain the supporting
documentation for agenda items, are available to the public Wednesday afternoon prior to the meeting. They
are posted at https://cob.org/meetings. Meetings are streamed live at https://cob.org/btv on the internet as
they occur
Accessibility
The Council Chambers is fully accessible. Elevator access to the second floor is available at City Hall's west
entrance. Hearing assistance is available, and a receiver may be checked out through the Deputy City Clerk
prior to the evening session. For additional accommodations, contact the Legislative Assistant at 778-8200 in
advance of the meeting. Thank you.
BELLI"°y 23677
��7 City Council Agenda Bill
gSFI1NGt Bill Number
Subject: Lake Whatcom Management Program Joint Councils and Board of Commissioners Annual
Meeting
Summary Statement: This is the annual joint legislative meeting of the Lake Whatcom Management Program and will include the
Bellingham City Council, the Whatcom County Council, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners.
At the meeting staff will review Lake Whatcom Program activities completed in 2022 and underway in 2023 to reduce phosphorus
and other threats to Lake Whatcom. Participants will also be briefed on the results of the Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project Report
from the Institute for Watershed Studies at WWU. Additional meeting information and resources can be accessed at
https://www.lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/news
Previous Council Action: 7/20/2020, Council Adopted the Lake Whatcom Management Program 2020-2024 Work Plan
Fiscal Impact: Total Lake Whatcom Management Program Estimated 2020-2024 Costs $60.18M
Funding Source: City (Multiple Funds); County and LWWSD
Attachments: 1. LAKE WHATCOM ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA
2. APPENDIX: REPORTING METRICS
3. REPORT
Meeting Activity
Special Meeting Full
Council
Recommended Motion:
Council Committee:
Council Action:
Meeting Date Recommendation
03/29/2023 Information/Discussion
Agenda Bill Contact:
Mark Gardner, 360-778-8204
Reviewed By
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Set( X. 7&e4,u
Presented By
City, County, and WWU staff
Department
Council Administration
Legal
Executive
Time
90 minutes
Date
03/22/2023
03/24/2023
03/24/2023
-2-
Lake Whatcom Cooperative Management Program
Annual Joint Councils and Commissioners Meeting
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Meeting begins: 6:30 PM
The meeting will be held in the Bellingham City Council chambers, 210 Lottie Street.
There will also be a remote option via Zoom. Elected officials and staff will receive a
personal Zoom link. Members of the public can access the meeting at
httl2s://cob.org,/lwmeetinq, or by phone at (253) 215-8782.
Meeting ID: 832 2203 9303; Passcode: 9
Meeting Chair: Barry Buchanan, Chair, Whatcom County Council
Agenda Topic
Start Time
Minutes
1. Meeting convened
6:30
5
2. Opening comments
• Seth Fleetwood, Mayor of Bellingham
• Satpal Singh Sidhu, Whatcom County Executive
6:35
10
3. Public comment period
6:45
20
4. Lake Whatcom Monitoring Program Annual Report — Dr.
Angela Strecker, Institute for Watershed Studies, WWU
7:05
20
5. Lake Whatcom Management Program Annual Report —
Interjurisdictional Coordination Team
• 2022 Accomplishments and 2023 Preview
7:25
45
6. Councils and Commissioners response and discussion
8:10
20
7. Adjourn
8:30
-3-
Whatcom
Management
Program
PROGRESS REPORT
Prepared by the Lake Whatcom
Interjurisdictional Coordinating Team
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Seth Fleetwood, City of Bellingham Mayor
Satpal Singh Sidhu, Whatcom County Executive
Aaron Burkhart, City of Bellingham
Tom Chisholm, Whatcom County
Justin Clary, Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District
Cathy Craver, Whatcom County
Ingrid Enschede, Whatcom County
Holly Faulstich, Whatcom County
Clare Fogelsong, City of Bellingham
Mark Gardner, City of Bellingham
Riley Grant, City of Bellingham
Richard Griffin, City of Bellingham
Bryan Hatchell, City of Bellingham
James Hayes, Whatcom County
Steven Janiszewski, City of Bellingham
Mark Joyner, City of Bellingham
Renee LaCroix, City of Bellingham
Eli Mackiewicz, City of Bellingham
Kraig Olason, Whatcom County
Michael Parelskin, City of Bellingham
Joan Pickens, Western Washington University
Jason Porter, City of Bellingham
Kate Rice, Whatcom County
Gary Stoyka, Whatcom County
Dr. Angela Strecker, Western Washington University
Cliff Strong, Whatcom County
Christ Thomsen, Whatcom County
Teagan Ward, City of Bellingham
Kim Weil, City of Bellingham
Peg Wendling, City of Bellingham
City of Bellingham
Whatcom County
Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District
Western Washington University Institute for Watershed Studies
Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board
Lake Whatcom Management Program
la kewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org
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Front Cover: Calm day at Lake Whatcom I Photo by T. Ward, 2022
5 Back Cover: View from Bloedel Donovan Park I Photo byT. Ward, 2022
ProgramOverview........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2022 Highlights..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
ProgramAreas and Objectives............................................................................................................................................................................................................
ProgramArea 1: Land Preservation....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
ProgramArea 2: Stormwater......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
ProgramArea 3: Land Use............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
ProgramArea 4: Monitoring & Data....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
ProgramArea 5: Hazardous Materials.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
ProgramArea 6: Recreation........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10
ProgramArea 7: Aquatic Invasive Species.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
ProgramArea 8: Utilities & Transportation...................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
ProgramArea 9: Education & Engagement........................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
ProgramArea 10: Administration........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
ClimateConnection.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
2022 Progress Report Expenditures...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Resources................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Appendix: Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics-.A-.......................................................................................................................... 23
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Introduction
Phosphorus and Lake Whatcom
Phosphorus generated from forested areas, residential and other land use
practices is conveyed to Lake Whatcom by streams, public stormwater
infrastructure, and direct runoff. Over the past 50 years, this excess
phosphorus has caused a decline in the lake's water quality including a
significant decrease in dissolved oxygen deep in the water column as well
as seasonal algal blooms on the surface. These impacts affect the lake's
ecology and the City of Bellingham's water treatment process.
Since the early 1990s, the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the
Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District have been:
- Adopting land use and stormwater regulations to reduce phosphorus
loading
- Constructing, operating, and maintaining stormwater treatment
facilities
- Constructing, operating, and maintaining sewage conveyance and
treatment systems
- Implementing residential stormwater retrofit programs to reduce
phosphorus loading from developed lots
- Purchasing and protecting land in the watershed that might
otherwise be susceptible to development or other land disturbance
activities
In April 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized the Lake
ti Whatcom Total Maximum Daily Load study, which has set in motion a
50-year cleanup effort focused on reducing phosphorus inputs to Lake
Whatcom.
Jrr..• ::.•. , -_. �.5.r: 'rya
` Efforts to date have resulted in an annual reduction of over 200 pounds
'-of phosphorus entering Lake Whatcom.
The City of Bellingham removed a fish passage Whatcom County completed the Marigold Drive The City of Bellingham completed rebuilding the
barrier and planted native plants to improve Stormwater Improvement Project in Sudden Park Place Stormwater Treatment Facility which
habitat on Agate Creek in the Agate Creek Valley. The new stormwater treatment vault utilizes the new Phosphorus Optimized Stormwater
Preserve property. removes pollutants from water flowing into Lake Treatment (POST) system best management prac-
Louise. tice (BMP).
700 5th grade students attended Water School
and learned about Lake Whatcom, its watershed,
stormwater pollution prevention, and the City of
Bellingham's water and wastewater treatment
systems.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) staff
decontaminated 24 high -risk boats in 2022, more
than the past two seasons combined. The high
number was driven by an increase in purchases of
used boats that came from out of state.
