The Decline of Bellingham Bay

RE Sources for Sustainable Communities announces a presentation by Valerie Partridge, Department of Ecology, Marine Sediment Monitoring Team member, and lead author of the recently released report, “Sediment Quality in Bellingham Bay, 2010”. Reporting on findings from the 2010 sediment surveys in thirty locations across Bellingham Bay, Partridge will review the data and possible causes for the decline of marine life health. As the report indicates, Bellingham Bay's sediment quality is lower than trends found in sediment quality in Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia.

Citizens concerned about the health of the Bay and water quality should attend to learn more about the Bay and why it might be in decline. After attending the presentation, participants will understand how the bay is sampled, what those samples tell us and the scientific process used to determine its decline. Ms. Partridge will also discuss the possible causes for the decline and what science can and cannot tell us about them.