Whatcom County Public Works crews will begin installing additional protective fencing along the Birch Bay berm during the week of May 18, working Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The project will cover the stretch from the Beach Cat area north to just past Harborview Road, with the possibility of additional fencing near Cottonwood Drive if time and materials allow.
The work is part of ongoing stewardship of the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project, which completed the largest capital infrastructure project in Whatcom County Public Works history. The berm stretches roughly 1.58 miles from the mouth of Terrell Creek at Lora Lane south to Cedar Avenue, restoring natural shoreline, protecting Birch Bay Drive from storm damage, and creating a separated pedestrian path along one of western Whatcom County's most visited stretches of waterfront.
The new fencing will connect and expand existing fenced sections, and will include an extension near Harborview Road specifically designed to discourage informal trail use. Off-path foot traffic has been a concern since the berm's completion, as it can damage native plantings and the newly stabilized dune vegetation the project was built to protect.
Three agencies are collaborating on the installation: Whatcom County Public Works, the Washington Conservation Corps, and Sheriff's Office work crews. The multi-agency approach reflects how the county has handled maintenance work on other public lands projects to stretch limited budgets while getting meaningful work done.
Birch Bay residents and visitors should expect some disruption along the berm path during work hours. Pedestrians and cyclists may want to plan alternate routes during the installation period, particularly between Harborview Road and the Beach Cat parking area. Signage will be posted during active work hours.
The Birch Bay berm corridor is one of the most heavily used recreational assets in northwest Whatcom County, drawing walkers, cyclists, and beachgoers from Birch Bay, Blaine, and Ferndale. The original berm project was funded in large part to address longstanding erosion that had repeatedly damaged Birch Bay Drive during Pacific winter storms.
Residents with questions can contact Whatcom County Public Works directly. Project updates are posted at whatcomcounty.us.
The fencing installation is one of several scheduled maintenance actions on the berm this year. As native plantings continue to mature and dune vegetation stabilizes, residents can expect ongoing stewardship work along the corridor in the seasons ahead.