19-
In 2022, the LWMP outreach and engagement
staff shared the quarterly Lake Whatcom
Lowdown E-Newsletter to over 600 subscribers.
This newsletter contains information ranging from
AIS program updates, Lake Whatcom Policy
Group Meeting information and more.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
m Management Program (LWMP) toc=s ettorts in 1U program areas.
The 2020-2024 Work Plan uses the same program arezos the previous five-year plan.
As LWMP partners, the City of Bellingham, Whatcom and the Lake Whatcom
Water and Sewer District are the leads responsible for ajunty,
mplishing the work described
in this plan.
Land Preservation
L __]or!=
Preserve and restore land that might otherwise be susceptible to
development or other land disturbance to protect water quality, fish
and wildlife habitat, and forest health.
Protect and restore water quality in Lake Whatcom and its tributaries
by using best management practices to collect, treat, and manage
stormwater runoff.
quality ana quaninty Impactslorn new development,
redevelopment, and forest practices.
4. Monitoring : 1. i
o ecic ana manage aa a vo increase our understanding of water
quality and pollution sources, reduce uncertainty in the Lake
Whatcom loading and response models, and guide management
decisions.
handling of hazardous materials, and ensure that spill prevention and
response programs adequately protect water quality.
Additional partners play important roles to help achieve work plan goals. Key partners
include: Sudden Valley Community Association, Washington State Departments of Ecol-
ogy and Natural Resources, Washington State University Whatcom County Extension,
Watershed Advisory Board members, Western Washington University Institute for Wa-
tershed Studies, Whatcom Conservation District, and Whatcom Land Trust.
-10-
Provide access to recreational opportunities that are consistent with
water quality goals.
7. Aquatic Species
Prevent new aquatic invasive species (AIS) introductions to Lake
Whatcom and minimize impacts associated with established invasive
species.
1ities & ransDortatio-
Prevent water quality and quantity impacts from water, sewer, and
transportation systems.
FOucaile an Oengg*gew®rs Wesi00an visitors to promote and
facilitate the adoption of behaviors that protect water quality.
10. Administration
rogram Work Plan and
provide opportunities for public input.
Ia091CIR.Al 84 I.\:iIF_1
OBJECTIVE: Preserve and restore land that might otherwise be susceptible to development or
other land disturbance to protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and forest health.
Land Preservation actions implemented in the Lake What- In 2022, the City of Bellingham completed the purchase of
com watershed to protect water quality include: land ac- seven separate transactions, with the highest number of
quisition, conservation easements, and other incentive title acquisitions in a single year to date. Total acquisition in
programs. Over 11,400 acres have been protected in the 2022 included 134 acres, reducing development potential by
Lake Whatcom watershed to date, including approximate- 9 units.
ly 7,800 acres reconveyed to Whatcom County in 2014.
ALL PROTECTED
LAKE WHATCOM
WATERSHED
PROPERTIES
N = 1 1,425 ACRES
Map by M. Parelskin, 2022
The City of Bellingham completed a fish passage barrier
removal project in Agate Creek in 2022. Staff removed a
42-foot long derelict culvert on the Agate Creek Preserve.
The city also removed 10,000 square feet of impermeable
surface with the demolition of a commercial dairy that
once operated on a property in the Agate Creek drainage.
Restoration of that site included planting 400 native trees.
Other management activities completed on city acquisition
properties in 2022 included regular property inspections,
removal of invasive species and planting of native species,
and the mitigation of multiple encroachments with letters,
gates, and signage. Improvements to the land acquisition
model and maps were also completed.
COB Property management accomplishments included:
• 118 acres managed for invasive species and restoration
• 2,500 native plants installed
• 1 Home Ignition Zone treatment project completed on
City of Bellingham land adjacent to private property
• Agate Creek culvert removal
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
119425 Acres protected (to date)
134 Acres added to protected
total (2022)
2022 Expenditures: $1,880,198
• 1 new trail permitted and constructed to manage
recreation access, reduce erosion and improve user
safety
• 42 linear feet of culvert removed to improve fish
passage and reduce sedimentation
Agate Creek Culvert Removal I Photo by COB, zozz
2022•REPORT
Ia091CIR.Al 84 I.\:iIF_1
by using best
management practices to collect, treat, and manage stormwater runoff from developed areas
throughout the watershed.
Stormwater program activities continue to be an area of The county completed a stormwater improvement proj-
emphasis for the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County
ect along Marigold Drive in Sudden Valley. This project
to help meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) require-
consisted of installing 750 feet of new pipe, 15 catch ba-
ments to reduce phosphorus pollution in Lake Whatcom
sins, and a stormwater treatment vault. The new treat -
and fecal coliform pollution in streams.
ment system is designed to reduce stormwater pollutants
like heavy metals, suspended solids, and phosphorus that
Stormwater capital improvement project planning and con-
previously entered Lake Louise with little to no treatment.
struction continued in 2022. The city completed construc-
tion of their most impactful stormwater treatment system The county also completed four small works projects in
to date. The rebuilt Park Place stormwater facility treats the Geneva and Hillsdale neighborhoods. These projects
runoff from 156 acres of development in the Silver Beach include catch basin replacements, culvert installations,
Creek neighborhood. Using the city -developed Phospho- and other neighborhood drainage improvements to mini-
rus Optimized Stormwater Treatment (POST) system best mize flooding and stream and ditch erosion.
management practice (BMP), this facility is able to treat
more area and remove phosphorus at a lower cost than
any other treatment system currently in place in the city t -
watershed.
The city also advanced projects to replace costly filter
vaults with POST media systems in the coming years, se-
curing a grant from the Washington State Department of
Ecology (Ecology) to reconstruct three priority filter vault
systems. In addition, a separate grant from Ecology was
secured to rebuild the Donald Avenue stormwater facility,
located directly on the shoreline.
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
208 Lbs of phosphorus reduced
per year (through 2022)
2022 Expenditures: $ a1 a
(Including Capital Projects)
over
1 MILLION square feet improved
through HIP (to date)
Ia091CIR.Al 84 I.\:iIF_1
With ongoing assistance through contracts with the
Whatcom Conservation District (WCD), the city and coun-
ty continued to help homeowners make voluntary water
quality improvements to their property through the Lake
Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP). The WCD
provided one-on-one technical assistance to HIP partici-
pants.
In 2022, 44 property owners within city limits received
HIP assistance and the city reached two major HIP mile-
stones: (1) over one million square feet improved and (2)
providing on -site service to more than 50% of the proper-
ties within the city's portion of the watershed.
With the expansion of the program to include Basin 3 in
2021, interest in HIP from county homeowners exceed-
ed staff capacity in 2022. The county put a pause on new
sign-ups to focus on helping homeowners engaged in HIP
complete projects.
Whatcom County provided qualified Sudden Valley HIP
participants an opportunity to pilot a new Neighborhood
Native Landscaping Program (NNLP) in 2022. The NNLP
provides a cluster of neighbors with plants and mulch, and
the homeowners plant their native landscaping during a
fall work party. Four households installed 14,000 square
feet of native landscaping in 2022.
The county continued to provide virtual trainings for the
Private Stormwater System (PSS) Maintenance Program
in 2022. These trainings help homeowners understand
the maintenance needs of their stormwater systems.
Upon request, technical assistance and a free inspection
report is provided to assist homeowners with the specif-
ic maintenance needs of their system.
The county and city own and operate a large number
of stormwater treatment facilities throughout the wa-
tershed. Annual inspection and maintenance of these
facilities ensures they function as designed to protect
water quality. Collectively in 2022, the city and coun-
ty managed 89 treatment facilities, replaced 454 filter
cartridges, and inspected and maintained about 1,400
catch basins plus bioswales, ditches, and culverts in the
public right-of-way.
