Birch Bay - The Story of the Region's Largest Beach Nourishment/Restoration Project
Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
Birch Bay is a large bay near the mainland Canadian border with extensive development and a previously degraded beach system. Development over the beach, gravel mining by the Air Force during the Cold War, subsequent groins and shore armor, and a system wide reduction in sediment supply had resulted in increased storm damage to Birch Bay Drive and the built environment, and loss of nearshore habitats. An initial beach nourishment concept was developed for the more developed portions of the bay by Wolf Bauer in 1975. A pilot beach nourishment project was built in 1986 which was monitored and renourished and proved to be successful. Decades of planning and project development work led to the 2014 to 2021 design, right of way acquisition, permitting, and construction. The recently completed 1.6-mile-long beach nourishment project (105,000 cubic yards of gravel and sand imported) includes a wide pedestrian trail, stormwater infiltration, backshore vegetation, and amenities such as crosswalks, benches, and refurbished parking. The $15.3 million project occurred through years of engagement between Whatcom County Public Works and community organizations. Steps included community meetings, feasibility studies, coordination with the Lummi and Nooksack Tribes and agencies, and pursuing grants. These efforts resulted in substantial transportation related funding, permit acquisition, on- and off-site mitigation, and required post project monitoring. The presentation will summarize the design and critical steps along the way and will include several pre-recorded video clips providing different perspectives on the value and history of the project.
Session Title
Nearshore Restoration and Shoreline Management
Conference Track
SSE9: Nearshore
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-440
Start Date
27-4-2022 9:45 AM
End Date
27-4-2022 11:15 AM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Beach nourishment--Washington (State)--Birch Bay (Bay); Restoration ecology--Washington (State)--Birch Bay (Bay)
Geographic Coverage
Birch Bay (Wash. : Bay)--Environmental conditions
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Birch Bay - The Story of the Region's Largest Beach Nourishment/Restoration Project
Birch Bay is a large bay near the mainland Canadian border with extensive development and a previously degraded beach system. Development over the beach, gravel mining by the Air Force during the Cold War, subsequent groins and shore armor, and a system wide reduction in sediment supply had resulted in increased storm damage to Birch Bay Drive and the built environment, and loss of nearshore habitats. An initial beach nourishment concept was developed for the more developed portions of the bay by Wolf Bauer in 1975. A pilot beach nourishment project was built in 1986 which was monitored and renourished and proved to be successful. Decades of planning and project development work led to the 2014 to 2021 design, right of way acquisition, permitting, and construction. The recently completed 1.6-mile-long beach nourishment project (105,000 cubic yards of gravel and sand imported) includes a wide pedestrian trail, stormwater infiltration, backshore vegetation, and amenities such as crosswalks, benches, and refurbished parking. The $15.3 million project occurred through years of engagement between Whatcom County Public Works and community organizations. Steps included community meetings, feasibility studies, coordination with the Lummi and Nooksack Tribes and agencies, and pursuing grants. These efforts resulted in substantial transportation related funding, permit acquisition, on- and off-site mitigation, and required post project monitoring. The presentation will summarize the design and critical steps along the way and will include several pre-recorded video clips providing different perspectives on the value and history of the project.
