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Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District
December 2022
Monthly Newsletter with Birch Bay Watershed Updates
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2023 Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program
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 Native landscaping offers a beautiful, low-maintenance yard, protects water quality by reducing runoff, saves water, and improves habitat in the watershed. Whatcom County Public Works will offer another Neighborhood Native Landscaping Project in 2023, after running a successful pilot this year. Participants will be selected and confirmed in early 2023, and the planting parties will take place in the fall. If you’re interested in participating, fill out the online interest form and share the link with your neighbors. |
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Apply for the WCD Small Grants Program!
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December is a great time for reflection. What did you learn last year that will help you improve in 2023? Do you want to improve your heavy use area to reduce mud? Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) will be opening applications for their Small Grants Program in late December. Visit the WCD website to find out how the WCD can help you improve your heavy use area in 2023.
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Scoop the Poop Often in Winter
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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! Daily scooping is best during the rainy months. Keep a flashlight handy to use when nature calls after dark. Click here to take our pledge: www.whatcomcounty.us/scooppoop.
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BBWARM Advisory Committee Vacancy
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Secure Your Garbage and Recycling
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It gets pretty windy this time of year, which means it’s extra important to secure your garbage and recycling to help prevent litter! Here are a few tips:
- Bag all garbage before placing it in the tote
- Safely place heavy items on top to weigh lighter items down
- Place each recycling bin on the ground separately
- Secure your load if you haul waste in your car
- Don’t put the recycling out the night before if the forecast calls for wind
Visit Whatcom County Health Department’s website for more tips on recycling scrap paper, newspaper, and cardboard.
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Water on the Road? Obey Road Signs.
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It doesn’t take much water to create a dangerous situation while driving. Driving, walking, or biking past signs that say “Water Over Roadway” is not recommended and you cannot travel past “Road Closed” signs. These signs are in place for your safety. For more information on road signs check out the Public Works news flash.
For more information on preparing for winter weather at your home check out the City of Bellingham’s “cold snap checklist” and Whatcom County’s weather event news flash.
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How's the Water Quality in Birch Bay?
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Visit the Whatcom County Public Works’ Routine Water Quality Results page for links to online maps and status reports for focus areas throughout Whatcom County.
Check out Whatcom County Public Works’ news flash about keeping our local waterways healthy. The Whatcom Clean Water Alliance is asking everyone to help with pollution prevention because bacteria has been on the rise.
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Quarterly Advisory Committee Meeting
Special Topic: Birch Point Subwatershed Drainage Study
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The BBWARM Advisory Committee will host a public meeting about the Birch Point Subwatershed Drainage Study on January 18th, 2023 from 6-8pm at the Birch Bay Village Clubhouse (8169 Cowichan Road, Blaine, WA). The meeting will consist of a presentation by the consultant showing preliminary results from the study and a question-and-answer session to solicit community feedback on residents’ experience/knowledge on drainage patterns in their neighborhood to improve model predictions. This feedback will also be used to inform the options analysis and conceptual designs for drainage improvements. If you have information to report that may be helpful for the study, you can use this online form to relay the information to BBWARM before the meeting.
You can view the 2023 meeting schedule, documents, and Zoom link on the BBWARM Advisory Committee website.
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Other BBWARM News and Resources:
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Upcoming events:
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Whatcom Farm Expo - Saturday, March 4, 2023: Mark your calendars for the seventh annual FREE Whatcom Farm Expo at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden from 9am to 2pm. This event will include hands-on exhibits demonstrating the latest in agricultural innovations, products and services, as well as seminars by local veterinarians, financial advisors, and horticulturalists. Check out the WCD website for details.
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Please share this newsletter with your neighbors!
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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
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