Marigold Dr. Construction Photo by WC 2022
�f
�i TT -1r
WCC Crew Member Helping at Planting Party I Photo by WCD, 2022
Native Plants Ready for Neighborhood Planting Party I Photo by WCD, 2022
Ia091CIR.Al 84 I.\:iIF_1
t water q
and forest practices.
quantity impacts from new development, redevelopment,
The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County continue to
implement development regulations aimed at preventing
water quality and quantity impacts to Lake Whatcom.
In 2022, County Council amended the Lake Whatcom
Overlay District to lower the threshold of how much new
hard surface area is exempt from installing a permanent
stormwater management system, from 501 to 201 square
feet, and to reduce the amount of tree canopy that can be
removed. The county issued 100 development permits in
the watershed in 2022. Phosphorus -neutral development
regulations were applied through these permits.
In 2022, there were four new single-family developments
in the city portion of the watershed. Each new and rede-
veloped home is required to provide a forested condition
on 30% of the lot as a Native Vegetation Protection Ar-
eas (NVPA). The NVPAs are protected by a conservation
easement, and the city ensures that each NVPA is well
established with monitoring during the required five-year
monitoring period. Since 2009, over 13 acres of devel-
oped residential properties meet city phosphorus —neu-
tral code requirements.
In March 2022, the city released the Lake Whatcom Wa-
tershed Annual Build -out Analysis Report updating the
number of existing dwelling units to 7,224 (+31 units
compared to 2021) and the number of potential units on
vacant lands to 1,395 (-32 units compared to 2021).
New property owners received the Stewards of the Lake
Guidebook in May 2022 with an insert notifying them of
special Lake Whatcom watershed regulations and where to
get information on permit requirements for home improve-
ment projects. Watershed work window opening and clos-
ing dates were promoted through social media, websites,
and the Lake Whatcom Lowdown e-newsletter.
In 2022, the city and county continued to work on their
Shoreline Management Program periodic updates. What-
com County approved its updates in 2022 and is waiting for
Washington State Department of Ecology approval. Both
county and city anticipate adoption in 2023.
The Lake Whatcom Policy Group initiated discussions with
the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on for-
est practice regulations in the Lake Whatcom watershed in
early 2022. DNR staff hosted field trips with city and county
council members and provided a comprehensive overview
of the evolution in forest practice regulations in the Lake
Whatcom watershed. Discussion and information sharing
in 2022 will set the stage for follow up policy discussions
in 2023.
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
13 Acres of phosphorus -neutral
properties developed or
re -developed in accordance
with city regulations —Since
2009
5 Acres of native vegetation
protected as forest in perpetuity
as a result of land use
regulations -- Since 2009
2022 Expenditures: $'0
Native Vegetation Protection Area I Photo by Noah Booker, Shelterbelt LLC
IaCZ9ZeIR.Al 84 I.\Ci�_
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.
The Lake Whatcom Data Management Team (Data Team)
coordinates water quality monitoring efforts in the wa-
tershed. The team continued to meet monthly in 2022,
focusing on: coordination of hydrologic modeling efforts
on the lake and its tributaries, review of tributary moni-
toring results and determining appropriate locations for
storm -driven tributary monitoring, inter -agency updates
on stormwater treatment and Total Maximum Daily Load
(TMDL) activities, fecal coliform to E. coli comparative
monitoring, and Lake Whatcom monitoring conducted by
Western Washington University's Institute for Watershed
Studies (IWS).
The city continued to contract with the IWS for routine
monitoring of Lake Whatcom and its streams. Long-term
water quality data are collected for temperature, pH, dis-
solved oxygen, chlorophyll, nutrients, total organic car-
bon, algae, E. coli and fecal coliform. These data are used
to identify water quality trends in the lake and serve as
an indicator of the effectiveness of our water quality im-
provement efforts.
Storm event tributary monitoring continued, with the
IWS changing their sampling location focus in 2022 from
Austin, Silver Beach and Euclid creeks to Carpenter, Olsen
and Smith creeks. This information is input into a hydro-
logical simulation model to better delineate lake phos-
phorus loading sources.
This loading data is then incorporated into the lake re-
sponse model to refine the phosphorus loading reduction
targets needed to improve water quality. Support of both
models —loading and lake response —continues as part
of the city and county's TMDL response effort. Modelers
have been coordinating and sharing data and information.
The lake response model update and calibration was
completed in 2022 with a draft modeling report and Lake
Whatcom TMDL Reassessment completed by Brown and
Caldwell and Portland State University staff. Whatcom
County is leading the effort to determine potential sce-
narios to include in upcoming lake response model runs.
The city and county continue to conduct stormwater
sampling to assess both the effectiveness of constructed
stormwater treatment systems and to determine the con-
tributions of contaminants from major tributaries to Lake
Whatcom. In addition to on -going projects, the city com-
pleted a review of fecal coliform data from 2004 to 2021
in eight Lake Whatcom tributaries. The annual geometric
mean was calculated for the wet season (November to
April) and dry season (May to October) and compared to
TMDL targets. This analysis provides a new tool for Data
Team members to evaluate progress made meeting TMDL
bacteria targets.
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
1170 Lake water quality samples
I collected in 2022
128 Tributary water quality
samples collected in 2022
2022 Expenditures: $516,884
Monitoring for Asian Clams I Photo by IWS
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
28
New staff trained in spill
prevention and response
9 Spills/Incidents reported
2022 Expenditures: $' 1
IaCZ9ZeIC7_\► I.\C0�_
improper storage and handling of
hazardous materials and ensure that spill prevention and response programs adequately protect
water quality.
Whatcom County and City of Bellingham field staff are
trained in pollution prevention, illicit discharge identifi-
cation, investigation, and response. Trained staff are re-
sponsible for responding to spills city and county -wide. In
2022, 28 new city staff received this training.
County and city staff received and responded to nine re-
ports of illicit discharges or stormwater pollution within
the Lake Whatcom watershed in 2022.
The Pollution Prevention Assistance (PPA) programs, in
partnership with the Washington State Department of
Ecology, continued to help local businesses reduce and
eliminate dangerous waste. While providing assistance to
a business, PPA program staff evaluate and address po-
tential sources of pollution which may enter stormwater,
wastewater, or the air.
City staff who respond to stormwater hotline calls and city
stormwater code violations refer businesses to the PPA
program for free technical assistance and advice.
The county initiated a pilot project to develop an out-
reach program to foster behavior changes related to the
proper disposal of moderate -risk hazardous waste, such
as paint, oil, and yard chemicals. The Lake Whatcom wa-
tershed is one focus area for this new community -based
social marketing pilot project. In 2022, a survey was
distributed through the mail, at in -person events, and
through e-newsletters to learn about current knowledge
and behaviors with 328 residents completing the survey.
Survey results were used to design the outreach program
and outreach materials. The pilot will start in early 2023.
Paint Cans I Photo by Pexels
0
Ia091CIR.Al 84 I.\:iIF_1
goals.
The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County Parks and
Recreation Departments continue to manage park usage
and facilities in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Both juris-
dictions work to limit recreation impacts to water quality
through activities like providing pet waste stations, main-
taining stormwater facilities, educating park visitors, and
maintaining trails.
Bloedel Donovan Park continues to be a very busy rec-
reation area with record numbers of visitors from May
through September. The Lifeguard Program provided safe
swimming opportunities for all ages. 2022 was the sec-
ond year with traffic control and flagging by a private con-
tractor to ease parking congestion. The city also provided
unarmed daytime park security officers during a July heat
wave to address an uptick in illegal activity and unruly
behavior. Park Ambassadors work at this location to help
with public safety and address overcrowding.
at are consistent with water quality
Over the summer, these staff educated visitors on park
rules, conducted light maintenance, and held three out-
reach events focusing on dog etiquette and the impacts
of dog waste.
