Lake Whatcom Joint Councils and Commissioners Meeting

**Councilmember Anderson, on the urgency of action:** "I feel like maybe we're starting to kind of just break even a little bit, but breaking even is not winning the game, because we are so far behind." **Councilmember Anderson, on accelerating efforts:** "I think we need to juice up that 5 years, and we need to put it on steroids, whatever is legal at this point that is not going to pollute the lake." **Chair Galloway, on forest management:** "This has been, I think, a topic of discussion for as long as I've been on Council. It's 2004, right? So it's over 20 year document." **Carrie Burnside, on governance gaps:** "Our governance structure is not aligned with the complexity of the challenge. The TMDL itself requires reduction in both phosphorus and bacteria, yet bacteria monitoring and discussions have been omitted." **Susan Hutton, on DNR timber sales:** "Clearing 128 acres of timber from the Lake Whatcom watershed that will further contaminate our drinking water in order to rais

# Lake Whatcom Management — Turning the Tide on the Region's Most Precious Resource **April 1, 2026 — City Council Chambers, Bellingham** The cavernous chambers of Bellingham City Hall played host to an extraordinary gathering on this early spring evening — the 18th annual joint meeting of the three governing bodies responsible for managing Lake Whatcom, the drinking water source for more than 100,000 residents of Whatcom County. As the clock struck 6:31 PM, Council Chair Hannah Stone called the meeting to order, marking another chapter in what has become one of the region's most critical collaborative efforts. This was no ordinary council meeting. Representatives from three jurisdictions — Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District — had convened alongside their respective executives to assess progress on one of the most complex environmental management challenges in the Pacific Northwest. The hybrid format allowed both in-person attendance in chambers and virtual participation, drawing stakeholders from across the watershed and beyond. ## The Sobering Reality of Lake Management The evening began with opening remarks from the three chief executives, each striking a tone that balanced measured optimism with the stark reality of the task ahead. Whatcom County Executive Satpal Siddhu opened by acknowledging the collaborative nature of the challenge, noting that 2025 marked the first year of their ambitious 2025-2029 five-year work plan. His remarks carried particular weight when he spoke about his "biggest fear" — the threat of wildfire that could "negate all the efforts and investments we have made." Mayor Kim Lund of Bellingham followed with a presentation that demonstrated both the technical progress being made and the constraints all three jurisdictions face. "We're also starting to see the results of that work," she said, highlighting success in Basin 1 where sustained investments in stormwater treatment are meeting current targets. But her message was clear about the challenge ahead: "It is not necessarily just about doing more. It's about being intentional and aligned around what matters most right now." Justin Clary, General Manager of the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District, kept his remarks brief but emphasized the district's commitment despite being "one of the smaller of the three agencies." His words underscored a theme that would run throughout the evening — the recognition that protecting Lake Whatcom requires contributions from partners of all sizes, working in coordination toward shared goals. ## The Science: Incremental Progress Against Persistent Challenges The technical presentation that followed revealed both the sophistication of the monitoring effort and the complexity of the lake's response to management actions. Dr. Angela Strecker from Western Washington University's Institute for Watershed Studies delivered what she called "a pretty summarized version" of the annual monitoring report, but her data told a comprehensive story about the lake's condition. The dissolved oxygen trends she presented painted a sobering picture. "Everything below 2 milligrams per liter is really limiting for aquatic life," she explained, showing a graph that tracked a steady decline in summer oxygen levels since 1988. The black, red, and green lines representing July, August, and September readings all showed the same troubling trajectory, dropping to levels where "very few organisms can live." But the phosphorus data offered more encouraging news. Surface water phosphorus levels, which peaked around 2010, have "evened itself out" according to Dr. Strecker, with "no significant trends over time" in recent years. This stabilization represents the fruit of years of stormwater management investments, though she was careful to note that the bottom waters of the lake tell a different story, with phosphorus concentrations "2 to 3 times higher values" creating what scientists call "internal loading." The algae measurements showed perhaps the most encouraging trend. Chlorophyll levels in Site 1 have "come down so much, actually, especially in recent years" that concentrations are now "fairly similar to what they were in the 1990s," Dr. Strecker reported. This represents tangible progress in one of the most visible aspects of lake health. Yet even positive trends carry