Western Washington University Western CEDAR Huxley College Graduate and Undergraduate Huxley College of the Environment Publications Winter 2013 Lake Whatcom land reconveyance: environmental impact assessment Chantal Wikstrom Western Washington University Courtney Gilgore Western Washington University Dominika Kwiatkowski Western Washington University Lindsey Juen Western Washington University Noah Crozier Western Washington University Follow this and additional works at: https://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs Part of the Environmental Studies Commons Recommended Citation Wikstrom, Chantal; Gilgore, Courtney; Kwiatkowski, Dominika; Juen, Lindsey; and Crozier, Noah, "Lake Whatcom land reconveyance: environmental impact assessment" (2013). Huxley College Graduate and Undergraduate Publications. 31. https://cedar.wwu.edu/huxley_stupubs/31 This Environmental Impact Assessment is brought to you for free and open access by the Huxley College of the Environment at Western CEDAR. It has been accepted for inclusion in Huxley College Graduate and Undergraduate Publications by an authorized administrator of Western CEDAR. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Lake Whatcom Land Reconveyance Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Science 493 Huxley College of the Environment Western Washington University Winter 2013 Lake Whatcom Land Reconveyance Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Science 493 Professor Leo Bodensteiner Huxley College of the Environment Western Washington University Prepared by: Chantal Wikstrom Courtney Gilgore Dominika Kwiatkowski Lindsey Juen Noah Crozier ** This presentation represents a class project that was carried out by students of Western Washington University, Huxley College of the Environment. It has not been undertaken at the request of persons representing local governments or private individuals, nor does it necessarily represent the opinion or position of individuals from government or the private sector. ** Dear Concerned Citizen, The purpose of this Environmental Impact Statement (EIA) is to assess the probable impacts of the Lake Whatcom Reconveyance on 8,700 acres of land surrounding the Lake Whatcom Watershed. The lake is the source of water for nearly 95,000 residents of Whatcom County including the City of Bellingham. Currently the Lake Whatcom Watershed is listed as a polluted water body and although the sources of the pollutants are varied they are a direct result of human activities. Presently the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) manages the State Forest Transfer trust lands by the watershed. The forests are used for timber and the sales provide Whatcom County with funds. Under the proposed action the land will be managed by Whatcom County and used for recreational purposes. This EIA reviews the proposed action and two alternative actions and their impacts on both the natural and built environment. Water quality, slope stability, protecting the environment, and providing public recreation were all factors considered in the decided action. As a team we found that the proposed action would be the best suited for maintaining the watershed and the surrounding areas. Sincerely, Lake Whatcom Recreation EIA Team FACT SHEET Title: Whatcom County Reconveyance and Recreation Plan Description of Project: Project turning over management of over 8,800 acres of land in or around the Lake Whatcom watershed to Whatcom County under a reconveyance process outlined in RCW 79.22.300. This land has been managed by the state WDNR and has been leased to private companies for commercial forestry practices with financial benefit to trusts in this area, under the new plan the proposed action the land would be turned into a county run park with an emphasis on forest conservation with low impact recreation opportunities. Legal Description of Project: Reconveyance and recreation plan deal with two large portions of land on either side of Lake Whatcom. The western parcel of land contains much of Lookout Mountain (summit at N 48.688° N and 122.360719°W) and can be accessed through the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve at 2537 Lake Louise Road. Contains WDNR lots RW-1 through RW-25 or under the Whatcom County Title 20 zoning designation contains portions of T37N R4E sections 7,17,18,19,20,29,30,31 and T37N R3E sections 1,11,12,13,24. Total acreage of western portion is 4,250.94 acres. The eastern parcel of land contains much of Stuart Mountain (summit at 48.759°N and- 122.2679°W) And can be accessed through North Lake Whatcom Park at the south end of North Shore Road. Contains WDNR lots RE-1 through RE-27 and F-1 through F-11 or under the Whatcom County Title 20 zoning designation contains portions of T38N R4E sections 26,27,28,29,33,34,35 and T37N R4E 2,3,4,9,10,15,16. Total acreage of eastern portion is 4,592.82 acres. Proponent: Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Department Lead Agency: Bodensteiner and Associates Huxley College of the Environment Western Washington University Bellingham, WA 98225 Permits: Whatcom County Council requires a resolution for reconveyance request. Reconveyance request requires approval from Board of Natural Resources. i Contributions by authors: Noah - Elements: Land use/shoreline change and Air Lindsey - Elements: Water and Animals/plants Courtney - Elements: Energy/natural resources and environmental health Chantal - Elements: Earth and Transportation Dominika - Elements: Public services Distribution List: Dr. Leo Bodensteiner, Professor Huxley College of the Environment, WWU Bellingham WA 98225 Western Washington University Library Digital Collection – Huxley Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department 3373 Mount Baker Highway Bellingham, WA 98226 Whatcom County Council 311 Grand Ave., Suite 105 Bellingham, WA 98225 EIA Team Contributors Acknowledgements: We would like to thank the following people for their help and guidance: Michael McFarlane, Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Dr. John McLaughlin, Ph. D., Professor, Huxley College Dr. Leo Bodensteiner, Ph.D., Professor, Huxley College Issue Date: March 14th 2013 Public Presentation: 6:30 pm; Thursday, March 14, 2013. Bellingham REI 400 36th St. Bellingham, WA 98225 ii Table of Contents Fact Sheet................................................................................................................................... i Table of Contents........................................................................................................................ iii 1. Executive Summary................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Purpose..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Site Description......................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Problem Description.................................................................................................. 2 1.4 Description of Proposed Actions and Alternatives.................................................... 2 1.5 Recommendation...................................................................................................... 4 1.6 Decision Matrix.......................................................................................................... 5 1.7 Area Map................................................................................................................... 6 2. Project History......................................................................................................................... 7 3. Elements of the Natural Environment...................................................................................... 8 3.1 Earth.......................................................................................................................... 8 3.1.1 Geology....................................................................................................... 8 3.1.2 Soils…………………………………………………………….……....……...... 9 3.1.3 Topography………………………………………………………....……......... 10 3.1.4 Erosion………………………………………………………....……………..... 10 3.2 Air Quality………………………………………………………………......……………... 12 3.3 Water…………………………………………………………………….....….………...... 14 3.3.1 Surface Water……………………………………………….....….…………... 15 3.3.2 Runoff/Absorption…………………………………………....…….….............16 3.3.3 Groundwater Movement/Quantity/Quality…………………...………..…..... 18 3.3.4 Public Water Supplies……………………………………...……................... 19 3.4 Energy and Natural Resources………………………………………...…………..…... 20 3.4.1 Amount Required/Rate of Use/Efficiency…………………...………..…….. 20 3.4.2 Source/Availability……………………………………………...………..……. 21 3.4.3 Conservation and Renewable Resources…………………...………..……. 21 3.4.4 Scenic Resources……………………………………………...………........... 22 3.5 Plants and Animals……………………………………………………...……………...... 23 3.5.1 Habitat for Wildlife and Diversity for Plants, Fish, or Other Wildlife........... 24 3.5.2 Unique Species………………………………………………………….......... 25 3.5.3 Fish or Wildlife Migration Routes……………………………........................ 26 4. Elements of the Built Environment…………………………………………………..................... 28 4.1 Environmental Health…………………………………………….................................. 28 4.1.1 Noise……………………………………………………….............................. 28 4.1.2 Release or Potential releases to the Environment affecting human health, such as toxic or hazardous materials..................................................................................................................