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Bellingham · BEL-CP-2025 · Pages 104-113

Environment

The Environment chapter establishes policies to protect, enhance, and restore Bellingham's aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, including lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, and wildlife habitats, while managing growth impacts. It requires use of best available science and mitigation sequencing to safeguard critical areas, and mandates coordination among City departments and regional partners to address water quality, contaminated sites, and natural hazard vulnerabilities. The chapter also recognizes the environment's role in human health, promoting environmental equity, clean air, and community access to nature.

Environment Environment Social Governance
Goals (4 total)
  • EV-A: Protect Aquatic Ecosystems – Protect and improve aquatic ecosystems including lakes, streams, wetlands, floodplains and the Salish Sea
  • EV-B: Protect Terrestrial Ecosystems – Protect and improve terrestrial ecosystems
  • EV-C: Natural Resource Management – Protect and improve natural systems and ensure environmental sustainability through coordinated natural resource management
  • EV-D: Human Health and Environment – Recognize the environment's inherent value and essential role in supporting human health and wellbeing
Stronger Policy Language (24 policies)
  • EV-6: Manage the city's surface and stormwater to protect aquatic resources, improve fish habitat, respond to flooding and erosion damages, and reduce the discharge of pollutants.
  • EV-11: Adopt, implement and update a comprehensive urban forest plan to support a healthy and resilient urban forest through well-coordinated, consistent, efficient and sustainable management.
  • EV-20: Require mitigation sequencing early in project planning stages to safeguard ecological functions and values.
  • EV-37: Protect people and public resources and facilities from injury, loss of life or property damage due to landslides, erosion, seismic events or flooding.
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (16 policies)
  • EV-25: Support ecological functions and the restoration of natural systems by promoting the use of native plants, controlling the spread of invasive species.
  • EV-26: Provide opportunities for public education and engagement to promote awareness and responsible individual actions for environmental stewardship.
  • EV-38: Encourage and expand access to nature and green spaces to foster human health and connection with the environment.
  • EV-40: Encourage regenerative ecological design, which focuses on creating human and natural systems that work together.

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