Posted: January 06, 2009 18:26:18 PST
Bellingham citizens are invited to join a guided tour of Padden Creek from 24th Street to 30th Street to view and comment on channel alignment proposals for this stretch of the creek.
The tour will begin at the corner of 24th and Old Fairhaven Parkway at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, and will proceed just over a third of a mile to 30th Street along a gravel trail next to the creek. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather.
The City received a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to improve water quality and fish habitat in Padden Creek between 24th Street and 30th Street. Funding will be used to design, engineer and permit the project. Years ago this section of Padden Creek was straightened and channelized, which has caused the north bank to erode during high flows. The erosion adds excess sediment that can smother salmon eggs downstream.
City officials presented three alternative alignment proposals at a public meeting on Dec. 4, 2008, at Fairhaven Middle School. Many people provided comments at the meeting. The alternatives were also posted to the city's website over the holidays and comments are invited by email and letter. The creek tour is another opportunity to learn more about the project and provide comments. Once the alignment plan is finalized, the consultants will begin actual design work.
For more information visit the CIty's website at http://www.cob.org/services/environment/restoration/padden-creek.aspx or contact Renee LaCroix, Project Manager at rlacroix@cob.org or phone 778-7900.
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Media Contact:
Renee LaCroix, Project Manager
Public Works
778-7900
rlacroix@cob.org
