Bellingham secures 754 acres to protect Lake Whatcom watershed

The City of Bellingham has finalized its largest land acquisition to date by purchasing 754 acres of forest in the Lake Whatcom watershed for $3.65 million, a move aimed at safeguarding the drinking water source for over 100,000 residents. The Bellingham City Council approved the purchase on January 27, with funding sourced from watershed fees on utility bills. Mayor Kim Lund emphasized the importance of this acquisition in enhancing environmental health, wildlife habitat, and community resilience against climate change impacts. The land, acquired from Nielsen Brothers Inc., will not be developed or logged but will be managed to improve forest health. This purchase is part of a broader initiative, which has seen over 3,500 acres protected since the program's inception in 2001. The deal, which is set to close on February 14, is viewed as a significant step forward for the community and the watershed's ecosystem.