Improve your property
PROTECT LAKE WHATCOM
Get Reimbursed
INTRODUCING HIP
The Homeowner Incentive Program
The HIP connects landowners living in the Lake Whatcom watershed with the technical and financial assistance they need to take action to improve water quality in the lake. With support from professional experts, HIP participants are encouraged to complete voluntary projects that both protect Lake Whatcom and accentuate the unique character of each property.
The HIP was designed with Lake Whatcom watershed residents in mind, focusing on projects that protect water quality and preserve what they love about living around the lake.
OUR 5-Step Process
Here’s How it Works
Enter your street address
Learn what type of HIP projects are possible on your property and how to get started.
Learn more
Staff is here to help answer your questions and help you understand how HIP works. Depending on the location of your property, you will start by learning more from an online workshop or an individual consultation with staff.
Choose your property improvements
HIP projects include beautiful native plantings, rain gardens, drainage upgrades, and more. Staff will help you find the options that work for your property and assist with the application process.
Complete your project
Staff will help connect you to professionals who can help and provide directions on how to do-it-yourself.
Get reimbursed!
Receive a rebate of up to $2.00 per square foot improved for eligible expenses. Your property could qualify for thousands of dollars, or more.
“After installing our HIP project, our yard was brought to life. HIP helped us improve our yard and take an active role in protecting Lake Whatcom.”
—Tony and Sherae Quattrocchi, 2020 HIP participants
Learn more about the Quattrocchi’s HIP native landscaping project:
THE HOMEOWNER INCENTIVE PROGRAM IS
Making A Real IMPACT
THE HOMEOWNER INCENTIVE PROGRAM IS
A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM
Lake Whatcom is in trouble. You can be part of the solution!
Long-term studies have shown a decline in water quality within Lake Whatcom. Dissolved oxygen – a vital component of a healthy lake – has declined to historically-low levels, while the amount of algae throughout the lake has continued to increase. Solving this complex problem takes a coordinated, cooperative effort from many stakeholders, including homeowner stewards like you.
The City has implemented a capital retrofit program to manage runoff from some of the developed area around the lake. However, much of the developed land lies outside of the reach of public infrastructure projects and end-of-pipe treatment systems are less efficient and often prohibitively expensive.
This is where you can help!
Through HIP, private property owners can improve water quality by making voluntary landscaping improvements on their property.
ARE YOU A PROFESSIONAL?
GET HIP-CERTIFIED!
Grow your business by getting certified and receiving customer referrals from HIP! To become a HIP-Certified Professional, please attend a free, half-day workshop that provides an overview of HIP, project types, the permitting process, project reimbursement, and more.
After attending, you’ll need to take and pass our test, covering key HIP concepts and processes, to become HIP-approved. Demonstrating your understanding enables you to market yourself as a HIP-approved professional and have your name included on the designer/contractor list available to Lake Whatcom watershed property owners. Rosters of HIP-approved Professionals will also be posted to the HIP website.
