Bellingham buys 125 acres at Lake Whatcom for $1.8 million

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) - The City of Bellingham has acquired 125 acres of land around Lake Whatcom from the Oeser Co. for $1.8 million.

The Bellingham Herald reports City Council President Gene Knutson announced the purchase, which he said was discussed in a closed session Monday afternoon.

No other information about the deal was immediately available.

Oeser makes wooden utility poles from Douglas fir and Western red cedar, according to its website.

Preservation of land around the lake - the source of drinking water for 100,000 people - has been a primary goal for several years.