BLAINE, Wash. — The Birch Bay berm, first envisioned in the 1970’s, is nearing completion.
Marie Duckworth of Whatcom County Public Works says people can expect see crews demobilizing in April but they will continue with plant monitoring and maintenance through the summer.
She told KGMI that 20 different native plant species are in place along the berm, and of the 120,000 plants installed, all but 8000 survived January’s wind storm.
The plants include yarrow, lupine, mugwort, blue pine and others.
Duckworth says all of those plants will grow and enhance the area for wildlife and birds, while helping hold the new shoreline in place.
A pedestrian walkway on the berm spans much of Birch Bay Drive from near Terrell Creek north past the Harborview Road intersection.
The county is planning a community event to celebrate the completion of the berm in August, with details to come.
