Permit hearing for berm scheduled for April 10

The Whatcom County hearing examiner wants to know what people think of the Birch Bay berm project before deciding on a shoreline substantial development permit for the project.

The hearing examiner’s office scheduled a hearing for the project for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at Whatcom County Courthouse Council Chambers, at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham.

The shoreline permit is the last permit needed for the project – a 1.6-mile sand and gravel beach berm from Lora Lane to Cedar Avenue that would “renourish” the beach by replacing a series of seawalls and other concrete structures that have proven ineffective at reducing erosion and protecting Birch Bay Drive from storm surges. The project also includes sidewalks, bike lanes and other improvements to pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

The hearing examiner will decide whether to grant or deny the permit after the hearing. Whatcom County added the roughly $12 million project to its Birch Bay Community Plan in 1977, but Roland Middleton, county special projects manager, said some outside Birch Bay are opposed to the project.

“This project is more than 40 years coming and I hope people can participate in the hearing,” he said.

Comments can also be submitted by email before the hearing using hearingexamineroffice@co.whatcom.wa.us, or sent to the hearing examiner at the Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225.

The county is still working to get one construction easement for the project, but construction will go on whether or not the county gets that easement, Middleton said.

“If we don’t get it, we won’t build the berm in front of that place,” he said. Middleton wouldn’t say where in the project the outstanding easement is, and added that he hoped the issue would be resolved before the hearing.

If the county receives the necessary permits, construction should start this fall and finish by spring 2021. Construction will pause for some of Birch Bay’s festivals and events.

Find more info about the project at: whatcomcounty.us/522/Birch-Bay-Drive-Pedestrian-Facility-Proj.