The document outlines the Birch Bay Watershed characterization, focusing on integrating ecological protection with land use planning to support water flow, water quality, and wildlife habitat amid projected population growth. It emphasizes strategic protection and restoration priorities based on hydrology, habitat quality, and future development patterns, while recommending management approaches to mitigate negative impacts. Key stakeholders like Whatcom County and environmental agencies are involved in the planning and implementation process.

1. Birch Bay Watershed Characterization Integrating Ecological Protection & Land Use Planning N UGA Boundary Unincorporated UGA

2. Decision Making Tools NPDES ESA CWA HPA SMA CAO GMA SEPA

3. Unsuccessful Mitigation Source: National Research Council, 2001

4. Economic Development Ecological Protection Property Rights

5. Watershed Protection Strategies Time and Money Low High High Level of Ecological Protection Site-by-Site Protection REACTIVE Opportunistic Watershed-based Protection PROACTIVE Strategic

6. 1.7 Million More People by 2040

9. Project Objectives Identify areas important for maintaining water flow, water quality and wildlife habitat Determine how these areas have been altered Assess effects of future build out Set Priority areas for protection, restoration and development

10. Identify Important Areas for Supporting Processes Infiltration & Recharge Storage Groundwater discharge Delivery of water Longshore drift Large woody debris Source: Puget Sound Partnership

11. And How Those Areas Have Been Altered Protection Restoration Development Restoration Source: Puget Sound Partnership

12. Scales of Analysis Broad-scale : Geology & soils Stream network Nat’l Wetland Inventory Land cover Impervious surface Ecoregional wildlife data Floodplains Change Analysis* Mid-scale: Local habitat information Refined wetland inventory Buildable lands LiDAR Fine-scale: Subdivision, Parcel or site conditions

13. Benefits and Outputs Priority Areas for Development, Restoration, and Protection Density/zoning adjustments Expedited permit decisions Fine Scale Mid Scale Broad Scale Investment areas for acquisition Mitigation sending/receiving areas Development standards / design standards

14. Methods Water Quality Importance Alteration High Medium Low High Medium Low { { Protect Restore Develop = } } Hydrology Habitat Inputs Criteria Ranking Outputs

15. Important Areas for Hydrology Importance of a sub-basin for water flow = SW + GW + ET surface water (precip, delivery, storage ) + groundwater (recharge & discharge) + evapotranspiration

16. Area of Wetlands Area of Sub-basin Water Storage Score = % of wetlands in sub-basin Relative score based on total range in analysis area: 0 = 0 to 5% 1 = 5 to 10% 2 = 10 to 20% 3 = >20%

17. Identifying ‘Alterations’ Degree of alteration to water flow processes : - loss of wetlands + loss of floodplain storage - Impermeable surface + loss of forest cover + road density - loss of streams miles

18. Hydrology Analysis High Moderate Low High Moderate Low Important Areas Alterations

19. Low High High Low Alteration Importance Restore Develop Protect

21. Water Quality Analysis Important Areas for Pathogen Processes Relative to Potential Sources Potential Sources Reduces risk to shellfish resources Most important areas for protection & restoration

22. Wildlife Assessment Waterfowl areas Focal species: Great Blue Heron Focal species: Toad, Red-legged Frog

23. = Ecoregional Assessments Land Conversion Road Density Local Habitat Assessment Valleys = Poor Ranking Peaks = Favorable Ranking PHS/Heritage data (local empirical data)

24. Results of Fish & Wildlife Analysis High Low Habitat Value

25. Overall Results by Sub-basin

26. Future Build Out Step 4 – Evaluate Changes to Impervious Coverage Step 3 – Assess Future Development Patterns (Location & Density) Step 2 – Identify Buildable Areas per Whatcom County Regulations Step 1 – Assess Existing Development Patterns (Residential Location & Density)

27. Existing Impervious Surface

28. Potentially Buildable Areas Undeveloped Under-developed Vacant

29. Effects of Future Growth Impervious Surface Analysis

30. Vulnerability Increases in dwelling unit density and Impervious surface

31. Potential Conflicts High Increase in impervious surface Priority restoration area

32. Management Recommendations Concentrate development in “red” management units Allow use of mitigation credits in “yellow and green” zones for impacts in “red zone.” Cluster development in “yellow and green” zones. Use low impact development measures Provide for habitat protection overlay

33. Strategic Decisions Standard Approach Integrated Approach

34. Implementation Should … Accelerate restoration Increase mitigation effectiveness Promote more sustainable development Expedite permitting Increase community participation in stewardship goals

35. Acknowledgments: Whatcom County Planning & Development Services WA Dept of Ecology WDFW EPA PSP WSDOT More on Birch Bay Action Plan: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/naturalresources/specialprojects/birchbaywatershed-actionplan.jsp Questions and Information: Margaret Clancy – ESA Adolfson [email_address]