Bellingham City Council members will get their chance to weigh in on a proposed merger with the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District today.

The city is considering a plan in which it would take over delivery of water and sewer services to the more than 7,000 residents who currently get their water and sewer from the district. That population includes all of Sudden Valley and many other homes and commercial buildings on the north and south shores of Lake Whatcom.

City officials hope that controlling the district will give them a say in how much building goes on around the lake, the drinking-water source for more than 95,000 people, including the entire city. A consultant’s report suggests the city could take over the district’s operations with no new costs to city residents. Meanwhile, district customers could save as much as 20 percent. The merger would also end a push from district officials to build a new district headquarters somewhere in the watershed at an estimated cost to ratepayers of more than $6 million.

Some district officials remain hesitant, though. Under the current system, district customers have the right to elect commissioners to run the system. That gives residents a say in how things are managed. That may not be the case under city management, because district customers are not residents of the city. They have no say in City Council, mayoral or other city elections.

A lot depends on how the city proceeds. Council members will be asked to answer some important policy questions that may affect whether or not the merger is feasible. For example, the city currently charges a utility tax and a surcharge to its city customers to help buy land in the watershed. Would it charge those fees to district customers, too? On the other hand, the city does charge a “out-of-city multiplier” to people who receive city water but don’t live in the city. Will that still be in effect for customers of the water district if they become direct customers of the city?

The devil is in a lot of the details here, and it will be tough for city officials and district officials and customers to find the exact common ground where everyone is happy.

Still, we are glad to see the city take on this possibility. Any and all efforts to protect the lake are worth pursuing.

>> Bellingham City Council, Public works committee meeting 2:15 p.m. today and full council meeting 7 tonight in the Council Chambers at Bellingham City Hall, 201 Lottie St.

SPEAKER ADDRESSES EVOLUTION, CREATIONISM BATTLES

The debate about religion versus science is a mainstay on opinion pages across the United States and has been for 100 years. But Patricia Kelley says religion and evolution can coexist.

Kelley is a scientist, having worked at the National Science Foundation, and three universities and serving as a fellow in the Geological Society of America, the Paleontological Society and the American Association of the Advancement of Science. She served on the Paloentological Research Institution’s board of trustees and received the 2003 Outstanding Educator Award from the Association for Women Geoscientists. She is married to a Presbyterian minister.

Kelley’s lecture, “Evolution and Creation: Conflicting or Compatible,” is scheduled for Wednesday night at Western Washington University.

>> Patricia Kelley lecture 7 p.m. Wednesday, in room 120 of the Communications Facility, Western Washington University.

UNIQUE PARADE FOCUSES ON ART, EARTH

Bellingham’s most unusual parade is Saturday. The annual Procession of the Species features people dressed up as their favorite animals, insects, plants and other things from the natural world walking from Bellingham City Hall to Maritime Heritage Park.

The parade is part art project — witness the zany costumes — part political comment about how we should respect the earth and part just plain fun.

Anyone who wants to can join in the parade. Always looking to be earth friendly, organizers encourage participants to make their costumes from recycled materials.

>> Fifth annual Procession of the Species 5 p.m. Saturday, starting at Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie St., and ending with festivities at Maritime Heritage Park.