Bellingham Urban Forestry

Executive Summary Bellingham Draft Urban Forest Plan (April 2024)  

The City of Bellingham Draft Urban Forest Plan (April 2024) establishes a framework that views trees as essential infrastructure for the city's ecological, social, and economic health.

The plan is based on Washington State's Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.172), Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58), and Community and Urban Forest Act (RCW 76.15). It says that trees are tools for protecting waterways, fish and wildlife habitat, and human health.

Bellingham wants to plant or let nature plant about 22,000 trees each year to reach its goal of 45 percent canopy cover by 2050. This will help the city grow in an environmentally friendly way that meets its legal obligations.

1. Keeping important places and waterways safe

Bellingham's plan views its urban forest as a way to protect the watershed's health. It does this by filtering stormwater, stabilizing slopes, and cooling streams that support fish.

By using Best Available Science to protect critical areas, the plan meets the requirements of RCW 36.70A.172. It does this by adding hydrological and canopy data to the development review process.

• Trees catch and clean stormwater, keeping nutrients and toxins from running off into Bellingham Bay, Whatcom Creek, and Lake Whatcom.

• Vegetation along the banks of rivers and streams provides shade and cools the water, protecting salmon, trout, and aquatic invertebrates that are sensitive to heat.

• Trees with deep roots hold slopes in place, which cuts down on sediment plumes that could harm eelgrass and shellfish habitats.

These functions directly implement RCW 90.58 (Shoreline Management Act), which requires "no net loss of ecological function." They also support the city's Critical Areas Ordinance (BMC 16.55), which protects wetlands, riparian buffers, and geologically hazardous areas.

2. Good for the environment and the weather

The Urban Forest Plan measures how well Bellingham's tree canopy protects the environment:

• The current canopy coverage of about 41 percent stores millions of gallons of rainwater each year, which saves about $1.9 million in stormwater costs each year.

• Trees store carbon, make the air cleaner, and lower the temperature in neighborhoods that are sensitive to heat. • Modeling shows that a 5 percent increase in canopy would absorb more than 500 tons of CO₂ each year and lower flooding and erosion in cities.

These benefits align with the law, which states that municipal forest programs can make people more resilient.

• RCW 70A.15—making sure that plants help meet air quality standards.

• RCW 90.58—keeping riparian buffers safe from ecological loss.

Bellingham helps the region achieve its goals for reducing emissions and preparing for more frequent atmospheric river events by including forest canopy expansion in its climate action plan.

3. Health of the Public and the Community

The plan shows how tree cover affects human health directly:

• Asthma and heart disease rates are lower in neighborhoods with more trees because trees filter fine particles (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀) from the air.

• Shaded areas lower the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for kids and seniors. • Green spaces encourage exercise, boost mental health, and lower crime rates (Wolf, University of Washington).

Bellingham uses data from the Health Disparities Index to decide where to plant trees first, which is in line with RCW 43.70.820 (Health Equity Act).

The plan views canopy growth as both a means to improve public health and to promote environmental justice.

4. Benefits for the economy and property values

Bellingham's economic analysis is similar to what other cities in the Pacific Northwest have found:

• For every dollar spent on expanding the canopy, there are long-term benefits of more than $2.50 through less flooding, less pollution, and less energy use.

• Retail sales are 11% higher in districts with trees, and visitors stay longer. • Homes with mature trees are worth up to 10% more.

These numbers align with RCW 35.92.010, which states that green infrastructure is a bona fide municipal utility and a driver of local economic growth.

5. Bellingham's laws about protecting trees, keeping watersheds healthy, and urban forestry

The City of Bellingham, Washington, demonstrates how a medium-sized city can implement urban forestry to protect trees, improve water quality, and enhance community health. Urban forestry is a part of every level of environmental governance in the city, from reviewing new developments to managing stormwater and helping salmon recover.

Bellingham's laws are based on Washington's most important environmental laws, such as the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.172), the Urban Forest Management Act (RCW 76.15), the Water Pollution Control Act (RCW 90.48), and the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58). These laws ensure that tree canopy, soil conservation, and riparian vegetation are recognized as critical public infrastructure.

BMC 16.60 — Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO): Trees, Buffers, and Habitat Protection Purpose and Scope:

Bellingham's Critical Areas Ordinance (BMC 16.60) ensures that the state follows the Best Available Science rule by controlling land use in wetlands, steep slopes, aquifer recharge zones, and streams that support fish. The ordinance protects the city's most fragile ecosystems by setting strict rules for plants.

Key Provisions: • In all Critical Areas and buffers, it is necessary to keep trees, native plants, and root zones that are already there.

• Uses Science to figure out how wide buffers should be and what kinds of plants should be there. It does this by reviewing hydrologic and habitat studies conducted by the Washington Department of Ecology.

• Prohibits the removal or disturbance of mature canopy trees within buffers unless necessary for safety or restoration, ensuring "no net loss" of ecological function.

• Requires that any approved tree removal be balanced out by native replanting or canopy restoration that is equal in size, with a five-year monitoring period to make sure the trees survive.

• Connects directly to RCW 36.70A.172 and RCW 90.58, making sure that local land-use policies are in line with state-level environmental standards.

Policy Results:

BMC 16.60 ensures that new buildings in Bellingham's watersheds do not endanger slope stability, water quality, or fish habitat. It also complies with RCW 90.48 by acknowledging trees as natural water filters that help purify water before it reaches Lake Whatcom, the city's drinking water source.

