Projects | laurelwid

Cougar Creek Project

Floodplain improvement projects often have a lot of moving parts. Adding extra elements and getting input from everyone impacted can cause significant delays. However, Whatcom County’s Floodplain Integrated Planning Team has adopted the design charrette model, getting everyone on the same page early to identify compromises and find solutions. Follow host Gavin Willis as he learns more about how this process has resulted in meaningful solutions along Cougar Creek, a tributary of the Nooksack River.

Our Projects.

Laurel WID Priorities, Goals, and Possible Actions

1. Water Quantity: water availability for agricultural use (irrigation,livestock, processing)

Goal: Farmers in the Laurel WID have secure (legal) access to sufficient water for agricultural uses.

Action:

2018: Participate in workshop on water rights
2018: Foster task force pilot: Identify participants and prioritize locations where transfers might be feasible and practical
2019: Support & coordinate with Ag Water Board for efforts in legal negotiations and actions related to water rights
2019: Provide education about water rights to WID members

2. Agricultural field drainage

Goal: Drainage infastructure and ditches in the Laurel WID are actively and efficiently maintained

Action:

2017: Developed 5-year plan for drainage
2018: Supported Four Mile Drainage District revegetation
2018: Coordinated Ten Mile Creek drainage improvements
2019: Support East Hemmi stream reroute and restoration
2019: Communicate ability to make use of our permits to landowners and partners in the WID

3. Water Quality

Goal: Agricultural activities in the Laurel WID do not cause water quality standards to be exceeded in surface water and

groundwater bodies within the WID.

Action:

2017: Set up the DNA testing for water quality (Scott Ditch)
2018 - present: Supporting Ten Mile Group monitoring and discussions with Ferndale re: Deer Creek
2019: Continue to make use of DNA technology for water quality

4. Flood management & protection

Goal: Agricultural lands in the Laurel WID are protected from flooding due to surface water runoff at critical times in the

growing season.

Action:

5. Communication,Outreach, and Education

Goal (internal): WID members are aware of and understand the priority issues and participate actively in WID planning &

implementation of priority actions.

Goal (external): Nonagricultural residents and other stakeholders outside the WID are aware of, understand and support the

Laurel WID's priority actions.

Actions:

2015: Redesigned website @ www.laurelwid.com
2017 – present: Use AWB and Family Farmers newsletters to communicate current projects
2017 – present: Sponsor WCD Speaker Series and other communication efforts

6. Water flow processes: Habitats & species

Goal: The Laurel WID’s plans and actions help to protect and enhance water flow processes and fish and wildlife habitats

in the Four Mile, Ten Mile, and Deer Creek watersheds.

Actions: