EVERSON - Public comment will be taken at a meeting Wednesday, March 13, on the plan for reducing the health and flood risks on Swift Creek.

The creek, which flows from Sumas Mountain to the Sumas River, is highly flood prone because a landslide in the upper reaches of the basin releases large amounts of sediment into the creek. The sediment contains natural asbestos and metals.

Solutions described in a draft environmental impact statement include trapping the sediment, shoring up the creek banks and stabilizing the landslide.

The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Nooksack Valley High School, 332 E. Badger Road. Comments are also being accepted via email through Monday, March 18, at PDS@co.whatcom.wa.us.

The draft statement can be read online at whatcomcounty.us/pds/plan/sepa/swiftcreek.

Reach Ralph Schwartz at 360-715-2289 or ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com. Read his politics blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldpolitics.