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Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

BEL-PWN-2024-11-18 November 18, 2024 Public Works Committee City of Bellingham 40 min
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The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee advanced three significant infrastructure projects that collectively represent over $6.5 million in public investment. The most substantial action was approving design funding for the Squalicum Creek Estuary Restoration project, a complex multi-jurisdictional effort to restore 32 miles of upstream salmon habitat by addressing three fish passage barriers at the creek's mouth. Committee members also approved a $4.25 million contract to replace the problematic James Street and Bakerview Road traffic signal with a roundabout, along with authorizing 24-hour construction operations to minimize traffic disruption. All three items received unanimous committee approval and will proceed to full Council consideration this evening. Council Member Michael Lilliquist was excused to attend a regional housing conference in Portland, with Council Member Skip Williams sitting in to maintain quorum.

**AB 24326: Squalicum Creek Estuary Restoration Design Agreement** - Passed 3-0. Approved interlocal agreement with Port of Bellingham for design phase of fish passage barrier removal project. Total cost $2.3 million ($2.14M federal grants, $80K each from city and port). Staff recommended approval; committee approved. **AB 24327: James Street/Bakerview Road Intersection Contract** - Passed 3-0. Awarded $4,251,865 constructio…

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The Squalicum Creek project represents years of collaborative planning between the city, Port of Bellingham, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad to address three interconnected fish passage barriers. Habitat and Restoration Manager Analiese Burns explained that since the late 1800s, 90% of Puget Sound nearshore habitat has been lost, with Bellingham Bay losing 280 acres of estuarine habitat. The project addresses barriers blocking access to 32 miles of upstream habitat for threatened salmon species. The three barriers—city-owned Roeder Avenue culvert, BNSF railroad spur, and Port bridge—are so closely situated that non…
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**City Staff:** Strongly supported all three projects. Pfundt called the roundabout project "many years in the making" and emphasized community impacts from delays. Burns highlighted the estuary restoration's regional significance for salmon recovery and tribal treaty rights. **Council Members:** Anderson expressed initial concern about BNSF's partnership commitment but was reassured by staff explanations. She strongly supported the rounda…
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**Analiese Burns, on habitat loss:** "Since the late 1800s about 90% of the Puget Sound near shore has been lost and in Bellingham Bay we've lost about 280 Acres of Nearshore and esterine habitat." **Burns, on BNSF cooperation:** "I think their response would be that their infrastructure works just fine and they don't have a need to contribute or to do anything on their particular property." **Joel Pfundt, on construction timeline:** "The 24-hour um a day operations is intended to…
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**Immediate:** All three items advance to full Council vote this evening (November 18). **Early 2025:** Begin Squalicum Creek design work with consultant selection and alternatives analysis. **April/May 2025:** James Street roundabout …

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After this meeting, the city has formal authorization to proceed with over $6.5 million in infrastructure investments. The Port of Bellingham partnership for estuary restoration is now formalized with cost-sharing responsibilities defined. The controve…
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# The November Fish Barrier Project and Roundabout Approvals The November 18, 2024 Public Works and Natural Resources Committee meeting addressed two major infrastructure initiatives that illustrate the complex interagency cooperation necessary for significant environmental and transportation projects in Bellingham. The committee, chaired by Hannah Stone and meeting in a hybrid format, unanimously approved three items that will advance critical fish habitat restoration and traffic improvements. ## Squalicum Creek's Long-Awaited Restoration Moves Forward The centerpiece of the afternoon was the approval of an interlocal agreement between the city and Port of Bellingham for the design phase of the Squalicum Creek Estuary Restoration Project — a complex environmental initiative years in the making that seeks to restore fish passage at one of the region's most critical salmon habitat locations. "Since the late 1800s about 90% of the Puget Sound near shore has been lost and in Bellingham Bay we've lost about 280 acres of nearshore and estuarine habitat," explained Analiese Burns, the city's habitat and restoration manager. "Those losses have contributed to declines in …
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### Meeting Overview The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee met on November 18, 2024, to discuss three major infrastructure projects that will significantly impact Bellingham's transportation and environmental systems. Committee Chair Hannah Stone led the meeting with committee member Lisa Anderson joining remotely and council member Williams sitting in for the excused Michael Lilliquist. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Interlocal Agreement:** A formal contract between two or more government entities to share responsibilities and costs for a public project or service. **60% Design:** An industry standard milestone in project development where the design is advanced enough to apply for permits and develop reliable cost estimates, but not yet ready for construction. **Fish Passage Barrier:** Infrastructure that blocks or limits fish migration upstream, preventing salmon and other fish from reaching spawning habitat. **Roundabout:** A circular intersection where traffic flows continuously around a central island, designed to improve safety and traffic flow compared to traditional signalized intersections. **Estuary Restoration:** The process of returning a river mouth ecosystem to its natural state to improve fish habitat and flood control. **Noise Variance:** An exemption from city noise ordinances that allows construction work outside normal permitted hours. **AOP (Aquatic Organism Passage) Program:** Federal funding program that helps remove barriers preventing fish migration. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Committee Chair, First Ward Council Member | | Lisa Anderson | Committee Member, Fifth Ward Council Member (remote) | | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Fourth Ward Council Member (sitting in) | | Joel Pfundt | Interim Public Works Co-D…
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Transportation & Infrastructure Environmental Utilities Government Operations AB 24326 AB 24327 AB 24328 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Faber Construction Lummi Nation Nooksack Indian Tribe Port Of Bellingham Washington Department Fish Wildlife Analiese Burns Edwin Williams Hannah Stone Joel Pfundt Kyle Carlson Lisa Anderson Michael Lilliquist Mike Wilson Renee Lacroix Construction Projects Environmental Restoration Fish Passage Barriers Infrastructure Investment Intergovernmental Cooperation Noise Variance Roundabout Design Salmon Habitat Transportation Policy