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Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District
Monthly
Newsletter
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Come Out and Run with the Chums this Saturday!
 The 5th Annual Run with the Chums 5k Fun Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 16. Join the Chums of Terrell Creek for this family-friendly Whatcom Water Week kickoff event.
Run with the Chums is a fun, FREE event for all ages and the first 300 participants will receive a free event t-shirt! All racers in the 1k Smolt Sprint will also receive a ribbon. Festivities before and after the race include a raffle, refreshments, watershed information exhibits (including the BBWARM booth!), kid's activities and water conservation prizes. Click here to view a press release about the event and here to read an article in The Northern Light.
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Become a Storm Watcher!
 Does your neighborhood have drainage, flooding or erosion problems? Take the first step toward solving these issues by monitoring and reporting conditions in your area after large rain events. On September 28, staff from BBWARM and Whatcom Conservation District will provide a training to those interested in becoming a Birch Bay Storm Watcher. If you are interested in volunteering, visit the BBWARM website and check out today's article in The Northern Light: Volunteers needed to help monitor storm water in Birch Bay.
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BBWARM Meeting in September
The next regular business meeting of the BBWARM Advisory Committee will be held on Wednesday, September 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Camp Horizon Conference Building in Bay Horizon Park.
You can view the 2017 meeting schedule and meeting documents on the Advisory Committee page on the BBWARM website.
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Stormwater Capital Improvement Project Update
Construction is underway on the Cottonwood Drive Inlet project! A new stormwater inlet will be installed just upstream of the current inlet and drainage water will be conveyed into an overflow pipe if the main inlet becomes plugged or congested. Additional improvements include re-aligning the stream and providing rock armoring on the east bank to improve its stability. Native plantings will be installed following the construction project. Work should be substantially complete by October 1. |
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Stormwater Facility Maintenance Workshop - Sept. 23
 If you are part of a development with a private stormwater facility, it is required by law to be regularly maintained. To assist homeowners in understanding and evaluating the maintenance needs of the facility within their development, BBWARM and Whatcom County are offering a FREE workshop on this topic on Saturday, September 23. The workshop is designed to give practical and technical support on how to maintain private stormwater facilities and how to plan for future maintenance. Visit the BBWARM website to learn more.
Space is limited, so we encourage each development to designate 1-2 representatives to attend the workshop. Contact Cathy Craver at CCraver@co.whatcom.wa.us to sign up!
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Event-goers celebrated their furry friends at Walk 'n Wag in the Park on August 25 at Birch Bay State Park. BBWARM and the Whatcom Conservation District were there to educate folks about the importance of picking up pet waste and promote their upcoming Run with the Chums event. Check out more photos from the event here!
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How is the Water Quality in Birch Bay?
All but 8 of the 30 sampling sites were dry in August. Those that were running had low fecal coliform levels. Elevated counts will likely be observed after the rains that occured on September 8-9. The next sampling run is scheduled for September 19. Click here to view the latest water quality results for Birch Bay/Terrell Creek or visit the Whatcom County Public Works' Routine Water Quality Monitoring Results page for links to online maps and status reports for focus areas throughout Whatcom County.
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Biotoxin Update
The Washington State Department of Health lifted the biotoxin closure for the recreational harvest of molluscan shellfish, including clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops on August 17. All beaches in Whatcom County are now open for shellfish harvesting. However, it's always a good idea to check before you dig (click map below)!
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Gardening Green: Sustainable Landscaping Class
In this free six-session class, participants will learn how to create sustainable residential landscapes that are beautiful, low maintenance, attract wildlife and benefit water quality. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays starting September 18 at WSU Extension in Bellingham. Contact Sue Taylor at (360) 671-3891 to register.
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Birch Bay in the News
Upcoming Events
- Run with the Chums - 5k Fun Run/Walk - September 16, 10-12pm
- Whatcom Water Week - September 16-23
- Gardening Green: Sustainable Landscaping Class, September 18 - October 4, 9am-2pm
- Private Stormwater Facility Maintenance Workshop, September 23, 12-3pm
- Storm Watchers Volunteer Training, September 28, 6-8pm
- BP Cherry Point Refinery - 2017 Community Open House, September 29, 10-2pm
- Birch Bay Candidates & Issues Forum, October 10, 7pm, Birch Bay Bible Community Church
- Visit the Friends of Birch Bay State Park website for a calendar of FREE interpretive programs offered throughout the month
- Click here for a list of Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Rec District community outreach events
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