The Lake Whatcom Policy Group convened on the morning of December 20, 2024, for a rescheduled meeting originally planned for December 4th. Under the leadership of Chair Russ Shunkin from the City of Bellingham, the group gathered to address two primary agenda items: updates to the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program and the final review of the 2025-2029 watershed work plan. The meeting brought together representatives from all three managing jurisdictions—City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District—along with council members and community stakeholders for what would prove to be a substantive discussion about risk management, public engagement, and long-term watershed protection planning.