The Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District’s mission is to reduce stormwater impacts, enhance water quality and improve habitat. In 2025, BBWARM staff and collaborators made substantial progress in achieving these goals.
In Birch Bay, drainage and water quality problems exist where stormwater infrastructure is undersized, deteriorating or non-existent. Our program develops capital improvement projects to address these issues and significant progress was made in design and permitting this year. Construction of three stormwater capital improvement projects is anticipated in 2026 (pending FEMA funding and local permit issuance): Charel Terrace stormwater outfall repair, Semiahmoo Drive South and outfall improvements, and Lora Lane drainage and tide gate modifications.
BBWARM had another successful year of community engagement, connecting with hundreds of residents at events like the July 5th beach cleanup and the 13th annual Run with the Chums 5K Fun Run.
For the fourth consecutive year, BBWARM provided support to homeowners wishing to convert their lawns to native plant landscapes, free of charge, through the Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program (NNLP). Over the past four years, 32 Birch Bay property owners have participated in the program, installing over 4,300 plants and 900 cubic yards of mulch on their properties. Native landscaping fosters biodiversity and wildlife habitat and reduces stormwater impacts.
Want to participate? Add your name to the interest list for 2026 online at whatcomcounty.us/NNLP.
BBWARM has a five-member citizen advisory committee that represents local community interests and provides recommendations to Whatcom County Council and staff on BBWARM projects, work plans and priorities. Meetings are scheduled quarterly and are open to the public.
These programs and more are funded by a service charge paid by owners of developed properties in the BBWARM District.
For more information or to sign up for our quarterly e-newsletter, please visit our website at bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org or contact the Whatcom County Stormwater Division at 360/778-6230 or waterresources@co.whatcom.wa.us.
Thank you for your support of these valuable programs.
