Check Your Motor - Protect the Lake

Check your boat motor

Emissions "Hang tag". Oval shape with three stars in the center indicating the vessels emission is "Ultra Low".

Look for the motor label

Boat motor labels must have at least one star to operate on Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. Low emission motors are the right choice for you and the lake.  They are cleaner and provide these additional benefits:


It's the Law

Know the regulations

Carbureted two-stroke engines are prohibited on Lake Whatcom unless they are certified and labeled as meeting 2006 or later model year United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards.   City of Bellingham regulations banning carburested two-stroke engines went into place for Lake Whatcom in 2006.  Whatcom County placed similar regulations on Lake Whatcom in 2009 and on Lake Samish in 2020.  

Read the Code

Why?

Studies conducted by the EPA indicate that conventional two-stroke engines discharge 25-30% of their fuel, unburned, into the environment when operated at full throttle. This means that for every 10 gallons of fuel used in a conventional two-stroke, 2.5 to 3 gallons may go directly into the air and water.

You can help

Reduce engine pollution

Be responsible when fueling

Resources