Whatcom County MRC Projects - Nearshore Habitat

The nearshore zone is defined as the area starting from the uppermost part of the adjacent shoreline extending into the water where sunlight penetrates.  The Whatcom MRC considers the nearshore to be of great importance, as it serves as habitat for shellfish, bottomfish, forage fish, salmon, marine birds, and many other unique plants and animals.  The nearshore also serves as an area for humans to interact with and enjoy the marine environment.  Consequently, this important habitat is often subject to detrimental impacts.  The MRC has lead and partnered in nearshore projects throughout the County.  Below are details from prior and ongoing projects. 

Cliffside Beach Wood Debris Removal Project – Phase 1 (2007)
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Survey (2005)
Marine Creosote Piling Remediation Project (2002)
Forage Fish Habitat Assessment (2003)

Chuckanut Village Marsh Restoration Project - Phase 1 and 2

The Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee has partnered with the City of Bellingham to evaluate possible restorative actions to the nearshore environment near the Chuckanut Village Marsh.  A first step in this project was to characterize the wetland at the head of the bay.  This characterization was prepared by Northwest Ecological Services, LLC, Coastal Geological Services, Inc., and Fairbanks Environmental Services, Inc., and includes an analysis of current conditions of the wetland and recommendations for restoration based on the collected data.  The goals of this restoration project include enhancing the hydrologic connectivity between backshore wetland and the marine environment, and the removal of a potential pollution source into the marine environment. 

The MRC and City of Bellingham are currently in the process of finalizing plans for restoration of the wetland, including removal and re-vegetation of graveled areas, installation of a public access bridge or trail, and removal of a culvert to increase hydrologic connectivity.  Phase 2, including final restoration design development and permitting is in process, led by the City of Bellingham.  For details on Phase 2 design and implementation, see the City's website www.cob.org.  Wetland Characterization: Chuckanut Village Marsh Report (June 2008) (PDF), Appendix B (Figures) (PDF), Appendix C (Wetland Rating data sheets) (PDF), Appendix E (Photos) (PDF), Appendix H (Historic Photos) (PDF).  

Cliffside Beach Wood Debris Removal Project 

The Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee partnered with the Department of Ecology, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Puget Sound Action Team to evaluate wood debris at Cliffside Beach in Bellingham, WA. Phase 1 of the project consisted of an assessment and feasibility study  conducted by Anchor Environmental, L.L.C. and Coastal Geologic Services, Inc. Removal of wood debris in this area has been targeted as a potential nearshore restoration project to enhance the natural habitat and processes necessary to support native marine and upland vegetation, benthic organisms, and shoreline wildlife.  The Department of Ecology is currently in the process of conducting a pilot study to evaluate removal methods for the wood debris.  For information on this phase of the project, contact the Bellingham office of the Department of Ecology at (360) 738-6250.  Phase I Final Report (2007) (PDF), Appendixes A-C(PDF), Appendixes D & E(PDF)

The Phase 1 report identified development of a baseline monitoring program as an important step in the Cliffside Beach project.  The MRC contracted with Western Washington University faculty and students to design and implement a study looking at baseline physical and biological characteristics of the beach. The goal of this project is to have a baseline from which to identify any ecological changes that may occur to the benthic community once the wood debris has been removed.  It is anticipated that the study may be replicated seasonally or annually as the removal project continues.  Cliffside Beach Sampling Plan (Bingham 2009) (PDF)  

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Survey

Submerged aquatic vegetation is used as an indicator of estuary health throughout the world because it responds to many natural and human caused environmental variables. Changes in abundance or distribution of this resource are likely to affect other species that depend on this habitat. For example, SAV function as rearing and refuge habitat for juvenile salmon during their smoltification phase. In addition, Pacific herring use eelgrass beds and macroalgae in Whatcom County for spawning. Larval herring, surf smelt, and sand lance, as well as invertebrate organisms that are prey items for juvenile salmon, also use this habitat. As a part of local efforts to collect baseline information and prioritize nearshore restoration and conservation projects, the MRC surveyed SAV from the north end of the Lummi Reservation to Point Whitehorn. (Specific Project Details)

Marine Creosote Log Remediation Project

Creosoted pilings and remnants from piling projects are a continuous source of pollution to marine beaches, with damaging environmental impacts, especially to forage fish spawning areas high on the intertidal zone. Some of these abandoned pilings work their way out of the sediments and wash up on the beaches as "rogue" logs. Many of these rogue logs remain on the beaches, leaching a chemical soup that includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for years, poisoning valuable beach habitat and biota important to the salmon food chain. The Whatcom MRC partnered with the City of Bellingham to inventory and remove rogue creosote logs from Whatcom County shorelines. (Specific Project Details)

Forage Fish Habitat Assessment

The Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee took part in a multi-county forage fish habitat inventory. The MRC recruited, trained, and coordinated volunteers to assist Washington State Department of Fish And Wildlife (WDFW) biologists with field surveys of Whatcom County shorelines. Gary Wood of the Island County MRC is the multi-county project coordinator for the Northwest Straits Forage Fish Assessments. The assessments were conducted by a team of WDFW biologists, led by Dan Pentilla. The habitat inventory is also being conducted in Skagit, Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Jefferson, and Clallam counties. (Specific Project Details)