BMC 16.70: Shoreline Master Program (SMP): Protecting plants and not losing any land.

Goal and Scope:

The Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) says that Bellingham's Shoreline Master Program (SMP) must not allow any loss of ecological function along the shoreline. The program includes protecting trees and plants in shoreline development plans, preventing flooding, and restoring habitats.

Key Provisions: • All shoreline development and restoration projects must have plans for managing plants.

• Keeps native trees and riparian buffers along Lake Whatcom, Bellingham Bay, Squalicum Creek, and Whatcom Creek to keep the water cool for salmon and other aquatic life.

• Limits the cutting down or trimming of riparian trees without a permit and a plan to make up for the damage.

• Puts replanting with native conifers and broadleaf species first to stabilize banks and make the water cleaner.

• Supports the use of living plant systems instead of riprap or bulkheads to stabilize the shoreline and protect habitat.

Policy Results:

This law meets the no-net-loss standard set by RCW 90.58 and demonstrates how the city uses science to protect the shoreline's health. Bellingham ensures its shorelines serve as living filters for stormwater and as essential habitat corridors for fish and wildlife by maintaining riparian forest buffers.

BMC 16.90 — Law on the Protection of Trees and Plants

Goal and Range:

The Tree and Vegetation Conservation Ordinance (BMC 16.90) is the law that enables the management of tree canopies on both public and private land. It ensures that the canopy goals set out in Bellingham's Urban Forestry Management Plan are met when trees are cut down, replanted, or preserved.

Key Provisions: • You need a permit to cut down big trees on private property, and you have to plant new trees or pay a fee if you cannot avoid cutting them down.

• Lists the criteria for Significant Trees, including size, species, and ecological value. Native conifers and mature deciduous trees get more protection.

• Sets standards for tree retention on development projects, which means that a certain amount of the existing canopy must be kept on-site.

• Encourages the planting of large-canopy trees to bring back shade, lower heat, and improve stormwater retention.

• Works with Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 13.16 (Street Trees) to make sure that public rights-of-way help meet the overall canopy goals.

Results of the Policy:

This law implements RCW 76.15 by giving Bellingham's Urban Forestry Program the power to manage tree growth in the city, protect older trees, and monitor canopy coverage using LiDAR and aerial surveys.

BMC 13.16—Managing Street Trees and Public Right-of-Way

What this is for and what it covers:

BMC 13.16 says how to plant, care for, and remove trees along city streets and sidewalks. The law considers street trees an essential part of the city's public health and stormwater systems.

Important Parts:

• Requires planting trees in new developments and major road projects to make sure that urban growth helps the canopy grow.

• Sets standards for spacing, species selection, and planting practices to protect pavement and utilities from root damage.

• Requires replacing any street tree that is cut down with a species that has the same or greater canopy potential.

 • Advises on how to prune trees and protect them during construction, following the best practices of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

Let us have the Parks and Recreation Department maintain an official list of street trees linked to the city's GIS and canopy-monitoring system.

Results of the policy:

This law supports RCW 76.15 and the city's Green Streets program, which uses trees to help manage stormwater and cool the city. It also ensures everyone gets a fair chance by prioritizing planting in neighborhoods with low canopies and high heat.

BMC 15.42 — Rules for Stormwater and Low Impact Development (LID)

The Stormwater Ordinance (BMC 15.42) adds tree protection and green infrastructure to Bellingham's stormwater management system.

Key Provisions: • Requires Low Impact Development (LID) practices like keeping trees, using bioswales, and making surfaces that let water through to control runoff.

• Gives trees credit for their role in stormwater calculations by treating canopy interception and infiltration as the same as engineered detention. • Sets standards for restoring soil to keep its ability to absorb water and encourage healthy plant growth after construction.

• Follows the Water Pollution Control Act (RCW 90.48) by lowering the amount of pollution that gets into the city's creeks and Lake Whatcom.

Results of the Policy:

This law treats plants as part of the infrastructure, reducing flooding and maintenance costs while still complying with the federal Clean Water Act. Trees are used as measurable stormwater tools, and there is a direct link between canopy growth and better water quality.

6. Strategy and Vision for the Future

Bellingham's long-term plan goes beyond simply planting trees; it shows a commitment to climate adaptation and ensuring future generations have similar opportunities. The city aims for 45 percent canopy coverage by 2050, while also preserving species diversity and resilience against pests, drought, and storms.

Neighborhood Tree Stewards, Riparian Restoration Partnerships with the Nooksack Tribe, and Tree Equity Mapping are among the programs that directly involve community members in protecting waterways and wildlife habitat.

"Trees are more than just nice things to have; they are life-support systems that link health in the uplands to the sea."

Conclusion

The Urban Forest Plan for Bellingham shows that trees are the key to coastal and community resilience.

The plan meets the following goals through legal alignment and science-based management: • Clean water through runoff filtration and riparian shading • Healthy fish and wildlife through temperature moderation and habitat continuity • Better public health through pollutant removal and cooling • Economic growth through higher property and retail values • Compliance with state and local environmental laws.

Bellingham shows how cities in the Pacific Northwest can protect both their natural and human communities in a time of rapid change by linking urban forestry with protecting critical areas and making cities more resilient to climate change.