September BBWARM Newsletter

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Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District

September 2022
Monthly Newsletter with Birch Bay Watershed Updates

Want to see your Birch Bay photo in the newsletter? Submit your photos here.

Why Does the Beach Stink?

Residents can’t help but notice the unpleasant smells that return to the beach each summer. People are often concerned that the smell is from a sewage leak, but more likely it is a sulfur gas produced as algae decays. Shallow water and excess nutrients can further promote algae growth.

Have you noticed pink scum on the water around Birch Bay beaches? This is purple sulfur bacteria, a type of bacteria that thrives in water with low levels of dissolved oxygen and high levels of sulfur.

Visit these links for more information:

City of Blaine: What Stinks?
Department of Ecology: Saltwater Beach Odors
Washington State Department of Health Blue-Green Algae
CDC Information for Animal Owners

How Do You Handle Hazardous Waste?

We are interested in hearing about how you handle hazardous waste in your home. By completing a short, online survey, you will be helping us develop an effective outreach program to help residents in our region understand how and where to dispose of common household items.
If you are interested in providing feedback for this important initiative, you may follow the link below and enter your survey code. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Online Survey Link: https://www.research.net/r/Whatcom2022

Survey Participation Code: WHAT9

Come “Run with the Chums!”

Did you know that 100,000 chum salmon eggs are incubated yearly in Terrell Creek? Salmon are an indicator species, so healthy salmon equals healthy water and healthy people. Join us at the 10th Annual Run with the Chums 5k Fun Run on September 10th to celebrate our healthy water, people, and habitat! It is free and all ages are welcome!

Submit Your “We Scoop” Photos!

Is your dog the most pup-ular dog at the dog park? Of course, because their parents scoop the poop every time!

Enter your best dog photos in the We Scoop Photo Contest. Your pup may join past winners as a star in our local scoop the poop ads. This year, winners will receive a scooping prize pack! The contest ends on September 30th.

Learn how to enter at www.whatcomcounty.us/scooppoop

Visit Us at Our Stormwater Pop-up Event!

As we enter the rainy season, it's even more important to be mindful of pollution sources, such as pet waste, car wash water, and other household hazardous wastes that can wash into our local water bodies. Enjoy some time outdoors and stop by the Whatcom County Public Works Stormwater Division booth on the Birch Bay Berm from 3:00-6:00pm on Tuesday, September 13th to learn about simple ways you can prevent water pollution. We'll provide free tools to help you be part of the solution to clean water in Whatcom County.

Did You Receive Your Annual Newsletter?

Look for Issue 11 of the BBWARM summer newsletter in your mailbox! Click here to see the digital copy on our website.

Save Our Water and Save Your Money

You’re invited to Save our Water and Save your Money with the Whatcom Water Alliance as part of Whatcom Water Week! Pledge to reduce your household water use to be entered into a drawing for 1 of 5 water saving prizes. Make your pledge today on the Whatcom Water Alliance website.

How's the Water Quality in Birch Bay?

V isit the Whatcom County Public Works’ Routine Water Quality Results page for links to online maps and status reports for focus areas throughout Whatcom County.

Quarterly Advisory Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the BBWARM Advisory Committee will be held on October 12th from 6-8pm at the BP Heron Center. The general public is invited to join us, and a public comment period will be held at the beginning of the meeting.

You can view the 2022 meeting schedule, documents, and Zoom link on the BBWARM Advisory Committee website.

Other BBWARM News and Resources:

Visit the BBWARM website to learn more about our services.
Visit the Whatcom Conservation District's website for information about their farm services and upcoming events
View the latest Whatcom County Watersheds PIC Program e-Newsletter
Learn about community events in Birch Bay on the Chamber of Commerce website.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Whatcom County Planning & Development Services news. Learn about the value of farmland, wetlands, programs for rural landowners, and more!

Upcoming events:

Registration for the10th Annual Run with the Chums 5k Fun Run/Walk is open! The run will take place on September 10th with start times at 9:30 and 10am. Visit the WCD website for more information.
Stop by our Stormwater Pop-Up Event on September 13th across from CJ's Beach House. We will have free car care and pet waste toolkits along with other pollution prevention materials.
Submit your We Scoop photo entries and take the Scoop the Poop Pledge by September 30th to be entered to win some scooping prizes.
Join Whatcom Conservation District, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, and the Whatcom Land Trust in restoring salmon habitat along California Creek on October 15th as part of Orca Recovery Day!

Please share this newsletter with your neighbors!

What is BBWARM?
The Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District is the stormwater management district for the Birch Bay watershed managed by the Whatcom County Public Works Stormwater Division and a citizen advisory committee. BBWARM was established by the Whatcom County Council to address citizen concerns about water quality, flooding, and the loss of aquatic habitat. Visit our website to learn about BBWARM programs, history, and funding.

www.bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org