Our Work Continues

Dear Friends of Protect Mud Bay Cliffs,

First and foremost, thank you.

Since Protect Mud Bay Cliffs (PMBC) was formed in 2021, more than a thousand community members have supported our efforts to protect Mud Bay, the surrounding coastal bluffs, neighboring properties, and public health and safety.

Many of you have attended meetings and hearings, submitted comments, contributed financially, volunteered your time, shared information, and encouraged us through a very long process.

We are deeply grateful for your steadfast support.

On August 21, the Bellingham City Council denied PMBC's appeal of the Hearing Examiner's approval of The Woods at Viewcrest Preliminary Plat. Although we are disappointed with the decision, PMBC's efforts to protect Mud Bay continue.

Important regulatory reviews conducted by state and federal agencies still lie ahead. PMBC will continue working with the Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, each of which has regulatory authority over aspects of the proposed subdivision.

Our hope is that these agencies --which lie outside of the City’s authority-- will require revisions to the proposed development that will lead to greater protections for Mud Bay and surrounding residents.

Our objective remains the same as it has from the beginning: To do everything within our ability to minimize the potential adverse environmental and public-safety impacts of this subdivision.

We remain particularly concerned about stormwater runoff and water quality, the stability of the steep coastal bluffs, impacts to Mud Bay and its shoreline habitat, and the protection of the public beach located directly below the development.

These concerns don’t disappear just because the Hearing Examiner and the City have approved the preliminary plat.

PMBC has accomplished a great deal since 2021 because of you. Whatever ultimately happens with The Woods at Viewcrest, the project has received a level of public, technical, and regulatory scrutiny that would not have occurred without the involvement of this community.

Thank you for standing with us for the past five years. We will keep you informed as the state and federal review processes move forward.

With our deepest appreciation,

Protect Mud Bay Cliffs (PMBC)