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Real Briefings

Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

BEL-PWN-2025-01-13 January 13, 2025 Public Works Committee City of Bellingham 36 min
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The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee convened for its first meeting of 2025, addressing three significant environmental protection and remediation items. The committee heard an informational presentation on revised fee structures for the Aquatic Invasive Species program, approved a major $11.6 million environmental cleanup grant for the RG Haley site, and authorized a $300,000 partnership with the Nooksack Indian Tribe for fish passage improvements. The AIS permit fee restructuring represents the most substantial policy shift, implementing a three-tier geographic risk system that will increase revenues by approximately $100,000 annually. The changes respond directly to the 2023 detection of quagga mussels in Idaho's Snake River, which drains into the Columbia River system and significantly increases risk to local water bodies. The RG Haley cleanup grant acceptance authorizes the mayor to enter into a major remedial action agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology, securing 50% matching funds for a contaminated waterfront site that will eventually become public parkland. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2025 and take three years to complete. The Nooksack partnership demonstrates growing collaboration between the city and tribal partners on environmental restoration, building on previous fish barrier inventory work and the voluntary culvert remediation agreement.

**AB 24393 - RG Haley Remedial Action Grant (PASSED 3-0)** - **Action:** Authorized mayor to enter into $11,622,085 grant agreement with Department of Ecology - **Staff Recommendation:** Approval - Committee concurred - **Funding:** 50% state match, total eligible costs $23.2 million, additional $3 million grant anticipated for 2025-2027 biennium - **Impact:** Enables final phase of contaminated site cleanup, future Salish Landing Park Phase 1 **AB 24394 - Nooksack Fish Passage Partnership (PASSED 3-0)** - **Action:** Approved interagency agreement for preliminary design funding - **Staff Recommendation:** Approval - Committee concurred - **Funding…

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**Aquatic Invasive Species Risk Management** Staff presented a comprehensive overhaul of the AIS permit structure, moving from a simple vessel-type system to a risk-based model considering both vessel complexity and geographic origin. The change directly responds to quagga mussel detection in Idaho's Snake River system, which represents the first Pacific Northwest infestation and significantly elevates risk to Lake Whatcom's drinking water supply. Mike Parelskin explained that zebra and quagga mussels could pose "$100 million annual cost threat to power and water infrastructure managers" if established in Washington State. The revised structure creates three geographic tiers: Tier 1 (Whatcom County residents, lowest risk), Tier 2 (Washington State residents), and Tier 3 (out-of-state vessels, highest risk and fees). The fee increases are substantial but targeted. Local Class A vessel permits increase from $60 to $80 (33% increase), while out-of-state Class A vessels jump to $150 (150% increase). Non-motorized permits remain at $10 with free online education option. The committee showed strong support for the risk-based approach. **Environmental Remediation Financing** The RG Haley grant discussion highlighted the city's strategic approach to contaminated site cleanup. Craig Mueller outlined a complex three-com…
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**City Staff Positions:** - Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, supported all three items as advancing environmental protection - Renee LaCroix, Assistant Director of Natural Resources, emphasized adaptive management approach to invasive species risk - Mike Parelskin, Field Manager, presented detailed risk assessment justifying fee restructuring - Craig Mueller, Project Engineer, confirmed project readiness for April bidding and summer construction **Committee …
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**Mike Parelskin, on increased invasive species risk:** "So with the introduction of quagga mussels to the mid snake, this is a water body that's part of the Columbia River basin. And that is a water body that's attached to that's part of Washington State's river system. So it does represent a significant increase in risk of quagga mussels to our water bodies in Washington state." **Council Member Anderson, on budget transparency:** "I know it's not general fund as we talk budget shortfalls. …
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**Immediate Actions (Next Few Days):** - Whatcom County executive order to update unified fee structure for AIS permits - New AIS permit fees take effect upon county action **Spring 2025:** - RG Haley project bidding in April - Submission of final bid package to Department of Ecology for review **Summer 2025:** - RG Haley construction commencement - Fish passage preliminary design work begins under Nooksack partnership **Late …

