Keeping Roadside Ditches Clear
With more than 930 miles of County roads to maintain, Public Works crews must prioritize maintenance activities throughout the year. As a result, routine roadside ditch mowing and vegetation trimming may be less frequent in some areas.
Property owners are welcome to mow, trim weeds, and remove small debris from roadside ditches adjacent to their property. These simple activities can help keep stormwater flowing and prevent drainage problems.
Keep in mind that some vegetation is beneficial! Grass and other plants help stabilize ditch banks, prevent erosion, and filter pollutants from stormwater. The goal is to manage overgrown vegetation, not remove it completely.
Property owners are also responsible for keeping their driveway culverts clear of debris and vegetation that could block water flow.
Routine mowing and trimming in roadside ditches are allowed, but more extensive work, such as digging, grading, reshaping a ditch, or installing or replacing a culvert, requires County approval.
Learn more about roadside ditch maintenance and permit requirements.
 Photo courtesy of Department of Ecology
Swift Creek Project Makes Progress, Supports New Research
Good news from Swift Creek! The sediment traps installed as part of our ongoing project to reduce flooding and manage naturally occurring asbestos are working as designed, helping keep sediment from moving downstream.
And there's another interesting development! The sediment collected at the site is now part of a research project exploring whether it can help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Arca Climate Technologies is testing whether mixing the sediment can speed up this natural process.
The Washington State Department of Ecology recently featured the project and this innovative research in a new blog post.
Read “Capturing Carbon While Capturing Asbestos” to learn more.
Studded Tire Season Begins Nov. 1
Studded tires are legal for use in Washington state from Nov. 1 through March 31. With winter weather approaching, now is a good time to check your tires and prepare your vehicle for changing road conditions.
Studded tires aren't the only option for winter driving. Stud-free winter traction tires can provide traction in snow and ice without causing the same pavement damage as studded tires. Remember, studded tires also do not replace chains when chains are required.
Learn more about studded tire regulations, traction requirements, and winter driving tips from WSDOT.
Meet Our 2026 Scooping Stars!
The results are in! Congratulations to the winners of this year's We Scoop! Photo Contest. Let's give these scooping stars a big round of ap-paws!
Meet our five featured pups:
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Oakley & Sydney C.
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Toby & Armando O.
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Skye & Vanessa S.
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Aurora & Stephen B.
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Clover & Grace M.
Thank you to everyone who participated and shared photos of their adorable dogs!
Remember, picking up after your pet helps keep harmful bacteria and pollutants out of our local waterways.
Learn more about the We Scoop! program.
Nov. 4 Planned Service Outage for Lummi Island Ferry
The Whatcom Chief will be out of service from 10:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, for maintenance work that couldn't be completed during dry dock because parts were unavailable. Crews will also make an electrical repair at the Lummi Island terminal.
The last morning departures will be 9:50 a.m. from Gooseberry Point and 10 a.m. from Lummi Island. No additional morning runs will be made after these departures.
Maintenance work is weather-dependent. If the schedule changes, we will post updates on the Lummi Island Ferry webpage.
Don't Let Septic Problems Haunt You!
Worried about unexpected septic system repairs? Regular evaluations can catch problems before they become costly repairs.
If you have a septic system, now is a good time to make sure it's working properly. Learn more about septic system evaluations, why they're important, and what financial assistance may be available to help cover costs.
Learn more about septic system evaluations and maintenance.
 Photo courtesy of WSDOT
Road to Artist Point Closes for the Season
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) closed the final 2.7 miles of Mount Baker Highway (State Route 542), known as the road to Artist Point, on Sunday, Oct. 25, for the winter season. The highway remains open to Heather Meadows (milepost 54).
WSDOT closes this section of the highway each year for safety because of winter weather, steep slopes, and sharp curves. Crews typically reopen the road in the spring or summer after clearing snow and completing any needed repairs.
Winter recreationists should check weather and road conditions before heading into the mountains. Services at Artist Point, including restrooms and garbage disposal, will be limited during the closure.
For road closure updates, visit WSDOT's Mount Baker Highway Mountain Pass page or real-time travel map.
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