How the program works
The Lake Whatcom Management Program (LWMP) is a partnership between the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. These agencies have worked together since 1990 to set shared policies and priorities for protecting the lake.
Their work is guided by five-year work plans. Each year, we publish a progress report that tracks how we are meeting the goals in the plan.
Coordinating across agencies
Staff from each agency meet regularly as part of the Interjurisdictional Coordinating Team (ICT). This team helps coordinate projects and programs that protect the health of Lake Whatcom.
The Lake Whatcom Joint Policy Group includes ICT staff, elected officials from the Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Boards of Commissioners, as well as representatives from the Sudden Valley Community Association. This group meets several times a year to align on priorities and share updates.
Each year, the full Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners hold a joint meeting to review progress and provide policy direction to staff.
Monitoring water quality
The Institute for Watershed Studies (IWS) at Western Washington University provides data to support the LWMP’s work. The IWS conducts year-round monitoring of Lake Whatcom’s water quality and publishes annual reports.
More information
Questions about Lake Whatcom protection efforts? Email us at lakewhatcom@cob.org or visit the Lake Whatcom Management Program website to learn more.
