Birch Bay Shoreline Improvement Project
The Birch Bay Shoreline Improvement Plan Project was funded by a Coastal Zone Management grant agreement between Whatcom Council of Governments and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
The project evaluated potential improvements and enhancements to the environmental and aesthetic quality of the Birch Bay shoreline. The overall goal of the project was to provide a natural environment setting integrating coastal processes and fish and wildlife habitat in a manner in which citizens can coexist and interact with minimal impact to the surrounding environs. The project consisted of preliminary community planning and fact finding with a strong emphasis on public participation.
Tasks under the project included:
A complete literature review of Birch Bay information relative to coastal processes, fish and wildlife habitat, and other topics which evaluated beach enhancement and potential improvements.
- A complete inventory of Birch Bay projects relative to coastal processes including erosion control, bulkheading, groins, beachfeeding, etc., to form the framework for evaluating coastal dynamic and proposed beach enhancement improvements.
- A complete inventory of Birch Bay habitat areas relative to the shoreline, to form the framework for evaluating biological ramifications of any proposed beach enhancement improvements.
- A physical baseline for the central beach drift sector, established through surveying and mapping.
A Technical Advisory Workgroup was established to review and evaluate the task results and provide recommendation to the community and staeholders.
The Birch Bay Citizen's Committee researched and documented historical and current beach conditions at Birch Bay and reported findings to the Technical Workgroup. Under the guidance of the Department of Ecology Shorelands expertise, a full beach survey (PDF) was conducted at low tides by community volunteers over the course of the year 2000. The survey data (PDF) includes site elevations, tide levels, locations and dimensions of built structures, and detailed description of natural conditions.
Using this extensive data, recommendations for possible replacement or modification of the concrete groins and other structures along the Birch Bay beachfront were developed in consideration of a public walkway, berm, or promenade, to balance long-term environmental protection with public access and enjoyment of the shoreline.