WSDOT to make “Bellingham Rock” pieces available to the public

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), pieces of the so-called “Bellingham Rock” will be distributed on July 11, 2026. The event will take place from about 9am to about 3pm at the Civic Stadium parking lot at 1445 Puget Street.

According to the press release, more than 1,000 pieces averaging 3 inches in size will be available. People arriving in vehicles are instructed to enter the parking lot from Orleans Street and exit onto Puget Street, according to WSDOT.

According to WSDOT, participants must complete an online waiver by about 12pm on July 10, 2026. The press release lists the following distribution rules:

• each person must complete a waiver
• limit of 1 piece per person until about 2pm
• distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis

According to the waiver document, the rock pieces may contain hazardous substances including lead, cadmium, heavy metals, solvents, paint residues and silica. WSDOT has not done testing to detect contaminants and the material is transferred as is, according to the waiver. The waiver states participants assume all risks associated with possession, transportation and handling.

The waiver lists the following handling acknowledgments:

• potential release of hazardous dust from cutting, grinding, sanding, drilling or crushing the material
• prohibition of material in children’s play areas
• requirement to transport material in covered or secured containers
• requirement to use personal protective equipment when handling or altering the material
• requirement to provide written notice of hazards and obtain an assumption of risk agreement before transferring the material

The boulder was removed in April from an I-5 construction area at Chuckanut Creek near milepost 247, according to WSDOT. The removal was required during a project to restore fish passages at Friday, Lake and Chuckanut creeks, according to the press release. Contractors removed paint layers and soil before using drills and grout to break the boulder into pieces.