complications. Nitrogen levels have been steadily declining, which "on its surface seems like a great thing," Dr. Strecker noted, since nitrogen is a nutrient that fuels algal growth. But this decline can trigger a shift toward blue-green algae species that can convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms — and these same species "tend to be toxin producers" that create harmful algal blooms. ## The Work: Millions Invested in Multi-Faceted Approach Jason Porter, the City's Surface and Stormwater Manager, walked through selected highlights from what he emphasized was a comprehensive 44-page progress report covering all twelve program areas of the Lake Whatcom Management Program. His presentation focused on three areas that demonstrated the breadth of work being undertaken. The aquatic invasive species program showed both innovation and growing sophistication. The city adopted the Lake Whatcom Invasive Freshwater Mussel Rapid Response Plan — though Porter noted with a slight smile that "I have not heard anyone that actually calls it that besides a few staff members." The more commonly used "AIS rapid response plan" establishes a clear chain of command and coordinates multi-jurisdictional response for the critical first six weeks following any detection of invasive mussels. The program has also installed gates at the Bloedell Donovan Park boat launch to facilitate off-season inspections. The system allows vessels to call an inspector who can determine risk level and either grant remote access for low-risk boats or require in-person inspection for higher-risk vessels. It's a risk management approach that Porter described as trying "to reduce that risk as much as possible" rather than eliminate it entirely. Land preservation marked what Porter called "the biggest year" for the program. The City of Bellingham invested $11 million to purchase 16 properties totaling 1,056 acres, including a 754-acre former timber tract — the largest single acquisition in the program's history. These purchases bring the total protected acreage to 3,872 acres, all of which are actively monitored and restored by dedicated crews who have planted over 100,000 plants. The forest management accomplishment represented unprecedented coordination. Porter emphasized this as "a big deal" — the creation of the first-ever joint forest management plan between the City and County for "cohesive management of all 13,000 plus acres of city and county owned forest lands." The plan categorizes forest lands and develops specific management strategies for each category, with implementation beginning in 2026. ## The 2026 Agenda: Expanding Scope and Deepening Understanding Gary Stoica, Whatcom County's Natural Resources Manager, outlined priorities for the current year that demonstrate the program's evolution from reactive management to proactive planning. The list reflected both regulatory requirements and emerging challenges. The most significant regulatory milestone involves the EPA and Department of Ecology's review of the TMDL reassessment. "2026 marks the 10th year of that 50 year timeframe," Stoica noted, putting current progress in perspective. The Lake Whatcom model completed last year represents "an immense amount of data" that will help ecology determine whether changes are needed to phosphorus targets or program requirements. Capital projects continue with the City conducting phase one and phase 2 vault retrofits in five locations, while the County anticipates constructing a water treatment system at Eagle Ridge and designing another at Austin Court. Stoica noted that "construction costs have gone up considerably," adding financial pressure to an already challenging effort. The County is working to harmonize development regulations with the City's more robust standards, addressing gaps that could be filled through code amendments later this year. Similarly, the aquatic invasive species program is being strengthened to address "40-plus private boat launches" that currently don't fall under the normal program oversight. Two major studies are launching that reflect growing sophistication in understanding climate impacts. The climate vulnerability assessment, an 18-month project starting imminently, will examine "what climate change is throwing at us" and identify mitigation strategies. Parallel to this, a wildfire response capability study will assess existing capabilities among various fire agencies and identify gaps in watershed protection. ## Policy Tensions: The Intersection of Protection and Development The evening's most animated discussions emerged during the policy dialogue section, where elected officials grappled with tensions between watershed protection and development pressure. Council Member Lisa Anderson brought particular urgency to discussions about forest management, describing a recent meeting with DNR representatives about the outdated landscape plan. "The landscape plan is old, and it is not really based on current science when it comes to some of the climate impacts and climate change that we're facing," Anderson reported. She highlighted specific concerns about DNR's proposed logging in areas like Parasol, which would expand roads by two and a half miles just half a mile from the shore, adjacent to other clear-cut areas. Anderson's call for updating the landscape plan touched on a fundamental governance challenge. "Nothing happens quickly," she reminded