The city made right-of-way improvements at the Silver
Beach Recreation Lake Access Area in June. Staff removed
wooden barriers and installed large rocks to restrict illegal
parking. An additional dog waste station, park regulations
sign, and garbage can were installed to help keep this
popular beach access area clean and maintained.
Whatcom County Parks and Recreation manages more
than 9,500 acres of land in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
In 2022, the county approved funding and initiated the
process to develop a forest management plan for these
properties. Management goals include reducing phos-
phorus loading, reducing wildlife risk, and improving hab-
itat.
This summer, construction began on a trail in Lake What-
com Park that connects the Hertz shoreline trail to the
higher elevation Chanterelle Trail. The new trail will be
4.25 miles in length and gain 2,200 feet. It is located atop
an unauthorized user -built trail that did not meet recom-
mended trail specifications. Approximately 2.5 miles of
trail was built in 2022. The remaining construction will be
completed during the 2023 watershed work window.
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
2.5 Miles of new trail built
18 Miles of trail maintained
29 Pet waste stations
maintained in watershed
2022 Expenditures: $22911
Ia091CIR.Al 84 I.\:iIF_1
t new aquatic invasive species
minimize impacts associated with established invasive sp
Twenty-one inspectors conducted 14,305 watercraft in-
spections in 2022—a slight decrease compared to the 2021
season. Inspectors sold 2,768 annual permits, 325 small
vessel permits, 57 three-day passes, 653 one -day passes,
and 3,775 non -motorized permits resulting in a fee revenue
of $152,000.
A total of 10,358 watercraft inspections were conducted at
Lake Whatcom with the 3,947 inspections occurring at Lake
Samish. Watercrafts last visited 321 different water bodies
in 26 different states/provinces prior to launching at Lake
Whatcom or Lake Samish, including 22 water bodies infest-
ed with invasive mussels.
2022 AIS Inspectors I Photo byT. Ward, 2022
3,
Samish WI
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
14,305 Boats inspected
■
1132,Boats with standing water
that had to be drained
93 Boats with aquatic plants that
had to be removed
2 A Boats decontaminated for
Lf invasive mussels
Aquatic invasive species program staff continued to moni- 0
for Whatcom County lakes to detect the presence/absence
of new aquatic invasive species infestations and to monitor
the spread of existing aquatic invasive species with assis-
tance from Whatcom County, the Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington State Department
of Ecology. No new aquatic invasive species infestations
were discovered in Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish in 2022
as a result of this effort. One new infestation of curly -leaf
pondweed was discovered in Fazon Lake. This species is al-
ready present in Lake Whatcom and Wiser Lake.
Known invasive species
introductions in Lake Whatcom
11
Ia11191007_\► I.\C0�_
Or -
Aquatic Invasive Species
EIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII L
In 2022, 24 boats required full decontamination with
hot water prior to being allowed to launch. This marked
a large surge in the number of high -risk boats requiring
decontamination, more than the past two seasons com-
bined. Most of these boats were recent purchases by
Whatcom County residents from Texas and Arizona. All
of these boats were considered to be high risk for the po-
tential transport of zebra and/or quagga mussels to Lake
Whatcom based on their recent waterbody history.
In 2022, inspectors increased awareness about AIS
through small paddling events and bass tournaments at
both Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. The Lake Whatcom
AIS Program also met with several rowing clubs from the
Seattle area who hosted training events at Lake Samish
and provided a tour of the Bloedel Check Station to stu-
dents from the Bellingham Technical College Fisheries
and Aquaculture Sciences Program.
On -site at Lake Whatcom I Photo by COB, 2022
Over 8,000 people visited the Whatcom Boat Inspections
website in 2022. The website provides information on
program updates, fee information, inspection location
details, AIS prevention tips, 2021 inspection results, and
access to the AIS Awareness Course. The website can be
viewed by visiting: whatcomboatinspections.com
Over 670 people passed the online AIS Awareness Course
in 2022. The course takes approximately 30 minutes to
complete and aims to educate the participants about AIS
prevention and boat inspection practices to help stop the
spread of AIS to Whatcom County waters. The course has
been passed over 14,000 times since it was launched in
2014.
Monitoring for Asian clams at Lake Whatcom I Photo by COB, 2022
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
851019
People visited Whatcom
Boat Inspections website
1,206Visitors at check stations
672 People completed online
AIS Awareness Course
2022 Expenditures: $619,738
L�
Decontaminating a boat at Bloedel I Photo by COB, 2022
PROGRAM AREA
Prevent water q
systems.
Lake Whatcom is the drinking water supply for over
100,000 people. As water utility providers, the City of
Bellingham and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District
have programs in place to conserve this important
drinking water source.
Water use demand peaks every summer. The district's
highest water use in 2022 occurred on August 1 with
773,500 gallons used during a 24-hour period. This was
a significant reduction from the 2021 maximum day
demand of 928,300 gallons in June 2021 during a record -
setting heat wave. The city's average summer peak daily
demand in 2022 was 15.9 million gallons per day (mgd),
also down from the 2021 peak of 16.5 mgd.
Both the city and district have water conservation
programs. In 2022, the district continued implementing
actions identified in its 2021 Water Use Efficiency Plan,
and the city continued conservation efforts outlined in its
Water Use Efficiency 2020-2025 Work Plan. The district
increased engagement in the Whatcom Water Alliance
(WWA), whose mission is to promote coordination and
collaboration on water conservation throughout Whatcom
County. City outreach and information campaigns to
promote residential water conservation practices were
enhanced with county -wide water conservation outreach
through the WWA.
water, sewer, and transportation
Residential water use efficiency rebate programs for
high efficiency toilets, washers, and irrigation controllers
were offered by the city directly and the district through
the WWA. Rebates and water saving practices like letting
lawns go dormant, finding and fixing leaks, and following
the voluntary outdoor watering schedule were promoted
via social media, utility bill inserts, the Lake Whatcom Low-
down, and radio ads.
The city's Water School program continued in 2022 with
700 students participating. Water School teaches 5th
graders about Lake Whatcom and its watershed, storm -
water pollution and prevention, and the city's water and
wastewater treatment systems. The program led tours
to the water treatment plant for all classes and 28 class-
rooms completed additional stormwater action projects.
In addition to 5th graders, the city led tours of the water
and wastewater treatment plants for over 220 community
members.
Both the city and district maintain sanitary sewer systems
in the watershed. Maintenance includes replacing older
infrastructure, following capital improvement plans to re-
duce sewer overflows, and finding and fixing leaks within
sewer lines. City of Bellingham Utility Maintenance crews
fulfilled 1,569 work orders in the Lake Whatcom watershed
in 2022. These projects help to ensure that the utility sys-
tems for water, sewer, and drainage infrastructure are in
good working order to prevent spills, leaks, and flooding.
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
over Gallons conserved
MILL1IL 1
011with water use
efficiency measures
130 Community members attended
water treatment plant tours
26 Households participated in the
residential rebate program (City
and Whatcom Water Alliance)
Water School Tour of the Water Treatment Plant I Photo by COB, 2022
13
Ia1091c]C7_\► I.111 10
The district operates and maintains 28 sewer pump
stations, replacing and/or renewing one to two stations
every year. Significant 2022 projects included: initiating
upgrades to the Euclid sewer pump station (anticipated
completion in 2023), advancing design for replacement
of the Lakewood and Rocky Ridge sewer pump stations
(anticipated completion 2024), and the rehabilitation of
sewer conveyance lines. Twenty-five new connections
were made within 200 feet of the sewer line in 2022.
There are 783 septic systems in the Lake Whatcom
watershed. County programs help septic system owners
keep their systems in good working order. The Health
Department offers a free septic system maintenance
training workshop. Homeowners who complete
the training are eligible to receive a rebate to offset
maintenance costs. Five rebates were issued to watershed
homeowners in 2022.
