Cover Story
Whatcom Transportation Authority’s Unfair Fare Hikes
Time for Reform? by Preston L. Schiller On December 4, 2025, the Whatcom Transportation Authority’s (WTA) Board of Directors held an open house for public comment about its proposed steep fare hikes. Over 225 citizens attended, the vast majority of … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Beaks and Bills by Joe Meche Yes, we’re back from the islands and happy to be home. I can’t remember the precise time we decided on this trip, but the motivation to visit our granddaughter, Logan, was at the top … Continue reading
Being Frank
Forest Protections Essential for Healthy Ecosystem
Being Frank by Ed Johnstone The Washington Forest Practices Board’s decision to expand forested buffers along headwater streams is a long-needed step toward salmon recovery. As we continue to feel the effects of climate change, forested buffers along streams without … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at February 10, 2026 Meeting Shall the council: 35. Authorize the executive to sign a million contract with the Port of Bellingham to provide an EDI loan/grant for infrastructure improvements at the Fairhaven … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at February 3, 2026 Meeting Shall the commission: 15. Authorize the interim executive director to sign an agreement not to exceed ,000 with Western Washington University for economic development services? The development services will be provided by the … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at February 9, 2026 Meeting Shall the council: 12. Declare a duplex building located at 1504 and 1506 I Street as surplus? (Public hearing held.) The property will be designated for special disposition through a negotiated sale using … Continue reading
Climate
Articles You Might Have Missed
Climate Good News Around the world people are taking the initiative to mitigate climate change. Here are some good news briefs compiled and summarized by Jayne Freudenberger, climate committee chair, League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County. __________________ The Big … Continue reading
Climate
Kaylee Galloway Talks About Climate Issues
by Liam Walsh Whatcom County Councilmember Kaylee Galloway is one of the leading voices for climate action in the community. Her work includes the county’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. … Continue reading
Community Service Spotlight
Protecting Lake Whatcom in a Time of Rising Risk
Community Service Spotlight As climate pressures rise and progress stalls, People for Lake Whatcom returns to restore public oversight, scientific clarity, and shared responsibility. by Kerri Burnside and Natalie Elmore Bellingham’s identity is closely tied to Lake Whatcom. With its … Continue reading
Native Plant Neighbors
Native Plant Neighbors by Eric Worden The red alder is an invisible and hard-working tree. To explain “invisible,” I’ll start by inverting a common saying: the red alder is invisible because people often “can’t see the tree for the forest.” … Continue reading
Opinion
Public Safety and Other Fables
Opinion by Richard Kirkham Contributing Editor- Megan McAllister Editor’s Note: Richard Kirkham wrote this article while awaiting trial in the Whatcom County Interim Work Center. For more than two decades, officials in Whatcom County have been campaigning for a new … Continue reading
Salmon Streams and Tributaries
Creek Chronicles From Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
Whatcom Creek Running through central Bellingham to the heart of downtown, Whatcom Creek has a rich cultural and ecological history that showcases the importance of protecting natural resources and the effects that we can have on the environment around us. … Continue reading
Stormwater
Vanishing Science, Vanishing Fairness
Evidence of Bias in City of Blaine’s Avista SEPA Appeal by Geoffrey Baker Contributing Editors: Tina Erwin and Oliver Grah Part 1 State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) decisions are making headlines in Whatcom County from Salish Sea LNG terminals to … Continue reading
Talk to Us
Bellinghamsters Are Invited to Inventory Their Neighborhood Sidewalks Preston Schiller’s Sept-Oct. 2025 article; “Sidewalks, Missing Sidewalks, Blocked Sidewalks, No Sidewalks, and Pedestrian Danger” (1) stimulated Whatcom Watch’s stalwart Bill McCallum to do an inventory of curbs and sidewalks in his … Continue reading
Trees and Forestry
Bellingham City Council Gives Tree Protection Ordinance Another Extension
by Hope Rasa The Bellingham City Council voted during their regular meeting on Feb. 23, 2026, to extend the city’s interim Landmark Tree Ordinance through Sept. 2026. The ordinance protects “landmark trees” — trees that measure at least 36 inches … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
Twenty Years Ago Since January 2014, Whatcom Watch has been reprinting articles from issues printed 20 years ago. The below article appeared in the May 2006 issue of Whatcom Watch. One of America’s Most Contaminated Hazardous Waste Sites Editor’s Note: … Continue reading
