Reducing stormwater impacts, improving water quality and protecting habitat are top priorities of the Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) district. In 2023, BBWARM staff and partners made significant headway toward meeting those goals.
In Birch Bay, drainage and water quality problems exist where the infrastructure is undersized, failing, or non-existent. Our program builds capital improvement projects to address these issues. In 2023, we completed a repair project on the Cottonwood Drive stormwater inlet structure that was badly damaged during the November 2021 floods.
We also wrapped up a comprehensive drainage study to better understand how stormwater runoff is conveyed through the Birch Point sub-watershed and how to resolve significant flooding issues in residential areas, such as Birch Bay Village. The capital projects proposed in the study will be incorporated into BBWARM’s six-year plan as staff resources and funding allow.
In addition to construction projects, BBWARM had another successful year with community outreach and engagement. We were able to connect with hundreds of residents at our annual events, such as the 5th of July Beach Cleanup, A Day at the Beach, and Run with the Chums 5k Fun Run. We expanded our new Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program this year and worked with nine Birch Bay property owners to convert over 14,000 square feet of lawns to native plant landscaping, improving water quality and habitat in the watershed.
All of these programs require funding. The BBWARM district service charge has remained unchanged since its inception in 2009. This fall, we initiated a rate study and funding analysis that will help determine the total rate revenue required to meet our financial obligations and continue providing valuable services to the community. The public is welcome to attend the January 17 and April 17 advisory committee meetings in 2024 to provide feedback.
If you have any questions, please contact Holly Faulstich at HFaulsti@co.whatcom.wa.us or visit our website bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org. For more details on our activities, check out the 2023 annual report, which will be available on the website in March. And while you’re there, don’t forget to sign up for our quarterly e-newsletter!
Holly Faulstich is natural resource specialist and Kate Rice is program specialist at Whatcom County Public Works Department.
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