Cover Story
Puget Sound Energy Plans to Burn Methane Gas “Forever”
by Cynthia Mitchell It’s time to sound the alarm on Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) draft 20-year plan that makes electric and gas customers pay billions for continued emissions. As required by law, PSE has modeled how it will serve its … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Beaks and Bills by Joe Meche Given that I’ve written 265 columns for Whatcom Watch since 2002, I might have mentioned a time or three that we have traditional spring and fall getaways over the mountains and through the woods … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at September 1, 2026 Meeting Shall the commission: 102. Authorize the executive director to execute the third amendment to the consent decree for the Georgia-Pacific West site? The Georgia-Pacific West site is a 74-acre Model Toxics Control Act … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at September 15, 2026 Meetings At the morning Finance and Administration Committee meeting,votes 223 – 237 were passed. At the evening meeting, vote 238 – 245 were passed. Shall the council: 223. Fill a … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at September 14, 2026 Meeting Shall the council: 160. Confirm the mayor’s appointment of Ayla Warwick to the Planning Commission? The commission conducts hearings on the city’s Comprehensive Plan and its implementation. It reviews and makes recommendations to … Continue reading
Climate
Articles You Might Have Missed
Climate Good News Around the world people are taking the initiative to mitigate climate change. Here are some good news briefs compiled and summarized by Jayne Freudenberger, climate committee chair, League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County. _______________________________ _______________________________ Communities … Continue reading
Comprehensive Plan
Bellingham Comprehensive Plan Fails to Protect Our Community
by Rodd Pemble Last February, the Whatcom Environmental Council (WEC) filed an appeal of the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan (the Plan) to the Growth Management Hearings Board for failing to comply with the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA). The Plan falls … Continue reading
Development
Bellingham City Council Ruling Clears Way for Mud Bay Development to Continue
The Woods at Viewcrest’s preliminary plat and associated permits will go forward after Protect Mud Bay Cliff’s appeal was denied by city council on August 21 by Tori Lehman Whatcom County’s beauty is no surprise to those lucky enough to … Continue reading
Lake Whatcom
Removal Underway for Sinking Boat in Lake Whatcom
Editor’s Note: Whatcom Watch has entered a cooperative agreement with Salish Current. Salish Current, an online-only news organization, covers the North Sound area and Whatcom Watch mainly covers Whatcom County issues. Visit https://salishcurrent.org. by Atlanta Moss Over half of a … Continue reading
Native Plant Neighbors
Native Plant Neighbors by Eric Worden All the world over, even among the most dissimilar cultures, I wonder: is there any fruit more universally loved than the strawberry? Unlike most other wild berries, I think that most people, even the … Continue reading
poetrywatch
“When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — John F. Kennedy Boris … Continue reading
Recreation
Winter and Spring Hikes in Whatcom County
Edfro Creek Preserve Near Acme, at the confluence of Skookum Creek and the South Fork of the Nooksack River, lies the 135-acre Whatcom Land Trust Edfro Creek Preserve. It is a very accessible forest, with a wild quality but a … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
Since January 2014, Whatcom Watch has been reprinting articles from issues printed 20 years ago. The below article appeared in the October/November 2006 issue of Whatcom Watch. Cleanup in the Whatcom Waterway and ASB Editor’s Note: Phase 1 of the … Continue reading
Whatcom County environmental programs
Jon-Paul Shannahan’s Path to Environmental Work in Whatcom County
by Calvin Lowe Salmon recovery, water quality and flood management are among the environmental challenges facing Whatcom County. Addressing them requires scientists, engineers, government agencies and funding. Jon-Paul Shannahan, Whatcom County’s environmental programs manager, helps oversee efforts to address these … Continue reading
Wildfire
Samish Crest Fires Raise Concerns About Prevention in Urban-Adjacent Woods
Editor’s Note: Whatcom Watch has entered a cooperative agreement with Salish Current. Salish Current, an online-only news organization, covers the North Sound area and Whatcom Watch mainly covers Whatcom County issues. Visit https://salishcurrent.org. A resident’s discovery of a still-burning campfire … Continue reading
