Whatcom County Public Works

Perfect weekend for a car wash! Help protect our waterways while you’re at it. Commercial car washes are the best option because they recycle water and send it to the sewer. Washing at home? Do it over grass or gravel so water can filter through the soil.

Otherwise, soapy, dirty wash water can flow straight into rivers, creeks, lakes, and bays.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/Bv2w50ZuQcc

Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who spent the Sunday of their holiday weekend cleaning up firework debris from the beaches of Birch Bay. Over 8 tons of trash (an estimated weight equivalent to a large T-Rex) was removed over the weekend by dedicated volunteers, some of whom started at sunrise. The annual July 5th beach cleanup has been a community-led effort for years to protect the people, wildlife, and beauty of Birch Bay.

Whatcom CD, BBWARM, the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, and NSEA helped publicize the effort to bring in more helping hands and provided trash bags, grabbers, and snacks to 125 volunteers from 9 AM to 12 PM. The Whatcom County Department of Health & Human Services supplied dumpsters throughout the weekend, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue - WCFD 21 helped with cleanup as they were able, and the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office work crew brought trash piles to the dumpsters throughout the weekend.

Chip sealing continues in north Whatcom County this week, weather permitting. Here's our road list for the week of Monday, July 27, to Thursday, July 30:

Garrison Rd (north of SR-9)
Lindsay Rd (west of SR-9)
Nooksack Rd
Northwood Rd (south of Lynden city limits)
Slotemaker Rd
Stickney Island Rd
Timon Rd
Trapline Rd (south of SR-546)

Please expect travel delays between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and use alternate routes whenever possible. This work is weather dependent and subject to change.

Roads scheduled for chip seal will be marked weekly on the County Travel Planner: https://ow.ly/el3m50ZjQho

You can also sign up to get email and/or text alerts about future road work: https://ow.ly/XNmc50ZjQhq

UPDATE 12:57PM: Our website is back up!

Our website is down and while we cannot directly implicate everyone's favorite nocturnal celebrity - we cannot rule it out entirely. We are hoping to restore service as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Our 2026 chip seal season is moving right along! Here's our road list for the week of Monday, July 20, to Thursday, July 23:

• Bowen Rd
• Clearbrook Rd
• Garrison Rd
• Hill Rd
• Hovel Rd
• Morgan Rd
• N Telegraph Rd (north of Morgan Rd)
• Nooksack Rd
• Pangborn Rd
• Sumas Rd
• Swanson Rd
• Van Buren Rd (north of Lindsay Rd)

Please expect travel delays between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and use alternate routes whenever possible.

Roads scheduled for chip seal will be marked weekly on the County Travel Planner: https://ow.ly/el3m50ZjQho

You can also sign up to get email and/or text alerts about future road work: https://ow.ly/XNmc50ZjQhq

Reminder: Participants in the annual Tour de Whatcom will be sharing County roads for most of the day. Cyclists ride in Bham, Sudden Valley, Lynden, Birch Bay, Ferndale, and points in between.

Please slow down and remain alert, as approximately 800 cyclists will be in various places between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Find the route maps here: https://tourdewhatcom.com/ride-information/route-maps/

Registration is now open for the 14th Annual Run with the Chums 5K Fun Run! This free, family-friendly event is open to all ages and speeds.

September 12th in Birch Bay
Smolt Sprint starts at 9:30 AM
5K Run begins at 10:00 AM
Check-in opens at 8:30 AM – get there early for your free T-shirt (first come, first served)!

Register now! - bit.ly/RWTC26-Reg

Traffic Impact: The annual Tour de Whatcom is tomorrow, and cyclists ride through Bham, Lake Samish, Sudden Valley, Lynden, Birch Bay, Ferndale, and points in between.

Please slow down. About 800 cyclists will be on county roads between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Find route maps here: https://ow.ly/2PZT50SFs56

The Whatcom County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) is looking for new members!

BPAC works with County staff to provide recommendations on projects and programs that support safe, welcoming places to walk and ride a bicycle throughout Whatcom County.

If you'd like to share your perspective and help shape future improvements, learn more about the committee and how to apply here: https://ow.ly/fnBI50Zo1H1

Thanks, Whatcom County Health and Community Services! This is an important program for keeping our roadways clean and safe.

To learn more about Whatcom County’s Adopt-a-Road program or to access Adopt-a-Road forms, visit whatcomcounty.us/litter!

Looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity in the community? The Adopt-a-Road program is a great way for families, clubs, and businesses to help clean up our community. Program volunteers clean up tens of thousands of pounds of garbage from Whatcom County roadsides every year. Trash bags and safety equipment are provided to volunteers. Learn more and access forms at whatcomcounty.us/litter