her colleagues, emphasizing that if they want to engage DNR in updating the plan, they need to start the budget process now for next year's work. "If we miss doing that for the fall to put money aside for next year, we're off a year." Council Chair Galloway expanded on Anderson's themes, noting that the current landscape plan dates to 2004 and suggesting that modern forest practices regulations might actually be more stringent now. She identified two key areas for improvement: compliance monitoring to ensure management practices are followed post-harvest, and strengthening the Inter-jurisdictional Committee with additional scientific disciplines and more transparent public processes. The discussion revealed growing frustration with the pace of progress. Anderson articulated what seemed to resonate with many in the room: "Even though we're doing good effort, when I look at those graphs... we're not turning it around fast enough... we're starting to kind of just break even a little bit, but breaking even is not winning the game, because we are so far behind." Council Member Stone pressed on accountability, channeling former Council Member Todd Donovan's persistent questioning about whether they're actually meeting their 50-year TMDL timeline. "Are we accomplishing that? Or not?" she asked, noting that potential changes from the Department of Ecology review might not be implemented for another five years. The development pressure question surfaced most directly when Council Member Scanlon raised the possibility of development moratoriums. "What would the impact be of having a moratorium on development in unincorporated Whatcom County?" he asked, challenging staff to present options that might not be politically feasible but could be scientifically sound. Anderson responded by describing Bellingham's approach in the Silver Beach area, where they imposed a de facto moratorium while rezoning to meet lake protection goals. "We put the brakes on until we had an opportunity to go through and consider what is the appropriate zoning," she explained, suggesting this approach lasted over two years while the city developed more stringent stormwater guidelines. ## Public Voice: Urgency and Frustration The public comment period brought eight speakers who collectively articulated growing community concern about the pace of lake protection efforts. Their comments revealed sophisticated understanding of the technical challenges and sharp frustration with institutional responses. Susan Hutton from the Whatcom Million Trees Project highlighted an immediate tension: "This progress report overlooks DNR's proposal to auction 128 acres of timber in the Lake watershed in August, just 4 months from now." She characterized the proposed logging method as leaving "an average of eight trees per acre" and creating multiple pathways for elevated phosphorus levels. "Clearing 128 acres of timber from the Lake Whatcom watershed... in order to raise somewhere between $1 million and $3 million when we have invested more than $50.6 million to clean our drinking water does not make sense," Hutton argued, calling for leadership to prevent "government working at cross-purposes." Laura Weiss focused on stormwater inspection programs, citing Department of Ecology language that "computer predictions show the lake would meet state standards for dissolved oxygen if there was 86% less development than existed in 2003." She noted that while both jurisdictions require stormwater facilities for new development, "we have nothing in place to ensure that these systems... continue to work as designed over the years." Carrie Burnside from People for Lake Whatcom delivered perhaps the evening's most pointed critique, identifying a "gap" between monitoring reports and progress reports that "matters for public trust and effective policy." She listed specific examples: dissolved oxygen declining for 36 years, cyanobacteria clogging drinking water filters, and significant upward trends in disinfection byproducts — none mentioned in the progress report. "The TMDL itself requires reduction in both phosphorus and bacteria, yet bacteria monitoring and discussions have been omitted," Burnside noted. "We literally are leaving out half of what we're legally required to reduce." Dr. Susan Kane Ronning brought historical perspective, identifying herself as "a Lake Whatcom activist and protection person since 1994." She emphasized that "overall restoration remains too slow and inadequate," noting that the required annual phosphorus removal under the TMDL is 3,147.8 pounds while current removal is far below that target. The final speaker, Brian Gass, delivered the evening's harshest critique, questioning whether the city was taking appropriate credit for work "farmed out to the tune of what 2.4 million bucks to AmeriCorps" while collecting "100 grand a year jobs to monitor it." He expressed concern about spending "tens of millions of dollars" without "quantifiable results other than just spending people's money on buying property in the watershed." ## The Path Forward: Collaboration Under Pressure As the meeting drew to its close exactly on schedule — a testament to the organizers' experience over 18 such gatherings — the themes that emerged painted a picture of sophisticated technical work operating within complex political and financial constraints. The scientific monitoring shows that decades of investment are