Whatcom County wants to raze small river town

MARIETTA – Once a thriving fishing community, this small town has changed along with the river that provided for it.

On Marine Drive just a few miles northwest of Bellingham, Marietta is a stark contrast to much of fast-growing Whatcom County. A spray-painted real estate sign in front of a rotting home warns “No Yuppies!” The town lost its 98268 ZIP code, and its combination grocery store, gas station and post office has long been shuttered.

And now the town itself may be lost forever.

With the Nooksack River and storm water often rushing through Marietta’s streets, the county has plans to buy out the flood-prone town. By razing more than 20 homes and abandoned buildings, officials would return the area to a flood plain.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

But the residents who have carved out a home here see Marietta differently, as a chance to have their own tight-knit community. And with some of the lowest property values in the county, the town represents their only chance to own a home.

“I’m not selling my house,” said Paul Ridley, a Marietta resident and a Vietnam veteran. “They don’t have the money to buy me out.”

The county’s plan, outlined at a County Council committee meeting in February, would involve a long-term buyout plan for the area. The town’s dike, which is filled with unknown material, allows water to ooze through the soil. Coupled with storm water coming over roadways during hard rains, Marietta quickly can flood.

The cost of improving Marietta’s levee is estimated at $984,000. County officials predict buying out and demolishing the 122-year-old town would cost $852,000 – a higher benefit for the county’s cost, which could open the project to federal grant money.

Paula Cooper, the county’s river and flood manager, summed up the options for the council during the meeting: “Rebuilding the levee is going to be too expensive.”

News of a potential buyout shocked 24-year-old April White. She and her husband, Ken, have spent the last four years remodeling their home.

“Ten grand for a two-bedroom house,” she said. “Where else am I going to find it for that much other than on two wheels or in a trailer park?”

White, whose 2-year-old son, Kenny, drowned in the Nooksack River a year ago, said her neighbors rallied around the family during their tragedy.

“I’d rather not live anywhere else than here,” she said. “The support I have in the community is more than I’d get anywhere else.”

Ridley agrees.

“We’re not giving up our homes,” he said. “Where else am I going to live with all of my family?”

Ridley’s brick and mortar home abuts the leaking dike, its sandbag-lined top in his back yard. Going through reams of papers outlining past cleanup efforts by residents of Marietta, he rattled off a list from memory: 500,000 pounds of trash and garbage removed, 237 abandoned vehicles taken away and 14,000 pounds of appliances disposed of.

Though receiving help from the county during cleanups and for mowing along drainage areas, Ridley said the county’s public works department has yet to help improve the leaking dike, despite repeated telephone calls and faxes.

“We can’t play by their rules; they don’t give us the means,” he said. “They’ve turned deaf ears to our requests to maintain the dike.”

A buyout also could shortchange residents. Property owners would receive a “fair market value” for their homes as determined by an independent appraiser. However, with property values lower in Marietta than other parts of the county, it would be difficult for residents to buy land elsewhere.

Though the county’s public works department presented the plan during a public meeting, none of Marietta’s residents were invited to attend. Most found out about the plan only after being contacted by a reporter.

After receiving a barrage of telephone calls over the proposed buyout from Marietta residents, Cooper said no firm decisions have been made on how to approach the Marietta situation.

“We’re still trying to figure out what to do with that area over all,” she said. “It’s a difficult problem area.”

County Councilwoman Barbara Brenner, who represents Marietta, had the impression the public works department already had contacted residents about the proposed buyout.

“When we have public meetings, we believe people who have requested to be involved should be involved,” she said. “To not invite them personally … it may be legal, but it’s not very ethical.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction faces a lawsuit from a former employee alleging wrongful termination. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)
Ex-Washington state worker claims she was fired over school board vote on trans athletes

Darby Kaikkonen has sued the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Superintendent Chris Reykdal, alleging retaliation and wrongful termination.

Traffic moves north and south along I-5 through Everett on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County saw increase in traffic deaths in 2024

Even though fatalities fell statewide, 64 people died in Snohomish County traffic incidents in 2024, the most in nine years.

Some SnoCo stores see shortages after cyberattack on grocery supplier

Some stores, such as Whole Foods and US Foods CHEF’STORE, informed customers that some items may be temporarily unavailable.

A rainbow LGBTQ+ pride flag hanging from a flag pole outside of Lynnwood City Hall moves in the wind on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood to develop policy after pride flag controversy

Earlier this month, the city denied a group’s request to raise an LGBTQ+ pride flag at a public park, citing the lack of a clear policy.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Washington governor wants agencies to look for deeper cuts

The state’s financial turmoil hasn’t subsided. It may get worse when a new revenue forecast comes out this month.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.