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Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-640
File ID: AB2025-640 Version: 1
File Created: 09/05/2025 Entered by: nervin@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Health Department File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Public Works & Health Committee
Agenda Date: 09/23/2025
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: ssulliva@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Status: Substitute Amended
and Approved
Final Action: 09/23/2025
Enactment #: RES 2025-029
Resolution relating to the 2025 Whatcom County Coordinated Water System Plan Update
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
None
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
09/23/2025 Council Public Works & Health SUBSTITUTE
Committee RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL
Aye: 3 Scanlon, Stremler, and Elenbaas
Nay: 0
09/23/2025 Council SUBSTITUTE APPROVED
AS AMENDED
Aye: 6 Buchanan, Byrd, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Abstain: 1 Donovan
Attachments: Staff Memo, Resolution, Substitute Resolution, Revised Substitute Resolution, Coordinated Water
System Plan Questions and Answers, Coordinated Water System Plan
Whatcom County Page t Printed on 9/24/2025
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2025-640)
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 9/24/2025
INTRODUCED: September 23, 202-9
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-029
RELATING TO THE WHATCOM COUNTY COORDINATED WATER SYSTEM PLAN UPDATE
WHEREAS, State law RCW 70A.100.050 (4)(a) and (7), requires the County Council to
review the Coordinated Water System Plan (CWSP) to ensure that it is not "inconsistent with the
land use plans, shoreline master programs, and/or developmental policies of the general
purpose local government or governments whose jurisdiction the water system plan affects":
and
WHEREAS, the Water Utility Coordinating Committee, consisting of water purveyor and
County government representatives, finalized the Coordinated Water System Plan Update in
September of 2025 in accordance with RCW 70A.100.050(4)(a), 060(6); and
WHEREAS, Council sought and considered comments from the public; and
WHEREAS, a determination of non -significance was issued pursuant to the State
Environmental Policy Act; and
WHEREAS, the County Council held a public hearing and acted on the Coordinated Water
System Plan as required by RCW 70A.100.050(7); and
WHEREAS, the Washington Growth Management Act (GMA) codified at RCW 36.70A
directs the planning of urban growth and development to ensure orderly development, protect
natural resources, and promote efficient use of public infrastructure and services; and
WHEREAS, the GMA directs designation of Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) that are intended
to accommodate projected growth over a 20-year period while promoting compact, contiguous
development patterns and efficient use of land, infrastructure, including water infrastructure,
and services; and
Page 1
WHEREAS, municipal water service areas are essential to providing water, sewer, and
other utility services to urban areas, and are often seen as a means of directing growth within
existing service boundaries to promote sustainable development and reduce sprawl; and
WHEREAS, the location of municipal water service areas may coincide with UGAs, but the
designation of UGAs, in accordance with GMA guidelines, must also take into account other
factors including population growth projections, land availability, zoning designations, land
capacity analyses, transportation infrastructure, and environmental considerations; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of UGAs is to promote urban development supported by
adequate infrastructure, including water, sewer, roads, parks, and other essential services, and
such areas should be designated based on a comprehensive review of local needs, longterm
growth projections, and regional planning efforts, not solely designated by the availability of
municipal water services; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for a local jurisdiction to consider a broad range of planning
factors, including environmental stewardship, economic opportunities, and public health, in
determining the appropriate location for UGAs, with municipal water service areas being just
one factor among many in the decision -making process; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County expressly recognizes that municipal water purveyors
who hold municipal water rights beyond those identified in the CWSP may be available to
serve potable water in the future in Whatcom County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Whatcom County Council hereby determines
that the Coordinated Water System Plan Update is not inconsistent with the Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan and development regulations and satisfies RCW 70A.100.050, subject to
the following conditions:
1) Outside of the Urban Growth Areas, as designated on the Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan map, City water service shall be provided consistent with
planned densities as set forth in the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and
Official Whatcom County Zoning Ordinance (Title 20).
2) The existence of a water service area designation in the Coordinated Water
System Plan shall not be interpreted as support for, or justification of, Urban Growth
Page 2
Area expansion. Such designations may be considered in a comprehensive planning
context but only in conjunction with other mandatory Growth Management Act
criteria, including population forecasts, land capacity, environmental constraints, and
capital facility planning.
APPROVED this 23rd day of September , 20 25_.
ATTEST: °®� �A � � '
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(7 ITYME
Cathy Halkan Cler;�,"pf-i-ei=CoLnciI
APPROVED, AS TOo �'dlk-M
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Kimberly Thulin, Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Page 3
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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