Bellingham's Ballsy Move: Buying Forest to Save a Lake

So, Bellingham did something pretty badass last month. They went shopping but not for what you'd expect. No, they went big – like, 113.6 acres big. Their cart? Filled with lush, forested land around Lake Whatcom. Why? To keep their drinking water cleaner than a monk's soul.

Here's the deal: Lake Whatcom isn't just a pretty face. It's the lifeblood for over 100,000 souls in Whatcom County. But let's face it, the lake's been feeling the heat with all the development around. Enter Bellingham City Council, playing the hero in this story. They unanimously said, "Hell yes!" on October 30 to buy this chunk of green goodness.

The price tag? A cool $1.715 million. And who got the cash? Timberline Logging, Nielsen Brothers Inc., and a couple of guys named Robert and Lonnie Nielsen. Stefanie Cilinceon from the Public Works Department spills the tea: "All of these properties are undeveloped forestland." And guess what? They're planning to keep it that way. No parks, no trails – just pure, unadulterated nature.

These sites could've been the new hot spot for development with seven potential units. But nope, Bellingham said, "Not on our watch." The cash for this eco-friendly shopping spree comes from a surcharge slapped on the city's water customers. Fair play, considering it's for keeping their water clean.

Since 2001, Bellingham's been on this green crusade, bagging over 2,600 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed. Stefanie puts it like this: “By purchasing this land and protecting it from development, we can preserve the land in its natural forested condition to help improve water quality and reduce flooding risks in Lake Whatcom.”

So there you have it. Bellingham's not just talking the talk; they're walking the walk. And in doing so, they're not just saving a lake; they're setting a damn fine example of how to give a shit about our planet.