### Meeting Overview The Water Resources Advisory Board met on September 23, 2025, to receive mandatory Open Public Meetings Act training, updates on the Water System Plan, and to discuss new land management guidelines for the Lake Whatcom watershed properties. The board also approved a revised resolution supporting the Lake Whatcom Freshwater Mussel Rapid Response Plan. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program (LWLAPP):** City program that has spent over $50 million to purchase and protect over 3,600 acres of land in the Lake Whatcom watershed to protect drinking water quality. **Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL):** Federal water quality standard established in 2016 for Lake Whatcom to address low dissolved oxygen levels caused by excess phosphorus from development. **Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA):** Washington state law requiring government meetings to be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions. **Serial Meeting:** An OPMA violation that occurs when board members discuss official business via email or other means outside of public meetings, potentially reaching decisions without public oversight. **Public Records Act:** Washington law giving the public broad rights to access government records, including emails and text messages related to city business, even on personal devices. **Forest Succession:** Natural process of forest development that the city accelerates on its watershed properties to improve water quality protection. **Phosphorus Loading:** Primary water quality concern in Lake Whatcom, where excess phosphorus from development leads to low dissolved oxygen levels. **Climate Resilience:** Management approach to prepare watershed properties for future climate impacts, including wildfire risk and changing forest conditions. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Rush Duncan | WRAB Chair | | Sarah Chaplin | Senior Assistant City Attorney / Public Records Officer | | Mike Olinger | Deputy Director of Public Works | | Michael Parelskin | Public Works Superintendent | | Michael Wilson | Assistant Director, Public Works Engineering | | Nelson Lee | Lake Whatcom Field Supervisor | | John Peppel | WRAB Member (longest-serving) | ### Background Context The City of Bellingham manages over 3,600 acres of land in the Lake Whatcom watershed to protect drinking water quality for over 120,000 residents. The current management guidelines date from 2005 and need updating to address contemporary pressures from recreation, climate change, and development. The Water System Plan, required by state law every six years, is currently under review by state agencies with final approval expected by December 2025. All city boards and commissions must receive annual training on open government laws to ensure transparency and public accountability. ### What Happened — The Short Version The board received required annual training on open meetings and records laws, emphasizing the importance of transparency and avoiding email discussions that could violate public meeting requirements. Staff provided an update that the Water System Plan approval is delayed while state agencies complete their review, with final adoption likely in December 2025. The main agenda item was discussion of proposed new land management guidelines to replace the 2005 resolution, focusing on clearer rules for public use while prioritizing water quality protection. The board provided feedback on strengthening language about coordination with other agencies and addressing policy tensions. Finally, they approved a revised resolution supporting the invasive mussel response plan after learning the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife could not sign the original memorandum of understanding. ### What to Watch Next - **October/November 2025:** Revised land management guidelines return to board with incorporated feedback - **December 2025:** Water System Plan likely to come before City Council for final adoption - **October 28, 2025:** Next WRAB meeting to approve minutes from July and September meetings ---