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. This weekly update is provided by the port.

The draft transition agreement between the port of Bellingham and Georgia-Pacific Inc. will be among the topics discussed at the port commissioners’ work study session at 3 p.m. today.

The transition agreement will address upcoming demolition, site management, site security, permits and utilities during the final year that G-P will be on the site.

G-P agreed in the original sale agreement to demolish the tissue mill, which will occur this year.

Commissioners also will get an update on the first phase of the Whatcom Waterway cleanup and marina project.

The commission will be asked to authorize collection of wave and current data from Bellingham Bay during the spring storm season.

If approved, the project will include temporarily placing measuring instruments on the floor of the bay and other monitoring to determine impacts of waves and currents on sediment and shorelines in and

around the Whatcom Waterway. This special project will cost about $55,000.

COMMENTS ANALYZED

Last week marked the end of a 60-day public comment period on the draft environmental impact statement for the waterfront redevelopment project.

Testimony from two public hearings and written comments are being reviewed and analyzed by the port and the port’s state Environmental Policy Act official, Andrew Maron.

The written comments and a transcript of the public hearings are available on the port’s Web site, www.portofbellingham.com.

NEXT STEPS TOWARD MASTER PLAN

Last week the port directed Maron to delay completion of a final environmental impact statement while the port and city work together on a draft master plan that might be included as a preferred alternative.

The final environmental statement will address each comment submitted during the public comment periods.

A March master planning meeting and the next Waterfront Advisory Group meeting have been postponed until more information is available.