HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2025-006Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2026-129
File ID: AB2026-129 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Approved
File Created: 01/28/2026 Entered by: CHalka@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Public Works & Health Committee Final Action: 02/10/2026
Agenda Date: 02/10/2026 Enactment #: RES 2026-006
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: jgernand@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution requesting Washington State officials and Whatcom County's Congressional delegation
work to secure the release of approved Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds for Whatcom County
homeowners
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
None
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
02/10/2026 Council Public Works & Health
Committee
Aye: 7
Nay: 0
02/10/2026 Council
Aye: 7
Nay: 0
Action:
Sent To:
RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL
Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler
SUBSTITUTE APPROVED
Boyle, Buchanan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Rienstra, Scanlon, and Stremler
Attachments: Proposed Resolution, Substitute Resolution
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 211112026
PROPOSED BY: BOYLE
INTRODUCED: FEBRUARY 10, 2026
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-006
REQUESTING WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIALS AND WHATCOM COUNTY'S
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WORK TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF APPROVED
HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS FOR WHATCOM COUNTY
HOMEOWNERS
WHEREAS, in November 2021, Whatcom County experienced historic floods, which
displaced numerous county residents and resulted in significant damages to homes,
businesses, and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program (HMGP) provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to
help communities rebuild in ways that reduce or mitigate future disaster losses; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County is eligible to receive HMGP funding through FEMA
Federally Declared Disaster Number DR-4635-WA; and
WHEREAS, in response to the November 2021 flooding, the Whatcom County River
and Flood Division worked with the small cities of Everson, Ferndale, and Sumas to identify
and prioritize flood -damaged properties throughout the County for mitigation assistance and
evaluate eligibility for acquisition or elevation funding through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program; and
WHEREAS, FEMA-funded property acquisitions allow local jurisdictions such as
Whatcom County to purchase eligible properties in flood -prone areas from willing sellers for
conversion to open space and conservation of natural floodplain functions; and
WHEREAS, home elevations are a tool that can be used to mitigate flooding and
increase resiliency for property owners who do not wish to leave their homes and desire to
stay in their communities; and
WHEREAS, in April 2022, the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District (FCZD)
submitted application 4635-01-R for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to elevate
a total of 12 properties in Sumas, Ferndale, and unincorporated Whatcom County that were
substantially damaged during the 2021 flood; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County FCZD submitted two additional applications (4635-
02-R Elevation and 4635-03-R Acquisition) for HMGP funding in August 2022 to acquire five
properties and elevate 16 additional properties at high risk for repeated flooding in Sumas,
Ferndale, and unincorporated Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, FEMA approved Whatcom County's April 2022 grant application (4635-01-
R), allowing elevations to move forward for the selected properties; and
WHEREAS, the August 2022 grant applications have been approved by both the
Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD), which administers HMGP grant
agreements, and FEMA; and
WHEREAS, despite these approvals from WEMD and FEMA, funding for the remaining
property acquisitions and elevations remains stalled due to a new requirement that all grants
over $100,000 must receive final authorization from the Secretary of the Department of
Homeland Security; and
WHEREAS, more than four years have elapsed since the 2021 floods, and Whatcom
County families are still waiting to receive aid needed to protect their homes from future
flooding impacts; and
WHEREAS, the period of performance for Federally Declared Disaster Number DR-
4635-WA ends April 5, 2026; and
WHEREAS, WEMD requested an extension of the timeline on Whatcom County's
behalf, but that request has not yet been granted; and
WHEREAS, while funding for the home elevations has remained stalled, Whatcom
County experienced another round of devastating floods in December 2025, causing additional
damages, emotional distress, and financial strain for homeowners who never fully recovered
from the 2021 floods; and
WHEREAS, lengthy administrative delays in the distribution of disaster recovery funds
unnecessarily prolong the suffering of families trying to rebuild and recover from a declared
emergency and leaves them vulnerable to additional, preventable harms, including further
flooding.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council respectfully
requests that the Washington State Governor and Attorney General employ all available legal
means to secure the immediate release of HMGP funds for Whatcom County grant applications
4635-02-R and 4635-03-R; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council respectfully requests
that Washington's United States Senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Washington's
Second Congressional District Representative, Rick Larsen, work to secure the immediate
release of the same.
APPROVED this 10th day of February 2026
ekATC' j��f�'•= WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTEST WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Cathylialka, 1V r - Ltl puncir, Ka'lee Iloway, Council Chair
'•.SHING •'
APPROVED AS'TO FORM:
Kimberly Thulin via email 2.2.2026 0G)
Civil Deputy Prosecutor