Whatcom County Park, Recreation, & Open Space Plan: Draft or Daft?

"Sometimes it's easier to understand things than it is to figure them out" -Casey Stengel

'When there are two conflicting versions of the story, the wise course is to believe the one in which people appear at their worst.' --H. Allen Smith--
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Today, let's take a short break from comparing campaign rhetoric with institutional memory, and return to the subject of the 'October Surprise.'
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For those who aren't familiar with the 'ICT', it is the acronym for 'Inter-jurisdictional Coordinating Team', a small group of staff members from both City and County that meets regularly to discuss the Lake Whatcom Management Program [LWMP] and specifically those actions that are being planned and actually worked on.

Under the current LWMP, the County Executive & the Mayor assign people to this duty, most whom have been involved with Reservoir issues for some time.
That does sometimes help institutional memory.

But, ICT discussions are not open to the public, nor are elected officials -other than Exec & Mayor- welcomed.
I know this first hand from a few years ago when I tried to be included in these meetings.

Maybe, that is as it should be because of the sensitive and often controversial nature of things impacting our Reservoir.
But, it is frustrating and unnecessary to treat all these meetings as essentially 'executive privileged'.

One example, was an ICT meeting that occurred sometime in April 2006, when a Draft County Park Plan was made available for review to members of the ICT.

It turns out the ICT met with both Mike McFarland [County Parks Director] and Paul Leuthold [City Parks Director] and discussed its unfavorable evaluation of planning for more intense recreational use of the watershed.

The ICT was assured that both the Whatcom County Regional Park Plan [Lake Whatcom], and the Draft Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan were weighted towards watershed friendly activities and that a public process would accompany any proposal for building facilities or major improvements.

But, the ICT's concerns were not assuaged by these verbal assurances.

Instead, the ICT questioned why such non-compatible uses (as listed below) would even be included in the Park Plan, if they weren't going to be proposed.

That sounds like a pretty good question to me, that gets right to the heart of the matter!

Because the ICT meetings aren't public, and detailed minutes are not required, there appears to be no written record that can confirm this particular dialogue.

But, members of the ICT do recall both the questions and the responses given.

And, the ICT did develop a summary in May 2006 upon which their comments were based.

Essentially the ICT's comments were lumped in two categories:

1) Proposals the ICT felt should be removed from the Park Plan because they were not compatible with transportation objectives

2) Proposals that increased build-out, stormwater generation, erosion potential, and other high impact land use.

For example park facilities (day lodge probably similar to Samish Park) at the end of North Shore that will become an attraction and increase transportation.

Or, the RV Park option at the South end of Basin 3.

Or, 6 more boat launch ramps

Or, encouragement of retail activities on the lake.

The ICT concluded these are all great ideas for a lake that is primarily a recreation facility.

Anyone would love to have trails and water based facilities for kayaks and canoes, and trails to hike that connect with regional trails.

But someday, we will need to declare that drinking water protection is a much more important undertaking!

And, how well we succeed at achieving that primary goal will determine the future of our community!

The basic irony is that if such a Park does get built and enjoys great success, that very success will also create even bigger challenges as peoople flock here to play in our Water Supply watershed!

These serious concerns remain unacknowledged by the County, in its haste to gain an election Surprise.

Now that is truly troubling!

But, in fairness, I don't believe the County Council has been given the opportunity to review all of this information, especially the part about the Lake Whatcom Regional Park.

The last I heard was that the County Council was briefed early this year, but that briefing did not include the proposed Lake Whatcom Park.

Yet, the information that was shown to me last month at Conservation Northwest seemed far in excess of what the Council has seen
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Here is the ICT summary of these two documents that was used to frame its questions.

I am publishing this for readers to review, digest and question:

(1) Whatcom County Regional Park Plans

Property Descriptions

Lake Whatcom County Park – North: 218.0 acre park property located on the northeast shoreline of Lake Whatcom and accessed from North Shore Drive. The park’s site includes 10,990 linear feet of shoreline along the route of the historic Bellingham Bay & Eastern Railroad (BB&E) right-of-way (3.0 mile Hertz Trail)

Lake Whatcom County Park – South: Undeveloped 80.3 (or 79.5) acre multi-use park property located on the southeast shoreline of Lake Whatcom accessed from South Bay Drive. The site includes 6,141 (or 7,142) linear feet of shoreline.

