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Water Resources Advisory Board

Water Resources Advisory Board

Tue, July 28, 2026

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

Water Resources Advisory Board — July 28, 2026


This was a regular meeting of the Water Resources Advisory Board, held in person at Pacific Street Operations and via Zoom. The session ran from 6:00 PM to 7:38 PM and covered one action item and two informational presentations related to Lake Whatcom water quality.


Approval of Minutes


The board approved the minutes from its June 23, 2026 meeting. (Note: the agenda listed the date as 6/28/2026, but the approved minutes reflect a date of 6/23/2026.)


Vote: Moved by Rick Eggerth, seconded by Bret Beaupain. Passed unanimously.


Aquatic Invasive Species Ordinance — Amendment to Municipal Code 12.12.280


City staff member Mike Parelskin presented a resolution recommending approval of an ordinance amendment to municipal code 12.12.280. The changes would strengthen protections against aquatic invasive species in several ways: establishing a permit requirement for private boat launches, adding requirements for short-term rental properties with watercraft access, prohibiting the launching of certain watercraft from public rights-of-way, and introducing other enhanced protective measures. Board members asked questions of staff before moving to a vote.


The minutes do not detail the specific substance of the board's questions or any public comment received on this item.


Vote: Moved by John Peppel, seconded by Carl Benson. Passed unanimously.


Lake Whatcom Climate Vulnerability Assessment (Informational)


City staff member Yohann Misquitta presented an introduction to a climate vulnerability assessment for Lake Whatcom. This was an informational item; no vote was taken. The minutes do not detail the findings or scope of the assessment beyond the presentation and a question-and-answer exchange with board members.


PBOOM — Phosphorus and Bacteria Optimization Operations and Maintenance (Informational)


City staff member Eli Mackiewicz presented information on PBOOM (Phosphorus and Bacteria Optimization Operations and Maintenance) at Lake Whatcom. This ongoing program relates to water quality management in the lake. The presentation was informational, with board members asking follow-up questions of staff. No vote was taken.


Announcements


Staff noted two active public comment opportunities from the Washington State Department of Ecology:


1. A proposed NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permit for Bellingham's Post Point facility is open for public review and comment on the Ecology website.

2. The Department of Ecology is also seeking public comment on the next Phase 2 NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permit.


Residents interested in either permit process can find details and comment instructions on the Department of Ecology's website.


Key Takeaways


Aquatic invasive species protections are being strengthened: The board unanimously recommended approval of an ordinance that would require permits for private boat launches, impose new rules on short-term rentals with watercraft access, and ban launching certain watercraft from public rights-of-way — a meaningful step toward protecting Lake Whatcom from invasive species introduction.
Climate vulnerability assessment underway: The city has begun a formal assessment of how climate change may affect Lake Whatcom, though details of findings were not captured in the minutes.
PBOOM water quality work continues: Staff updated the board on ongoing phosphorus and bacteria management operations at Lake Whatcom, a key concern for the city's primary drinking water source.
Two public comment windows are open: Bellingham residents can weigh in on both the Post Point NPDES permit and the Phase 2 Municipal Stormwater Permit through the Department of Ecology's website.

AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.

What happened at this meeting

Consider approval of 6/28/2026 meeting minutes

The board considered approval of the 6/23/2026 meeting minutes (note: agenda indicated 6/28/2026). Rick Eggerth moved to approve and Bret Beaupain seconded; the motion passed unanimously with no public comment or member discussion noted.

Resolution to approve an ordinance amending municipal code 12.12.280 regarding aquatic invasive species to include private boat launch permit and requirements for short-term rentals, prohibiting the launching of certain watercraft from a public right of way, and other enhanced protections.

Mike Parelskin, city staff, presented the resolution to approve an ordinance amending municipal code 12.12.280 regarding aquatic invasive species to include private boat launch permits and short-term rental requirements. City staff responded to board member questions; John Peppel moved to approve and Carl Benson seconded, with the motion passing unanimously.

Introduction to the Lake Whatcom climate vulnerability assessment

Yohann Misquitta, city staff, presented on the Lake Whatcom climate vulnerability assessment and responded to board member questions.

