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Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District
January 2023
Monthly Newsletter with Birch Bay Watershed Updates
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Thank You for Your Service, Patrick Alesse
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Patrick (top left) with 2019 BBWARM Advisory CommitteeAs of January 31, 2023, Patrick Alesse will have served eight years on the BBWARM Citizen Advisory Committee. During his tenure, Pat provided insightful input on challenging issues and valuable historical knowledge about the Birch Bay community and captivated us with entertaining stories of the past. We are excited to see what he does next and thankful for his dedication to sound stormwater management in Birch Bay.
The BBWARM Citizen Advisory Committee has a vacant position for a four-year term. This committee assists and makes recommendations to the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors regarding implementation of BBWARM stormwater programs. Birch Bay residents interested in stormwater, water quality, and aquatic habitat in the Birch Bay watershed are encouraged to apply. Application instructions and forms are available on the Whatcom County website.
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We Appreciate You, Kathy Berg!
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Kathy Berg and Doralee Booth at the 5th of July Beach Cleanup in 2017.
After 20+ years of service, Kathy is stepping away from some of her volunteer activities, and we want to acknowledge and thank her for her years of tireless dedication
Kathy Berg has been a dedicated steward of Birch Bay for decades. She’s been involved with BBWARM since the start, advocating for the Birch Bay Comprehensive Plan and the Birch Bay Comprehensive Stormwater Plan, which led to the creation of BBWARM. Other important projects Kathy has been involved with include the Birch Bay Berm and Pedestrian Facility, the new Birch Bay Park, and the BP Heron Center in Birch Bay State Park.
She’s also been an active volunteer, helping with our pet waste program filling Mutt Mitt stations with bags, and helping to keep the beaches of Birch Bay clean by picking up litter.
Kathy, from past and present BBWARM staff, thank you for your dedicated service to the Birch Bay community over the years!
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Mutt Mitt Station Volunteer Needed
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BBWARM is looking for a volunteer to regularly fill two of our Mutt Mitt stations along Birch Bay Drive with pet waste bags. The two locations needing a volunteer are near the intersections of Birch Bay Drive, Alderson Road, and Jackson Road. We provide the bags. If you live close to those locations and want help, contact Kate Rice at krice@co.whatcom.wa.us or (360)778-6302.
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Thank You for Keeping Birch Bay Clean
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On January 1st, volunteers picked up 45 pounds of litter and collected recycling from the beaches of Birch Bay prior to the 40th annual Polar Bear Plunge. Thanks to Surfrider Foundation and BBWARM for organizing the event and to everyone who came out to volunteer!
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Getting Ready to Garden?
Order Your Native Plants Now!
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Are you excited to plant a new Douglas fir this Spring? How about a snowberry or some kinnikinnick? The wait is now over; our 30th Annual Native Plant Sale has begun! Order online now through March 3rd and pick up your native plants on March 17th or 18th! Don’t want to order your plants in bulk? Come to our IN-PERSON Native Plant Sale & Celebration on March 18th! More info at www.whatcomcd.org/plant-sale
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Save the Date for the Whatcom Farm Expo
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Express your love for Whatcom County farmland March 4th at the Whatcom Farm Expo! This family-friendly, FREE event will feature over 30 exhibitors with talks every 30 minutes. This event offers something for everyone. Learn more at: https://whatcomcd.org/whatcom-farm-expo.
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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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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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