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Whatcom 2031
Contact Us

Director:
J.E. “Sam” Ryan, CBO

5280 Northwest Drive
Bellingham, Washington 98226
Telephone: (360) 676-6907
E-mail: pds@co.whatcom.wa.us

Purpose

Some of the watersheds of Whatcom County are protected through special districts. These special districts are overlay zones that impose regulatory controls that are designed to preserve and protect the unique character and long-term viability of the specific geographic areas that they have been applied to. These overlay zones are found in Title 20 of Whatcom County Code.

The overlay zones include Stormwater Special Districts, Water Resource Special Management Areas, and the Water Resource Protection Overlay District. Watersheds that are included vary by overlay zone, but at least one zone applies in Lake Whatcom, Lake Padden, Lake Samish, Birch Bay, and Drayton Harbor Watersheds.

What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that contains a common network of interrelated components including wetlands, lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, floodplains, etc. that work together to move water and sediments through the landscape. Watersheds generally drain into a single body of water such as a lake, river, or an ocean.

How do I know if my parcel is located in a Watershed Special District?
Bring your 12-digit tax identification number (parcel number) to the Planning and Development Services permit counter and a Watersheds Planner will help you find out.

Background
In 1996, the Lake Whatcom and Drayton Harbor watersheds were first designated as Water Resource Special Management Areas to establish more stringent standards for clearing activity due to their status of a highly valued water resource area. Since then, the Lake Samish, Lake Padden, and Birch Bay watersheds have been added for protection, and Whatcom County has also developed regulations to deal with stormwater and impervious surfaces as well. The Stormwater Special District requires permanent on-site quality and quantity facilities for projects on new lots less than five acres in size, and the Watershed Protection Overlay District provides impervious surface limitations on new development. All three of these regulations are intended to protect water quality through land use controls in designated sensitive watersheds.

In 2001, a designated Watershed Planner was hired to administer these regulations. The team currently has 3 full-time designated Watershed Planners. The administration and enforcement of these regulations happens through both in-office review of land use permits, as well as daily on-site inspections and site monitoring throughout each regulated watershed.