The Health Department also enforces septic system
evaluation and maintenance requirements and mails
letters to septic system owners who are out of compliance.
In 2022, 57% of owners were in compliance with these
regulations and six systems failures were reported.
The city and county continued their on -going enhanced
road maintenance program, which includes street
sweeping and catch basin cleaning to remove pollutants
from stormwater runoff entering the lake. The city and
county also aim to prevent water quality impacts by
employing road design standards with stormwater best
management practices and by making bike and pedestrian
mobility improvements. In 2022, road maintenance also
included repairs from November 2021 flood damage.
Geneva Hydrant Replacement I LWWSD, 2022
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
Sewer system preventative
19466 maintenance actions taken
by LWWSD
6 Septic system rebates
issued in 2022
0 Sewer overflows in the
watershed in 2022
2022 Expenditures: 4)2,146,902
(Including Capital Projects)
J
WaterTreatment Plant Tour I Photo by COB 2022
Ia091CIR.Al 84 I.\:iIF_1
adoption of behaviors that protect water quality.
The Lake Whatcom Management Program continues
to educate and engage members of the community in
lake protection and pollution prevention by providing
information, offering incentives, and removing barriers
to help people take action. Education and engagement
activities are cited in both this section of the report as
well as other related sections.
2022 Lake Whatcom outreach highlights include:
• Sending six issues of the Lake Whatcom Lowdown
e-newsletter with updates on watershed programs
visitors to promote and facilitate the
2022 Program Area -Specific outreach highlights include:
• Land Preservation: The city continued partnering with
the Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) to provide
Wildfire Risk Assessments on 15 properties in the Lake
Whatcom watershed. Wildfire risk reduction outreach
targeted Lake Whatcom watershed homeowners. The
WCD promoted Wildfire Awareness through social
media and held a virtual workshop in collaboration
with WSU Whatcom County Extension titled "How to
make your home and landscape Firewise & ten tips
and stewardship opportunities. The Lowdown •
currently reaches 390 subscribers.
Mailing the Stewards of the Lake: A Guide to Living
in the Lake Whatcom Watershed to over 600 new
watershed homeowners.
Mailing Our Watershed, a newsletter for the county's
Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility, to over 5,000
county utility rate payers.
Maintaining the Lake
Program website as a resource to share information
about the watershed, management activities,
programs, and stewardship practices.
Placing Lake Whatcom Self -Guided Tour signs along
the trails in the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve
during Whatcom Water Week with fun watershed
facts and stewardship tips.
Distributing outreach materials to boaters explaining
clean engine, speed limit, and wake zone rules.
for drought tolerant landscaping."
Stormwater: Outreach to engage new Homeowner
Incentive Program (HIP) participants included
targeted mailings to eligible city property owners,
a spring social media campaign, working with HIP
homeowner ambassadors, and yard and street signs.
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
6,359 Unique visitors to website
5000Watershed residents
received Our Watershed
newsletter
390 People subscribed to The
Lake Whatcom Lowdown
e-newsletter
Parkstone Storm Drain Marking Event I Photo by Whatcom County 2022
IaCZ9ZeIC7_\► I.\CN�_
2022 Program Area -Specific outreach highlights continued: Community -wide outreach highlights include:
• Stormwater: Worked with the Parkstone Homeowners • Two successful community events promoted pet
Association and WCD to install storm drain markers
with reminders to "Protect Our Water" and "Only Rain
Down the Drain" and provide information to residents
about the importance of pollution prevention.
• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS): Permit and inspection
requirements were promoted using social media,
print and bus ads, and utility bill inserts. In addition,
388 letters were mailed to Lake Whatcom shoreline
property owners with a reminder on permit
requirements for boats at private docks.
• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS): The Whatcom County
Sheriff's Office conducted summer boat patrols on
Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. Deputies contacted
almost 400 boaters checkingforAIS permits. Additional
compliance outreach occurred at boat launches.
• Utilities and Transit: Residential water use efficiency
waste pickup. The "Find Fido" scavenger hunt had 71
participating teams, and the annual "We Scoop" photo
contest had 180+ entries county -wide.
• Promoted scooping pet waste throughout the year
through mailers, social media, bus ads, and events.
• Over 700 5th grade students, teachers and chaperones
learned about Bellingham's water resources in Water
School this year.
• Coordinated efforts to promote offsite yard waste
disposal in the Lake Whatcom watershed through
mailers, newsletter articles, website and social media
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
over Students participated in
700 the Water School Program
400 Watershed storm drains
labeled with "Only Rain in
the Drain" markers
Q5 Residents attended Lake
i� Whatcom Wildfire Risk
Reduction workshops
posts, and radio ads.
• Supported the Puget Sound Starts Here Car Care
campaign, promoting car care practices that reduce $1329150
pollution. Three in -person events were hosted during 2022 Expenditures:
Whatcom Water Week.
rebate programs were offered by the city and the • Additional education and engagement
Whatcom Water Alliance (WWA). accomplishments can be found under their respective
Community Wide Outreach Highlights Include:
• We Scoop Campaign had 469 Lake Whatcom
Watershed dog owners pledge to scoop the poop every
time, at home and on walks, and put it in the trash.
Additionally, the county gained 28 neighborhood pet
waste ambassadors.
program areas
"Scoop It Bag ItTrash It" Bus Ad I Photo by LamarTransit, 2022
Stormwater Outreach Booth I Photo by Whatcom County, 2022
Ia:191c] R.Al► I.11 Oki
Work Plan.
In 2022, Lake Whatcom Management Program admin-
istrators continued to coordinate the Interjurisdictional
Coordinating Team (ICT) and Program Area activities to
support the successful implementation of the 2020-2024
Lake Whatcom Management Program Work Plan.
atcom Management Program
The county continues to develop and manage the
new Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility (LWSU), which
provides supplemental funding for efforts to protect Lake
Whatcom. The utility fees are assessed on developed
lots with impervious surfaces in the watershed outside
HIGHLIGHTED METRICS
3 Lake Whatcom Policy Group
meetings held
11 ICT meetings held
of city limits. A five-year work plan outlining activities
The annual joint meeting of the City and County Councils within the six LWSU program areas (Administration, 2022 Expenditures:$ 1 , 1
5
and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Com- Capital Improvement Projects, Maintenance & Small
mission was held virtually on March 23. Information was
shared on the Lake Whatcom water quality monitoring
program, 2021 work plan accomplishments, and a pre-
view of 2022 work planned.
ICT work in 2022 focused on completing the 2021 Work
Plan Accomplishments Report, coordinating 2022 work
plan activities, and preparing topics for Lake Whatcom
Policy Group meetings. Lake Whatcom Policy Group
meetings were held in February, June, and December to
discuss work plan activities and policy issues with elect-
ed representatives from each jurisdiction and the Sudden
Valley Community Association. These meetings are open
to the public. Information on all public meetings and op-
portunities for public involvement are posted on the Lake
Whatcom Management Program website at
www.lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org
Works, Monitoring & Research, Education & Outreach,
and Homeowner Improvement Program), as well as a
budget forecast, were developed in 2022. Quarterly
and year-end financial reports, as well as annual reports
and newsletters, were uploaded to the LWSU and
LWMP websites for public review. A presentation about
LWSU projects and future plans was provided to the
Lake Whatcom Policy Group on June 1, 2022. For more
information visit https://whatcomcounty.us/2830.
Morning Beach at Lake Whatcom I Photo by T. Ward, 2022
Climate Impacts to Lake Whatcom
Climate models indicate that the Pacific Northwest is
projected to warm significantly by 2100, a result of
greenhouse gases emitted from human activities. Higher
average annual temperatures, higher average summer
temperatures, and longer and more frequent extreme
heat events will impact water quality and forest health
of the Lake Whatcom watershed. Lake Whatcom and its
watershed will be impacted by increasing ambient air
temperatures and changes in precipitation cycles. These
impacts will have wide-ranging effects including drinking
water treatment, fish mortality, tree species distribution,
and stormwater system design, among others. Because of
these significant impacts, this new section has been added
to the annual report to highlight ways in which climate
change adaptation and mitigation is being addressed in
the current program and how they might be addressed in
the future.
