WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. -- The state agency tasked with coordinating the cleanup of Puget Sound has secured new funding to protect Lake Whatcom.

Michael Grayum with the Puget Sound Partnership says the $164,000 grant will help support local programs to stop invasive species, and reduce pollutants threatening water quality in the watershed.

He says the partnership identified Lake Whatcom as a problem because of invasive species like Asian clams and their effect on water quality.



He says the water quality of Lake Whatcom affects marine life as well as the drinking water of Bellingham and half of Whatcom County.

Water from Lake Whatcom also flows into Bellingham Bay, which is part of another multi-agency clean-up effort.

The grant was announced yesterday by the Puget Sound partnership, the city of Bellingham, and State Sen. Kevin Ranker of Orcas Island.

The money is in addition to a $50,000 grant for Lake Whatcom cleanup secured last year.