Whatcom County updates Stuart Mountain community forest and Lake Whatcom management planning

At the start of the May 12 meeting the task force received brief updates on two county forest efforts: Stuart Mountain and the Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan.

A task force member reported the county is working toward a recommendation that will address ownership framework and use of a $5,500,000 Department of Ecology stream flow restoration grant tied to the Stuart Mountain community forest. The speaker said Whatcom Land Trust owns Stuart Mountain Phase 1 and that conversations are underway about cultural and public access on the proposed community forest area.

Separately, the county reported it held a large partner and stakeholder meeting to kick off the Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan process; that kickoff included tribal representatives (a participant named Frank Bob was present), city and county staff, Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer, and consultants. A public-facing meeting was held at Silver Beach Elementary School and the Northwest Natural Resource Group is the consultant supporting city and county work on the Lake Whatcom plan; additional public engagement events are planned.

What was said and next steps

The Stuart Mountain update noted ongoing county-level discussions about a recommended ownership framework and referenced the Department of Ecology stream flow restoration grant. The Lake Whatcom update said the consultant will conduct additional public engagement sessions and continue to consolidate input from tribes, city, county and other stakeholders.

These items were presented as updates; no formal decisions were recorded in the meeting minutes on either topic.