Ways to more prominently incorporate climate action
into the Lake Whatcom Management Program will be
explored during the preparation of the next five-year work
plan (2025-2029). A Lake Whatcom Climate Vulnerability
Assessment will be initiated underthe next work plan which
will evaluate the impacts of climate change on lake water
quality, watershed forests and the built environment of the
watershed. This work will also lead to a review of current
management actions and discussion of adjustments or
additions to management actions that will be incorporated
into the next work plan.
The following section details the how climate change
adaptation and mitigation are being addressed in the Lake
Whatcom Work Plan Program Areas, and how the work of
the LWMP will change to address climate action.
Program Area 1: Land Preservation
Protecting the health of the watershed's forested areas
helps reduce the impacts of climate change on our
community. Forests absorb carbon dioxide, create shade
that cools streams, and direct rainfall underground for
storage and slow release.
Less summer precipitation and increasing temperatures
will further stress watershed forests. The combination of
changes in temperature and precipitation will cause trees
to be more vulnerable to disease and pests and exacerbate
conditions that contribute to wildfires. To offset dangerous
forest fire conditions caused by the changing climate, the
Whatcom Conservation District's Wildfire Risk Reduction
Program is working directly with watershed landowners to
reduce wildfire risks on private and public property. Also,
LWMP staff are continuing active management of acquired
forested lands to reduce fire load, decrease disease and
pest infestations, and select tree species and varieties that
are acclimated to warmer conditions.
Sunsrise on Lake Whatcom I Photo by Scot Sternberg 2022
Kayaker at Lake Whatcom I Photo by T. Ward, 2022
Program Area 2: Stormwater Management Program Area 4: Monitoring and Data
The amount and timing of rainfall is changing as regional Climate change affects many of the parameters that lake
climate patterns trend toward longer, drier summers managers use to assess the health and recovery of Lake
and wetter shoulder seasons. Increases in the intensity, Whatcom. The watershed faces increased evaporation due -_
frequency and duration of precipitation events add to to heat waves, more frequent flooding due to heavy rains, r�
winter stream flows, increasing stream bank erosion, and natural changes in chemistry and biology that occur
destabilizing slopes and transporting additional phosphorus under warmer temperatures. Monitoring efforts provide
laden -sediment to the lake. Rising temperatures in streams baseline data to help understand and evaluate climate
and the lake itself will also contribute to increased growth related changes. LWMP staff are using recent rainfall
of bacteria already in the waterways. patterns, which have changed significantly over the past few
decades, in the latest updates of lake loading and response
Due to these changes in rainfall patterns, LWMP partners models.
are designing stormwater infrastructure using site -based program Area 6: Recreation
Sun and Rain on Lake Whatcom Photo by Kyle Kooy 2022
measurements, instead of historical precipitation so As population in the Pacific Northwest grows, increased
systems designed today will be resilient to future shifts pressure will be put on recreational resources around the
in rainfall timing and intensity. Furthermore, stormwater lake. As summers become warmer and drier, and heat dome
projects that replace lawns and hard surfaces with native events become more common, peak usage of park facilities
plants and natural stormwater systems create carbon sinks can result in negative impacts to water quality.
that can help balance the carbon budget in our developed
areas.
Program Area 7: Aquatic Invasive Species
As a result of warming waters and changing water chemistry,
Program Area 3: Land Use the range of aquatic invasive species may change, leading
Converting forested land into development and its to new or more resilient infestations. City and County
accompanying roads, lawns, and hard surfaces leads to staff participate in regional -level discussions about how to
higher temperatures in the lake and its tributaries. LWMP preventthis outcome as our climate becomes more habitable
development regulations requires the addition of native for non -desirable species. In addition, intensive monitoring
plants and natural stormwater systems to help offset the is conducted annually to characterize invasive species
loss of carbon storage caused by replacing forests with populations and assess potential for new infestations. New
developed areas. program considerations will be needed to address increased
risk of new infestations as they are identified and recognized
as local concerns. Kavakinq on Lake Whatcom I Photo by Emmeline Kaiser 2022
Program Area 8: Utilities and Transportation
A changing climate can impact the provision of reliable
utility service and a robust transportation network for
watershed residents. To address these challenges, LWMP
partners ensure that climate change is included in the
planning and implementation of these services.
Emerging patterns suggest a decrease in overall Cascade
Range snowpack over time which, when combined with
the retreating Deming Glacier, will influence the ability
to augment water supply in the Lake through the Middle
Fork Nooksack Diversion. Water conservation, when
widely employed, can help offset the effects of drought by
preserving the volume of water in surface and groundwater
reservoirs. Furthermore, drought patterns increase
wildland fire risk. To address this risk, the Lake Whatcom
Water and Sewer District is conducting wildfire resilience
audits of their facilities and implementing wildfire risk
mitigation measures at over 40 water and sewer facilities.
Additionally, increasing mass transit options to access the
high -use areas of the watershed will reduce the carbon
footprint of transportation overall.
Other Program Areas and Activities
Program Area 9: Education and Engagement and Program
Area 10: Administrative efforts are vital to support the
climate action work across the entire LWMP. The necessary
efforts for these program areas will be defined as part of
the development of the 2025-2029 LWMP Work Plan.
Many other activities conducted by LWMP staff may
have a nexus with climate action that is not described
in this document, in most cases because that activity is
conducted jurisdiction -wide and not specifically limited
to the Lake Whatcom watershed. More information on
how the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County intend
to address climate change, including work that applies
to Lake Whatcom Management, can be found in each
agency's Climate Action Plan.
City of Bellingham Climate Protection Action Plan
https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/Climate-Protec-
tion-Action-Plan-2018-Update.pdf
Whatcom County Climate Action Plan —
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/
View/69472/WC-2021-Climate-Action-Plan---pages
Ward, 2022
Program Area
1. Land Preservation
2022 Work• •
Staff Costs Capital Costs Other Costs*
$200,910 $1,588,838 $90,450
Total
$1,880,198
2. Stormwater
$284,586
$1,434,376
$437,487
$2,156,449
3. Land Use
$343,750
$0
$0
$343,750
4. Monitoring & Data
$48,268
$0
$468,616
$516,884
5. Hazardous Materials
$15,813
$0
$20,000
$35,813
6. Recreation
$290,856
$336,243
$95,212
$722,311
7. Aquatic Invasive Species
$528,033
$0
$91,705
$619,738
B. Utilities & Transportation
$466,052
$657,000
$1,023,850
$2,146,902
9. Education & Engagement
$74,427
$0
$57,723
$132,150
10. Administration
LWMP Work Plan Total
$129,721
$2,420,919
$0
$4,016,458i
$15,794
$145,515
i i
* Other costs include supplies, materials, equipment, consultant fees, interfund charges, taxes, bank charges, and procedural costs.