Lake Whatcom South – In association with Bellingham, acquire the missing trail segment along the historic BB&E railroad corridor to complete development of the railroad corridor trail conversion around the lake and provide launch sites to the lake shoreline from Blue Canyon Road.

Lake Whatcom North – Bellingham: In association with Bellingham, develop boat ramp, hand-carry launch sites, beachfront swimming and access sites, woodland and waterfront access trails, trailhead for railroad trail, group picnic facilities, and lodge with meeting facilities on North Shore Drive.

Lake Whatcom South – Sudden Valley: Develop swimming beach, boat ramp and dock, swimming beach and access site, woodland and waterfront access trails, trailhead for lakeshore trail, group picnic facilities, , and lodge with meeting facilities off South Bay Drive. Develop a satellite hand-carry launch and campsite on southeast of shoreline.

1) Whatcom County Regional Park Plans in the Lake Whatcom Watershed (implemented over next 20 years, conceptual, further study may modify project particulars)

Lake Whatcom County Park – North
Possible Improvements

South End
- Develop boat launch ramps, dock, and pier into Lake Whatcom shoreline to support a water trail on the Lake
- Develop a swimming beach, picnic area, and group day-use of the waterfront activity area. Recruit concessionaires to provide canoe and kayak, crew and other hand-carry watercraft use of the shoreline and lake.
- Expand trailhead to provide parking for boat launch facilities, the waterfront beach, and an expanded use of trail opportunities along the shoreline and across Stewart Mountain from the park site

Northeast End
- Develop hike, bike, and horse trails from the park site north and south along the Stewart Mountain on ridgelines to connect with the Wickersham Truck Trail and others

Middle Site
- Eventually, develop rustic cabins, recreational vehicle campground, and possible a lodge facility with meeting rooms, educational exhibits and other family and large group retreat activities

Trail Corridor
- Acquire the last mile from DNR and develop Hertz Trail for multipurpose use along the shoreline from the park site south to Blue Canyon Road. Install interpretive signage and exhibits highlighting the trail’s historic heritage
- Develop water-access sites for a water trail along the shoreline from the park site south to Lake Whatcom County Park – South. Install anchoring buoys, landing platforms, and other improvements to support shared access to trailside picnic tables and shelters, local trails and other activity areas.

Lake Whatcom County Park – South (Hegg Park, Zorbrist and Richards property)
Possible Improvements

Southwest End
- Restore and enhance Brannian Creek through the site and into Lake Whatcom. Conserve the woodlands and wetlands in the south portion of the site along the creek corridor and along South Bay Road.
- Develop boat launch ramps, dock and pier into the Lake Whatcom shoreline to support water trails on the lake.
- Develop a swimming beach, picnic area, and group day-use of the waterfront activity area. Recruit concessionaires to provide canoe and kayak, crew and other hand-carry watercraft use of the shoreline and lake.
- Eventually, develop rustic cabins, recreational vehicle campground, and possible a lodge facility with meeting rooms, educational exhibits and other family and large group retreat activities
- Develop a trailhead to provide parking for boat launch facilities, the waterfront beach, and access to trail opportunities along the shoreline.

Hertz Trail
- Develop a multipurpose trail through the park and along the shoreline and north on Blue Canyon Road to Hertz Trail and north along the lake shoreline to Lake Whatcom County Park – North

Camp Road 2
- Develop a trail access across South Bay Road to Camp 2 Railroad Property, then south on a multipurpose trail towards Squires Lake and Anderson Mountain in Skagit County
Southeast End
- Develop a water-access site for a water trail along the shoreline from the park site north to Lake Whatcom County Park – North. Install anchoring buoys, landing platforms, and other improvements to support shared access to trailside picnic table and shelters, local trials and other activity areas. Consider designating a portion of the site for water trail overnight camping for hand-carry watercraft.

Olsen Property (City/County jointly owned with WLT conservation easement)

Possible Improvements
- Designate a trailhead parking areas on Lake Louise Road and link trail access to and through the site with other trail opportunities on Lookout Mountain.

