On March 12, Whatcom County Council may vote to protect Lake Whatcom and create a large backcountry park. The council should decide to reconvey 8,800 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed from the state Department of Natural Resources to Whatcom County. Creation of the Lake Whatcom Forest Preserve offers many environmental, recreation, and economic benefits to Whatcom residents.

Creating this preserve will protect the steep slopes within the watershed from logging, helping to improve water quality in the lake and the drinking water for half the county's residents. This large backcountry park will provide hiking, bird watching and other passive recreational activities; it will also provide valuable wildlife habitat and help restore the forest to old-growth conditions. These environmental and recreation benefits will also strengthen our economy, as noted recently in a letter signed by more than 100 local business owners.

Please contact county council (council@co.whatcom.wa.us) and urge them to vote yes on this important environmental, recreational, and economical measure. Better yet, show up and speak at the March 12, 7:30 p.m. public hearing.

Eric Hirst

Bellingham