-28-
21
Monitoring and Data
Lake Whatcom Property Acquisition Program Lake Whatcom Monitoring Reports
cob.org/services/environment/lake-whatcom/pages/lw-property-acquisition-program. cedar.wwu.edu/lakewhat annualreps/
aspx
Whatcom County Parks & Recreation—Reconveyance
whatcomcounty.us/625
Protected Property in the Lake Whatcom Watershed Map
cob.org/documents/Dw/lw/acquisition-land-map.pdf
Stormwater
Lake Whatcom Management Program Capital Improvement Projects
lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/our-programs/capital-projects
City of Bellingham 2020 Surface and Stormwater Comprehensive Plan
lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/resources
Whatcom County Lake Whatcom Comprehensive Stormwater Plans
whatcomcounty.us/3788
Whatcom County Private Stormwater System Maintenance Program
whatcomcounty.us/2877
Homeowner Incentive Program
IakewhatcomHIP.org
Land Use
Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) 16.80 (Lake Whatcom Reservoir Regulatory
Chapter), 15.42 (Stormwater Regulations), 16.55 (Critical Areas Ordinance), Title 22
(Shoreline Master Program) codepublishing.com/wa/bellingham/
Whatcom County Code (WCC) 20.51 (Lake Whatcom Watershed Overlay District &
Stormwater Regulations), 16.16 (Critical Areas Ordinance), Title 23 (Shoreline
Management Program) codepublishing.com/wa/whatcomcounty/
Lake Whatcom Watershed Annual Build -Out Analysis Report
lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/resources
Short -Term Rental Regulations: City of Bellingham
cob.org/services/planning/development/Pages/short-term-rentals.asr)x
Lake Whatcom Reports and Resources
lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/resources
Hazardous Materials
Whatcom County Emergency Management Plan
whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/39311
Whatcom County Disposal ofToxics
whatcomcounty.us/3298
Whatcom County Pollution Reporting: (360) 778-6230
whatcomcounty.us/2882
City of Bellingham Pollution Reporting/Stormwater Hotline: (360) 778-7979
cob.org/services/environment/stormwater/hotline
Recreation
Whatcom County Parks and Recreation—Reconveyance
whatcomcounty.us/625
Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve and Lake Whatcom Park Recreational Trail Plan
whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/23920
Whatcom County Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan
whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/14547
City of Bellingham Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan
cob.org/wp-content/uploads/2020-pro-plan.pdf
Education and Engagement
Lake Whatcom Aquatic Invasive Species Program Annual Reports Lake Whatcom Management Program
lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/resources lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org
Whatcom Boat Inspections
whatcomboatinspections.com
Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Course
whatcomboatinspections.com/ais-awareness-course
2021 Inspection Data Story Map
whatcomboatinspections.com/2022-story-map
Whatcom Boat Inspections Hotline: (360) 778-7975
Utilities and Transportation
City of Bellingham Drinking Water Quality Reports
cob.org/services/envi ron ment/la ke-whatcom/pages/water-g ua I ity.aspx
Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Consumer Confidence Reports
lwwsd.org/for-customers/quality-consumer-confidence-reports/
City of Bellingham Water Conservation Resources
cob.org/conserve
City of Bellingham 2020-2025 Water Use Efficiency Program Report
cob.org/wp-content/uploads/2020-2025-WUE-Work-Plan-FINAL-2.pdf
Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Water Use Efficiency Plan 2021 Update
lwwsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-Water-Use-Efficiency-Plan-FINAL-W-
App.pdf
Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District 2018 Water System Comprehensive Plan
lwwsd.org/resources/water-system-comprehensive-plan/
Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District 2020 Sewer Comprehensive Plan
lwwsd.org/resources/comprehensive-sewer-plan/
Whatcom County Septic System Maintenance and Evaluation
whatcomcounty.us/septic
Whatcom Smart Trips
whatcomsmarttrips.org/
Community Energy Challenge
sustainableconnections.org/energy/energychallenge
Stewards of the Lake: A Guide to Living in the Lake Whatcom Watershed
lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/guide
City of Bellingham Lake Whatcom Stewardship
cob.org/services/environment/lake-whatcom/pages/stewardship-solutions.aspx
Bellingham Water School - Water and Me
cob.org/services/environment/education/Pages/5th-grade.aspx
Bellingham's Stormwater Discovery Tours
stormwater.cob.org
WSU Whatcom County Extension Sustainable Landscaping
whatcom.wsu.edu/ch/sustainable.html
Homeowner Incentive Program
IakewhatcomHIP.org
Lake Whatcom Watershed Baseline Survey 2018
https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/44130
Whatcom Conservation District: Wildfire Information
whatcomcd.org/wildfire
Administration
1992 Lake Whatcom Joint Resolution
cob.org/wp-content/uploads/1992-joint-resolution.pdf
Lake Whatcom Management Program Work Plans and Progress Reports
lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.ors/resources
Lake Whatcom Meetings and Agendas
lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/news
Lake Whatcom Management Program Contacts
lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/contacts
Lake Whatcom Stormwater Utility
whatcomcounty.us/2830
Lake Whatcom Management Program Contacts:
City of Bellingham Public Works —Natural Resources
Renee LaCroix, (360) 778-7966, rlacroix@cob.org
Whatcom County Public Works
Gary Stoyka, (360) 778-6230, gstoyka@co.whatcom.wa.us
Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District www.lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org
Justin Clary, (360) 734-9224, justin.clary@lwwsd.org
Land Preservatio
6L
Cumulative
a Value
1
12022
Value
EL
Notes
Number of development units removed
844 units since 2001
15 units
3 units
9 units
from the watershed per year
Acres in protected status: acres acquired or
11,425 acres since
147 acres
113 acres
134 acres
otherwise protected per year
2001
Forest age class for city -owned protected
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Data not yet
acres:
available as of
• early succession (0-9 years old)
January 2023, to be
• mid succession (10-30 years old)
updated once every
• mature forest (>30 years old)
5 years
Stormwater
Cumulative
Value
2020
12022
14
Value
Notes
1
Pounds of phosphorus reduced per year
158 pounds
13 pounds
16 pounds
12 pounds
Rounded to nearest
through phosphorus treatment and flow
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
whole pound
control capital projects
(old methodology)
(old methodology)
4 pounds
phosphorus/year
(new methodology)
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics - 32 -
Pounds of phosphorus reduced per year
8.37 pounds
1.51 pounds
0.78 pounds
-1.23 pounds
Negative number
through Homeowner Incentive Program
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year*
due to revised city
(HIP) improvements
(old methodology)
(old methodology)
(city only)
P-accounting. Some
0.12 pounds
older HIP projects
phosphorus/year
are now
new methodology)
incorporated into
required BMPs
through land use
regulations.
