Annual Program Review

Today’s Objectives Demonstrate scope and progress of LWMP work Review problem, causes and solutions Recognize significance of community Affirm the difficult decisions close at hand

A Brief History of Lake Whatcom Management A working watershed – the first 150 years Contemporary timeline – 1992 to 2007 Accomplishments – 2008

 First efforts to cooperatively manage watershed  First stormwater retrofit project  Lake Whatcom declared a sensitive water body, Interlocal Agreement for joint management formalizes Lake Whatcom Management Program (LWMP)  Impervious surface limited for new construction  Nutrient control required for large developments  Stormwater retention and treatment required for new construction and renovation  First 5-year Management Plan is adopted  Created Silver Beach Ordinance and Watershed/Stormwater Overlays The 1990’s

 Placed moratorium on land divisions smaller than five acres  Permanently restricted building on over 1,200 lots in Sudden Valley  1,400 potential dwelling units eliminated by downzone  Clearing standards adopted for unincorporated areas  Initiated TDR program moving 100 development  Adopted second LWMP 5-Year Management Plan  Banned 2-cycle boat motors  P-fertilizer banned on residential lawns and public properties  Invested in capital improvements to reduce pollutant loads  Infiltration required for new construction and redevel0pment The 21 st Century

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2008 Purchased three watershed properties from development Pursued re-conveyance of over 8,000 acres of forest land Finalized Agate Bay Preserve conservation easement Implemented City and County Stormwater Plans Coordinated a watershed build-out analysis and developed a consistent methodology for future analysis Coordinated household hazardous waste collection resulting in over 11 tons of toxics removed

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2008 Collected and presented monitoring data Chronicled land-use regulations that improve water quality Implemented new septic system maintenance regulations Surveyed illicit discharges Responded to Total Maximum Daily Load Technical Report Completed Northridge retrofit and Northshore Drive project Established/extended moratoria on subdivisions and building Initiated pilot projects on P-Best Management Practices

Turning Plans into Action Cable Street Vault InstallationRetention Pit Installation in Sudden Valley

Northridge sand filter / detention pond Turning Plans into Action

North Shore Drive pervious bike lane Cable Street infiltration swale City/County Capital Expenditures: $5M over last six years $9M next six years Cost of Stormwater Infrastructure

Problems Causes Solutions Success

The Problems phosphorus, algal blooms, dissolved oxygen, bacteria, metals, petroleum products, dissolved solids & amount and timing of runoff

The Causes animal waste, failing septics, yard waste, P-fertilizer, detergents, erosion, improper land- disturbance, atmospheric deposition, impervious surfaces, inadequate facilities…

The Solutions  stormwater management plans  LWMP Annual Work Plan  TMDL Implementation Plan land-use compliance targeted land acquisition incentive programs outreach, outreach, outreach

TMDL: What is it and what does it mean? Department of Ecology determined that Lake Whatcom suffers from chronically low dissolved oxygen and elevated fecal coliform bacteria. Total Maximum Daily Load are the amounts of P and FC that the lake can receive and still meet water quality standards. An implementation plan must be prepared, approved and acted on. Insufficient action means non-compliance with State permits, fines and exposure to litigation.

What is success? Removing pollutant sources AND appropriately converting storm water conveyance to infiltration. A cleaner and more predictable water supply healthy ecosystems

Success is convincing people that things must change in order that our expectations for future quality of life can remain the same…

Management Tools 1: Source Reduction  P-Fertilizer use (P)  Animal waste (P, FC)  Yard waste/compost (P)  Cleaning products (P)  Failing Septics (P, FC)  Stream bank stabilization (P)  Shoreline management (P, FC)  Exposed soil (P)

Management Tools 2a: Stormwater Management For the Homeowner and Developer: Residential LID options Homeowner retrofit programs Incentives Outreach, outreach, outreach

Management Tools 2b: North Shore Drive Pervious Bike Lane Cable Street Bio-infiltration Swale Stormwater Infrastructure

Management Tools 3 People Governments can build infrastructure and create incentives, but ultimately the effort MUST HAVE COMMUNITY BUY IN  Conduct targeted outreach  Empower community champions  Provide technical assistance  Develop incentives

Executive Management Team  City Council  County Council  Water & Sewer District Commissioners ICT & Staff Teams OSS inspection Water Supply Waste Water Solid Waste Lake Whatcom website Pledge Program Stewardship Incentives Sudden Valley education & outreach COB Stormwater Plan WC Stormwater Plan LID Programs Watershed Enforcement Permit Review Development Tracking Transportation Planning WC & State Health, WC PW, COB PW, DOE, WWU Development Rights Programs City Acquisition Program) Reconveyance Utilities and Waste Management Land Preservation Stormwater Management Urbanization & Land Development Data Mgmt Community Outreach Transportation Urbanization/Development Team Enforcement Team Data Management Team Stormwater Team Transportation Team Education Team

2009 LWMP WORK PLAN 1)Prepare TMDL Implementation Plan 2)Implement stormwater plans 3)Advance programmatic efforts 4)Secure funding New LWMP 5-yr Management Plan will be developed in It will reflect early actions of TMDL response plan.

Work Plan Additions 2009 Silver Beach Creek Phosphorus Reduction Pilot Project Interagency review of raingarden efficacy Refine Low Impact Development program Pursue animal waste management through Conservation Program on Agricultural Lands (CPAL) and outreach Refine education and community outreach strategy, techniques and messages Enhance compliance program for septic system maintenance

2009 Highlight Silver Beach Creek Pilot Project Showcase key management tools in the highest priority urban watershed Promote community acceptance of stormwater facilities and stewardship messages Demonstrate rapid, scaleable deployment of stormwater programs Stimulate public dialog about benefits of stormwater management

Project Components Bio-infiltration facility at Lahti Drive Retention pond retrofit Silver Beach Creek bank stabilization Targeted homeowner Low Impact Development (LID) and retrofit options Compliance /education program for regulated phosphorus and bacterial sources Monitor water quality improvements in Silver Beach Creek and Lake Whatcom

The Long View TMDL response will renew focus on: Stewardship changes (animal waste, car washing, composting, LID, incentives…) Existing storm water plans Land-use regulations (e.g., zoning, redevelopment, retrofits) Engineering standards (private and public construction) Capital facilities Funding Community champions Cooperation and collaboration Leadership