BLAINE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A public comment period is opening next week concerning a waterway in the north part of Whatcom County.

The Washington State Department of Ecology will be accepting commentary on the Westman Marine Cleanup Site in the Blaine Harbor industrial area beginning Monday. Ecology says that Westman Marine has been a site for various boatyard activities since the 1940s, leading to different contaminants.

The site contains one acre of upland area and 27 acres of in-water area that will be targeted as part of this cleanup project.

The comment period concerns the Consent Decree between Ecology and the Port of Bellingham, which says the port will need to carry out the cleanup.

Commentors will also be able to speak on the Updated Public Participation Plan, which describes how Ecology will engage community members on the cleanup.

Members of the public have until April 21 to voice their thoughts on the project.