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Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District


Monthly
Newsletter
December 2021
Harborview Road Stormwater Improvement Project Complete

 
Construction along Harborview Road is nearly complete. The stormwater improvements, which  are designed to increase drainage capacity and reduce flooding, were already put to the test during recent storm events and performed well! The remaining road striping and paving will be completed when the weather is suitable.
All Whatcom County Residents Requested to Report ANY Flood-Related Damages as Essential First Step in Requesting Federal FEMA Aid
 

 
If you’ve experienced ANY flood damage since the region’s storm events began on Nov. 14, report it here: www.whatcomcounty.us/damageform. This form is available in both English and Spanish and is for ALL Whatcom County residents, regardless of immigration status, where you live, or if you rent or own. The only requirement is that the damage occurred in Whatcom County. 
 
There is no deadline for businesses or individuals to report damage. However, residents and private property owners are encouraged to use the online damage assessment form or call (360) 788-5311 as soon as possible. Due to the backlog of phone messages, residents are asked to use the online form if at all possible. Use the phone number if you need help filling out the form. Even for those with private insurance that will cover flood damage losses, it is important to provide a damage assessment to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Department of Emergency Management. Damage to publicly-owned property and infrastructure must be submitted by December 6. 
 
The damage assessments support Whatcom County’s request-for-aid from the state and federal governments. It is the first step in the county’s prescribed process to receive aid. 
 
Qualifying for federal assistance will help Whatcom County have a stronger and quicker recovery from the devastating impacts of the recent flooding. You can learn about how federal assistance reaches communities after a disaster in this video: https://youtu.be/RPU2uGgdg5A
 
For comprehensive information regarding the flood response and recovery, please visit https://www.whatcomcounty.us/flood
 
Stay tuned for an upcoming community meeting about flooding in Birch Bay.
Fern Street Catch Basin Installed

A storm drain and pipe were installed near the end of Fern Street by the county’s maintenance & operations crew in mid-November. Water had been pooling at this location, eventually flowing across the road and into the neighbor’s property. It posed a safety hazard during freezing conditions. The installation of the storm drain and pipe solved these issues by allowing stormwater to drain safely away from the roadway and into the storm main that runs alongside the road.
Scoop the Poop More Often in Winter
 

 
Un-scooped poop in your yard mixes with rain and creates a muddy, germy mess that can be tracked indoors on shoes and paws. Gross! Rain also washes un-scooped pet waste into our ditches, storm drains, creeks, lakes, and bays. Daily scooping is best during the rainy months. Keep a flashlight handy to use when nature calls after dark. 

Visit www.whatcomcounty.us/scooppoop to take the scooping pledge and receive a free gift!
How is the Water Quality in Birch Bay?
In November, 3 sites out of the 31 sampled in Birch Bay exceeded the water quality health standards for fecal coliform bacteria. One site was not sampled due to 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.
BBWARM Advisory Committee Meeting
 
The next meeting of the BBWARM Advisory Committee will be held via Zoom on January 19th from 6-8pm. Special topics for this meeting include recent storm damage updates, the Semiahmoo Drive Stormwater Improvements Project, and a presentation about our 2021 Landowner Stewardship Program accomplishments. The general public is invited to join us, and a public comment period will be held at the beginning of the meeting. You can find the 2022 meeting schedule, documents, and Zoom link on the BBWARM Advisory Committee page.
 
Birch Bay in the News
Resources and 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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