Editor’s note: The Port of Bellingham and city of Bellingham have joined forces to redevelop 137 waterfront acres that the port acquired from Georgia-Pacific West Inc. in 2005, as well as an additional 83 acres of waterfront property. This weekly update is provided by the port.

Before work can begin on cleaning up Whatcom Waterway or constructing a new marina and associated development, engineers need to understand the waves, currents and tides in Bellingham Bay.

The Port of Bellingham hired the consulting firm Anchor Environmental early this year to oversee the multi-year engineering, permitting and design project that will include cleanup of the waterway and former treatment lagoon, development of the new marina, other waterfront improvements, and the creation of multiple near-shore habitat areas.

Last week, Tom Wang of Anchor Environmental updated the Port Commission on the work his consulting firm has been doing and what’s ahead.

Four wave and current measuring devices operated in the bay from March 20 to May 1, in Whatcom Waterway, near Portage Island, just offshore from the treatment lagoon and alongside Squalicum Harbor, Wang said. The instruments, on the ocean floor, collected information about the height, direction, frequency and velocity of waves, currents and tidal action. Several high wind storms occurred while the instruments were in place.

The data, plus highly detailed information about the shoreline and underwater topography, will be used to create simulation models.

Anchor Environmental will complete the first phase of the project by June. Before the end of June, the commission

will consider approving a second phase of engineering, permitting and analysis work, to occur between June and next April.

Cleanup and construction are expected to begin in fall 2010 and be done by summer 2014. To protect endangered species, including salmon, construction in Bellingham Bay is limited to Sept. 15 through Feb. 15, which is why it will take several seasons to complete the waterfront work.

Anchor Environmental’s PowerPoint presentation can be viewed by going to the port’s Web site, www.portofbellingham.com, and clicking on “Waterfront Redevelopment Project Updates.”