Pounds of phosphorus reduced per year
1.58 pounds
0.02 pounds
0.21 pounds
0.85 pounds
These data not
through land use regulations
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
available for
(COB only)
(COB only)
(COB only, old
(COB only)
Whatcom County
methodology)
0.8 pounds
phosphorus/year
(COB only, new
methodology)
Pounds of phosphorus reduced per year
n/a
10 pounds
40-46 pounds
40 pounds
Estimate for annual
through operations and maintenance
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
phosphorus/year
street sweeping in
activities
(estimate, COB
(43 used for
(Estimate, COB &
the watershed
only)
cumulative total)
WC combined)
rounded to nearest
whole pound
(Estimate, COB &
WC combined)
Total pounds of phosphorus reduced per
208 pounds
n/a
n/a
n/a
Rounded to the
year
phosphorus/year
nearest whole
pound
Properties with completed residential
233 properties since
0 (Covid shut down
14 new properties
24 new properties
Metric not listed in
stormwater projects
2011
year)
work plan
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics - 33 -
Land Use
Acres of native vegetation protected as
forest in perpetuity as a result of land use
regulations
Cumulative
Value
4.95 acres since
2009 (COB only)
2020 Value
0 acres (COB only)
20211
0.2 acres (COB only)
0.45 acres (COB
only)
Data are not
available for
Whatcom County
Acres of developed surface treated by
7.84 acres (COB
0.02 acres (COB
0.20 acres (COB
1.11 acres (COB
Data not available
phosphorus -limiting Best Management
only)
only)
only)
only)
for Whatcom
Practices (BMPs) installed to meet
County
requirements of land use regulations
Proportion of watershed residents who are
n/a
2018 survey results:
n/a
n/a
Next survey
knowledgeable of phosphorus -neutral
• Proportion of
scheduled for 2023,
development regulations measured every
homeowners
comparison data
five years through the Lake Whatcom
who are aware
showing changes
Watershed Baseline Survey Land Use
of regulations
since 2018 will be
Program key metrics
applying to
available then
seasonal
timing of
construction:
51%
• Proportion of
homeowners
who
intentionally
do
construction
only during
the seasonal
work window:
55%
• Proportion of
homeowners
who are aware
of special
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics - 34 -
regulations
that apply to
construction a
nd landscaping
activities in
the
watershed:
37%
Acres of timber harvested and replanted
n/a
916.8 acres (395
289.3 acres
250.8 acres
on public and private forest lands per year
thinned at 30% and
521.8 harvested at
95% of stand)
Feet of road constructed on public and
n/a
21,316 feet
18,472 feet
7,623 feet
private forestry lands per year
Feet of road abandoned on public and
n/a
1,588 feet
0 feet
0 feet
private forestry lands per year
Acres treated with herbicides on public and
n/a
0 acres
43.4 acres
304.4 acres
private forest lands per year
Data AL
Cumulative
101110020 ValueValue hL.- _AJSL
1
1
Number of lake water quality samples
n/a
1,051 samples
1,170 samples
1,170 samples
Includes 702 sites
collected per year
Updated value in
Updated value in
with YSI
2022 to include
2022 to include
measurements only
additional COB
additional COB
samples
samples
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics - 35 -
Number of tributary water quality samples
n/a
324 samples
150 samples
128 samples
Includes samples
collected per year
Updated value in
collected by the
2021; revised
Institute for
number based on
Watershed Studies,
LW Tributary
Lake Whatcom
Monitoring
Water & Sewer
Program Phase 3
District, and shared
Report Appendix A
tributary
monitoring project
Number of samples exceeding water
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
No comprehensive
quality standards
data analysis is
available as of
January 2022
HazardousCumulative
Value
1 1 Value
20211
Pounds of all hazardous materials collected
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
No collection event
from watershed residents per collection
held in 2022
event(s) (TMDL REQUIRED)
Pounds of phosphorus -containing
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
No collection event
materials collected from watershed
held in 2022
residents per collection event(s) (TMDL
REQUIRED)
Number of spills, illicit discharges, or
n/a
10 incidents
13 incidents
9 incidents
hazardous material incidents reported in
the watershed per year
Proportion of watershed residents who are
n/a
2018 survey results:
n/a
n/a
Next survey
knowledgeable about proper hazardous
57%
scheduled for 2023,
materials disposal measured every five
comparison data
years through the Lake Whatcom
showing changes
Watershed Baseline Survey Hazardous
since 2018 will be
Materials Program key metrics
available then
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics - 36 -
Proportion of watershed residents who are
n/a
2018 survey results:
n/a
n/a
Next survey
knowledgeable about how to report spills
36%
scheduled for 2023,
measured every five years through the
comparison data
Lake Whatcom Watershed Baseline Survey
showing changes
Hazardous Materials Program key metrics
since 2018 will be
available then
Staff trained in spill prevention and
n/a
32 (COB only)
37 (COB only)
28 (COB only)
Metric not listed in
response per year
work plan
Recreation
Cumulative
Value
2020 Value
20211
Miles of user -built trails decommissioned
n/a
2.5 miles
0 miles
3.25 miles
per year
Miles of new trail constructed per year
n/a
0 miles
0 miles
2.5 miles
Metric not listed in
work plan
Miles of trail maintained per year
n/a
15.6 miles
18 miles
18 miles
Metric not listed in
work plan
Miles of forest roads maintained in
n/a
11.8 miles
Spot repair as
11.8 miles
accordance with Forest Practices Act
needed
requirements per year
Number of pet waste stations maintained
n/a
27 stations
27 stations
29 stations
Includes stations
in the watershed per year
maintained by City
Parks, County
Parks, LWWSD and
Sudden Valley
Estimated number of individuals using
n/a
326,465 visitors
293,537 visitors
252,659 visitors
From trail counters
parks/trails in watershed per year
in Lake Whatcom
Park, Lookout
Mountain Forest
Preserve, and
Stimpson Family
Nature Reserve
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics - 37 -
Number of interpretive/informational
n/a
0 installed
0 installed
1 installed
exhibits installed per year
Aquatic Invasive SpeciesCumulative
Value
2020 Value
20211
Number of new AIS introductions per year
n/a
0
0
0
Number of watercraft inspections
n/a
14,777
14,415
14,305
conducted per year
Number of watercraft decontaminations
n/a
6
10
24
conducted per year
Number of people who completed online
n/a
1,060
548
672
AIS Awareness Course per year
Number of non -boating visitors interacted
n/a
1,186
1,157
1,206
with at check stations per year
Proportion of watershed residents who are
n/a
2018 survey
n/a
n/a
Next survey
knowledgeable about AIS and compliance
results:
scheduled for 2023,
with inspection requirements measured
Proportion of
comparison data
every five years through the Lake
respondents
showing changes
Whatcom Watershed Baseline Survey AIS
who are aware
since 2018 will be
Program key metrics
of AIS
available then
concerns in
the lake: 55%
• Proportion of
recent boat
users who are
aware of
AIS concerns i
n the lake:
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics -38-
76%
• Proportion of
recent boat
users who
participated in
the boat
inspection
program: 69%
•� •
1
1
Estimated gallons of water conserved in
n/a
3,345,000 gallons
300,000 gallons (COB
5,060,000 gallons
District estimate
City and District service areas per year
only) District savings
from water use
offset by major water
efficiency rule
main leak
report; City
estimate from
residential water
conservation rebate
program
Number of students participating in Water
n/a
300 students
750 students
700 students
Metric not listed in
School Program per year
work plan
Number of households participating in
n/a
39 households
20 households
26 households
Metric not listed in
residential rebate program per year
work plan
Number of OSS failures reported in the
n/a
3 failures
3 failures
6 failures
watershed per year
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics -39-
Number of sewer overflows into Lake
n/a
0 overflows
4 overflows
0 overflows
Whatcom per year
(associated with
November floods)
Number of bike and pedestrian mobility
n/a
2 projects (COB)
0 projects
0 projects
improvements made per year
Proportion of watershed residents who are
n/a
2018 survey results:
n/a
n/a
Next survey
knowledgeable of water conservation
32%
scheduled for 2023,
concerns in regards to water supply from
comparison data
Lake Whatcom measured every five years
showing changes
through the Lake Whatcom Watershed
since 2018 will be
Baseline Survey Utilities and
available then
Transportation Program key metrics
Proportion of watershed residents who
n/a
2018 survey results:
n/a
n/a
Next survey
have used alternative methods of
46%
scheduled for 2023,
transportation in the past year measured
comparison data
every five years through the Lake
showing changes
Whatcom Watershed Baseline Survey
since 2018 will be
available then
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics - 40 -
Education & Engagement
Number and type of informational
materials sent to watershed residents per
year.
Cumulative
Value
n/a
2020 Value
19,213 mailers
2021 Value
15,284 mailers
2022 Value
20,994 mailers
Notes
Number of unique visitors to Lake
n/a
6,095 visitors
6,924 visitors
6,359 visitors
Whatcom Management Program website
per year
Level of watershed residents' knowledge of
n/a
need 2023 results
n/a
n/a
Next survey
and participation in key stewardship
to calculate these
scheduled for 2023,
practices measured every five years
metrics
comparison data
showing changes
through the Lake Whatcom Watershed
since 2018 will be
Baseline Survey by:
available then
o Number of key metrics that increased
in value since previous watershed
survey
o Average increase in key metric values
since previous watershed survey
2022 Lake Whatcom Management Program Reporting Metrics -41- 10