Information related to PBOOM (Phospherous and Bacteria optimization operations and maintenance) at Lake Whatcom

Eli Mackiewicz, city staff, presented information on PBOOM (Phosphorous and Bacteria optimization operations and maintenance) at Lake Whatcom and responded to board member questions.

Agenda items (4)

Procedural (1)
1ProceduralConsider approval of 6/28/2026 meeting minutes
The city council will review and approve the official record of what was discussed and decided at the June 28, 2026 meeting.

What happened

The board considered approval of the 6/23/2026 meeting minutes (note: agenda indicated 6/28/2026). Rick Eggerth moved to approve and Bret Beaupain seconded; the motion passed unanimously with no public comment or member discussion noted.
General Business
2General BusinessResolution to approve an ordinance amending municipal code 12.12.280 regarding aquatic invasive species to include private boat launch permit and requirements for short-term rentals, prohibiting the launching of certain watercraft from a public right of way, and other enhanced protections.
The city is updating its rules about invasive aquatic species (like zebra mussels) to require permits and inspections for private boat launches and short-term rental properties, and to prevent certain types of boats from being launched from public areas.

What happened

Mike Parelskin, city staff, presented the resolution to approve an ordinance amending municipal code 12.12.280 regarding aquatic invasive species to include private boat launch permits and short-term rental requirements. City staff responded to board member questions; John Peppel moved to approve and Carl Benson seconded, with the motion passing unanimously.
3General BusinessIntroduction to the Lake Whatcom climate vulnerability assessment
City staff will present a study examining how climate change (rising temperatures, changing precipitation, etc.) could affect Lake Whatcom and the communities that depend on it.

What happened

Yohann Misquitta, city staff, presented on the Lake Whatcom climate vulnerability assessment and responded to board member questions.
4General BusinessInformation related to PBOOM (Phospherous and Bacteria optimization operations and maintenance) at Lake Whatcom
The city will provide an update on efforts to reduce excess phosphorus and bacteria in Lake Whatcom through improved operational and maintenance practices at the lake.

What happened

Eli Mackiewicz, city staff, presented information on PBOOM (Phosphorous and Bacteria optimization operations and maintenance) at Lake Whatcom and responded to board member questions.

Additional votes recorded in minutes

Approve 6/23/2026 meeting minutes

aye 2
Bret Beaupainaye
Rick Eggerthaye

Approve resolution on ordinance amending municipal code 12.12.280 regarding aquatic invasive species

aye 2
Carl Bensonaye
John Peppelaye

Verbatim transcript available

8 transcript segments indexed

Water Resources Advisory Board Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 6:00 PM July 28, 2026 Pacific Street Operations & Zoom Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org - Call To Order The Water Resources Advisory Board meeting was called to order by the Chair at 6:00 PM.
Approval of Minutes . Consider approval of 6/23/2026 meeting minutes Motion to approve 6/23/2026 minutes by Rick Eggerth. Seconded by Bret Beaupain. Motion passed unanimously. Public Comment 2 minutes per person / Max.
15 minutes Agenda Items . Resolution to approve an ordinance amending municipal code 12.12.280 regarding aquatic invasive species to include private boat launch permit and requirements for short-term rentals, prohibiting the launching of certain watercraft from a public right of way, and other enhanced protections.
Mike Parelskin, city staff, had discussion for resolution to approve ordinance. City staff responded to board member questions. Motion to approve resolution made by John Peppel. Seconded by Carl Benson.
Motion passed unanimously. . Introduction to the Lake Whatcom climate vulnerability assessment Yohann Misquitta, city staff, presents on Lake Whatcom climate vulnerability assessment. City staff responded to board members questions.
. Information related to PBOOM (Phospherous and Bacteria optimization operations and maintenance) at Lake Whatcom Eli Mackiewicz, city staff, presented on PBOOM. City staff responded to board members questions.
Staff Report No staff report Chair Report No chair report Announcements Department of Ecology put out a proposed NPDES, national pollution discharge elimination system permit for Post Point. If interested, you can go on the Ecology website and find out more about how to do it and what the proposed draft permit looks like.
Department of Ecology is also seeking public comment on our next NPDES phase 2 municipal stormwater permit. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM Minutes edited by both staff and Water Resources Advisory Board members.