yielding measurable improvements in some areas, particularly surface water phosphorus levels and algae concentrations. The management approach has evolved from reactive responses to proactive planning, with new tools like rapid response protocols and climate vulnerability assessments. Yet the public testimony and policy discussions revealed growing impatience with the pace of progress against a 50-year timeline that feels increasingly inadequate given climate change acceleration and development pressure. The tension between protection and development remains unresolved, with calls for everything from updated landscape plans to development moratoriums reflecting the urgency many feel. Perhaps most significantly, the evening highlighted governance challenges that may be as important as technical ones. Commissioner Citron's reminder that the 50-year TMDL timeline "was a choice" that could have been shorter underscored questions about political will. Burnside's call for governance systems "capable of delivering the outcomes the community needs" challenged the current structure's effectiveness. The four more Lake Whatcom Policy Group meetings scheduled for 2026 will likely become the forum where many of these tensions get worked out in more detail. The planned August field tour represents the first time policy group members will see the infrastructure they're funding in operation — a potentially important step toward the alignment that Mayor Lund identified as crucial for "the greatest collective impact." As Council Chair Galloway noted in her final remarks, "Lake Whatcom will only continue to become more relevant to region-wide discussions." The evening's proceedings demonstrated that while technical progress continues, the political and governance challenges of protecting the region's most precious resource are only beginning to be addressed with the urgency the situation demands. The meeting adjourned at exactly 8:26 PM, but the conversations it sparked will likely continue in hallways, coffee shops, and policy meetings throughout the year. With 40 years remaining on the TMDL timeline and climate change accelerating the challenges, the question isn't whether Lake Whatcom management will remain a regional priority — it's whether the collaborative approach demonstrated this evening can evolve quickly enough to meet the scale of the challenge ahead.

### Meeting Overview The annual joint councils and commissioners meeting convened Wednesday, April 1, 2026, bringing together the City of Bellingham Council, Whatcom County Council, and Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District commissioners to review the Lake Whatcom Management Program's 2025 progress and discuss 2026 priorities. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL):** A legally enforceable limit on how much phosphorus can be discharged into Lake Whatcom, established by EPA in 2016 with a 50-year timeline to restore dissolved oxygen levels. **Phosphorus Reduction:** The primary measurement of success in protecting Lake Whatcom, measured in pounds per year removed from entering the lake through stormwater management and land preservation. **Lake Whatcom Policy Group:** A five-member body with representatives from City Council, County Council, and the Water & Sewer District that provides ongoing policy guidance for the management program. **Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS):** Non-native freshwater mussels and other organisms that threaten Lake Whatcom's ecosystem, monitored through boat inspections and environmental DNA testing. **Forest Management Plan:** A joint plan between city and county for managing 13,000+ acres of publicly-owned forest land in the watershed to enhance forest health and reduce water quality impacts. **Basin 1, 2, and 3:** Geographic divisions of Lake Whatcom, with Basin 1 showing the most improvement in water quality through sustained stormwater treatment investments. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Bellingham City Council President | | Kaylee Galloway | Whatcom County Council Chair | | Todd Citron | Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District President | | Satpal Sidhu | Whatcom County Executive | | Kim Lund | Bellingham Mayor | | Justin Clary | Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District General Manager | | Jason Porter | City of Bellingham Surface & Stormwater Manager | | Gary Stoica | Whatcom County Natural Resources Manager | | Dr. Angela Strecker | Director, Institute for Watershed Studies, Western Washington University | ### Background Context Lake Whatcom serves as the primary drinking water source for over 100,000 people across Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Water & Sewer District. Since 2016, a federal Total Maximum Daily Load has required significant phosphorus reductions to restore dissolved oxygen levels that have been declining for 36 years. The three jurisdictions have invested over $50 million in watershed protection through a partnership dating to 1992, implementing a comprehensive management program across 12 program areas including stormwater management, land preservation, forest management, and aquatic invasive species prevention. This annual joint meeting represents the only time all three governing bodies meet together to coordinate policy and assess progress toward the 50-year restoration timeline. ### What Happened — The