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Photo by Lonni Cummings

Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District


Monthly
Newsletter
August 2021
Register Now for 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 & healthy people. Come to the 9th Annual Run with the Chums 5K Fun Run on 9/11/2021 to celebrate our healthy water, people, & habitat! It is free and all ages are welcome! If you register before September 3rd, you will receive a free Run with the Chums t-shirt on race day.
 
Register Here: https://whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums.
Phase 2 Construction Starts September 13th
The goal of this project is to improve stormwater conveyance and reduce flooding along Birch Bay Drive during high tide events. This will be accomplished by installing a new stormwater outfall pipe into the bay, adding new stormpipe along Birch Bay Drive, and replacing undersized stormpipe along Harborview Road.
  • Phase 2 construction dates:September 13, 2021 through October 29, 2021.
  • Approximate working hours are 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM weekdays.
  • Drivers should expect delays; traffic will often be reduced to one lane with flagged traffic control.
  • Weather and other factors could affect the project schedule and hours.
Visit the project website for more info and updates.
 
 The "We Scoop" Photo Contest is Back!
The contest starts on August 29th and goes through the end of September. Be sure to follow our Facebook page and visit our website for contest announcements, prizes, and entry details.
Rebates Available to Help Reduce Mud
How is the Water Quality in Birch Bay?
In July, 3 of the 7 sites sampled in Birch Bay exceeded the water quality health standards for fecal coliform bacteria. Many sites were not sampled due to the sampling sites being dry, stagnant, or very low flow.  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.
Warning! Toxic Algae Blooms
Have you noticed a scum on the water of Terrell Creek? Many of our Watershed Watchers have and reported it, thank you! Hot weather and low water levels have contributed to toxic algae blooms, which can cause serious illness in humans and kill pets or livestock. You should never swim in water with a visible bloom, or let your kids or pets swim in it, either. If you have any questions, or you think you’ve spotted a bloom, call the Whatcom County environmental health office at 360-778-6000.

State DOH has more information about toxic algae 👉 https://bit.ly/2Xh6l1i 
The CDC has more info about signs of toxic algae poisoning 👉 https://bit.ly/3CORTOg
Birch Bay resident? Look for the BBWARM annual newsletter your mailbox in early September!
Not in the watershed? No problem. All 10 editions of the newsletter are available online. Visit the BBWARM website to view the newsletter virtually.
BBWARM Advisory Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the BBWARM Advisory Committee will be held via Zoom on September 15th from 6-8pm. The general public is invited to join us, and a public comment period will be held at the beginning of this meeting. You can view the 2021 meeting schedule and documents on the Advisory Committee page on the BBWARM website. 

The meeting on September 15th will also serve as a public meeting for the Holeman Avenue Stormwater Improvements project. Postcards will be mailed to residents in the area affected by the project prior to the meeting.
Birch Bay in the News Resources & Events
What is BBWARM?
 
The Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District is the stormwater management district for the Birch Bay watershed.  BBWARM was established by the Whatcom County Council to address citizen concerns about water quality, flooding, and the loss of aquatic habitat. 

www.bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org
 
Visit our website to learn about BBWARM programs, history, and funding.  Sign up to receive email notifications of meetings and special events. 
Copyright © 2021 Whatcom County Public Works, All rights reserved.


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