Water Planning Matters (WPM) is a non-partisan, unincorporated group of volunteers in Whatcom County, Washington that began as Blaine Water Coalition and became WPM when filing a SEPA Appeal to broaden community participation.  WPM advocates for transparent and accountable Growth Management comprehensive planning that complies with state and federal law. We protect public health and water resources by focusing on city and county planning department compliance with public participation requirements and the use of the best available science and management practices.

​

WPM challenges conflicts of interest and bias in reports, studies and government communications with the public.

 Using field evidence, public records analysis, legal and technical reviews, we provide educational materials the community can trust. Regulatory shortcuts by planning departments threaten public health, shellfish, and salmon habitats. WPM dives deep into development proposals, analyzing records to challenge premature approvals, outdated stormwater standards and projects that ignore cumulative impacts on aquifers, wetlands, and downstream communities. 

​

Since 2022, WPM investigations have protected Cain Creek, Dakota Creek, Drayton Harbor, Birch Bay, and Semiahmoo Bay from urban pollution. We secured protections under the Critical Areas Ordinance for Semiahmoo Spit salmon and seal habitat, and appealed the 490-unit Avista at Birch Point Planned Unit Development, in order to protect Birch Bay Village from flooding.  As guardians of the public process under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Growth Management Act (GMA) and Clean Water Act (CWA), Water Planning Matters reports governmental misconduct, and collaborates with the Washington Department of Ecology on enforcement.​