Short Version Executive Sidhu, Mayor Lund, and General Manager Clary opened with remarks emphasizing continued partnership and the need for sustained progress. Staff presented abbreviated highlights from 2025, including major investments in aquatic invasive species protection ($65,000 in additional revenue through updated fees), record land acquisition ($11 million for 1,056 acres including a 754-acre former timber tract), and completion of the first-ever joint forest management plan for 13,000+ acres of public land. Dr. Strecker reported mixed monitoring results: dissolved oxygen continues declining after 36 years, phosphorus levels have stabilized but remain elevated in deep water, algae levels are high but stabilizing, and nitrogen depletion may be shifting toward harmful algal bloom species. Staff outlined 2026 priorities including stormwater facility retrofits, development regulation updates, and beginning implementation of the forest management plan. Council members engaged in extensive policy discussion focusing on the need to update the 20+ year old landscape plan that governs timber harvesting, establish inspection programs for private stormwater systems, and consider stronger development regulations. Public comment emphasized concerns about proposed DNR timber sales in the watershed and the need for more rigorous monitoring and enforcement. ### What to Watch Next - Lake Whatcom Policy Group meetings scheduled for April, June, August, and October 2026 with field tour planned - County Council comprehensive plan update completion by June 2026 with potential watershed protection amendments - Department of Ecology review of the Lake Whatcom Model and potential TMDL reassessment - Forest management plan SEPA review and adoption process by City Council and County Council - County consideration of development regulation updates and private boat launch regulations ---

**Q:** What three jurisdictions make up the Lake Whatcom Management Program partnership? **A:** City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District. **Q:** How many acres did the city purchase for watershed protection in 2025? **A:** 1,056 acres across 16 properties, including a 754-acre former timber tract. **Q:** What is the timeline for achieving Lake Whatcom's TMDL phosphorus reduction goals? **A:** 50 years, with 2026 marking the 10th year of the EPA-mandated timeline. **Q:** How much additional revenue does the updated aquatic invasive species fee structure generate annually? **A:** $65,000 in additional revenue, with higher fees applied to higher-risk vessels. **Q:** How many septic systems are located in the Lake Whatcom watershed? **A:** Approximately 800 septic systems, with 69% compliance in inspection evaluations. **Q:** What percentage of septic inspections result in maintenance needs or system failures? **A:** Over 20% of inspections result in some level of maintenance or failure. **Q:** How many plants have been planted on city-acquired watershed lands through the restoration program? **A:** Over 100,000 plants across 3,872 acres of purchased properties. **Q:** How many boats per year require decontamination at Lake Whatcom boat launches? **A:** About 6 to 10 boats annually from high-risk water bodies require decontamination. **Q:** What is the current annual phosphorus reduction achievement mentioned in the report? **A:** Over 200 pounds of phosphorus reduction annually, though specific 2025 numbers weren't provided. **Q:** How many total acres of city and county forest land are covered by the new forest management plan? **A:** Over 13,000 acres of jointly owned forest lands in the Lake Whatcom watershed. **Q:** When was the Lake Whatcom landscape plan last updated? **A:** Over 20 years ago (around 2004), making it outdated for current climate science. **Q:** How many private boat launches exist around Lake Whatcom? **A:** More than 40 private boat launches that don't fall under the normal inspection program. **Q:** What are the four shared management goals established in the 1992 joint resolution? **A:** Ensure clean, safe drinking water; protect, preserve and enhance water quality; prioritize protection over treatment; ensure public participation opportunities. **Q:** How long is the climate vulnerability assessment expected to take? **A:** About 18 months to complete, with a consultant contract recently signed by Bellingham. **Q:** What is the compliance rate for septic system inspections in the watershed? **A:** 69% compliance rate, which staff noted is relatively high compared to other county areas. **Q:** How many FTE positions work on Lake Whatcom management for the city? **A:** Approximately 17 FTE positions dedicated to natural resources work in the watershed. **Q:** What monitoring methods are used for early detection of invasive mussels? **A:** Monthly environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and plankton tow collections. **Q:** What was the largest single land acquisition in the program's history? **A:** The 754-acre former timber tract purchased in 2025 for watershed protection. **Q:** How many people rely on Lake Whatcom as their drinking water source? **A:** Over 100,000 people across the city, county, and water district service areas. **Q:** What was the total investment mentioned for Lake Whatcom protection efforts? **A:** Over $50 million invested by the three jurisdictions in watershed protection activities. ---