WWU students release environmental impact study for Birch Bay shoreline project

Five Western Washington University (WWU) students, after studying the possible impacts of the proposed Birch Bay shoreline enhancements, have concluded the most serious impacts will come during construction.

The students completed an environmental impact assessment of the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility as part of a class taken through WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment. The assessment looked at numerous possible impacts of the project, which will add a beach berm to nearly the entire length of Birch Bay, remove beach groins and riprap and improve stormwater treatment structures.