Stimpson Family Nature Reserve & Anderson Property (Anderson Property = City/County jointly owned with WLT conservation easement; Stimpson Family Nature Reserve = DNR, COB, WLT, managed by WC)

Possible Improvements
- Expand the trailhead parking area on Lake Louise Road and link trail access east and west to and throughout the site with other trial opportunities on Lookout Mountain
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2) Draft Whatcom County, Washington Park, Recreation, & Open Space Plan

Section 2.4: Trail and Corridor Access Systems
Water trails – non-motorized craft
b. Develop freshwater trail network of hand-carry or car-top craft including launch sites for canoes, kayaks, and lorries…on Lake Whatcom
d. Develop and operate canoe, kayak, crew, and other non-motorized craft instruction, rental, and storage facilities…including Lake Whatcom

Section 2.5 Resource Parks
Waterfront access and facilities
b. Develop a mixture of salt and freshwater non-motorized and powerboat access opportunities - especially including additional sites and improvement to existing properties in…Lake Whatcom.

Picnicking and day-use activities
a. Acquire and develop additional countywide picnic sites, shelters, and day-use group picnic grounds and camps at major resource parks and along major off-road trail corridors throughout Whatcom County – especially including sties on…Lake Whatcom

Campgrounds and retreats
a. Acquire and develop a countywide system of tent, recreational vehicle, yurt, cabin, lodge and treat facilities at major resource parks and along major off-road trail corridors throughout Whatcom County – especially including sties on…Lake Whatcom

Section 3.1 Conservancies – natural resource areas
Freshwater shoreline and water bodies – existing
5 Lake Whatcom County Park – North
6 Lake Whatcom County Park – South

Freshwater shoreline and water bodies - Proposed
17 Lake Whatcom South – In association with Bellingham – acquire the missing trail segment along the railroad corridor and preserve the shoreline around the lake.

Regional watershed sites - existing
1 & 3 = same, counted twice

Regional watershed sites – proposed
6 Stewart Mountain Acquire additional watershed conservancy land on Stewart Mountain to protect the east shore and drainage into Lake Whatcom

Forestlands – existing
5 Stimpson Family Nature Reserve and Anderson Property – includes Lake Louise NRCA
6 Lookout Mountain - Undeveloped park property located on the south of Birch Street adjoining City of Bellingham property

Wildlife and other multipurpose resource conservancies - existing
2 Euclid Property (Lakeside Street)

Section 3.2 Conservancies – historical
Native American places of significance – existing
2 Lake Whatcom County Park – South (the description of the site differs from others)

Railroad era sites of significance – existing
4 Lake Whatcom County Park – North

Section 3.3 Regional (multi-use parks)
Freshwater waterfront access sites – existing
6 Lake Whatcom County Park – North
7 Lake Whatcom County Park – South (description off)
19 Lake Whatcom Beach Site (DNR, listed under city?)
24 Bloedel Donovan Park
39 Lakewood (WWU)
41 Lakewood Lease (WWU)
44 Blue Canyon Park Road (DNR)
55 Lake Whatcom Access (DFW)

Freshwater waterfront access sites – proposed
66 Lake Whatcom South – acquire missing trail segment along the railroad corridor and provide access to the lake shoreline

Hand-carry craft launch sites – freshwater – existing
5 Lake Whatcom County Park – North
6 Lake Whatcom County Park – South
10 Sunnyside Landing 6.2 acres park site located on the east shore of North Shore Drive with shoreline on Lake Whatcom and launch site opportunity
16 Connecticut Street end (COB)
17 Donald Ave Street end (COB)
18 Euclid Park
20 Lake Whatcom Beach Site (DNR, listed under city)
21 Bloedel Donovan Park (COB)
24 Lakewood (WWU)
25 Blue Canyon Park Road (DNR)
33 Lake Whatcom Access (DFW)

Hand-carry craft launch sites – freshwater – proposed
35 Lake Whatcom South – In association with Bellingham, acquire the missing link along the railroad corridor and provide launch sites to the lake shoreline from Blue Canyon Road
40 Bloedel Donovan (COB)
41 Euclid Park (COB)

Powerboat launch ramps – freshwater – existing
4 Bloedel Donovan Park (COB)
8 Whatcom Lake Access (DFW)

Powerboat launch ramps – freshwater – proposed
14 Lake Whatcom North – Bellingham – Develop a non-motorized boat ramp on North Shore Drive (Why is this in the powerboat launch ramps section?)
15 Lake Whatcom South – Sudden Valley – Develop swimming beach, boat launch ramp and dock on South Bay Drive. Develop a satellite hand-carry launch and campsite on the southeast shoreline.

