New map promoting boating features local access points

This spring, the Port of Bellingham released a promotional map to water access points along Whatcom County’s marine shoreline and freshwater lakes.

The Whatcom Water Trail map aims to promote the region as a water sports destination and is the first step in a longer process. The Port of Bellingham and its partners plan to continue engaging the public and working with local landowners to identify key locations and prioritize improvements for safety and access. River access will be included in a future version.

Local access points on the map include Semiahmoo Resort, the public boat launch at Blaine Harbor, Dakota Creek Kayak Launch Park and Birch Bay State Park.

Gina Stark, project manager with the Port of Bellingham’s Regional Economic Partnership, led the project with help from Recreation Northwest, Kristi Kucera of Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures and local public land agencies.

“This has been an amazing cross-agency collaboration, working with city of Bellingham parks, city of Blaine, Whatcom County parks, Washington State Parks, DNR and Lummi Nation,” Stark said.

With the pandemic, the Port of Bellingham is focused on economic development and other issues, but plans to update the map in the future, Stark said.