Save the date for Whatcom Water Week
Join us Sept. 12-20 as we participate in a week of free, family-friendly events celebrating our precious local water resources! Whether you want to read stories along our waterfront, spot birds at the Little Squalicum Estuary, learn about the Lightcatcher Building’s green roof, or peek behind the scenes at our water treatment plants, there is something for everyone. Get a head-start on celebrating Water Week at the Whatcom Museum’s water-themed Free First Friday next Friday, Sept. 4.
Visit the Whatcom Water Week website for a full list of events and registration details.
New rental protections receive final approval
On Aug. 24, Bellingham City Council gave final approval for the latest updates to Bellingham’s Rental Registration and Safety Inspection program that are designed to improve safety inspection quality and create more effective enforcement options. City Council also approved a proposal that clarifies requirements for 120-day rent increase notices.
Starting Sept. 7, changes to Bellingham Municipal Code Title 6 will:
- Define when and how the safety inspection checklist should be used for inspections
- Create an audit process for inspectors who conduct rental inspections for the program
- Improve the rental safety code compliance process
- Change the appeal process for the program
- Update requirements, exemptions, and penalties for 120-day rent increase notices
Learn more about these changes, see additional housing laws and rental requirements, or find out more about the Rental Registration and Safety Program.
Hatchery Chinook annual return to Bellingham Bay
You may notice Chinook salmon making a splash in Bellingham Bay and lower Whatcom Creek! Approximately 6,582 hatchery Chinook salmon are expected to return to Bellingham Bay and the mouth of Whatcom Creek in downtown Bellingham this season thanks to an ongoing collaboration between Bellingham Technical College, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, and the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe.
These fish typically arrive at the mouth of the creek in late August and continue returning into October. Hatchery salmon provide an important food source for endangered Southern Resident killer whales, or orcas. Fish not caught by orcas contribute to tribal and non-tribal recreational and commercial fishing, while fish that die in the creek provide nutrients that benefit the ecosystem. These fish are not intended to migrate up or reproduce in Whatcom Creek.
Following regulations, harvesting these Chinook is both ethical and legal. Please be respectful of fishers. Learn more about the return of hatchery Chinook and check them out in Maritime Heritage Park.
Land use fees will increase for the first time in nearly 20 years
On Aug. 24, Bellingham City Council approved a resolution to adjust Bellingham’s land use permit fees for the first time in nearly 20 years. The fees will increase on Oct. 1. These fees are well below Washington’s average for similar permit types and don’t cover the costs associated with supporting the staff who review applications and work with applicants. Learn more about land use fee increases in our release.
Discover your fall Parks & Recreation Playbook
Summer is far from over, but it’s not too early to start planning for your fall activities. Our latest Parks & Recreation Playbook has info about sports leagues, work parties, sound baths, haunted houses, a dahlia digging workshop, new holiday programs at Maritime Heritage Park, and much more. Check out the digital version or find out where to snag a paper copy on our website.
