Birch Bay Incorporation Association

Sheriff Tanksley speaks at Birch Bay incorporation meeting

Posted February 26, 2025

Sheriff Donnell Tanksley answered questions on how the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) could support law enforcement in Birch Bay if it became a city during the Birch Bay Incorporation Association (BBIA) meeting on February 20…

Sheriff Tanksley to discuss law enforcement and Birch Bay incorporation

Posted February 12, 2025

Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley will discuss what law enforcement could potentially look like if Birch Bay becomes its own city during the Birch Bay Incorporation Association’s (BBIA) next meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 20.

Tanksley is also expected to discuss public safety currently in Birch Bay and how those services could change if Birch Bay incorporated. Attendees will be able to ask Tanksley questions…

Whatcom County Council funds Birch Bay incorporation study

Posted July 24, 2024

Whatcom County Council approved up to $150,000 to fund a Birch Bay incorporation feasibility study that will provide more data, including costs, associated with the urban growth area becoming its own city…

County OKs $150K Birch Bay incorporation feasibility study

Posted July 23, 2024

The Whatcom County Council agreed Tuesday, July 23 to fund an updated study on the feasibility of Birch Bay becoming its own city.

Birch Bay has long been viewed as a vacation beach town full of Canadian second homeowners, but recently, more residents are sticking around all year. As of 2023, 8,900 residents lived in the Birch Bay urban growth area, tourism is booming and the village on the bay is now home to more than 300 short-term rentals…

Sidhu, Shewmake talk Birch Bay incorporation

Posted May 22, 2024

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu and state senator Sharon Shewmake (D-42nd District) fielded questions about what it would mean for Birch Bay to become its own city during the May 16 Birch Bay Incorporation Association meeting at North Bay Community Church.

While Shewmake and Sidhu said they were neither for nor against Birch Bay incorporation, the two said a city government would provide Birch Bay more of a voice on issues, ranging from the county to federal level. Both admitted they had never been involved in an incorporation and were catching up to speed on the topic…

Whatcom County Council to consider fully funding Birch Bay incorporation feasibility study

Posted May 8, 2024

Whatcom County Council is anticipated to vote in June on providing crucial funding for Birch Bay incorporation efforts through a feasibility study that would provide a clearer picture of costs associated with Birch Bay becoming its own city…

The puzzle of Birch Bay has a few missing pieces

Posted March 6, 2024

Birch Bay in 2024 looks something like one of those panoramic jigsaw puzzles, its pieces scattered across a tabletop, still in the process of being solved.

The outlines of the picture are clear: A vibrant community in a spectacular coastal landscape. A stellar state park and wildlife refuge that is an ecological treasure, drawing visitors from all over. A local economy focused on recreation. A diverse residential enclave that’s getting bigger every day…

Birch Bay group eyes incorporation

Posted February 29, 2024

Birch Bay is not a city. 

While nearly 9,000 people live in the 5-square-mile crescent of coastline south of Blaine, Birch Bay doesn’t have a mayor, a council, city ordinances or a police force. Kids travel 10 miles to Blaine every day to attend school. There’s no post office, nor is there even a U.S. Postal Service mail drop box anywhere in the area…

Community group officially forms as Birch Bay Incorporation Association

Posted November 21, 2023

A community group researching the potential for Birch Bay to become its own city has officially formed as the Birch Bay Incorporation Association.

Over 100 people packed into Christ the King North Bay Community Church to learn more about the association and participate in its first election November 15. The informal election established the association, set the city boundaries for a feasibility study, and elected 15 steering committee representatives…

Birch Bay incorporation group seeks community input

Posted November 8, 2023

A community group looking at the potential of Birch Bay becoming its own city is expected to vote on its proposed incorporation boundaries, bylaws and steering committee representatives during its Wednesday, November 15 meeting…

Whatcom County Council District 5 candidate Q&A: Ben Elenbaas and Jackie Dexter

Posted October 25, 2023

The Northern Light asked Whatcom County Council District 5 candidates why they are running for the seat in the November 7 general election. The District 5 position is a four-year term that represents north Whatcom County, including Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer. The candidates provided written responses to the questions…

Survey open on Birch Bay incorporation

Posted April 19, 2023

Community organizers who have posted a survey to gauge Birch Bay residents’ interest in incorporation are looking for feedback through Monday, May 8. 

Birch Bay native Matt Berry recently started the Birch Bay Community Political Action Committee with fellow residents to explore the feasibility of incorporating Birch Bay as a city. The survey is the first step in the process to incorporate Birch Bay, something Berry sees as taking years.

“There have been a couple of attempts in the past to do so but now seems like the timing is more right than ever with the amount of growth we’re seeing in the area and concerns of residents that would be better handled by a more directly representative government of people in our area,” Berry said…