On June 10, 1999, the Bellingham community was forever changed when the Olympic pipeline ruptured and spilled nearly 250,000 gallons of gasoline into Whatcom Creek which ignited and killed two boys and a young man in Bellingham. In the face of a senseless tragedy, the community of Bellingham demanded change and in the years afterward, the efforts of the people of Bellingham and their elected representatives spurred meaningful restoration of the creek and improvements pipeline safety.
This June, it will have been 25 years since the explosion. In partnership with the City of Bellingham, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, RE Sources, and Whatcom Land Trust, the Pipeline Safety Trust will host community remembrance events on June 10, 2024 and the surrounding days.
Are you able to share this message with your community? It is so important to us that the entire community be invited to join in remembrance and continuing to hold this important legacy. See more info below, if there is anything else we can do please let us know.
Attached are several graphics and this is a social media toolkit we’ve put together. For a full list of events and more information, visit https://pstrust.org/25th-anniversary-of-the-olympic-pipeline-tragedy/
Sat, June 1st 9am-12pm: Restoration work event at Whatcom Falls Park
Sat, June 8th 9:30–10:30am: Film screening and discussion at the Pickford Film Center
Sat, June 8th 2–4pm: Guided creek walks at Whatcom Falls Park
Mon, June 10th 10–11am: Zoom webinar: Pipeline Safety – The Olympic Pipeline Tragedy to Today
Mon, June 10th 2pm: Interpretive sign unveiling at Whatcom Falls Park
Mon, June 10th 6-8pm: Community remembrance gathering at Bellingham High School Performing Arts Center