BLAINE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Blaine’s de-annexation is nearly finalized following a tentative agreement with Whatcom County

The Whatcom County Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, Oct. 6 to authorize an agreement with Blaine over its reduced city limits.

Blaine residents voted in 2025 to de-annex roughly 570 acres of rural land in the eastern part of the city that has gone undeveloped for 30 years.

That land included about 1.5 miles of H Street Road, which Whatcom County Public Works found to be in poor condition. An assessment of the road identified deficiencies in pavement condition, traffic signage, roadside ditches and drainage infrastructure.

Per the agreement, Whatcom County will oversee a $1.25 million project to address the road’s existing problems, with Blaine covering 20% of the expenses.

The agreement also requires Blaine to take responsibility for maintaining and repairing the road through July 2030 or until construction begins on the project, whichever is earlier.

The project is expected to be finished within the next 10 years.

Blaine will be able to move forward with its de-annexation once the Whatcom County Boundary Review Board gives the final go-ahead.