Hearing Dates Set - Call for Testimony
Protect Mud Bay Cliffs (PMBC) will soon participate in the SEPA Appeal Hearing and Permit Hearing for The Woods at Viewcrest subdivision. This is a crucial moment to demonstrate the broad community concern and to ensure that the Hearing Examiner - and other decision-makers - hear from those who understand the risks and care about our community.
HEARING DATES: January 12 - 16, 2026
Dates have been set for the SEPA appeal hearing and the permit hearing before the City of Bellingham Hearing Examiner, Sharon Rice. The SEPA appeal will be heard on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. The permit hearing begin on Wednesday, January 14 at 5:00 p.m. Both hearings will conclude by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16. All times are approximate.
Please reserve these dates on your calendars now if you plan to participate or observe either in-person or via Zoom. The in-person hearings will be held at City Council Chambers within City Hall (212 Lottie Street, 2nd floor).
PUBLIC COMMENT
There will a public comment period during the permit hearing, but not during the SEPA appeal hearing. Comments at the permit hearing will be limited to 3 minutes. During the appeal hearing, PMBC will present evidence and call witnesses, including testimony from PMBC’s experts.
APPEAL SCHEDULING ORDER
The Appeal Scheduling Order amended by Hearing Examiner Rice on 9/5/25 provides additional details about the hearings. A Hearing Notice will be sent to all parties who requested to be notified. Once the notice is issued, PMBC will post a link in a separate update.
STAND UP FOR MUD BAY - TESTIFY WITH US
PMBC has been working closely with our outstanding attorneys and experts to prepare for these hearings. We are asking our supporters to testify alongside our expert witnesses. Your voice matters—whether you bring professional expertise or personal experience.
Who We Need to Testify
Community Members with Relevant Training or Experience
We especially welcome testimony from individuals with knowledge or background in:
Marine Biology & Ecology: Impacts to Mud Bay’s benthic community, estuarine wetlands, or mudflats.
Geotechnical Hazards: Landslide, erosion, slope instability, or rockfall risks.
Hydrology & Hydrogeology: Stormwater, groundwater, and watershed impacts.
Transportation & Traffic: Road safety, congestion, and access concerns.
Your professional insight, field experience, or academic background can help strengthen the record and highlight issues that the City has overlooked.
Community Members with Personal Experiences or Observations
We also need neighbors, residents, and community members who can speak to:
Firsthand observations of Mud Bay, Chuckanut Creek, and the cliffs.
Concerns about public safety, flooding, recreation, or environmental harm.
Experiences walking, boating, fishing, or enjoying Mud Bay and the Chuckanut Village area.
The importance of protecting this place for future generations.
Personal testimony is powerful—it shows that real people, not just experts, will be impacted by this project.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Sign up to testify at the upcoming hearing. (We’ll provide details once the Hearing Notice is issued.)
Prepare a short statement (2–3 minutes) on your area of expertise or your personal connection to Mud Bay.
Contact us if you would like guidance. PMBC can help you draft or refine your testimony.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The City has downplayed the significant adverse impacts of The Woods at Viewcrest. By testifying, you help ensure the Hearing Examiner and decision-makers hear the truth: this project threatens public safety, fragile ecosystems, and the character of our community.
👉 If you are willing to testify, please contact us at Info@MudBayCliffs.org.
As always, thank you for helping to Protect Mud Bay and the Mud Bay Cliffs. Together, we can demonstrate why Mud Bay is too precious to risk.
Related Links:
Appeal Scheduling Order amended 9/5/25
https://bit.ly/PMBC-Appeal-Schedule
https://bit.ly/PMBC-SEPA-Appeal
PMBC 8/8/25 Addendum re: Illegal stormwater discharges & Sediment Containment System
https://bit.ly/PMBC-Appeal-Addendum
https://bit.ly/PMBC-Press-20250808
City of Bellingham 7/25/25 SEPA MDNS Threshold Determination
City of Bellingham 7/24/25 SEPA Report