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Collaboration and Partnerships

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.


Birch Bay Watershed Characterization Pilot Study (WA)
EPA, Region 10-Seattle

Geographic location or area of activity:  Northern Puget Sound, Whatcom County, Washington

Description of activity:   Led by Whatcom County, this pilot study was a collaborative effort by local, state and federal agencies that used watershed characterization to guide future development in a manner that protects and improves the quality and condition of wetland, stream, nearshore and terrestrial resources in the Birch Bay watershed.  Traditionally, natural resources management focuses on individual lake, stream, wetland or estuary without taking into consideration the relationships among them within the same watershed.  Recent research on watershed processes, however, concludes that management and regulatory activities’ could be more successful if a comprehensive understanding of how these elements work together is incorporated.

Watershed Management Plan
Summary of study results showing relative suitability of areas for restoration, protection and development in the Birch Bay Watershed

Funded by EPA, Washington Department of Ecology and the Puget Sound Partnership,
the project investigators:

The investigators then synthesized this information to create tools and an analysis that identified the potential suitability for individual sub-basins for future development and to determine management priorities and recommendations for each sub-basin.

Interagency partners:  US EPA Region 10, NOAA,  US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Ecology,  Puget Sound Partnership, WA Department of  Fish and Wildlife, WA Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, WA Dept of Transportation

Local partners:  Whatcom County, Cascade Land Conservancy, WA Association of Counties, Birch Bay Stormwater Steering Committee, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association,  Nakeeta Northwest

Activity URLhttp://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/naturalresources/specialprojects/pdf/ExecutiveSummaryBrochure.pdf

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