Cover Story
The Quality of Our Drinking Water Continues to Decline
Editor’s Note: The Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project was initiated in the 1980s to measure and track long-term lake data for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, and nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus. The work is performed by WWU’s Institute for … Continue reading
Cover Story
Fairhaven Needs an Updated Village Plan
by Barbara Clarke Seven years ago, my daughter and I moved to Bellingham and settled on the outskirts of Fairhaven. Some of the persuasive features were an affordable apartment, the beautifully maintained trails, Fairhaven Park nearby, the exciting daylighting of … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
by Joe Meche A quick scan of the Oregon coastline, from the Columbia River to the California state line, leaves no doubt as to the potential for access to a myriad of opportunities for all recreational pursuits. The stunning beauty … Continue reading
Being Frank
Marine Mammal Predation Is Out of Control
by Ed Johnstone Our tribal fishermen are being out-fished by marine mammals. When I was growing up in the 1950s and ’60s, it was rare to see a sea lion at the mouth of the Quinault or Hoh rivers. But … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at March 8, 2022 Meeting Shall the council: 69. Fill a vacancy on the Climate Impact Advisory Committee? At the 12/7/2017 meeting, vote #259, the council established the advisory committee. It provides review and … Continue reading
Watching Government
The city of Bellingham sent the following information to Whatcom Watch after the April issue was sent to the printer. Action Taken at February 28, 2022 Meeting Shall the council: 26. Deny an appeal to the city’s decision to deny … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at February 15, 2022 Meeting Shall the commission: 26. Authorize the executive director to settle an insurance payment for storm damage costs at the Fairhaven Shipyard? On 2/3/2021, a storm caused extensive damage to … Continue reading
Beyond Fossil Fuels
Natural Climate Solutions: Maybe Not What You Think
by Stevan Harrell Technology can save us from climate change, or so goes the hope and hype in today’s media. Clean, smart grid, electric vehicles, all-electric buildings, green hydrogen, carbon capture and storage — if we just get off fossil … Continue reading
Conservation
State Plans to Save Trees, Reduce Carbon
by Tyler Brown The Washington Department of Natural Resources is making strides to lead the country in reducing carbon emissions and slowing global warming by setting aside public land and selling carbon credits to generate money for schools, hospitals and … Continue reading
Conservation District Election
Whatcom Conservation District 2022 Election Results
Ballots were tallied by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. The Whatcom County Voter Registration List was used for verification of voter eligibility. As of March 31, 2022, the unofficial results: Valeri Wade* 544 64.92% Write-In Votes 294 35.08% Ballots Counted … Continue reading
Full Bloom Farm
Wild Lawns, Home-Brewed Fertilizer, Overwintered Kale, Avoiding Neonics
by Elisabeth Marshall The news from the wider world is decidedly discouraging this spring, even as flowers brighten our gardens and frogs have begun their nightly song in the slough out in back of the house. Ukraine spring wheat planting … Continue reading
Salish Sea
Charting a Hopeful Course for Salish Sea
by Ken Brusic Second of two parts Ginny Broadhurst has a superpower. “My friends and I have a funny conversation sometimes about what’s your superpower,” she said. Her son, Ethan, maintains that a superpower is akin to what one percent … Continue reading
Salish Sea
Salish Sea Facts • Shoreline length, including mainland and island shores: 5,850 miles • Number of islands: about 400 • Estuarine waters: 6,874 miles • Watersheds: about 45 • Watershed land area: 124,000 miles • Fraser River freshwater contribution: 50 percent • Strait of Georgia surface area: … Continue reading
Salish Sea
The “State of the Salish Sea” concluded with a Call to Action. Its three authors — Ginny Broadhurst, Natalie Baloy and Kathryn Sobocinski — called for strategic planning, systematic changes in governance, large-scale investment, and significant shifts in our economic … Continue reading
Salish Sea
Reports Show Declining Quality
Three recent reports examine the health of parts or all of the Salish Sea. • “State of the Salish Sea,” May 25, 2021 — Report by the Salish Sea Institute of Western Washington University examines the most pervasive and damaging impacts … Continue reading
Talk to Us
Whatcom Watch Celebrates 30 Years
by Whatcom Watch Staff Whatcom Watch, a grassroots environmental newspaper in Bellingham, celebrates its 30th year of publication. It is the result of many hours of dedicated volunteer labor each month. The papers are distributed to over 50 locations countywide, … Continue reading
Water
About Lake Whatcom Lake Whatcom is the primary drinking water source for about 100,000 residents of Whatcom County (see map on page 6). The lake is comprised of three sub-basins from which water samples are collected in October through December, … Continue reading