BELLINGHAM — The Bellingham City Council has approved the purchase of more land in the Lake Whatcom watershed to help protect water quality.
Council members voted last week to spend $1.69 million to buy about 24 acres from three private owners.
City officials have worked to prevent development in the watershed, as the lake provides drinking water for about 96,000 Whatcom County residents, including all of Bellingham.
The lake is considered an “impaired” body of water by federal officials due to the oxygen-depleting phosphorous that flows into it.
Bellingham already owns about 1,285 acres of watershed property. Along with conservation easements from other land owners, about 1,449 watershed acres are considered protected.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
