Whatcom County to host Birch Bay meeting to discuss flooding predictions

Whatcom County government and an environmental consulting firm are hosting a community meeting on flood vulnerability and risk assessment 1-3 p.m. Saturday, November 19 at Birch Bay State Park’s BP Heron Center.

The meeting will focus on the Whatcom County Coastal and Riverine Compound Flood Vulnerability and Risk Assessment project. County employees hope to better understand river and coastal flooding impacts, which will be used for policies and preventive plans. 

Whatcom County Council approved $100,000 in August for Seattle-based Environmental Science Associates (ESA) to start the project. 

“The report will be a vulnerability assessment that will identify assets most at risk and tell the county where it needs to prioritize adapting to sea level rise and how it needs to start preparing,” ESA principal engineer Lindsey Sheehan said, giving examples of moving infrastructure to a different location or creating barriers for sea level rise. 

ESA consultants will show flooding projections, ask community members to share their observations and be available to speak with residents. Sheehan said the meeting will cover sea level rise education, projections University of Washington scientists are providing the state and the impact of 1 foot versus 3 feet of sea level rise. 

“We will be looking for input from the public on community values,” Sheehan said. “That could be specific places, how folks use the coast, whether they really value businesses along the coast that could be threatened or if they live there and are concerned about their homes.”

The project’s partners include the county, Port of Bellingham, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington Sea Grant, Washington state Department of Ecology and the cities of Blaine, Ferndale and Bellingham.

The BP Heron Center is located at 7290 Birch Bay Drive. Discover Passes are required for vehicles at the state park. The county will offer a limited number of day passes. 

People who are unable to attend the meeting may also provide feedback on the Whatcom County Coastal and Riverine Flooding Survey at bit.ly/3U6Zro1. 

The project is expected to end in June 2023. Sheehan said there will be more public meetings on the project at the beginning of 2023 and in late spring.

“The more information we get from the public, the better the plan will fit the community and provide solutions for what people want,” Sheehan said.