Anchor QEA is currently preparing a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the City of Bellingham’s water supply system.  The HCP addresses activities associated with the surface water withdrawals for the City’s water supply that may affect species listed under the Endangered Species Act.  The City diverts water from the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River, and transfers it via pipeline to Lake Whatcom.  Water is withdrawn from the lake and enters the City’s water treatment system.  A field monitoring program was developed and implemented to address data gaps, including fish utilization of the water bodies along the water supply system route, water quality, and biological characteristics of the watershed.  Anchor QEA also serves as the City’s representative on the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 1 Instream Flow and Fish Habitat Technical Teams.  The HCP will consider Clean Water Act issues in the project area.  Anchor QEA will also prepare the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statement that addresses the HCP activities.