BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The City of Bellingham is acquiring more Lake Whatcom watershed property in pursuit of protecting the city’s drinking water.

The city has purchased two waterfront properties totaling half an acre for over $1.25 million last month.

Both properties were chosen for their key impact on the lake according to Bellingham Public Works spokesperson Stefanie Cilinceon.

One of the plots—purchased from Graney Trust—separated Lake Whatcom Boulevard from the water while a parcel purchased from Max & Hueih-Hueih Hurlbut is very close to the water and backs up to the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve as well as other preserved land.

Cilinceon says that by restoring the Graney Trust property with native plants, the site can naturally filter pollutants from the road that might have flowed into the lake relatively unimpeded. She adds that the plants provide shoreline protection and additional vegetation for a populated area.

The purchase of the Graney Trust property closed on Nov. 22 and the Hurlbut property will close on Dec. 6.

The purchases are a part of the city’s Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program that has bought more than 2,800 acres to preserve the lake’s watershed.