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**Fee Structure Modernization:** The AIS program moved from a six-year-old flat fee structure to a sophisticated risk-based model that will generate approximately $100,000 in additional annual revenue while better reflecting actual inspection costs and risk levels. **Major Grant Secured:** The city locked in $11.6 million in state matching funds for the RG Haley cleanup, representing one of the largest single environmental grants in recent city history and enabling the final phase of a decades-long contamination remediation effort. **Enhanced Tribal Partnership:** The Nooksack …
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# Module 1: Meeting Metadata & Overview ## Meeting Details - **Date:** January 13, 2025, 10:30 AM - **Duration:** 36m 27s - **Location:** City Council Chambers, City Hall - **Chair:** Hannah Stone (First Ward) - **Committee Members:** Lisa Anderson (Fifth Ward), Jace Cotton (At-Large) ## Staff Present - Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director - Renee LaCroix, Assistant Public Works Director - Natural Resources - Michael Parelskin, Natural Resources Field Manager - Craig Mueller, Project Engineer - Amy Kraham, Senior Assistant City Attorney ## Agenda Items 1. **AB 24392** - Aquatic Invasive Species Program - Revised Permit Fees (Information) 2. **AB 24393** - R.G. Haley Site Cleanup - MTCA Remedial Action Grant Acceptance (Vote) 3. **AB 24394** - Interagency Agreement with Nooksack Indian Tribe for Fish Passage Projects (Vote) ## Key Votes & Outcomes - **AB 24393:** Motion to authorize mayor to enter into remedial action grant - **PASSED 3-0** - **AB 24394:** Motion to approve interagency agreement with Nooksack Tribe - **PASSED 3-0** --- # Module 2: Policy Domain Analysis ## Primary Policy Domain **Environmental** (Lake protection, invasive species management, toxic site cleanup, fish habitat restoration) ## Secondary Domains - **Land Use & Planning** (Salish Landing Park development, waterfront redevelopment) - **Budget & Finance** (Grant management, fee structures, fund allocation) - **Government Operations** (Intergovernmental partnerships, administrative processes) ## Issue Complexity **High** - Multiple interconnected environmental protection systems requiring technical expertise and interagency coordination. ## Civic Engagement Level **Low** - Administrative committee meeting with no public comment period, technical presentations. --- # Module 3: Detailed Agenda Analysis ## Agenda Item 1: Aquatic Invasive Species Program - Revised Permit Fees **Type:** Information Only **Presenter:** Michael Parelskin, Natural Resources Field Manager **Background:** Fee structure unchanged for six years despite increasing program costs and elevated risk from quagga mussel detection in Mid-Snake River ### Key Components - New three-tier geographic risk structure (Whatcom County/WA State/Out-of-state) - Fee increases based on vessel complexity and origin risk - Projected $100,000 annual revenue increase - Automated gates planned for Bloedel Donovan by end 2025 ### Discussion Points - Council Member Anderson questioned enforcement at non-city b…
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### Meeting Overview The Bellingham City Council's Public Works and Natural Resources Committee met on January 13, 2025, chaired by Council Member Hannah Stone with members Lisa Anderson and Jace Cotton. The committee reviewed three major items: revised permit fees for aquatic invasive species protection, acceptance of an $11.6 million environmental cleanup grant, and approval of tribal partnership funding for fish passage projects. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS):** Non-native species that can harm local water bodies, particularly zebra and quagga mussels that pose risks to drinking water infrastructure and can cost up to $100 million annually to manage. **Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA):** Washington State environmental law that requires cleanup of contaminated sites and provides grant funding for remediation projects. **Quagga Mussels:** Invasive freshwater mussels that attach to surfaces and can severely damage water infrastructure; recently detected in the Mid-Snake River, increasing risk to Washington waters. **Remedial Action Grant:** 50% matching grant from Washington State Department of Ecology for environmental cleanup projects at contaminated sites. **Fish Passage Barriers:** Human-made structures like culverts that prevent fish from swimming upstream to spawn, requiring removal or modification to restore natural habitat. **Environmental Remediation Fund:** Dedicated city funding source (Fund 136) used specifically for environmental cleanup projects, separate from the general fund. **Consent Decree:** Legal agreement between the city and state requiring specific environmental cleanup actions at contaminated sites. **Interagency Agreement (ILA):** Formal partnership agreement between government entities to share resources and responsibilities for specific projects. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Hannah Stone | Committee Chair / Council Member | | Lisa Anderson | Committee Member / Council Member | | Jace Cotton | Committee Member / Council Member | | Joel Pfundt | Interim Public Works Co-Director | | Renee LaCroix | Assistant Public Works Director - Natural Resources | | Michael Parelskin | Natural Resources Field Manager | | Craig Mueller…
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Environmental Budget & Finance Government Operations Department Of Ecology Lake Whatcom Policy Group Lake Whatcom Water And Sewer District Nooksack Indian Tribe Water Resources Advisory Board Whatcom County Amy Kraham Craig Mueller Hannah Stone Jace Cotton Joel Pfundt Lisa Anderson Mike Parelskin Renee Lacroix Aquatic Invasive Species Budget Finance Environmental Remediation Fish Passage Infrastructure Investment Lake Whatcom Watershed Permit Fees Tribal Partnerships