The Lake Whatcom Management Program invites the public to attend the annual Lake Whatcom Joint Councils and Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 28 in the Bellingham City Council Chambers, 210 Lottie St. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be recorded for later airing on BTV. The meeting will be attended by members of the Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board.
“This is always a very informational meeting on what the city and county are doing to keep our lake safe and the water drinkable for all. Our staffs do great work on behalf of all who drink the water and love the lake,” said City Council Member Gene Knutson, Chair of the Public Works and Natural Resources Committee that oversees Bellingham efforts to protect the lake.
Of particular interest to community members is an open house to be held immediately before the meeting, from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m., featuring posters, maps, and literature about Lake Whatcom programs and planning. The open house provides an opportunity for members of the public to talk with program staff about specific lake issues or initiatives.
The following topics are scheduled:
- Review of recent water quality trends affecting the lake
- Update on progress in meeting the Department of Ecology’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits on nutrients and pollutants in the lake and tributaries
- Overview of a new stormwater district to fund county water quality improvement projects
- Status report on progress in developing new parks in the watershed
- Planned survey of watershed residents
Public comment is scheduled for the end of the meeting. A detailed agenda and the 2017 Lake Whatcom Progress Report can be found on the Lake Whatcom Management Program website at http://www.lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org.
