Water Resources Advisory Board

Water Resources Advisory Board — September 22, 2026

A regular meeting of the Water Resources Advisory Board was held in person (with some members and staff participating virtually) at the Pacific Street Operations facility. All seven members were present or virtually present; one member was excused. No public comment was received.

Approval of July 28, 2026 Meeting Minutes

The board approved the minutes from its previous meeting with one noted correction: any reference to "commissioner" in the prior minutes should be changed to "board member," reflecting the correct title for board participants.

Vote: Unanimously approved.

Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program Update

City staff member Mike Parelskin presented an update on the Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program, which is an ongoing City effort to purchase and protect land within the Lake Whatcom watershed. The lake serves as Bellingham's primary drinking water source, and acquiring undeveloped land around it is a key strategy for reducing pollution and protecting water quality over the long term. Board members asked questions of staff following the presentation. The minutes do not detail the specific content of the update or the questions raised, so the particulars of program progress or any new acquisitions discussed are not captured here.

*Note: This item was informational; no vote was taken.*

Lake Whatcom Climate Vulnerability Assessment Discussion

City staff member Morgan Ruff presented a discussion on a Climate Vulnerability Assessment related to Lake Whatcom. This type of assessment typically examines how changing climate conditions — such as altered precipitation patterns, increased temperatures, or more frequent drought and wildfire events — may affect the lake's water quality and long-term reliability as a drinking water source. Board members engaged in questions and discussion with staff following the presentation. As with the previous item, the minutes do not record the specific findings or recommendations discussed.

*Note: This item was informational and exploratory; no vote was taken.*

Announcements

Staff member Yohann Misquitta noted two upcoming matters: three board members' terms will expire in January 2027, signaling that recruitment or reappointment processes will need to occur in the coming months; and board members will receive Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) compliance training materials from staff member Jennifer Hamilton.

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.

Key Takeaways