Day-use facilities - existing
8 Bloedel Donovan Park (COB)

Day-use facilities – proposed
20 Lake Whatcom North – Bellingham – In association with Bellingham, develop group picnic facilities and lodge with meeting facilities on North Shore Drive.
21 Lake Whatcom South – Sudden Valley – Develop group picnic facilities and lodge with meeting rooms on South Bay Drive. Develop a satellite hand-carry launch and campsite on the southeast shoreline.

Campground facilities –existing
14 Wildwood – Sudden Valley Resort – Recreational Vehicle campground located on Lake Whatcom

Campground facilities – proposed
21 Lake Whatcom North – Bellingham – In association with Bellingham, develop boat ramp, hand-carry launch sites, beachfront swimming and access site, woodland and waterfront access trails, trailhead for railroad trail, group picnic facilities, and lodge with meeting facilities on North Shore Drive.
22 Lake Whatcom South – Sudden Valley – Develop swimming beach, boat ramp and dock, swimming beach and access site, woodland and waterfront access trails, trailhead for lakeshore trail, group picnic facilities, and lodge with meeting facilities on South Bay Drive. Develop a satellite hand-carry launch and campsite on the southeast shoreline.

Section 3.4 Water Trails
Freshwater Trail Heads – Lake Whatcom - existing
3 Bloedel Donovan Park (COB)
4 Lakewood (WWU)

Freshwater Trail Heads – Lake Whatcom – proposed trailhead improvements
1 Lake Whatcom County Park – North – Develop boat launch ramps, pier, and dock with kayak and canoe facility and rentals to access the west shoreline.
2 Lake Whatcom County Park – South – Develop boat launch ramps, pier and dock with kayak and canoe facility and rentals to access the south shoreline. Consider developing a satellite boat camping site on the southeast corner of the property away from other park activities.

Freshwater trail access sites – existing
5 Sunnyside Landing
6 Connecticut Street end (COB)
7 Donald Ave Street end (COB)
8 Euclid Park (COB)
9 George Street end (COB)
10 Lake Whatcom Beach Site (DNR, listed as city)
11 Blue Canyon Park Road (DNR)
12 Lake Whatcom Access (DFW)
13 Wildwood – Sudden Valley Resort (Private)

Freshwater trail access site – proposed
14 Lake Whatcom South – In association with Bellingham – acquire missing the missing link along the railroad corridor and provide additional launch sites to the lake shoreline from Blue Canyon Road
15 Blue Canyon Park Road (DNR) – Develop additional launch sites to the east lake shoreline

Section 3.5 Multipurpose trails
Multipurpose trails – countywide system – existing
7 Lake Whatcom Hertz Trail
11 Railroad Trail (COB)

Multipurpose trails – countywide system – proposed
7 Lake Whatcom Trail – Blue Canyon Road Segment
19 Lake Whatcom – Samish – Chuckanut Trail

Section 3.6 Walking and Hiking Trails
Day-hiking trails – existing
24 Olsen Property

Day-hiking trails – proposed
55 Lookout-Galbraith Mountain Trail

Section 3.12 Scenic Corridors
Scenic corridors – proposed
9 Lake Whatcom – View from the road, trail, and water of shoreline, beaches, and wooded bluffs and hillsides, particularly the south end of the lake from Towanda to Sudden Valley

County scenic road touring routes – proposed
12 Electric-North Shore Drive – Scenic road touring route to be designated from Whatcom Falls Park on Electric Avenue north past Bloedel Donovan Park then north on North Shore Drive around Lake Whatcom to the end of the paved road.
13 Lakeway-Lake Whatcom-South bay- Park Road – Scenic road touring route to be designated from Whatcom Falls Park in Bellingham south on Lakeway Drive to Lake Whatcom then south on Lake Whatcom BLVD and around the south end of the lake on South Bay Drive to Park Road and SR-9.

3.14 Community facilities or centers
Senior/community centers – proposed
11 Lake Whatcom/Sudden Valley
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The most common of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. It is the chief occupation of mankind.
--H. L. Mencken--

It is always the best policy to tell the truth, unless of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.
--Jerome K. Jerome--