# Stewarding Growth and Forests: The Public Works Committee Charts Bellingham's Sustainable Path Forward On a crisp April afternoon in 2026, the City of Bellingham's Public Works and Natural Resources Committee convened for what would prove to be a meeting about balance—between preserving watershed health and responsibly harvesting timber, between accommodating growth and maintaining livability, and between meeting federal accessibility standards and managing costs. Chaired by Council Member Michael Lilliquist, with Council Member Lisa Anderson joining remotely and Council Member Jace Cotton present, the committee tackled three significant items that together painted a picture of a city carefully managing its natural resources while preparing for substantial future growth. The meeting unfolded in the characteristic rhythm of municipal governance—detailed presentations by expert staff, thoughtful questions from elected officials, and careful deliberation over the technical details that ultimately shape residents' daily lives. What emerged was a portrait of Bellingham as a city committed to both environmental stewardship and smart growth, willing to make strategic investments in its future while honoring its commitment to accessibility and inclusion. ## Forest Stewardship Meets Revenue Generation The committee's first order of business involved a fascinating intersection of environmental management and municipal finance: a timber sale agreement for the North Beaver Preserve. This 160-acre assemblage of watershed parcels on the north side of Galbreth Mountain represents the kind of complex land management challenge that increasingly faces growing cities in the Pacific Northwest. Mike Palskin, Public Works Superintendent representing the Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program, explained the delicate balance the city was striking. "The parcel was previously managed as a commercial forest," he told the committee. "So we're here today with a second touch with council on August 11th through BMC 4.86.070. Council authorized staff to reach out to Janicki Logging to negotiate terms of a contract." The agreement, negotiated with Janicki Logging Construction, would address what Palskin described as an "overstocked Douglas fir plantation" covering about 80 of the preserve's 160 acres. The thinning operation represents more than just revenue generation—it's part of a broader forest health strategy outlined in the city's newly created forest manageme…