Lake Whatcom Management Program

Lake Whatcom jurisdictions work together to provide policy guidance and direction for the Lake Whatcom Management Program (LWMP). A joint Council/Commissioner meeting is held each year and attended by the Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners. View the Lake Whatcom Management Program Work Plan 2020-2024 for current efforts.

Lake Whatcom Management Program Website
Lake Whatcom Cooperative Management logo with a blue water droplet. Sunset over Lake Whatcom in the background.

The Lake Whatcom Management Committee includes the City of Bellingham Mayor, Whatcom County Executive, and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District General Manager. This team is responsible for implementing the policy guidance and direction provided by the legislative bodies listed above.

The Lake Whatcom Joint Policy Group includes representatives from the Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners, and the Sudden Valley Community Association Board, as well as staff from the Interjurisdictional Coordinating Team. This group meets quarterly to discuss Lake Whatcom policy topics and to provide policy guidance and direction to staff working on Lake Whatcom.

The Interjurisdictional Coordinating Team (ICT), created in 2000, coordinates activities and programs between the three jurisdictions. Consisting of staff from each of the three jurisdictions, this team meets on a regular basis to review the progress of tasks identified for the five-year Lake Whatcom Management Program. The most recent Joint Councils Presentation can be found under “Lake Whatcom Presentations” on the Lake Whatcom Management Program Resources page.

Since the early 1990s, representatives of the three jurisdictions have worked together on joint strategies for managing and protecting the lake. The Interjurisdictional Coordinating Team (ICT) develops five-year work plans to guide implementation of the management strategies. Access all Lake Whatcom Management Program Work Plans and Progress Reports.

The Institute for Watershed Studies (IWS) at Western Washington University (WWU) exists to support research on freshwater lakes, streams and wetlands. Affiliated with WWU’s College of the Environment, IWS conducts year-round monitoring and research of Lake Whatcom’s water quality. View annual Lake Whatcom Monitoring Reports by the IWS.

Resources

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