Reauthorizing the Whatcom Waterway Federal Channel
 In November 2007, the U.S. Senate and House passed the Water Resources Development Act. A portion of this legislation changes the inland section of Whatcom Waterway from a federal channel to a locally controlled channel. The outer portion of the waterway, near the deep draft shipping terminal, remains a federal channel.
The port and city sought this change so future waterway uses could be determined locally. Typically federal channels are governed to protect them for deep-draft shipping, commerce and transportation needs. It can be difficult to get approval to build bridges over federal channels or to add docks for visiting boats. Some key features of the emerging plan for the waterfront district include adding new docks and a pedestrian bridge as well as removing some of the steep shorelines and replacing them with soft banks and additional salmon habitat. A locally managed inner waterway will allow the port to build the docks needed for recreational boats and make other improvements to prepare the site for a broader mix of uses, including additional public access, moorage, residential, business and light industry. As long as the waterfront section of the waterway was designated as a federal channel, the port needed to comply with certain federal requirements that restricted the waterfront's use. Background On May 2, 2006 members of the community commented on whether the Port Commission should approve a resolution asking Congress to change the inland portion of the Whatcom Waterway from a federal shipping channel to a locally managed channel. This change would only apply to the inland portion and would preserve the deep draft federal channel for the outer portion alongside the Shipping Terminal and into Bellingham Bay. Darren Williams, president of the Longshoremen's Union ILWU Local 7, spoke in favor of the change as long as the Port actively pursues shipping opportunities and Shipping Terminal enhancments for the deep draft area. Before the comment period, the Port received letters of support for the change from NOAA and the city of Bellingham. Several community members expressed concern about the speed of the decision making process and asked that the decision be delayed until the Whatcom Waterway cleanup alternative is selected. The Commission is scheduled to consider voting on the channel resolution at its regular meeting at 3 p.m., May 16. The actual change of channel boundaries must be approved by Congress. Click Here for the Presentation Commission Hears Update on Whatcom Shipping Conditions On May 2, Port staff presented information to the Port Commission about the regional maritime shipping market historically and at present date. The presentation explained the difference among Large Metropolitan Ports (Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Vancouver, B.C.), Satellite Ports (Everett, Olympia, Fraser and Vancouver, Wash.) and Remote Ports ( a long list including Bellingham). Remote ports, such as Bellingham, have a more difficult time competing because they have limited railway and freeway access, are distant from large ports and don't have local product shipping demands. Click here for the complete presentation. At 3 p.m. on May 16th, the Port Commission is expected to vote on a resolution to ask Congress to change the boundaries of the federal channel in the Whatcom Waterway to allow for local control of the inner waterway. This meeting will take place at the Harbor Center Conference Room at 1801 Roeder Avenue in Bellingham. At 3 p.m. on May 16th, the Port Commission is expected to vote on a resolution to ask Congress to change the boundaries of the federal channel in the Whatcom Waterway to allow for local control of the inner waterway. This meeting will take place at the Harbor Center Conference Room at 1801 Roeder Avenue in Bellingham. The public is welcome to submit written comments until May 15, 2006. For more information on how to submit written comments, please contact Mary Matyas at (360) 676-2500. To read a draft Port Commission resolution detailing this proposed adjustment to the federal channel, click here. If the Port Commission approves this resolution, the change will also require Congressional action. A locally controlled inner waterway offers the community greater flexibility to build infrastructure compatible with sailboats, kayaks, foot ferries, and pubic access. Increasing public access opportunities in and around the inner Whatcom Waterway is consistent with the community's vision of a vibrant, mixed-use waterfront. A locally controlled inner waterway also supports habitat restoration efforts in the Whatcom Creek estuary. The Port and City are currently evaluating redevelopment design ideas for the area surrounding the Whatcom Waterway. All of these redevelopment design ideas would benefit from a locally controlled inner waterway. To learn more about master planning efforts for this area, click here. This change would only apply to the inner waterway from Whatcom Creek up to the treatment lagoon. It would preserve the federal channel designation in waters adjacent to the deep-draft Shipping Terminal and would set the stage for future dredging in the Shipping Terminal area to maintain a deep-draft area for shipping or other related deep-draft uses. Current Whatcom Waterway Federal Channel
Whatcom Waterway Federal Channel
Proposed Whatcom Waterway Federal Channel Adjustment
Adjust to -20 foot locally managed inner waterway
Preserve -30 foot deep-draft outer waterway at Shipping Terminal
Adjusting the federal channel is a necessary step to bring to reality the community’s goal of transforming the inner portion of the waterway from steel hardened sheet piling and vertical fixed docks to being more accessible to pedestrians and small boats. This change will also enhance salmon recovery efforts by supporting both the construction of new habitat features and the preservation of existing habitat in the Whatcom Creek estuary. 
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